From the back cover: The future. Having driven Terra to the brink of environmental collapse, humanity decides to reform itself by ushering in the age of Superior Domination (S.D.), a system of social control in which children are no longer the offspring of parents but the progeny of a universal computer. The new social order, however, results in an unexpected byproduct: the Mu, … [Read more...] about To Terra… 1 by Keiko Takemiya: A
Manga
switch 1-2 by naked ape: C+
Although I knew of the existence of switch, I hadn’t been motivated to read it until David Welsh likened it to Wild Adapter fan fiction. Since I’m pining for new Wild Adapter rather ardently, I decided to check it out. switch tells the story of a government-run Narcotics Control Division, specifically a pair of rookie investigators, as they attempt to get dangerous drugs off … [Read more...] about switch 1-2 by naked ape: C+
Black Butler 2 by Yana Toboso: B-
This volume begins with Sebastian, butler extraordinaire, whipping together impressive preparations for a charity function with very little notice while simultaneously dealing with disasters caused by the other (incompetent) members of the household staff. From there, Ciel’s investigatory skills are called upon by Queen Victoria and the action relocates to London, where Jack … [Read more...] about Black Butler 2 by Yana Toboso: B-
How to Control a Sidecar by Makoto Tateno: B-
In this spin-off of How to Capture a Martini, stoic bartender Kiyohito Kousaka is pursued by a pair of guys looking to recruit him for a three-way relationship. He initially wants nothing to do with them, but when one of them goes missing, he cares enough to want to get to the bottom of the mystery. There are definitely some good things about How to Control a Sidecar. The … [Read more...] about How to Control a Sidecar by Makoto Tateno: B-
Banana Fish 3-4 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
The action ramps up in these two volumes of Banana Fish as Ash and his allies follow the trail of the drug known as “Banana Fish” from New York to Los Angeles and more details about its nature, as well as Ash’s background, come to light. There’s a lot going on here, including prison power struggles, an incredibly badass assassination attempt in a Chinatown fish market, a … [Read more...] about Banana Fish 3-4 by Akimi Yoshida: A-