manga reviews

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Lenni Reviews: “Witching Hour” Vol. 1, by Paru Itagaki

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

Trapped in a marriage where they are only intimate to get pregnant, Megumi longs for a more fulfilling sex life. When a spirit manifests to satisfy her, her husband, Yuji, grows suspicious.

This is weird. At first I thought this would be kinda goofy, but it’s actually dark. Megumi is essentially cheating on her husband with a ghost; the consent is iffy, and while I understand this is just the first volume, it’s paced like it’s a one-shot. It’s rushed, and overall, this is a bit off-putting, and I don’t think it is in the way the author is intending. There’s gotta be a way for this premise to be done and work without giving me the ick. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Yakuza vs. Cat” Vol. 1, by Yori Katakura

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

Retired yakuza Hisahide Matsukata has settled into a peaceful life. He wonders what to do with all this free time when a stray cat appears on his property.

This reminds me of that manga Junji Ito did about his cat. It’s silly and of course very cat like, the little menace causing chaos but too cute to be held accountable for it. I was a bit frustrated, much like Hisahide, because the little creature can be annoying but the story does a decent job at keeping things lite and funny. It also has a bit of the misunderstood tough guy from Way of the Househusband, since both Tatsu and Hisahide have this tough reputation that scares people off. Only here, Hisahide is actually trying to get in good with his neighbors. Tastu doesn’t care. It’s an ok start and I have hopes it will get a little meat on the plot as the story goes on. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 3, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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

The war between centaurs and humans has ended, leading them to living side by side. But peace does not heal all wounds as Ganta cannot forgive the loss of his father, while Tanikaze – who has never experienced oppression, wants to befriend humans.

This volume does a great job at showing that just because a war is over doesn’t mean the hurt is gone. Ganta is dealing with understandable PTSD and finds Tanikaze’s curiosity dangerous. It FLIES through everything. I like the series but the pacing is too fast. Almost like it’s a race. I think this would be so much better if it took its time. This world is interesting and I think it deserves room to let it breathe. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 12, by Tomoki Izumi

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

As the new year starts, Miko runs into all sorts of spirits. Godmother Mitsue, Rom, and Seto make plans for the calamity that is to come.

When Seto says he’s “on the side of humanity” I am sure that’s gonna go to a dark place. This feels like a setup as we move toward the big baddie they’ll have to team up to defeat. As the series has gone on, harmless or good spirits have been peppered in with the horrific ones and I bet their mere existence is going to clash with Seto’s philosophy. I can see him trying to banish Miko’s dad’s spirit and she would NOT be happy about that. Also, Snowy is the epitome of creepy-cute and I want a plushie. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 2, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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

After escaping, Matsukaze and Kohibari continue to search for a peaceful place to live and for Matsukaze’s son. But the group sent by Kohibari’s owner catches up to them and they are saved by an army of centaur orphans.

The 30 year time jump was a bit abrupt, but I get it. This volume is PACKED with plot, battles, touching moments, and dark elements. It’s very bittersweet but I like that cumulative horrors from the first volume are balanced with the happier moments. Spoilers I guess but by the end of this one Matsukaze’s son Ganta is grown and Kohibari’s son, Tanikaze, is on the cusp of adulthood as well. See what I mean about a huge time jump? It’s an engrossing read but really fast. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 11, by Tomoki Izumi

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

Rom calls an old acquaintance for help, Seto, who is able to do so but his primary interest is Miko. Meanwhile, the girls go to a festival where someone from Yuria’s past is working.

I’ve probably said this before when reviewing this series but it’s really sad that Miko doesn’t get a break. Poor girl can’t even walk her brother home from school. Other than that, we seem to have (thankfully) left behind the generic fanservice and (not so thankfully) replaced it with yuri baiting between Michiru and Miko. Which is so weird, even as a running gag. I am intrigued by Seto and whatever his deal is, which I am totally okay with having more time than Miko tripping into Michiru over and over. 3.7 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 10, by Tomoki Izumi

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

During a sleepover at Mieruko’s house, a power outage plunges the girls into darkness. Their visit ends when Yoh comes to claim her sister and bring her home.

This volume goes into Yoh and Michiru’s backstory to show why Yoh has her sister on such a short leash. It’s some nice development that ties right into Mieruko meeting with Rom about a new entity to be concerned about. I’m guessing, based on the ending, Mieruko’s group of spiritually gifted people is about to expand. It’s giving the same vibes as Dark Gathering, which would be an EPIC crossover. Since this volume is set around Christmas, there’s a touching side story to enjoy as well. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mieruko-chan” Vol. 9, by Tomoki Izumi

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

Despite her obsession with Mieruko, Michiru still only seems like a demon to her and Michiru’s sister, Yoh, watches over Michiru in a smothering way that gives Michiru no freedom.

Dear gods this art excels at being so very unsettling. The creature design has always been fantastic but showing how demented Yoh is and Michiru’s otherworldly air even when you can see her normal face is on a different level.  I love where this is going, too. Seeing Mieruko’s friend group grow (even if Michiru is a LOT) it’s nice to see. She doesn’t have many people who know about her abilities and I’m happy to see her with more support. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centaurs” Vol. 1, by Ryo Sumiyoshi

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

Where centaurs were once revered as gods, now they are enslaved by humans. Matsukaze had managed to evade them until he is captured while protecting his son from human hunters. While in captivity, he meets Kohibari, who has been mutilated and tamed yet hopes Matsukaze will be his ticket to freedom.

I label this as for mature readers because of how horridly the centaurs are treated because of course weird dudes rape them. Ew, but sadly not surprising. And it’s a common practice to cut the centaur’s arms off to break them! Ugh, people just suck… While the pacing feels a bit fast, it’s beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s worth checking out if you can handle the brutality and like darker fantasy. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 22, by Yusei Matsui

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

While power struggles in the Ashikaga clan boil over, Tokiyuki grapples with what will finally make him happy.

Just…. Just give this artist a horror manga.

Yes, I am aware of this authors other works, but holy shit. Team up with Junji Ito and terrify some people already…

This goes far into the future and it’s hard to believe ten years have passed. Tokiyuki is grown now and married. I can see how the passing of so many years can shift perspective. When this volume is focused on that, it’s pretty good. I just kinda don’t care about the other stuff. 3 out of 5.

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