Keigo Shinzō

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi: Vol. 8, by Keigo Shinzō

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

Natsumi and her friends decide to go on a summer road trip and bring along a new person, Orui, who is a bit quirky and struggles to integrate with the activities.

It’s nice to see them all developing as the summer ends, but I didn’t expect such a sharp cliffhanger at the end of this. And not a silly one, it’s pretty serious. Uncharacteristically serious for this series so far. I mean, this has never felt like it would go to very dark places, but who knows? I’ve been blindsided by slice of life before. Hiroto’s maturity is still well balanced with his optimism, which keeps him as just a delight to read. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reveiws: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 7, by Keigo Shinzō

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

The Asagaya Festival is on the horizon, but Natsumi isn’t feeling as close to her friends as before. Hiroto has a fight with Hideki about their movie and what they want to do with it, finally showing it to the public.

It’s clear that as life goes on, Natsumi and Hiroto have to grapple with the inevitable changes, which they do with a comforting amount of grace. I say ‘comforting’ because there’s still no long, drawn-out, angst-filled conflict. If you’ve ever screamed at a manga or anime (or any entertainment medium, honestly) that the characters just need to fucking talk to each other, this is a series where not only does the talking happen, it’s cozy and heartwarming. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 6, by Keigo Shinzō

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

After collapsing due to overwork, Hiroto decides to fulfill an old childhood dream with his friend Hideki. Meanwhile, Akarin and Yamada are having relationship issues, Yomogi is also pushing herself too hard, and Natsumi is in a drawing slump.

This volume is a whirlwind. There are a lot of plot threads going on with all the different characters working through their personal lives. Hiroto did find the resolve to do something with his life, but he’s still the easy-going guy we’ve enjoyed so far in this series. He’s so into his passion project, and it’s as inspiring in the comic as out; even got my dead heart rooting for him. Every so often, I have something on my radar get me to keep going with my own dreams. And Granny makes another appearance in some flashbacks. Never stop that. I love her. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Alien Bros.” Vol. 3 Keigo Shinzō

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

Fuyunosuke and Natsutaro are still studying humanity when their command suddenly cancels the plan to colonize Earth. Now, they need to decide if they will leave for another assignment or remain on our planet.

This is my favorite volume in the series. It hits some emotional beats and has some humor along with the mature bits (trigger warning for attempted rape when they try being women for a day). This really shows the connection between the brothers better than previous volumes. They actually seem like family here. I think this is the last volume so, way to end this on a high note! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 5, by Keigo Shinzō

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

It’s been a year since Natsumi moved in with her cousin, Hiroto and since funds are running low, Hiroto is picking up a lot of odd jobs. His friend Hideki is worried he’s overworking himself. Meanwhile, Ishikawa gives some cleaning tips to Tachibana.

The ending story about Hanae is so bittersweet. I love how Shinzō keeps bringing her back because she’s amazing. I am worried about Hiroto because I enjoy his ease as he goes through his life with his simple pleasures. I don’t want reality to beat him down. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Alien Bros.” Vol. 2, by Keigo Shinzō

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

Under his superior’s directive, Fuyunosuke must teach his brother, Natsutaro, how to properly blend in, hold down a job, and find a mate. It’s a seemingly impossible task as Natsutaro nearly gets them caught. Especially now that a group of kids is determined to expose them.

This volume is much more pleasant than the first. The brothers are still trying to fit in and Natsutaro has his kooky antics but there’s a lack of grossout humor that I appreciated and stuck with the humor in the aliens trying to make sense of human culture and behaviors. There’s even a bit of them exploring human emotions. This is what I’d expected from the first volume and while I shouldn’t hold that against it since defying expectations can be a good thing, this was much more fun for me. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 4, by Keigo Shinzō

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

With Christmas on the way, Natsumi wants to throw a party, but drama ensues when Yamada brings others from their art school. Meanwhile, Yomogi has to deal with sexism at work and continues to run into Hiroto.

What I really love about this is how, whenever something comes along to harsh the good vibe, it’s dealt with quickly. A girl in Natsumi’s class starts to give her shit for drawing manga? She gets called out right away. Hiroto needs to knuckle down and work harder to get the funds for a repair? He does so with his usual positive attitude. The light tone is welcome. I’m also curious about Yomogi and her budding relationship. They’re so awkward, it’s adorable. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 3, by Keigo Shinzō

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

After Natsumi’s manga wins an award, she goes to meet with an editor for a publishing company. Yomogi has a particularly picky client looking for an apartment who she runs into outside of work and Hideki comes to visit with his wife, Saki, and their baby.

As the cast grows a bit more, we have some delightful introspection that doesn’t come off as pretentious. These are real thoughts a person may have about life, love, their job, their future… All very natural and relatable. And there’s a series of fart jokes that are funnier than they have any right to be. What worries me about this series is if Hiroto will eventually be forced to lose his chill or become a “regular” person and lose that go with the flow lightness he exudes. I don’t want him to get a reality check. I want him to enjoy his life. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Alien Bros” Vol. 1, by Keigo Shinzō

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

Two alien brothers Fuyunosuke and Natsutaro are living on Earth in order to gain more information about the human race. Fuyunosuke is trying to help Natsutaro blend in to the life he’s built while still maintaining the mission to his superiors.

I was expecting some wacky fish out of water shenanigans and while there is that, there’s this lingering feeling that something is off. And I don’t mean the odd toilet “humor” (I can’t believe I need to say this but: trigger waring for piss drinking). The “brothers” have a classic funny/straight guy dynamic and the art style handles the uncanny eeriness of what these aliens are up to. This isn’t like Villain’s Day Off where it’s fairly light hearted and cute. This made me feel like there was always something lurking behind the scenes. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 2, by Keigo Shinzō

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

Hiroto and his cousin, Natsumi, start their summer, the tightly wound real estate agent in charge of Hiroto’s property, Yomogi, insists on doing repairs herself. Hiroto’s friend, Hideki, is nervous about his impending fatherhood and Nastumi gets a job; gaining more confidence; especially when it comes to her judgmental classmates.

Yomogi does a lot for just a real estate agent. Maybe it’s different in Japan but, I’d expect a repair service to handle repairs and not a real estate agent? I dunno. It seemed like extra stress for an already stressed out person. Other than that, I’m glad out little cast is rounding out. A bit of a spoiler but we get some insight into Hiroto’s past where he wasn’t so happy go lucky and his family and friends do their best to keep up his chill attitude. This volume of slice of life has some slow moments but, I really like it. 4 out of 5.

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