manga review

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Lenni Reviews: “Bendy: Dreams Come to Life”, by Adrienne Kress & Christopher Hastings 

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Buddy gets a job working for Joey Drew, the owner of an animation studio. It’s the chance of a lifetime for a poor kid from the Lower East Side. A dream that would turn into a nightmare.

Without the supernatural elements, this story feels like the classic rude awakening for an idealistic young person realizing the realities of his dream job are terrible. Buddy is really likeable and although I felt we didn’t have the chance to really get to know the other characters, they all make a decent group despite not having much impact. if you’re a big fan of this property, it may be worthwhile to check it out but aside for that, it’s alright. 2.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Last Quarter” Vol. 1, by Ai Yazawa

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

After running away from home at 17, Mizuki has a terrible accident. The same day, little Hotaru also suffers an accident. After she recovers, she meets Mizuki again looking for her cat and Hotaru decides to make friends with Mizuki. But Hotaru is the only one who can see Mizuki.

This is a different story than I’m used to from Yazawa. Spoiler (?) alert but this is a ghost romance lost love sort of story. While I wanted a great ending for Mizuki, the guy she ran away for – Adam – was a dick and a creep because Mizuki was 16-17 when she wanted to be with him and as far as I am aware, he is a full ass adult. My version of a happy ending would be for her to put Adam behind her and find someone who doesn’t decide to randomly choke you. Hotaru and her classmates are cute though; going on their mission to help Mizuki. Their earnestness is endearing and refreshing. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Takara’s Treasure”, by Minta Suzumaru

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

Taishin Nakano moves to Tokyo from Fukuoka to attend the same college as Takara Shiga after Takara left quite the impression on Taishin when he was younger.

I like stories where the characters are forthright. It minimizes silly misunderstandings and focuses on the feelings of the main couple. These two are pretty seamless as they get together; there isn’t a huge conflict or a bunch of complications to get them into a relationship. The smutty parts are staved for the end and are kept pretty short; almost like an epilogue. Since it’s short overall, I wish we had more time with them, especially at school or the hiking club they’re both a part of. But, I did like it. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hirayasumi” Vol. 1, by Keigo Shinzō

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

Hiroto Ikuta works part time, has never fallen in love, and spends most of his free time with his elderly neighbor, Hanae Wada and develops a close relationship with her. They are such good friends, Hanae leaves Hiroto her home when she passes away. Since he lives alone, his cousin, Natsumi, comes to live with him while she attends art school.

Hiroto’s chill attitude towards life is refreshing rather than coming off at lazy. In fact, he’s quite diligent about his job and housework, he just doesn’t stress over every little thing. He has a positive influence on his cousin and obviously impacted Hanae deeply enough for the woman to leave her home to him. It’s  nice slice of life manga with nice vibes and some touching moments. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Dearest Patrolman” Vol. 1, by Niyama

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

Officer Shin Nakamoto is assigned to a small town where he runs into an old mentor, Seiji Tajima; who runs a small store. They haven’t seen each other in ten years but Shin’s feelings haven’t changed.

These two goofballs are so sweet. It’s a cute story of a long standing crush and their relationship is wholesome and fucking adorable. I like how the art style tries to make Seiji look older but honestly, they still both seem young. Of course they’re adults since there are plenty of smutty scenes. There is an age gap and while late 30’s is hardly old, it’s nice to have characters outside of the late 20’s zone most of these stories fall into. Overall, this is a low angst romance with a good story and a fun couple. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 9, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Erika’s friend, San, is being stalked by some creep at her job who is convinced she’s in love with him. After this, Kyoya offers Erika a date to an amusement park and is shocked when she turns him down, leading him to wonder if Erika is seeing someone behind his back.

Aside for those two things, there’s a side story about Erika gaining weight. Here, Asshole Kyoya returns and his “help” is exactly what a person doesn’t need to hear when they feel down about themselves. Putting the story of Kyoya getting obsessed with taking care of a dog was likely a good idea since seeing him be a dick to Erika over her weight put a sour taste in my mouth but the attempt to soften me to him by showing how he adores this dog was not completely successful. I know he’s got no filter but geez, what a jerk. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 3, by Daruma Matsuura

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

The Tsuchimikado Clan of fortune tellers has targeted Konosuke and Aki with terrifying masters and lethal techniques.

If you don’t like bugs, you won’t be comfy with the first antagonist, Madara. It’s an interesting fight and drawn really well but yeah, warning for bugs. This story feels like it’s stretching it’s wings to become so much more than a down and out swordsman and his devoted lost wife and I am totally here for it. Not that such a simple premise is bad, I just enjoy having more meat in this case. And Aki brings great energy to the page since Konosuke is finding it hard to just survive to find his lost bride. I think the mystery of what’s the overarching machinations will be fun to find out. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 8, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Lena is dead set on confessing her feelings to Kyoya, no matter how Erika feels. After that, the focus shifts to the upcoming holidays and how Kyoya will spend Christmas with Erika.

When it came to Lena, we got to see the old, nasty Kyoya but it didn’t look like this middle schooler was gonna back off. It felt like obnoxious met obnoxious in this case because it’s skeevy to go after your cousin’s boyfriend like that and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I guess Kyoya’s nasty attitude was helpful in this case. The Christmas thing was nice and the story about Kyoya’s horrifically bad eyesight and him softening a bit because of Erika was a middling affair. It’s just okay and I stand by my initial assessment that it’s Erika’s happiness that keeps my interest in this series. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 30, by Tomohito Oda

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

While the “competition” for Tadano’s affections ends in Komi’s favor, she still tries to make amends with Kawai in order to convert her into another one of her friends.

As I’d said, I am a little bummed that Kawai didn’t end up a non-friend but not a rival but there is an aspect of this series that tends to take something earnest and make it weird.  It was funny that Tadano was just unaware of all of this going on. But after that’s done, it goes back to Komi being her adorable and earnest self and the side characters have some interesting “screen” time as well. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 7, by Suu Morishita

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

Kawasumi’s struggling to balance his budding relationship with Suiren and his devotion to karate – even with an injury to his arm/

Aside for the general back cover summary, we have Valentine’s Day/White Day, and Suiren’s birthday. But, part of me wishes that Suiren had something she loves and has ambitions for like Kawasumi. Suiren is a sweetheart, however there must be more to her than being the unattainable pretty girl in school and Kawasumi’s girlfriend. She has such emotional depth that’s explored through her thoughts but right now, I’d like to see her develop more. 3 out of 5.

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