I reviewed the omnibus edition of this shoujo manga based on the Darker Than Black anime for Comics Should Be Good. Basically, all of the elements borrowed from the anime are pretty intriguing, but the manga's storyline just doesn't hang together very well. You can find that review here. Darker Than Black is published in English by Yen Press in a 384-page omnibus edition … [Read more...] about Darker Than Black by BONES, et al.: C+
Shoujo
Dengeki Daisy 1 by Kyousuke Motomi: B+
From the back cover: After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left her. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks? One day … [Read more...] about Dengeki Daisy 1 by Kyousuke Motomi: B+
NANA 12 by Ai Yazawa: A
Cut for spoilers! From the back cover: Hachi tells herself that she's got her eye on the future and her life with Takumi, but she just can't let go of the past and her friendship with Nana and the rest of Blast—especially Nobu. And the tangle gets thicker when Hachi's wedding has to be postponed in favor of Nana and Ren's nuptials. Can Hachi handle another delay in her … [Read more...] about NANA 12 by Ai Yazawa: A
Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
I've always been intrigued by Ash Lynx, the lead character in Banana Fish, but suddenly I feel like I understand him so much better after reading these two volumes. We begin with Ash and friends still in Los Angeles at the home of Dr. Alexis Dawson, one of the creators of Banana Fish. When Ash and Max are drawn away by a threat against Max’s family, Chinese mafia member … [Read more...] about Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-
Much as with Natsuki Takaya's Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I had been looking forward to the English release of Portrait of M & N by Tachibana Higuchi only because I enjoy later work, Gakuen Alice. Aaaand, much as with Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I ended up somewhat disappointed. Portrait of M & N is a love story starring a beautiful girl named Mitsuru Abe and a handsome … [Read more...] about Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-