horror

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 8, by Sui Ishida

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

As the investigation of The Market continues, Palma Shishinegura (a choujin who can reanimate corpses) is captured by the Yamato Mori. Azuma and Tokio had very different feelings about being in the group and how their friendship will be affected by it.

This volume is kinda doofy. Not in a bad way but a lot of the throwaway bad guys are not to be taken seriously at all. While some plot does happen, this feels a little silly when they’re supposed be doing this important investigation so I got a bit of a feeling that this was filler. I do like that we may get more of Palma. Her powers are very cool and unique for what is essentially a necromancer. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Call of the Night” Vol. 18, by Kotoyama

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

Now that things have calmed down, Ko and Nazuna try to have time together but first they have to solve the problem of Nazuna’s destroyed apartment building. As she looks for a new place to live, Ko resumes going to school, meaning less time to roam about at night.

With all the stuff going on with Kiku, I forgot that if Nazuna has feelings for Ko and turns him, Nazuna could die. Since she was born a vampire that may not happen but the Kiku drama ended, I can see why Nazuna would be having second thoughts. And even though it cuts in to his time with Nazuna, it’s nice to see Ko hang out with other people. He’s always seemed so isolated and even though he still wants to become a vampire, it’s good he has people around him who aren’t vampires. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 11, by Kenichi Kondō

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

Keitaro is infected with a fungal curse and Yayoi must find the source before it kills him.

By the end of this, three of the needed power spots have been claimed but we get some interesting side visitors that gives more lore to chew on. With all this ‘kill a god’ stuff going on, Keitaro’s cursed hand got pushed to the back burner in my brain so to have that brought back into play was very interesting and again, very awesome creature designs. The old lady with the baby dolls is fucking awful in the best way. She’s just terrible to have to look at. It feels like there’s more forward momentum in the overall plot, which I like. I’m dying to know what’s going on. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 2, by Sumi Eno

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

Now that Waka is at the Research Institute, They begin to test the abilities of the entity inside her.

So, the thing inside Waka is a god named Alura and has been imprisoned by the other gods in Waka’s body which is why the other gods are after Waka and Alura… Or many just after Alura? We’ll see. They’re being cryptic about what’s so great about Alura that everyone’s after Waka. The wild shit was what happened with Shion! I won’t spoil anything but WOW. Alura’s kind of a dick. Well, a lot of the gods and “blessed” humans are dicks. I like this series but this volume felt all over the place. I do love the way the gods are drawn. Very other worldly and Lovecraftian. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fool Night” Vol. 3, by Kasumi Yasuda

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

The killer spiriflor, Ivy, is still on the loose and Kamiya is willing to risk anything to stop her. Meanwhile to cracks in the system are revealed and the Anti-transfloration movement is picking up steam in the face of rampant poverty.

It figures that when a society jumps to harvesting humans to turn into plants for air would also have extreme poverty, wealth disparity, and exploitation of the working class with all the exorbitant taxes and fees to do anything. Ivy is out for revenge and so is Kamiya, which makes for an interesting fight between them. I do want to see more of Kamiya’s abilities, which were used great in this volume but I find it funny that (spoilers) they tried to fire him. Yeah, just put up a LinkedIn post looking for another person who can talk to the spiriflors. I’m sure they’ll be lining up for ya. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Vol. 16, by Haro Aso & Kōtarō Takata

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

The group heads to Mount Aso but their vehicle runs out of gas. Takemia and Izuna head off to find some and end up at the infamous Yamagami Family Manor.

This volume has a horror movie vibe, specifically in the killer family genre so, while I was blindsided by the included sex scene, this is going for a slasher movie tone and sexed up couples are a trope. I’m just not used to it in this series. Considering how everything’s been going, they worked in zombies as the threat again very well. It was easy to spot the cannon fodder characters and I’m glad we’re keeping the core cast I can rely on for now. You never know if the creator will change their mind about that but this was clearly not the volume he was gonna do it. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Name Is Shingo: The Perfect Edition” Vol. 3, by Kazuo Umezz

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

Marin and Satoru’s run away is foiled and they are separated once again. Satoru visits Monroe who is now self aware and in danger of being demolished.

Trigger warning for dog death and some gory violence.

Now with the kids apart, the focus is now on Monroe and what it’s learning. And what it’s learning isn’t… Great. It’s not the worst humanity has to offer but it certainly isn’t the best. I honestly did not expect the level of violence in this volume since the others never went there. Marin’s parents are their usual useless selves so chalk up another trigger warning for attempted sexual assault and generally shitty parenting. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 1, by Sumi Eno

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

In this world, strange creatures that have been named “gods” came from the sea and the areas where they exist have been blocked off as danger zones. Waka frequents one such zone in search of her friend who had been taken by a god and happens to meet Tokinaga; a researcher for the Anti-God Science Institute as well as a deranged Uzuki, who is recruiting followers to her god.

This volume hits the ground running and gets through a lot of world-building and lore in less than 200 pages. It’s full of twists and turns, deep character moments, it’s a LOT for one volume but it’s decent. The art for the gods is unique and grotesquely beautiful with amazing details. There is some gross body horror that will make you cringe since the art style supports it so well. We do have a comic relief-ish cat character, Nyababa, who I hope is used sparingly. I give this a tentative 3 out of 5 since the fast pace makes me nervous for the future volumes.

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Lenni Reviews: “I’m the Grim Reaper” Vol. 2, by Graveweaver

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

In her attempt to save Detective Chase, Scarlet encounters another reaper working with the Spades; Rabbit Mask. Rabbit is so strong, Scarlet has no chance and resolves to get stronger to protect Chase and find out what the Spades are up to.

So, there’s three active reapers and Scarlet is the weakest one; which she finds out in a rude wakeup call that’s drawn amazingly well. The best part of this for me was Scarlet and Chase bonding a bit. They have a funny dynamic that’s a bit of light in this dark story about crime, corruption, and death. We’ll have to see how Rabbit Mask fits in to everything and why he’s working with Red Spades. I would like to know more about the Spades because all I feel I know about them is they’re spooky and do crime. Granted, this is only volume two and we’re still getting to know Scarlet and Chase but still, it’s hard for me to care much about them when our two main characters are so much more interesting. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 10, by Kenichi Kondō

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

Things are difficult as the group deals with the dangerous spirit of A Dam. Keitaro is taken and Eiko and Yayoi must track him down and rescue him before he is consumed.

Our ticking clock here is Yayoi and company only have until Ai eventually has to leave the hospital. And while it’s disturbing to see the lingering effects of being captured, possessed and otherwise having to deal with the spirit of the dam, this spirit is also kinda whiny. Hideous and scary, but whiny. The focus shifting a bit toward Keitaro here while on the mission to claim these powerpoints breaks up that main goal without feeling like it takes away from helping Ai; more like a side effect of it. I love the increasing danger and implications of what these spirits can do. 4 out of 5.

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