fantasy graphic novel

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 6, by Daruma Matsuura

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

Konosuke, Aki, and Bokutake face off against the gambler: Rabbit Eyed Tenroku.

This volume also includes Tenroku’s backstory of suffering through famine (this was pretty fucked up…) and Konosuke’s powers finally manifest. It’s a little spoilery but I enjoy the idea of having luck so good that it destroys everyone around you. Very Twilight Zone. There’s plenty of plot to chew on with Konosuke and Tsuki’s powers. What hooked me about this series was their relationship and I hope these new revelations don’t negatively impact what they’ve built so far. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Fears Rhapsody” Vol. 2, by Akira Sugito

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

Hachiro is as enamored with the human world as ever and is trying to make a human friend.

Okay, it was way more entertaining for me to see Hachiro and Kosuke showing a bunch of elderly tourists around than is probably should have been. Even though this can get dark with bloody fights and such but the calm and funny moments are so endearing. I guess I have a weakness for lovable goodballs like Hachiro. While there is absolutely a bigger threat – not like in Villain’s Day Off where the invasion doesn’t seem to be taken very seriously – the parts with Hachiro are so much fun! Overall, it’s well balanced and I can’t wait to read more. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Lumine” Vol. 3, by Emma Krogell

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After the failed kidnapping attempt, Lumine and Kody are recovering from their injuries. But they are still being hunted and Lumine’s secret of being a werewolf, thought to be an extinct species, may be exposed.

This volume has plenty of sweet moments and some bloody fights. Somehow, this manages to handle the cute and the gory equally well. It’s nice to see Kody grow closer to Lumine. He still has that same aloof demeanor he developed clearly as a defense mechanism. I am so glad that the Calla and the bullies plot is wrapped up because it makes more space for the bigger mystery behind the werewolves and Lumine’s parents not being around. Not to mention whatever is going on with Kody’s magic. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Merry Witches’ Life” Vol. 2, by Menota

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While Zoe is working very hard on their magic, a human finds out their secret and a writer comes to visit the town. While he claims to be doing research for a book, he’s hiding a secret of his own.

While the majority of this is slice of life and adding new characters, there’s an escalation and a bunch of lore like Zoe’s childhood and more about the ghosts hanging around Clay. There’s also more information about the magical parts of this world and while interesting, it feels like one big set up. It’s getting all the ducks in a row for perhaps something bigger? I suppose we’ll see. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life” Vol. 2, by Miyu Morishita

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

In this volume, Tsumiki tried baking, helps a Medusa find her glasses, spend a rainy day with Tsumiki and Mirei, have an interview, and showcases different abilities from more creatures.

Most of the volume is the sports festival, where we also get the most development for Yutaka. We learn why he came to this new school and who he was in his old school. It’s still light-hearted, poignant but not dark, so if you need something with good characters and a bit of fun, this series has it so far. It’s a nice mix of fantasy and slice of life and putting the unique ways the mythical creatures adapt to more modern living is fun to watch. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 6, by Sumi Eno

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

After Waka was kidnapped by Volov – who is demanding something from Alura – she attempts to escape only for Alura to awaken against Waka’s will.

Alura’s design is amazing. A real eldritch nightmare and gave me a real feeling of wrong, and is so very disconcerting. Overall, the volume is WILD but also sad. A LOT of plot points happen, and it balances the serious moments with some wackiness very well. It’s a total package, showcasing the best of this series: the horror, the action, great characters, and some amazing art. I honestly didn’t see things going the way they are and it’s been so much fun to read. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 4, by Takeru Hokazono

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

Chihiro has to get into the storehouse on the Sazanami clan’s property before the Sinuchi sword is auctioned off.

Man, with all the family drama mixed in with the action, this was a fast-paced and entertaining read. Hakuri has a tragic backstory and it was amazing to see him rise above his shitty family’s criminal background and get in tune with his abilities. The battles are bloody and exciting. Definitely a stand out so far in the series, even though it’s kinda sad and Hakuri’s brothers are creepy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 21, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Mao and Nanoka help with some cursed objects and investigate a missing children’s case while the Goku Clan is still sniffing around.

While I do enjoy the villain-of-the-week sort of volumes, this one wasn’t as good as the others. I’d like some more forward momentum in the overarching story with whatever the Goku Clan is ultimately planning. It’s okay but something about this volume felt kinda bland and only exists to introduce some more cursed items. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Merry Witches’ Life: The Three Widows of Berlebagille” Vol. 1, by Menota

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Zoe and Shishika have been friends for a long time, and they both have lost their husbands. The two widows begin a quest to learn magic in order to bring their husbands back to life, and on that journey, they transform a scarab beetle into a human named Eliza, who has also lost her husband and joins them to get him back.

This can be best described as darkly whimsical. One moment, they’re happily making brooms, and the next, we see the ghosts of the dead in the same state they died in (half a woman’s body is missing, and her face is mutilated). Our main three are wholesome and earnest, and the overall vibe is cozy. There does seem to be some fear of being discovered to be a witch, but I have trouble believing this will take too dark a turn if they’re found out, given how chill most of this is. I am tentatively hopeful it won’t. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 14, by Kenichi Kondō

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

With all the sites claimed, Yayoi, Keitaro, and Eiko prepare for a showdown with Yin Jiao. Their plan is in place, but this vicious god has incredible strength.

Yeah, this turned out to be as intense as I thought it would be. The art for the spirits is still 10 out of 10 terrifying and interesting to look at when you get into the details of their designs. The fights are awesome! We’ve been building up to this for so many volumes, and so far, I feel it’s paying off. Yayoi is so fucking clever and Yin Jiao lives up to all the hype behind him. I don’t even wanna say much other than just go read this. It’s horror gold. 4 out of 5.

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