manga reviews

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Lenni Reviews: “MADK” Vol. 2, by Ryo Suzuri

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*This book is recommended for 18+

Makoto has been working at Hell’s brothel for three years without a word from J. When he is randomly summoned, Makoto begins to apply his efforts in earnest to become a full fledged demon and destroy J.

This is a strange series but I’m kinda diggin it. Makoto isn’t a typical main character and is dynamic with J and the other demons he meets keep things interesting. There are conflicting emotions and desires and it’s getting pretty twisted. It’s rated mature for a reason, keep that in mind. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 1, by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

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

Aki has a crush on his classmate, Hashimoto but when he borrows an eraser from her, he sees she has Ida’s name written on it; he promises to keep it a secret for her. But when Ida sees the eraser, he thinks it belongs to Aki and that he as a crush on him.

First things first, I gotta talk about the art. While the regular scenes are lovely; soft and expressive like most in this genre, there are scenes of super-deformed faces that are unintentionally TERRIFYING. Not all of them but there were a few that had me cringe rather than laugh.

Aside for that, this is a hilarious mix up. It doesn’t take itself too seriously at all and is a light-hearted teenage drama (at least light-hearted for now, you never know). It is looking like we won’t get so much as a love triangle but a love dodecahedron.

Yes, I’m a geek. I love that world…

4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Asadora!” Vol. 4, by Naoki Urasawa

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

As  change of pace, Asa is having some normal high school drama with her friends only for it to be interrupted by some fishermen spotting the monster the government is trying to hide. And to make matters worse, a reporter is snooping around the air hanger containing the plane they want to use to fight the creature.

Things are coming to a head with Asa and the scientist, Nakaido closing on on whatever is out in the ocean. I am so into what’s going to happen; especially with Asa facing down the thing that killed most of her family. It’s an interesting mystery. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Bad Boys, Happy Home” Vol. 2, by SHOOWA & Hiromasa Okujima

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

Things have been a little awkward ever since Seven planted a kiss on Akamatsu and Seven understandably gives him space. But Akamatsu finds he actually misses Seven but Seven’s past he’s kept hidden comes back to haunt them.

This sure as hell took a turn! I mean, it was clear Seven had a dark past but I didn’t see how dark it got. Trigger warning for child prostitution and sexual assault in this volume. I thought this series would just be our two main leads fumbling around into a relationship but this is an angle I did not anticipate. It’s interesting, I want to know what happens next, but yikes… 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fragments of Horror” by Junji Ito

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Another collection of Ito’s short stories and it’s much better than the last one I read. One of them is more sad than scary but overall, this is Ito’s signature terrifying style with some great body horror. I’m usually all good with body horror but there was one splash page that was so gross, I physically leaned away from the book and tensed up in my entire body. Great stuff. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Burn the Witch” Vol. 1, by Tite Kubo

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

Set in the same universe as Bleach, dragons and magic are real in Reverse London and the agents of the Wing Bind are the only people able to fight them. Noel and Ninny are witches and Wing Bind agents who battle dragons in secret. But they risk being exposed when Noel’s classmate, Balgo, is targeted by a dragon.

This volume has just the right balance of fantasy, humor, magic, and intrigue. Our audience stand-in, Balgo, is just goofy enough without getting annoying (yet, we’ll see how it goes) and Ninny’s high energy works well with Noel’s deadpan nature. I see potential in this and I hope there’s much more. While I haven’t read Bleach, I am familiar with the series and I wonder if this series will take a similar path. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol 1, by Rumiko Takahashi

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

Nanako is a seemingly normal high school girl being raised by her grandparents after her parents died in a tragic accident. One day while she walking, she goes through a portal and finds herself in Taisho era Japan (the 1920’s) and is able see auras and demons. Here, she meets Mao, an exorcist on a mission to kill the demon that cursed him.

This is classic Takahashi and I love it. There’s great lore and tons of it, fun fantasy, intrigue, cool characters, and a mystery that will keep you coming back. I look forward to more after a strong start to this fantasy series. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu” by Junji Ito

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This manga has real life stories about Ito becoming a cat owner against his will because his fiancée wants them.

This is really funny, especially coming from Ito. If you’ve read this blog for awhile, you know I’m a fan of his work so it comes from a place of love and experience when I say it’s fucking hilarious and terrifying to see Ito’s style in every day situations. This was fun to read and if you’re a cat owner, there are some familiar situations here. 4 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 15, by Tomohito Oda

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

In this volume we meet a new character, Isagi, who wants to be Student Counsel President but is very blunt, doesn’t like people, and does not like to be touched. But Komi has been tapped to be her campaign representative.

I’m gonna start calling Komi by her first name, Shoko, for awhile because her other family members are appearing more often in these volumes and it can get confusing if you’re reading the reviews.

Watching Shoko and Isagi try to win this election is funny. Two people with communication issues trying to win over the school will have some obvious setbacks. In addition, there’s a dinner party at the Komi household where it’s clear Shoko’s feelings for Tadano. How this will factor in with Rumiko having a crush on him as well, we’ll have to wait and see. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Yakuza Lover” Vol. 2, by Nozomi Mino

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

While Oya is spoiling Yuri on a trip, a rival gangster Semilio kidnaps Yuri in order to get Oya’s attention.

Ok, well… In a way, I got what I was hoping for – Yuri contemplating the type of life she will have dating a yakuza. Yet, while the kidnaping is the main conflict here, Yuri doesn’t get far passed “I love him even though nearly getting raped and killed is scary.” Ma’am, can you express some further thought to the danger you’re in? I don’t know if I’d just dump the guy but I’d spare more than a passing thought to my safety. Yuri just hops into bed with him and wants to fuck until she feels better. But I guess that’s not the type of story this series is; this is a whirlwind romance with a dangerous guy who’s shamelessly devoted to you. It’s pure fantasy and doesn’t want to take itself seriously. 3 out of 5.

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