graphic novel review

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Lenni Reviews: “Magical Girl Dandelion” Vol. 3, by Kaeru Mizuho

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

While Tanpopo and Peony are on a mission to protect Peony’s friend, Karakusa, Ice goes to great lengths to get back his old friend, Shade.

Prima and Stella are frightening. They have some amazing character designs. There isn’t much down time in this volume. Once Peony asks Tanpopo to help with Karakusa, the fiends show up and the action goes full throttle. I’m not happy about the cliffhanger but other than that, this was a lot of fun. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition: Vol. 6, by Takehiko Inoue

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

Despite being deaf and mute, Sasaki Kojiro has incredible sword skills and an insatiable drive to be the best. This drive leads him far away from the small seaside village where he grew up.

It was genuinely sad to repeatedly see Master Kanemaki try to keep Kojiro from going down a bloody path but still teach the boy how to fight. He wants a better life for the kid, but he knows it’s inevitable and he can either get the kid prepared, or watch him die. The fight scenes in this are amazing and things moved at an enthralling pace. You do get some space to breathe and some humor is sprinkled in. This was a very enjoyable volume and it’s pretty bloody and really leans into the mentality of being a swordsman. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Daydream Darling” Vol. 1, by Io Sakisaka

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

Iroha Hosho avoids chatting with her classmates and spends her time daydreaming outside with her only confidant, Sou Akutsu. One day, another student sees her outside, revealing the secret Iroha had been keeping.

This can be like Komi, but Iroha is very different. And so far, the cast is kinda fun! Nobody’s being a bully or weird at all. They’re pretty mature, actually. For a second, I thought this would have a darker vibe but it’s a nice slice of life with a clear budding romance in the works.

As for why I thought this was gonna get dark. *SPOILERS* the reason is that at the start the Sou Iroha is talking to is in her head. He’s the daydream. I thought we were gonna go full on psychosis but nah. Iroha is just an awkward people pleaser who needs to be more confident. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Marriage Toxin” Vol. 14, by Joumyaku & Mizuki Yoda

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

Gero and Chinatsu face the self proclaimed head of the Iron Clan, Chuto as they continue to protect the former head, Nabe.

After they complete their assignment with Nabe, Gero is summoned to his family home with Kinosaki. Here, we get to meet Kiara, the head of the Poison Clan. So, there are some interesting things brewing. The mission with Nabe brings Gero and Chinatsu closer, but Gero’s clan is cooking up something sinister. I’m guessing this forced marriage is a cogs in a bigger machine that Gero has no idea about and isn’t as simple as there just needs to be an heir.

And if anyone hurts Kinosaki, I will riot. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 21, by Yusei Matsui

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

After Mima uses her divine power to save them, Tokiyuki and his friends wash ashore and meet Kosaka Takamune, who takes them in so they can recover before heading into battle once more.

This one has a lot of tactical talk and jumps forward a few years but it still feels bland. Almost like reading bulleted points in a Wikipedia article. I just don’t feel as engaged as the exaggerated art wants me to be. 3 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 8, by Takeru Hokazono

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

While taking refuge at the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel, Iori contemplates restoring her memories as Chihiro risks his life to protect her.

This volume dives into Iori’s past and growing up with a famous swordman like Samura. Now, there’s also a prophesy about the sword bearers causing a great calamity (reminds me of Choujin X) The action is fantastic and there’s a lot of heart tugging events here, too. And it’s paced well enough that while cluttered, it’s easy to read and flows very well. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 11, by Luka Kobachi

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

Chidori helps Nanoha study but when Nanoha makes a new friend, Minami, Chidori get jealous of her taking up Nanoha’s time.

Minami is the vehicle used to fine out how Chidori and Nanoha met. They also have a date for Chidori’s birthday and head into Summer break. As with other volumes, this is just a sweet slice of life with very little drama. I like that the addition of Minami was just adding another nice person to the group. It’s just sweet to see this couple together in a fairly healthy relationship. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life” Vol. 7, by Miyu Morishita

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

Yutaka is doing a lot if inner work on his feelings and making friends; including his student council duties and helping Tsumiki make Valentine’s Day treats.

Much like with Komi, Tsumiki’s earnest and positive attitude is so refreshing and nice to read. I would like to know more about other beings – Raizen’s portion was interesting – but our main two are adorable. You can tell Tsumiki is working slyly to help Yutaka. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centuria” Vol. 3, by Tohru Kuramori

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

Angvall is forced into an impossible choice: obey the orders from the empire she’s pledged her life to, or protect her found family.

This does feel like an Oedipus situation (minus the incest) where by desperately trying to avoid a dismal fate, they’re running headlong into it. Elstri is so certain that Diana will destroy the kingdom, but maybe hunting her down and killing those she loves would give her good reason to? But she’s a zealot and this keeps the story going. It’s still action packed and gives us more characters with other powers. I am super hooked and if you’re into dark fantasy, this series (so far) does not disappoint. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Half Is More” Vol. 1 by Yoiko Fujimi

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

Kazumi Mandanda and her brother, Yoneyama, are Japanese and Black (French Black to be specific). Although they have lived in Japan their entire lives, they struggle with being seen as outsiders, handling this in very different ways.

This starts with Kazumi and her brother, then branches off to the other mixed race friends she has and all the complicated feelings around this weird limbo mixed people life in. Now, I’m a mixed race person in America, where it’s a melting pot and a lot of people look different. Getting the “What are you?” is common, nobody ever guessing what mix you are correctly, getting mistaken for every race but the ones you are… Super fun in the way it’s really fucking not. I’m sure it’s a billion times worse in a homogenous place like Japan. I won’t go into all the shit I’ve been through, but I can totally empathize with a lot of what happens in this book. It’s not a DEEP dive, but it gets the point across. 4 out of 5.

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