Takashi Natsume has been able to see yokai ever since he was little, an oddity that resulted in the boy being shuffled from one relative to the next after the death of his parents. Lately, though, the yokai are getting more insistent, mistaking Natsume for his grandmother, Reiko, and pestering him relentlessly. After an encounter with a yokai residing in a ceramic cat, Natsume … [Read more...] about Natsume’s Book of Friends 1 by Yuki Midorikawa: B+
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Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B
Beginning with volume seven, the age rating of Monkey High! was changed from Teen to Older Teen to reflect the leads’ growing interest in consummating their relationship. They finally achieve their goal in the first chapter of this final volume, but thereafter are kept busy with studying for exams and preparing for their final school festival. An irksome last-minute rival … [Read more...] about Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B
Monkey High! 7 by Shouko Akira: B
From the back cover: Different classes, college preparations, and a disapproving father all make it hard for Macharu and Haruna to be together. So when they win tickets for an overnight stay at a resort, it seems like a great chance for them to take their relationship to the next level... Review: Although I liked this volume of Monkey High! somewhat less than the others, it … [Read more...] about Monkey High! 7 by Shouko Akira: B
Adolf 1: A Tale of the Twentieth Century by Osamu Tezuka: A
From the back cover: On the eve of World War II, the destinies of three men named "Adolf"—including the infamous dictator of Germany's Third Reich—became inexorably intertwined... Review: I had already requested Adolf via interlibrary loan when Connie posted her excellent review of the series at Manga Recon. You can see what she has to say about it here. In this later work, … [Read more...] about Adolf 1: A Tale of the Twentieth Century by Osamu Tezuka: A
Cheeky Angel 1-10 by Hiroyuki Nishimori: B
These first ten volumes of Cheeky Angel have been sitting around my house gathering dust for several years. There's nothing like agreeing to a manga trade, however, to inspire one to finally read something before it's gone. I’m glad I did because I ended up enjoying them a good bit. When rambunctious nine-year-old Megumi Amatsuka and his female pal Miki defend a mysterious … [Read more...] about Cheeky Angel 1-10 by Hiroyuki Nishimori: B