fantasy graphic novel

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Lenni Reviews: “Call of the Night” Vol. 17, by Kotoyama

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

Nazuna and Mahiru continue to talk before Nazuna leave to allow Mahiru and Ko to finally have a conversation. The outcome of Kiku and Mahiru’s plan finally comes to fruition, leaving Ko with mixed emotions.

I’m so glad the mess with Kiku is over. My dislike of her and the lives she’s destroyed makes it hard for me to feel satisfied but at least it’s over. Now I’m hoping to get more of whatever Ko’s powers are shaping up to be and his relationship with Nazuna now that “Wee, I’m gonna be a vampire” fervor has calmed down with the reality of such an act not being so much fun. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 7, by Sui Ishida

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

A year has passed and Tokio’s abilities have brought him a heroic reputation. He may not feel as such but he does use his experience to lead a mission to hobble Zora and her organization.

While it’s nice to see Tokio be efficient and deadly in battle and be a competent planner, he’s still a big doof. He’s my emotional center of this series and so far, his humor is an asset to the plot and not a distraction. As for what Zora is doing… You ever see the villains plan and thought “That just sounds like a bad idea?” How they’re building their army (I think that’s what they’re doing) seems like just a bad idea. Sure they’re the bad guys but it took me 5 seconds to think of multiple ways this could backfire on them. But good luck, I guess. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 14, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

The Asura recognize Ken’s techniques from when Rao, The Supreme Ruler of Terror, had visited them and they have more information about where Ken and Rao came from.

With all the plot twists in this volume, it felt like I needed to stretch after reading it. I still get left with the feeling that other characters are being neglected or killed off to give Ken a chance to punch more things. It’s okay, bloody battles are plentiful which at least keeps up the pace so it doesn’t feel like a slog to read. 2.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 3, by Daruma Matsuura

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

The Tsuchimikado Clan of fortune tellers has targeted Konosuke and Aki with terrifying masters and lethal techniques.

If you don’t like bugs, you won’t be comfy with the first antagonist, Madara. It’s an interesting fight and drawn really well but yeah, warning for bugs. This story feels like it’s stretching it’s wings to become so much more than a down and out swordsman and his devoted lost wife and I am totally here for it. Not that such a simple premise is bad, I just enjoy having more meat in this case. And Aki brings great energy to the page since Konosuke is finding it hard to just survive to find his lost bride. I think the mystery of what’s the overarching machinations will be fun to find out. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 8, by Kenichi Kondō

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

Faced with the powerful spirit of a murdered child, Yayoi, Keitaro, and Eiko bring forth Otogiri: The Soul Stealing Courtesan to subdue him; a spirit so powerful, Yayoi may not be able to reel her back in. Also, a new student – Dorothy – arrives at Yayoi’s school and quickly puts her friends and classmates in danger.

As usual, the spirits are scary. The art is very effective at making them look terrifying or just WRONG. Even when the Courtesan is all smiling and coy, there’s still just something not right about her. Same goes for Dorothy. She’s villain coded in every scene she’s in. Very creepy and entertaining. Trigger warning for child death in this one. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 17, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

The Goku Clan is assassinating people on the search for another one of their lost relics: the Box of Monstrosity. Mao must lure out Shiranui in order to stop the deaths and he learns more about Sana and Natsuno’s secret.

Wow, the Goku Clan is a mess. It’s starting to feel more like what horrors DIDN’T they commit rather than what they did. This volume goes back and forth between the main narrative of Mao finding out Sana, which is normal but a little jarring this time around. Not bad but noticeabe. Plus the box is really creepy and a different sord of challenge so, I was more interested in that and I want to see how they all deal with it. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Call of the Night” Vol. 16 by Kotoyama

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

Ko goes to meet with Kiku about her intentions with his best friend, Mahiru and it ends with Kyoko finally demanding the real reason why Kiku ruined her family. Meanwhile, Nazuna has some quality time with Mahiru.

This series still somehow has a way of surprising me. I did not expect the events of this volume. I expected some huge violent confrontation once Kyoko comes face to face with Kiku – who I still think is a manipulative creep – but I am intrigued by how things played out. Will Kiko remain a threat or will there be someone new who comes in to play? 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Blade of the Moon Princess, Vol. 4, by Tatsuya Endo

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

Princess Kaguya wants to prove her mother’s innocence concerning a vicious attack but has to face the head of the Matsu Clan: Ibiruhito Matsumouhchi.

I was hoping there would be some more nuance to Ibiruhito to give me a moral quandary as the reader. Still, as is, he’s powerful which makes for an interesting battle and a challenge for Kaguya and her expanding group of friends. The art really shines with the battle scenes and some awesome powers are on display. There’s clearly a bunch of moving parts around the overthrowing of her mother so, it will be a ride to see what Kaguya learns along the way. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 13, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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

Jask has taken Rio across the sea to the Land of the Asuras; a land so violent and obsessed with battle only 1% of the men make it to adulthood.

The Asuras are like some super fucked up Spartans but, as usual, Ken is able to deal with them pretty easily. I do like exploring more countries and areas but this far into the series, the cycle of show up, trash talk, bash bad guy isn’t as interesting. Particularly in this volume because Ken is so overpowered. The Asuras as a concept were interesting but otherwise, this volume was just okay. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rooster Fighter” Vol. 6, by Shu Sakuratani

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

Keiji and his brother, Keisuke are struggling in their battle with a powerful demon in the hopes to get their father back.

I’m kinda surprised the fight to get their father back has taken this long. Granted, there have been several other stories happening: the little chick’s story, Elizabeth’s story, and – in this volume – Keisuke’s back story. It’s not a complaint since I am interested and enjoying it. Just something I noticed since other conflicts felt like they were resolved faster.

Other than that, the action in this is really fun. I wish they would give Elizabeth more to do just because I think she’s cool but that’s not a glaring problem either. This is still a wild concept that revels in the ridiculousness of it. 4 out of 5.

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