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Lenni Reviews: “Witching Hour” Vol. 1, by Paru Itagaki

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Trapped in a marriage where they are only intimate to get pregnant, Megumi longs for a more fulfilling sex life. When a spirit manifests to satisfy her, her husband, Yuji, grows suspicious.

This is weird. At first I thought this would be kinda goofy, but it’s actually dark. Megumi is essentially cheating on her husband with a ghost; the consent is iffy, and while I understand this is just the first volume, it’s paced like it’s a one-shot. It’s rushed, and overall, this is a bit off-putting, and I don’t think it is in the way the author is intending. There’s gotta be a way for this premise to be done and work without giving me the ick. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Yakuza vs. Cat” Vol. 1, by Yori Katakura

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

Retired yakuza Hisahide Matsukata has settled into a peaceful life. He wonders what to do with all this free time when a stray cat appears on his property.

This reminds me of that manga Junji Ito did about his cat. It’s silly and of course very cat like, the little menace causing chaos but too cute to be held accountable for it. I was a bit frustrated, much like Hisahide, because the little creature can be annoying but the story does a decent job at keeping things lite and funny. It also has a bit of the misunderstood tough guy from Way of the Househusband, since both Tatsu and Hisahide have this tough reputation that scares people off. Only here, Hisahide is actually trying to get in good with his neighbors. Tastu doesn’t care. It’s an ok start and I have hopes it will get a little meat on the plot as the story goes on. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 3, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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

The war between centaurs and humans has ended, leading them to living side by side. But peace does not heal all wounds as Ganta cannot forgive the loss of his father, while Tanikaze – who has never experienced oppression, wants to befriend humans.

This volume does a great job at showing that just because a war is over doesn’t mean the hurt is gone. Ganta is dealing with understandable PTSD and finds Tanikaze’s curiosity dangerous. It FLIES through everything. I like the series but the pacing is too fast. Almost like it’s a race. I think this would be so much better if it took its time. This world is interesting and I think it deserves room to let it breathe. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 2, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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

After escaping, Matsukaze and Kohibari continue to search for a peaceful place to live and for Matsukaze’s son. But the group sent by Kohibari’s owner catches up to them and they are saved by an army of centaur orphans.

The 30 year time jump was a bit abrupt, but I get it. This volume is PACKED with plot, battles, touching moments, and dark elements. It’s very bittersweet but I like that cumulative horrors from the first volume are balanced with the happier moments. Spoilers I guess but by the end of this one Matsukaze’s son Ganta is grown and Kohibari’s son, Tanikaze, is on the cusp of adulthood as well. See what I mean about a huge time jump? It’s an engrossing read but really fast. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 1, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Where centaurs were once revered as gods, now they are enslaved by humans. Matsukaze had managed to evade them until he is captured while protecting his son from human hunters. While in captivity, he meets Kohibari, who has been mutilated and tamed yet hopes Matsukaze will be his ticket to freedom.

I label this as for mature readers because of how horridly the centaurs are treated because of course weird dudes rape them. Ew, but sadly not surprising. And it’s a common practice to cut the centaur’s arms off to break them! Ugh, people just suck… While the pacing feels a bit fast, it’s beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s worth checking out if you can handle the brutality and like darker fantasy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Song for Medusa: A Graphic Novel” by Grace Desmarais

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

While Medusa hides in her cave and defends herself against those who seek to kill her, Princess Cyrene happens upon her hiding place and since the princess is blind, she is immune to Medusa’s curse.

This was really sweet. Cyrene is great representation, being blind but certainly not weak. I will give this credit that (spoilers??) the second she does sneak out, she falls into the ocean and gets accosted by sirens. We don’t gloss over how she’s in genuine danger and not having her sight is a problem. Sometimes in cartoons, actual barriers are kinda glossed over (like in Extreme Ghostbusters where Garett’s wheelchair is just glued to him sometimes). But this is a nice love story that gives Medusa and Cyrene the happy ending they deserve. I think Perseus is a little too cartoonishly evil, though. The art is beautiful and I had so much fun reading this. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fertile: A Graphic Memoir” by Sofia Szamosi

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

This graphic memoir details the authors fertility journey.

This is very honest. Through abuse, eating disorders, addiction, and the struggles to have a child. I know this would be triggering for some but I also learned a lot reading this. It’s well told, thoughtfully and beautifully drawn, and while the subjects are heavy, I enjoyed it! If you can handle it, I highly recommend it if you’re interested in memoirs on this subject. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 22, by Yusei Matsui

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

While power struggles in the Ashikaga clan boil over, Tokiyuki grapples with what will finally make him happy.

Just…. Just give this artist a horror manga.

Yes, I am aware of this authors other works, but holy shit. Team up with Junji Ito and terrify some people already…

This goes far into the future and it’s hard to believe ten years have passed. Tokiyuki is grown now and married. I can see how the passing of so many years can shift perspective. When this volume is focused on that, it’s pretty good. I just kinda don’t care about the other stuff. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 10, by Sumi Eno

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

Tokinaga spills all his secrets behind his connection to Waka and how the world is how it is.

So, this is treading into Higurashi territory. Only I’m less confused this time around. I have to say, I don’t kn0w if I like this revelation that I’m going to do my best not to spoil. I am going to hold out and see what happens in the next volume to really see how it fits in with the previous volumes before I make a definitive judgement on it. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Taika’s Reason” Vol. 3, by Paru Itagaki

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

After being tricked by crow person, Aggro, Taika must save Yoichi from his flock’s attack. Afterwards, Taika happens upon a group of humanized animals who hate humans.

There’s a one shot with a former guide dog that was humanized with his owner and Tatsunari gets some love but the biggest deal here is meeting the outcast humanized animals called “less-thans” because they are violent and don’t speak. I supposed it was inevitable since in real life not all pet owners are good people. Of course there would be abused and abandoned humanized pets. I’m betting the next volume will dig into those sadder stories and shake up Taika’s faith in humans as a whole, but I don’t see him ever betraying Ao. 4 out of 5.

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