comic review

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 10, by Sui Ishida

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After the raid on the poppy fields, Yamato Mori has a chance for a final showdown with Zora, but it is in her tower, giving her the advantage.

Seeing the fruits of all this training is so well done. The fight scenes are well done, and the use of the various abilities on both sides are so awesome. Since a good chunk of this is set up and hitting a few emotional beats before the battle begins, it’s all just getting started by the time the volume ends. I hope all this buildup pays off, especially after the last volume of Dark Gathering impressed me so much. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 5, by Alto Yukimura

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Kotsume the otter is considering a job with Poseidon while Dynonisis and Hermes accompany Colette on her journey.

Mild spoilers, but I am VERY unsure about the addition of a “precocious young child” character. She’s cute, but I can see her getting annoying long-term. Since we’re getting into the realizing feelings phase, we don’t have any confessions. Especially since Colette is still so devoted to her work. I wonder if she’ll be forced to choose between that and Hades. And that damn silly little otter made me cry; that adorable little fucker. 3.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 16, by Kenichi Kondō

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Yayoi’s plan (Operation Bellflower Regicide) reaches its final stage. Now, the graduates must to their part to weaken and destroy the god to save Ai.

Even though this volume stops to expound or flashback a lot, this battle does not disappoint. I actually started to feel bad for some of the spirits that didn’t make it. We’ve spent so much time with them at this point that it was a shame that some necessary sacrifices were inevitable in the fight. It’s amazing to see everything Yayoi has experienced and fought for coming together in a fantastically illustrated battle. This was so satisfying, even though it’s clearly not over. 4.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “I’m the Grim Reaper” Vol. 4, by Graveweaver

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Now that Scarlet and Chase have revealed their secrets to each other, they resolve only to kill the worst sinners they find.

The Chief going Mom Mode when it came to Scarlet was funny and it’s interesting to see more parties involved in all this. I can respect this series for keeping Satan an asshole. So many stories could and do easily give the villain a tragic backstory or try to reform them but not here! He’s a dick. Because he can and he enjoys it. In this case, I think it will push Scarlet into more creative solutions to solve the impossible choice she was given by the end of this volume. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 5, by Takeru Hokazono

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

As Chihiro descends into the storehouse of the Rakusaichi auction, he encounters the leader of the Hishaku.

The space warping abilities Kyora has make for some interesting battles and great art. It really showcases how powerful and terrifying these swords can be. There are some beautiful two-page spreads and some great maturity from Chihiro. His father didn’t really let him know the details about what these swords can do, and realizing he can’t do this on his own was surprising. I thought he’d go full lone protagonist, but nope. I have the feeling he’s going to learn a great deal about his father that was hidden from him as this story goes on. 4 out of 5

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 22, by Rumiko Takahashi

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After dealing with the doll maker, Nanoka encounters a possessed woman whom she tries to deal with on her own, but is helped by Yurako, sparking jealousy. Meanwhile, Byoki reveals more about Sana’s death.

Nanoka isn’t just a bit jealous; she’s pushing too hard to be as strong as Yurako and putting herself in danger to do so. And again, the more we learn about the Goku Clan, the more awful they are. What they put Yurako and Sana through is so sad. It’s genuinely getting to the point where I’m wondering if they did any decent things. They’re almost comically evil and I don’t really care to learn anymore about them. It’s for the best if we get to the endgame and defeat them for good. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 9, by Io Sakisaka

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After rejecting Haruki’s confession, Saku is convinced she did the right thing, freeing him to love Hazuki. But Kotono’s scolding has her doubting her decision in this final volume.

While I’m glad Saku finally stepped up and was honest about what she wanted, I’m actually disappointed Haruki (spoilers) was indeed the guardian angel the whole time because that’s pretty predictable. It’s sweet, but part of me wanted it to be a completely random person who had nothing to do with any of them, but they got together anyway. This was still nice, though. Even if you can totally see it coming. As the final volume, all my tender-hearted readers out there get our happy ending. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 2, by mamakari

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

As Yumeko enjoys her new outlook on life, the investigation into the incident that cost her her memories is ongoing, making it seem that, despite her optimistic outlook, not everyone around her can be trusted.

This is one of those stories where I’m not sure if I want it to get super serious. I want this to be Yumeko’s new lease on life, not how horrid her old life was. Some of the jokes at her expense aren’t very funny as a plus-size woman (let us feel cute, for fucks sakes…) but I am a sucker for characters like Yumeko: positive, hard working, earnest… That little light in a cynical, dark world. Much like in Hirayasumi, I don’t want that light to go out, no matter how strong my curiosity around the incident might be. 3.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 1, by mamakari

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Yumeko is miserable, believing herself unworthy of love, much less worthy of her work crush, Keisuke. After what is assumed to be a suicide attempt erases her memory, her personality completely changes to a confident, outgoing person. As she learns about her former life, the cause of her accident may not have been her own doing.

It’s clear that there’s an underlying mystery clouding all the fun positivity Yumeko brings to this story. Something dark enough to warrant trying to kill her. While that’s a compelling plot, I’d read Yumeko just being fabulous and enjoying her new life. Even if the stereotype of her always eating is there (can we drop that joke, for fucks sakes…), it’s clear her newfound confidence and boundless positivity are the highlight of this story, and it’s so sweet to see her make everyone better around her. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 17, by Yusei Matsui

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Tokiyuki and his army head to Kyo where they face the powerful Toki Yorito, and a former friend appears to kill Tokiyuki.

While there is a lot of action in this volume, it doesn’t feel smooth. It’s very “This happened. And then this happened.” but didn’t feel like I was enjoying a story. They felt unconnected, like Sunday comic strips: all our familiar characters are there, but from scene to scene it doesn’t flow. It’s not bad. The tactics and battles are cool to look at, some of the character reveals will raise an eyebrow, but overall, this is just ok. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.