Be-Ri thought she’d been doing a good job hiding the fact that she is in love with her sister’s boyfriend, San-Ne. After he humiliates her by revealing he’s known all along, she seeks out a relationship where she won’t get hurt and agrees to date her ardent admirer, Mi-Hyuk, for whom she feels nothing. Japanese transplant Tsuyoshi, who has formed a friendship with Be-Ri, is … [Read more...] about Very! Very! Sweet 5 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B+
Comics
Very! Very! Sweet 4 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B
From the back cover: Tsuyoshi and Be-Ri's charade has Grandfather convinced, but it's just a bit too convincing for Erica and Mu-Hyuk. Forming a coalition of their own, the pair is determined to prevent Tsuyoshi and Be-Ri from becoming anything more than business partners. Meanwhile, Gyu-Ri and San-Ne are on the rocks as Gyu-Ri's unfaithfulness becomes increasingly apparent. … [Read more...] about Very! Very! Sweet 4 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B
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-