From the back cover: Takemoto's journey across Japan continues, and though he's sleeping in empty lots and subsisting on convenience store food, he seems to be getting closer to understanding what made him ride away from school and his friends. But with his money running out and his bike on its last legs, will he have to give up on his quest before he finds what he's looking … [Read more...] about Honey and Clover 7 by Chica Umino: A
Manga
From Far Away 1-5 by Kyoko Hikawa: A-
When I recently solicited opinions about which of several shoujo fantasies I should read, respondents were clearly in favor of From Far Away and left enticing comments about its charms as well as their abiding love for it. Because of its length (fourteen volumes), I've decided to tackle it in chunks. Here's the first installment; others will follow soon! This is the story of … [Read more...] about From Far Away 1-5 by Kyoko Hikawa: A-
Wāqwāq 2 by Ryu Fujisaki: C+
On the upside, the plot of Waqwaq receives some much-needed clarification in this volume. Unfortunately, it’s still pretty convoluted. Two thousand years in the past, three magi created a race of machines and a race of black-blooded humans and set them in conflict. They also created machines known as gojin-zou, which, when bonded with a human, become a Guardian. When machines … [Read more...] about Wāqwāq 2 by Ryu Fujisaki: C+
Black Bird 2 by Kanoko Sakurakoji: B-
Misao is the bride of demon prophecy, and marrying her will bring her childhood friend Kyo, leader of the Tengu clan, prosperity. Misao is drawn to Kyo, but she resists this arrangement because she can’t be sure whether Kyo actually loves her for herself or because of the benefits she could bring him. The answer to this question arrives in the form of Kyo’s eight vassals, a … [Read more...] about Black Bird 2 by Kanoko Sakurakoji: B-
High School Debut 12 by Kazune Kawahara: B
It’s Yoh’s birthday and Haruna has arranged for them to take an overnight trip together. Originally ignorant of the implications but now armed with information about what boys typically expect in such situations, she has endeavored to prepare herself as much as possible but suffers second thoughts as the big moment approaches. Later, Yoh’s sister throws a hissy fit about his … [Read more...] about High School Debut 12 by Kazune Kawahara: B