manga review

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Lenni Reviews: “I’m No Angel” Vol. 1, by Ai Yazawa

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

Modori is a first year high school student, excited to run for a spot on the Student Council. Her classmate, Akira, is also running, putting Midori in close quarters with her crush.

This was just not for me. Sometimes, slice of life doesn’t quite hit that sweet spot of mundane but still interesting enough to read. It felt too mundane for me, if that makes any sense. I think the characters aren’t engaging me like other slice of life series I’m reading right now. It’s not bad but I didn’t like it as much as I like other series by this creator. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fool Night” Vol. 9, by Kasumi Yasuda

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

The search continues for Dr. Kudai, revealing differing alliances and serious threats.

Most of this is Yomiko trying to find Kidai and all the intrigue and espionage around it. They want to find out who did the procedure on Toshiro so it’s a lot of talking and much slower than all the previous stuff about Ivy. It’s not bad but all the action in the previous volumes set a tone that shifts so differently here. It’s interesting but it’s clearly setting things up to be exposed later so I’ll have to be patient. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 20 by Yusei Matsui

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

Tokiyuki and his allies flee south to the Southern Court, where Emperor Go Daigo tests him.

Tokiyuki is also preparing for his next battle, which is at sea. Also, what the heck…

This creator needs a horror manga… That shit’s terrifying.

Shizuko brings back the magic angle to this series, and again, it’s all just meh. There’s something just so bland about this that makes it hard to care. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Vol. 20, by Haro Aso & Kōtarō Takata

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

With clinical trials for the vaccine in the works, the crew heads to Okinawa to respond to an SOS from a base about to be overrun with zombies.

In Okinawa, they meet Yui; a survivor who uses her anxiety to “predict” outcomes. I love her, and she must be protected at all costs.

This volume also puts the zombie’s ability to overwhelm with sheer numbers back to the forefront so they’re a threat. The art really does some great work making them look horrible and scary. It’s clear this series isn’t about them; it’s about Akira and company tripping their way into completing all the things on their bucket list. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “A Star Brighter than the Sun” Vol. 6, by Kazune Kawahara

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

Sae and Koki are officially dating and the whole school has opinions about it.

We also dip into Koki’s backstory about his feelings for Sae. We’re at the stage of a YA romance where they’re figuring out what dating actually means for them. Sae is overthinking things and most of this is Koki remembering how long he’s wanted to be with Sae. Since they’re fumbling a bit, there isn’t much progress. Not a bad volume, especially if you’re looking forward to finally seeing these two together. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 9 by Aki Kusaka

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

Keiichiro is given an ultimatum and is disowned for one year. While Yuri is happy they can live together, it is a major adjustment.

I’m sure at this point, being disowned temporarily doesn’t really matter because clearly, these two are so in love, these punishments are not really punishments. The family is trying to enforce their rules while also being pulled into the orbit of this lovey-dovey couple. As this is the last volume, it wraps up on a happy note, and I’m glad it ended here. There are only so many times the dance of “we have to abide by the rules, we didn’t, fallout, resolution” can only go on so long before it gets old. This is a cute series. If you like YA romance, it’s not a bad one to pick up, especially if you like it silly. 3 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “Magical Girl Dandelion” Vol. 2, by Kaeru Mizuho

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

After Tanpopo’s battle with Alice concludes, Peony discovers her connection to Shade.

Peony reacts as you’d expect, unwilling to accept that some fiends can be different. This volume expands the world and lore, using Peony and Tanpopo’s differing views on how to fight fiends. I’m sure we’ll get more backstory about why Peony is so gung-ho about killing fiends as we go. It was cool to see the two magical girls working together. They have the odd couple thing going on, and it’s interesting to see them use their abilities. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mujina Into the Deep” Vol. 4 by Inio Asano

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

With Terumi in the hospital, Ubume is out for revenge.

Yeah, this expression is the only real response to Tenko.

Now we learn more about Ubume, and it’s not the book’s fault that it’s a bit on the nose to current events. (spoiler)

A lot of stories have the sooper seekrit experiment conspiracy, so… Now what? Is the endgame to expose all this and reinstate the mujina as actual people so anyone faces consequences? Will there be any antidote for whatever they’re being doped with? I’m enjoying the series but I’d rather more plot than watch Tenko fuck some random dude and say weird shit. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 24, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Mao and company heal with the Tazuru family, cursed by the seed of Haku. Afterwards, Mao investigates cursed beauty products and the “Box of Monstrocity.”

We’re back to what may feel like a ‘villain of the week’ format, but the Goku Clan’s artifacts are a consistent throughline. Aside for them continuing to just be the worst, it’s so cool to see Mao and Nanoka working together. Yeah, you can see the romance building, but I can see he respects not only her abilities but her drive to improve them. They have a great dynamic. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Battle Royale: Enforcers” Vol. 5, by Koushun Takami & Yukai Asada

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

As the planning stage becomes conflict, the squads strategize in order to survive.

Most of this is the teams monitoring and taking time to go into more backstories. The action doesn’t kick in until the end. It seems like there was much more action in the previous series. It’s weird to be like “where’s my horrific child slaughter?” but… Yeah, where is it? Don’t get me wrong, the intrigue and suspense are decent, but what are we even doing here? 3 out of 5.

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