fantasy graphic novel

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Lenni Reviews: “Mr. Villain’s Day Off” Vol. 3, by Yuu Morikawa

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

This volume has fun with The General as he interacts with a stray cat and agonizes over whether or not to have ramen as a late night snack but the emotional punch of this is learning about the Rangers. I almost wish the stories were reversed; the fun stuff with The General taking place after the Rangers because the kids getting their powers and being trained is kinda sad. Cute but sad. It would have been a nice palate cleanser to have some stray cat and ramen fun after the hard truths about becoming a Ranger. I do like it, though. It shows a nice balance between the opposing forces and the series is overall still fun. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Lumine” Vol. 1, by Emma Krogell

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

Lumine is a werewolf who lives on the fringes of society because can only shift into a puppy. While on a desperate search for employment, he meets a witch named Kody who is not very well liked but is in need or a bodyguard.

I really enjoy collections of web toons. I find them more satisfying than reading them on my phone. Anyway, this is really cute and has plenty of intrigue to keep me interested. Lumine is adorable, earnest, and fun to follow as the mysteries are set up for future reveals. The art is lovely and has expressive humor along with some cool magical elements. I look forward to Kody and Lumine becoming good friends. Lumine is a sweet kid and Kody offsets him well by being a sad boy. They’ll be great together. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 6, by Sui Ishida

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

After being kidnapped from training camp; Sora Siruha tells Toki and his friends that a dark future lies ahead. Their hesitation to immediately obey her drives Tokio and the others to flee for their lives to avoid her wrath. The enormity of what they’re facing makes Tokio make a life altering decision.

There is one heck of a time skip after the big battle against Sora that’s really well done and pushes the characters into some interesting scenarios. The weirdo cult around Sora is genuinely creepy to me and it still tickles me that they had this big ole dramatic prophecy around Tokio and he just turns it down. It’s intriguing to see them all grow and I am curious to see how this will all play out because I’m getting the sense Sora is full of crap. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 12, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

A warrior of honor, Jako, is forced to face Ken on behalf of an evil despot who holds Jako’s people hostage.

There’s a real odd cycle of the story picking a background character to die so Ken can have more motivation. I believe it’s super lazy to fridge all these characters for Ken’s benefit. He’s plenty powerful as he is. I never feel like he’d in danger and twelve volumes deep, we shouldn’t have to re-up his resolve with the blood of more interesting characters. He’s the most boring part of this volume. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 6, by Kenichi Kondō

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

After using the Damned Sargent to acquire such a powerful spirit they all barely survive and need to rest up, giving Eiko some time to think about how dangerous all of this ghost hunting really is.

Eiko didn’t waffle very long as she decides with Yayoi to buy a cheap house to store spirits and the story behind this old house is fucked up. If you do not do well with body horror, you will NOT like this volume. It’s less funny and much more horrific than anything that’s come before it. Aside for the murder, there’s also incest so, trigger warning for all of that. I guess the most unbelievable part of this volume for me is a young person just having the money to buy a haunted house on a whim. *cries in post-capitalism America* 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Blade of the Moon Princess” Vol. 3, by Tatsuya Endo

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

In this volume, we get an update on the state of Kaguya’s mother, who is being held prisoner for experimentation. Kagyua displays a frightening amount of power and is in need of an alliance with the Matsu branch; who has a dark history with the moon kingdom.

This volume felt a little all over the place with the amount of information being thrown at me between what’s still going on on the moon, Kaguya’s increasing powers, the Matsu clan, and I wish it was more focused. I still enjoyed it but parts of this felt like homework and I had to re-read some parts to make sure I’d studied hard enough so I was prepared for what comes next. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 2, by Daruma Matsuura

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

With Tsuki gone and his memory tampered with, Konosuke struggles to get through the day as he knows he has lost something important. Meanwhile, a traveling medium named Aki has the ability to see a person’s fated death and through a chance encounter she learns her fate is entwined with Konosuke’s.

Now the real story is coming into play with a strange request for Tsuki and her captors going after Konosuke, who of course is going to try and get her back. Aki is a hoot as well as a capable addition to Konosuke’s quest. I did wonder where this was going to go after how the first volume ended and I see a lot of potential in this adventure. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 16, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Mao tries to reach Daigo, who is only an empty shell manipulated by the Goko Clan and Byoki. they also assist in the case of a missing girl and a string of mysterious fires followed by robberies.

The missing girl case allows us to see more of Hyakka, his abilities, and other similar fire wielders. I won’t spoil any details but it’s a well done story that doesn’t feel like filler whatsoever as whatever is going on with Daigo takes a pause. I found this story interesting with some cool powers that I’m sure will come into play as the main plot progresses and makes Hyakka a cool character. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Gargoyles: Here in Manhattan” by Greg Weisman & George Kambadais

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

As the clan grows and the younger ones find their own way, they come against a new threat and the possibility of a new gargoyle egg falling into the wrong hands.

This was fun to read but to try and have the opening line of the show at the beginning of every chapter was less and less fun as the book went on. It just felt repetitive by the end of it and I just skipped it. Other than that, there’s a lot going on. A new egg, the widespread knowledge of gargoyle existence to the general populace, a rift in the gargoyle family; all not bad. It’s still a little narration heavy which makes it feel the dark enigmatic tine of the show is burdened by so much exposition. It was decent, 3 out of 5… Maybe more of a 4 but not something I’m fiending after to read again. 

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Lenni Reviews: “Brooms” by Jasmine Walls & Teo Duvall

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In 1930’s Mississippi, magic is common but either banned or severely restricted for people of color. Despite this, Billie Mae and Cheng Kwan introduce young Mattie and Emma broom racing in order to participate in underground broom racing to earn money to learn magic from a real school.

Despite the abundance of characters, it’s easy to empathize with their struggles and hopes. The racing is a lot of fun and while the representation is wide – there are participants of all races, ages, and ability – it doesn’t feel forced; more like all of these “outcasts” can come together to buck the system and cut loose. I would LOVE to see this as an animated movie. The flying scenes scream for it. Absolutely check this one out! 4.5 out of 5.

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