graphic novel

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Lenni Reviews: “Parasyte Paperback Collection” Vol. 1, by Hitoshi Iwaaki

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

In a world where humanity is slowly being taken over by alien parasites, Shinichi ends up infected. While he manages to contain the being to his arm, he is thrust into a dangerous life with the alien Migi as an ally.

This is another series that I’ve gone so long without interacting with up until now. Finally getting to it, I can see why it’s such a classic. It has horror elements I enjoy, the clueless but well-meaning protagonist, a greater threat looming in the future… I can see where Ajin got its inspiration, while this is, of course, very different. Since it is an older series, the tone and art are very nostalgic, and maybe younger readers will be affected by that, as it’s a completely different vibe from more modern titles. As for me, I like it, and I’m glad I’m able to experience it. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “You’re All Mine Tonight” by Takiba

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+ and trigger warning for sexual assault.

Kanzaki is a straight-laced, dependable businessman who has kept it hidden that he had a long-standing tryst with a male sex worker who called himself “Nagi,” whom he still longs for. Five years later, Kanzaki meets Futagami at a work assignment, who looks just like him.

The art is beautiful, expressive, and lewd when it needs to be. However, as much as I was rooting for our main couple to be happy, I came away from this with the feeling that this was problematic. Nagisa’s character is made to actually not properly experience sex except with Kanzaki once they meet up again, but it is CLEARLY a trauma response from his time doing sex work and a sexual assault. Since this was never addressed, it felt tacked on to elicit emotion for the character rather than something he works through. Kanzaki just presses his feelings on him until poof, they’re in love. Nagisa’s rejection felt less like “I’m hiding my feelings” and more like a definitive NO that wasn’t listened to. I don’t like the idea of harassing someone until they date you. 2.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Flip Flip Slowly” by Mame Ohtako

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Hagiwara is a librarian in a small town where nothing much happens. When a new face, Yubimi, becomes a regular, he is intrigued, and they become friends and possibly something more.

Not gonna lie, I see a main character that’s a librarian, I want to read it. Call it egotistical since I am a librarian. I gravitate towards depictions of my profession in media (if you haven’t seen The Public, you should. It’s amazing). So, when I say Hagiwara’s job is idealized as fuck, I’m not exaggerating. Maybe because it’s a small town and not American, but I did note a distinct lack of bodily fluids and screaming. And it’s also why I am extra “icked” out about Hagiwara dating a patron. That being said, this moved quickly to get our main couple into bed and then just kinda stopped. There were some heavy things in here that could have been explored, but weren’t, which is a shame because it had great potential. Also, a minor gripe: it’s not likely you’re gonna keep your glasses on when getting hot and heavy. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Spacewalking With You” Vol. 1, by Inuhiko Doronoda

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

Kobayashi is an underachiever, completely apathetic towards school, and can’t seem to focus. When a new student, Uno, arrives, Uno is overly enthusiastic and on the spectrum, opening Kobayashi’s eyes to different ways of thinking and doing things.

After so much yaoi and romance, I can’t express how refreshing this beautiful friendship is. I know what I pick to read, and I’m not ashamed of it, but I will say this is a breath of fresh air. I admit to tearing up. So far, the whole cast is fantastic and positive. Uno has his breakdowns, and the art represents this as well as a neurotypical person like me can say they do. Those are the most intense parts. It’s as if you took the romance (and possible death omens) out of Insomniacs After School and replaced it with mismatched friends. I love it! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate: Making Friends and Not Scaring People” by Tomohito Oda

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

This book is a Komi-themed guide to opening up and making new friends.

This is really cute, and while it is absolutely idealistic, it’s very digestible. It’s a fun way to learn a bit and relive some classic moments from the manga series. If you are a huge fan, this may be a worthwhile addition to your collection or maybe a gift to a young fan who’s a bit shy. I think these types of books are fun! I wonder if Food Wars will come out with an official cookbook (one lazy search brought up some independently published ones). 4.7 out of 5 since it’s a fun little extra book for fans.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dogs and Punching Bags” by Kaori Ozaki

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

Nichiko returns from a complicated life in the city to her small hometown to see her dying father and meets Chimaki, a strange yet chipper guy who is obsessed with saving and/or helping to make up for a tragic mistake in his past.

This is just beautiful. It’s funny, sad, poignant, and amazing to experience. It’s sad and melancholic in the beginning, but it’s a story about finding a place where you can be your best self and be happy despite a sad past. This would be a perfect 5 out of 5 for me if not for my admittedly personal opinion that cheaters fucking suck and don’t deserve a happy ending without seeing some kind of justice. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Love on the Horizon” Vol. 1, by Machi Yamashita

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

Nagi Hitagawa is in love with Yu Yamasaki. Not only are they in the same folk song club at school, they are also neighbors. Nagi doesn’t think Yu would be interested in him because Yu is so popular, but when Yu gets drunk enough that Nagi helps him get home, Nagi ends up trapped in Yu’s drunken embrace, making his unrequited feelings grow stronger.

This is a cute story about how these two get together. It’s low angst, the smut is implied, not graphic, and is overall refreshing. It’s sweet and to the point. If you’re in the market for a swoony, romantic, first-love story, this is perfect, especially if you’re not comfortable with super graphic sex. It’s also beautiful to look at. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day” Vol 1, by Nachi Aono

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

At an orphanage, the children are trained as magical soldiers for the military. Sheena Totsuki recently lost her roommate, a casualty of the war, and one night she runs into a strange girl named Mimi, a very powerful soldier who now rooms with her.

Prepare for children getting hurt. BADLY. If you can’t handle that, this is not the comic for you. It is also weird… They have this thing where kissing transfers mana to heal, and this means adults kissing young children. Nope, not on the forehead or something. The nurse is a fucking creep. Mimi is 10 years old.

Since we’re still introducing the world and characters, we don’t know much about what’s going on. Only that these child soldiers are undergoing dangerous training to put their lives on the line fighting monsters. I sincerely hope the kissing thing is phased out or relegated to two characters of the same damn age because, what the fuck. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dra-Q” Vol. 1, by Chiyo

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers due to gore.

Amelie Kurosaki is a high school girl hiding the fact that she is a vampire who must follow strict rules in order to continue living among humans. When attacks on humans seem vampiric, it puts Amelie’s secret at risk.

This volume doesn’t waste any time getting started. Main character, love interest, family drama, and rival love interest all plunked down in under 200 pages. It’s gory and has some dark humor, but the pace doesn’t let you sit with what’s happening for very long. You know the rules Amelie is given are presented to be inevitably broken, but I didn’t think all of them would be broken in the first volume. The plot is fun, the blood and gore are top-notch, but I almost felt dizzy by the end of it. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “23:45” by Ohana

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

Iku has been in Tokyo for 2 months and is content with his otaku lifestyle. The most excitement he is forced to deal with is his ability to see ghosts. One in particular, Mimori, follows him home. As they grow closer, Iku knows Mimori will have to eventually move on.

This was cute. It’s a little slow, and I didn’t feel like I got to know these people as deeply as I’d like to, but this felt like a nice setup for a climax later. Iku is smitten pretty quickly, and when you think it’s going to be bittersweet, things get very… Convenient is a good word for it. Not bad, but nothing really new here. It’s not smutty as sex is implied, not graphic. 3 out of 5.

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