MICHELLE: Welcome to the third installment of Let's Get Visual, a monthly column with Manga Bookshelf's MJ in which we flex our artistic muscles! Although it's not our intent to have specific themes for each column, we do like responding to requests! Last month, as suggested by a reader, we devoted our column to action scenes. This month, inspired by a comment from … [Read more...] about Let’s Get Visual: Speechless
VIZ
Cross Game 1 by Mitsuru Adachi: A-
When the first volume of Cross Game arrived at my house, I'm pretty sure my exact words were, "Eee!" Happily, I liked it every bit as I thought I would. The back cover really says it best: “Cross Game is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant hands of manga artist Mitsuru Adachi, delightfully flows with a light and amusing touch. The series centers … [Read more...] about Cross Game 1 by Mitsuru Adachi: A-
Tidbits: Shonen Jumping for Joy
Welcome back to Tidbits, a new feature for shorter reviews! This time I take a look at three continuing series from VIZ's Shonen Jump imprint. First up, it's volumes 28-31 of One Piece, followed by volumes 9-12 of Slam Dunk and a single volume (the third) of the aesthetically pleasing Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee. One Piece 28-31 by Eiichiro Oda: B+ Volumes 28-30 consist almost … [Read more...] about Tidbits: Shonen Jumping for Joy
Bakuman。 2 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata: B+
From the back cover: Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world? After Moritaka and Akito collaborate on a manga together, they venture to publishing house … [Read more...] about Bakuman。 2 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata: B+
The Story of Saiunkoku 1 by Kairi Yura and Sai Yukino: B+
From the back cover: Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to … [Read more...] about The Story of Saiunkoku 1 by Kairi Yura and Sai Yukino: B+