review

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Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 2, by mamakari

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

As Yumeko enjoys her new outlook on life, the investigation into the incident that cost her her memories is ongoing, making it seem that, despite her optimistic outlook, not everyone around her can be trusted.

This is one of those stories where I’m not sure if I want it to get super serious. I want this to be Yumeko’s new lease on life, not how horrid her old life was. Some of the jokes at her expense aren’t very funny as a plus-size woman (let us feel cute, for fucks sakes…) but I am a sucker for characters like Yumeko: positive, hard working, earnest… That little light in a cynical, dark world. Much like in Hirayasumi, I don’t want that light to go out, no matter how strong my curiosity around the incident might be. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 1, by mamakari

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

Yumeko is miserable, believing herself unworthy of love, much less worthy of her work crush, Keisuke. After what is assumed to be a suicide attempt erases her memory, her personality completely changes to a confident, outgoing person. As she learns about her former life, the cause of her accident may not have been her own doing.

It’s clear that there’s an underlying mystery clouding all the fun positivity Yumeko brings to this story. Something dark enough to warrant trying to kill her. While that’s a compelling plot, I’d read Yumeko just being fabulous and enjoying her new life. Even if the stereotype of her always eating is there (can we drop that joke, for fucks sakes…), it’s clear her newfound confidence and boundless positivity are the highlight of this story, and it’s so sweet to see her make everyone better around her. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Elusive Samurai” Vol. 17, by Yusei Matsui

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

Tokiyuki and his army head to Kyo where they face the powerful Toki Yorito, and a former friend appears to kill Tokiyuki.

While there is a lot of action in this volume, it doesn’t feel smooth. It’s very “This happened. And then this happened.” but didn’t feel like I was enjoying a story. They felt unconnected, like Sunday comic strips: all our familiar characters are there, but from scene to scene it doesn’t flow. It’s not bad. The tactics and battles are cool to look at, some of the character reveals will raise an eyebrow, but overall, this is just ok. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life” Vol. 3, by Miyu Morishita

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

After the Sports Festival, it’s time for midterms, and Tsumiki needs to buckle down and study. Yutaka offers to help her, but after the exams are over, he sees less of her and the rest of his friends. He fears they will forget him if they can’t hang out.

Most of this is the kids enjoying their summer, and it’s a genuinely fun slice of life read. The background details of the other students and their unique traits – the invisible boy has some great scenes – are used to create some fun visual gags and touching moments. I’m glad it didn’t linger too long on Yutaka’s dilemma because it fits Tsumiki’s character to intervene, so he can’t brood about this. She solves shit like that ASAP. Similar to Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible or Komi Can’t Communicate, it’s nice to see the male lead come out of his shell. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Confessions” by Kanae Minato & Stephen Snyder (Translator)

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After the death of her daughter Minami, Yuko resigns from her teaching job. As part of her parting lecture, she tells a twisting story about how the death of her child was no accident. It was murder. And those to blame are in that room.

This one horrible incident spirals from one woman’s revenge to a twisted child’s desire to be seen. I mean, I totally understand why Yuko is out for revenge after reading everything she’d gone through, but wow. She may have taken it a little too far? It’s just sad overall, but it drags in the middle; it made me feel like I needed to get those parts over with to get back to Yuko and her plans, but the payoff at the end? That fucking gut punch made it all worth it. If you don’t mind that slow part, I say check it out. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu” by Cynthia von Buhler

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers. It has also been cross-posted to Otakus and Geeks.

Private detective Minky is hired by Aleister Crowley to help him dispel murder accusations. Her investigation spirals into not just murder but family secrets, conspiracy, dark mysticism, and covert military operations.

While I love me some pulp crime goodness with sex and murder, this felt like there were parts missing as if things had to be cut to stay within the page count. Understandable, plenty of good comics I read feel like that but the pace left me with the feeling of too many ideas and plot threads were thrown at me and breezed through before I could really enjoy them. I love Minky, a classic, clever femme fatale who knows what she wants and gets things done. If the overall story was smoother, I’d rate it higher, but I had fun reading this despite its flaws. It’s exciting, trippy, and quick-witted! 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Jungle Juice” Vol. 6, by Hyeong & Eun Juder

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

NEST is crippled, their supply of Cinderella is gone, but with some intel from Junhyeong, Suchan and the other students plot to take the fight to Breeder’s location.

While another action-packed volume, this one does take the time to slow down for a moment to take in the big changes that happen as a result of them going up against Breeder. No spoilers, but Suchan is altered by the end of it, and it’s something that I can see either being a huge threat later or a chance to see him cleverly turn things to his advantage. He seems to be the type of protagonist to do the latter. I’d rather see that than the ole ‘power of friendship’ angle. The threat is ramping up, and I am really intrigued to see where this goes. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Jungle Juice” Vol. 5, by Juder & Hyeong Eun

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

The Pet Shop attacks Nest, spreading their forces to distract the students long enough to target Professor J.

These kids are powerful, and the action is top-notch, but this was a brutal volume. Each time it looks like one side has the advantage, something turns the tide. It bordered on tedious, I just wanted some kind of resolution at some points but in the end it was worth it. It barely slows down before we’re launching into the next plot point. I was turning the pages so fast and I’m so glad I had the next volume ready next to me because I wasn’t ready to stop. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ask and You Will Receive” Vol. 3, by Niyama

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

Shinobu and Hikaru have moved from one night stand to a more exclusive relationship. When Hikaru’s mentor – Osuke Ikurumi –  shows up, Shinobu is scared that Hikaru’s new interest in men will lead him to fall for the mentor Hikaru still idolises.

Okay, I’m spoiling it! This volume keeps up with the light tone, and Osuke is genuinely looking out for Hikaru and cares about him as a mentor. He wants Hikaru to be happy like a father figure coming in to make sure Shinobu is a guy good enough for his son. This gives Shinobu the push to make things more official. I hope there’s more of this series so we get more of them as an official couple. There is a tiny bit of angst, some cute and funny bits, and of course, plenty of smut. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Pink Candy Kiss” Vol. 3, by Ami Uozumi

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

Takara decides to love Ema in her own way, believing that as long as Ema is happy, it doesn’t matter if there is no happy ending.

This volume shows that while Takara is smitten, she doesn’t know Ema like she used to. They do need to get to know each other again, and who knows where that will lead. Maybe she’ll realize Ema is better as just a friend more maybe she’ll fall even harder. That bittersweet tone is still present, especially since Ema’s husband is still just this decent dude who’s not only supportive of his wife but of Takara being back in her life to support Ema as well. Still not sure where this will go but there are clues.

3.5 out of 5

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