In this gentle and episodic comedy, teenage android Odette has just entered her second year of high school and is joined by fellow android Chris, a former attack bot now reprogrammed by Odette’s creator, Hiroaki. Although Odette has learned much from being among humans, some concepts still elude her, like why a girl’s heart would beat faster near a particular boy or why some … [Read more...] about Karakuri Odette 2 by Julietta Suzuki: B+
Manga
Steal Moon 1-2 by Makoto Tateno: C
As in the related series Blue Sheep Reverie, Makoto Tateno has gone beyond the call of BL duty to craft a science fiction plot of some complexity. One hundred years in the past, a computer on the moon called “Isis” was created to protect the president then in office. Now it’s rumored to be spying on the populace and seasoned street fighter Nozomi is recruited to help put it out … [Read more...] about Steal Moon 1-2 by Makoto Tateno: C
Immortal Rain 1-2 by Kaori Ozaki: A-
Machika Balfaltin’s grandfather, Zol, was a renowned bounty hunter/assassin, but there was one man he could never catch: Methuselah, an immortal with a price on his head. Machika, like your typical fourteen-year-old, is convinced that she can do anything and is determined to settle her grandfather’s unfinished business. Her attempt to capture Methuselah goes wrong, however, … [Read more...] about Immortal Rain 1-2 by Kaori Ozaki: A-
Natsume’s Book of Friends 1 by Yuki Midorikawa: B+
Takashi Natsume has been able to see yokai ever since he was little, an oddity that resulted in the boy being shuffled from one relative to the next after the death of his parents. Lately, though, the yokai are getting more insistent, mistaking Natsume for his grandmother, Reiko, and pestering him relentlessly. After an encounter with a yokai residing in a ceramic cat, Natsume … [Read more...] about Natsume’s Book of Friends 1 by Yuki Midorikawa: B+
Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B
Beginning with volume seven, the age rating of Monkey High! was changed from Teen to Older Teen to reflect the leads’ growing interest in consummating their relationship. They finally achieve their goal in the first chapter of this final volume, but thereafter are kept busy with studying for exams and preparing for their final school festival. An irksome last-minute rival … [Read more...] about Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B