Aqua is a slice-of-life charmer ideal for architecture buffs like me. The year is 2301 and Akari Mizunashi has left Earth (Manhome) for Mars (Aqua), whose surface is now 90% water thanks to man's tinkering. It is Akari's goal to become an undine, or female tour guide who conveys sightseers by gondola through the canals of Neo-Venezia, a city modeled on Venice, which we are … [Read more...] about Aqua 1-2 by Kozue Amano
Shounen
One Piece 46-56 by Eiichiro Oda
With a mighty final push, I have finally become current with One Piece! Because reviewing an entire arc at once worked so well for Water Seven, I've decided to split these volumes up into their appropriate arcs: Thriller Bark, Sabaody, and Impel Down. Let the wait for volume 57 commence! Volumes 46-49 (Thriller Bark): B+ The Thriller Bark arc is named for a massive pirate … [Read more...] about One Piece 46-56 by Eiichiro Oda
Rurouni Kenshin 1-6 by Nobuhiro Watsuki: B+
It feels like I last read Rurouni Kenshin eons ago, even though it's only been five years since the US edition came to an end. The siren call of a potential reread has been increasing in volume lately and finally, I could take it no more. Joined by my friend and fellow Kenshin fan, K, I'm yielding to temptation and diving back in! Over the course of the next few months, I'll be … [Read more...] about Rurouni Kenshin 1-6 by Nobuhiro Watsuki: B+
Tidbits: A TOKYOPOP Assortment
TOKYOPOP released a slew of books towards the end of 2010 and quite a few among them are from series I'm either reading or buying and hoarding (as is my wont). In a desperate effort to stay current, I'm tackling some of them in Tidbits format! Alice in the Country of Hearts is up first, with my take on volumes four and five, followed by volumes four through six of Happy Cafe, … [Read more...] about Tidbits: A TOKYOPOP Assortment
Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B
From the back cover: Barefoot Gen is the powerful, tragic story of the bombing of Hiroshima, seen through the eyes of the artist as a young boy growing up in a Japanese anti-militarist family. Of particular interest is Barefoot Gen's focus on family in a militarized culture, and the special problems which they encounter. Barefoot Gen brings home the reality of an event in our … [Read more...] about Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B