manga review

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Lenni Reviews: “My Dearest Patrolman” Vol. 2, by Niyama

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

Shin and Seiji are now living together and while Shin is over the moon to finally be with his long time crush, Seiji wonders if he’s able to satisfy his younger partner.

Now that they’re together, this volume is them learning more about each other and getting used to being a couple. It’s sweet and spicy the way a new couple should be and it’s just adorable how besotted Shin is. Seiji’s insecurities are relatable and handled well but quickly since there are a bunch of scenes to get through: an overnight trip, Shin working on New Year’s, Seiji getting a cold; the usual quick little plot points. Also, cats make well timed appearances and add to all the cuteness. 4.5 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: “Marriage Toxin” Vol. 4, by Joumyaku & Mizuki Yoda

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

In order to protect Hamster Master Arashiyama, Gero not only has to face the Hit Man Hunter but the entire Beast Clan on their home turf including Beast Master Toshiro Dogo, the head of the clan.

This volume has a ton of action and Arashiyama is really funny. Of course, I’m a sucker for cute animals and watching little hamsters come in so handy is a fun part of the general cool factor of all these different abilities. It’s overall tense with some amusing moments but it really expands the assassination world and ups the threat. Beast Master Toshiro is also very, VERY creepy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 13, by Yusei Matsui

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

After the loss at Sagami River, Yorishige faces the consequences of supporting the Hojo rebellion. But Tokiyuki refuses to allow it, offering Ashitaka a challenge: If he can kill Tokiyuki, he wins. But if Tokiyuki escapes, Ashitaka loses everything.

I want Tokiyuki to win using all these abilities and lessons we spend 12 volumes watching him learn; to finally see everything come into play and feel satisfying. But, I felt kinda bored reading this one. At least the scene with the challenge was effectively done. Other than some of the creepier enemies I’ve seen in this series, it was nice for a one-on-one with “normal” combatants. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 1, by Alto Yukimura

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

Set in Ancient Greece, workaholic healer, Colette, feels overwhelmed so she jumps down a well that leads to another world where she ends up tending to the god Hades, who is suffering the consequences of an allergy and overworking himself.

With that title, I did NOT expect a fairly light-hearted romance. I thought I was in for more depression like Boy’s Abyss, but instead, I got a grump/sunshine dynamic that’s pretty fun! The love story is predictable but since the characters are interesting, it’s a decent read. The contrast between the detailed characters and simply designed spirits is amusing. You’d think such a huge difference would clash but it works. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 31, by Tomohito Oda

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

It’s Summer Festival time again; an ideal time for Komi and Tadamo to have a nice date but through a series of mishaps, it’s hard for them to have time together.

The stories around our couple are amusing but things feel disconnected. It’s best when we’re focused on our main couple, especially when they’re fretting about their first kiss or thinking about their futures. It totally made up for the scattershot feeling of the rest of the volume with the other characters. Kawai’s family dynamic really is… Something. Why are so many of the side characters so ridiculous? 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Boy’s Abyss” Vol. 7, by Ryo Minenami

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

After Ms. Shiba hits Reiji’s mother with her car, their elicit relationship becomes the talk of the town. Gen visits Reiji often but he his hiding a shocking secret.

If this doesn’t end with Ms. Shiba facing some actual consequences for everything that she’s done, I’ll lose my mind.

I am sincerely praying for one decent character in this series. Even Chako has lost her sparkle in this black hole for joy. This series is miserable. Not done poorly but, it is misery. Abusers, groomers, manipulators and – spoilers – murderers. The whole damn series should come with a trigger warning and a puppy/kitten to cuddle to bring your mind back from the abyss. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 4, by Daruma Matsuura

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

Konosuke and Aki are still on the journey to save his wife, Tsuki from the Tsuchimikado Clan. They meet Takayama, who used to work for the Tsuchimikado and shares the grim story of the reason behind Tsuki’s kidnapping.

This volume is mostly flashback but it’s a good story. It never quite went were I expected so I was hooked the whole time. I do wonder how this will factor in with Tsuki and why she was taken. But, I’m sure the next volume will connect the two. I’m dying to know how her powers and Lord Haretake’s powers will work together since the Lord is really damn powerful. 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: “X-Men: The Manga: Remastered” Vol. 1, by Hiroshi Higuchi

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

We all know who the X-Men are and if you don’t this is not the best way to be introduced to them.

This feels like a dry, soulless, shadow of the 90’s animated series. I love X-Men. The 90’s series shaped my interest in comics, manga, and animation for the rest of my life. And this is just depressing. Even in black and white doesn’t absolve this from taking a colorful, dynamic team and adventures and turning it into a colorless mash of what the show did. I wouldn’t want this to be someone’s first experience with X-Men since it’s more like watching the series on 2x speed with none of the emotion and heart. Also, I know it’s a trope but, them screaming their attacks made me cringe SO hard. Gambit yelling “Kinetic Card” was so unnecessary. Just skip this one, honestly. 2 out of 5 because I feel bad.

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