Soliloquy in Blue

Manga and Book Reviews by Michelle Smith

Reviews

Cross Game 2-3 by Mitsuru Adachi

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The first volume of Cross Game (well, the first collected volume from VIZ, which includes the first three volumes of the Japanese version) introduced the characters and established the motivation for average boy Ko Kitamura to devote himself to becoming a good enough pitcher to reach the Koshien tournament. It’s very good, but there’s little actual baseball. Volumes two and … [Read more...] about Cross Game 2-3 by Mitsuru Adachi

Full House 1-4 by Sooyeon Won

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There’s certainly plenty of precedent for romantic comedies in which a feisty, average girl exchanges snarky banter with a rich and handsome fellow (to whom she is often secretly attracted even while deeming him odious). It may just be a licensing fluke, but it seems that a large portion of the sunjeong manhwa that I’ve read (Very! Very! Sweet, Sugarholic, Goong: The Royal … [Read more...] about Full House 1-4 by Sooyeon Won

Arisa 1 by Natsumi Ando

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From the back cover: Tsubasa thinks that her pretty and popular twin sister, Arisa, has the perfect life. Everyone at school loves Arisa—unlike the hot-tempered Tsubasa, whose nickname is "the Demon Princess." But when Arisa attempts suicide, Tsubasa learns that her seemingly perfect sister has been keeping some dark secrets. Now Tsubasa is going undercover at school—disguised … [Read more...] about Arisa 1 by Natsumi Ando

Shugo Chara! 1-9 by Peach-Pit

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Shugo Chara! has all the basic requirements for a magical girl series: costume changes, loads of sparkles and hearts, and a focus on dreams, believing in one another, and protecting the people one cares about. And yet somehow, it doesn't feel generic at all! The main character is Amu Hinamori, a shy fourth grader who, because of her awkward communication skills, comes off as … [Read more...] about Shugo Chara! 1-9 by Peach-Pit