fantasy manga

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 15, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Mao faces the man who has been using a fire breathing mask to bully his village. But Sasuga has been sent to claim the mask as an addition to the Goku Clan’s arsenal. Mao is determined to destroy it rather than let Shiranui have it but he must defeat Sasuga first.

Whatever went down the night Mao was accused of murder continues to twist and turn into something much more complicated than we thought 15 volumes ago. Clearly there’s some messed up stuff going on and as the cast expands, we’re getting bits of information along with some interesting powers and personalities. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 1, by Daruma Matsuura

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

Ryundo Konosuke is destitute, homeless, and cursed to repel any metal he is near so he can’t wield a sword. As his mother wished for him to become a warrior, his dreams seem impossible and he decides to take his own life. However, he is saved by a mysterious woman who offers to marry him.

As the volume unfolds, I managed to get attached to Konosuke and wanted him to be happy. It’s a cute story so far; his new wife is genuine and they get alone well. The art is expressive and the fantasy elements leave just enough unsolved to make you keep reading and find out more. It’s intriguing. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 4, by Sui Ishida

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

This volume has a ton of lore dropped on us. There’s the Great Choujin War and a festival to honor those who were lost and the looming threat of a choujin able to destroy the world. It’s going to be interesting to see the friends Tokio and Azuma training together after their fight. Tokio is the brave, empty-headed one compared to the more calculating Azuna. And Azuna clearly has control issues with his abilities but this is mostly training after their face off and I’m excited to see what happens next.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 14, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Nanaoka is making progress wielding her sword and while she can be of help to Mao as she wishes, there are still some enemies that are beyond her abilities.

It feels like we’re back to a villain of the week format which I like since I get to see more types of spirits and meet new characters. It’s all to likely set up for the big showdown with the Goku clan as there’s a lot of info about what elements balance and defeat the others. Its still a cool series and I’m enjoying it! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Takopi’s Original Sin” by Taizan5

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers. Trigger warnings for suicide, child abuse, and bullying.

An alien, Takopi, arrives on Earth with the mission to spread happiness through the universe. His first subject is Shizuka, a 4th grader with a terrible life. However, Takopi’s misguided and simplistic attempts leave misery in it’s wake.

This is a rough read. I’ve seen people call it “misery porn” and given how much time is spent watching our main cast miserable and hurting only to have a rushed conclusion (that I kinda understand but it still feels rushed to me). I have to agree. I tried to embrace that last crumb of positivity but I felt exhausted by the end of this. If you’d like to try this one out, be aware of the trigger warnings and have something fun to read afterwards. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Asadora!” Vol. 7, by Naoki Urasawa

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

The creature appears in Tokyo Bay ready to attack but the crowds from the Olympics keep Asa from getting there to help, losing precious time to stop the monster before it reaches land. Meanwhile, Shota is still struggling with the high expectations with his running.

Even though we didn’t get much progress on whatever’s going on with the kaiju, more of this is about Asa and Shota. Shota is inspired by Asa and not handling it well; twisting it into some dangerous habits and Asa is really coming into her own and becoming stronger. While I do wish we learned more about the monster, the character development is satisfying. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rooster Fighter” Vol 5, by Shu Sakuratani

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

With the demon Morio going berserk and Keiji’s father captured, Keiji and his brother head off to rescue them. Also, Elizabeth’s human father makes an appearance.

So, with this volume, we get even more powerful demons and apparently Elizabeth’s father with this huge organization that makes weaponry that fights them? We’re getting bits of world-building and even though the overall concept of a demon fighting chicken is silly on the surface, this is really interesting. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Call of the Night” Vol. 14, by Kotoyama

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

As the school trip approaches, Ko plans to use it as a chance to look for Kiku and Mahiru.

Using the school trip was an interesting choice. There’s something smart and silly about the way they managed to get a school trip plot in here since Ko hasn’t been to school or cared about school this whole time but, I’m rolling with it.  It is odd that Ko dropping out of school is treated like no big deal and nobody bats an eye when he just shows up for the trip. I do want this Mahiru situation to make more progress. Whatever Kiku is with him for, I wanna know already because circling around it this long is starting to bother me. I really hope the payoff is worth it. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Blade of the Moon Princess” Vol. 2, by Tatsuya Endo

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

Princess Kaguya, stranded on Earth, is trying to find a way to honor the promise she made to her mother. Along with Guard Cadet Mikuni, they work against the Ume forces dark deeds.

There’s a decent chunk of this is Kaguya learning how to use her sword but it was cool so see her on a mission and gain some focus and discipline. As fun as Kaguya’s chaotic energy is, it’s nice to see her put  her energy towards something other than just being powerful and beating on bad guys. It’s not a lasting change for this volume but I can see the potential for growth in the character. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ragna Crimson” Vol 9, by Daiki Kobayashi

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

The surviving Argentum Corps encounters the Solarian Church, which is trying to recruit Ragna to become a dragon scourge in exchange for bring the Silverware Princes back to life.

A lot of this volume is everyone regrouping and gearing up to take on whatever is left of Ultimatia’s dragons and eventually Ultimatia herself. I did find it cool that Crimson underestimated Ragna. Crimson is portrayed as this grand puppeteer and master manipulator so it’s good to see them off center. There’s all these pieces moving right now and I’m just watching the action happen. It’s not bad but I just don’t feel the same investment I used to in this series. 3 out of 5.

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