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Lenni Reviews: “Neighborhood Story” Vol. 3, by Ai Yazawa

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

Mikako and her friends heat for Mariko’s family villa for the summer but Mariko’s first love, Shu, happens to be staying next door, causing conflict with her current boyfriend, Yuske. When they return to Yaza Arts, the upcoming school festival gives the chance for the students to show off their work.

Maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace when I read this but, (SPOILER) after Mikako flipped out on Tsutomu because he was so jealous of her new assistant, Seiji, I was checked out. He had every right to be more upset with her than he was, even if his jealousy was unfounded. Yes, she is hardworking, talented, and has big dreams; but the way she put him down stuck with me and I wasn’t rooting for their relationship so much anymore. 3 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: “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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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 6, by Makoto Ojiro

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

Magari and Nakami are still on their trip and despite their friends showing up to assist, they are able to spend some time learning about each other.

While they’re adorable – spoiler?? – I am SHOCKED Magari’s parents weren’t more pissed off. A cute trip for a couple of teenagers may make younger readers feel just the sweet budding romance, I’d be freaked out too if my kid was in the middle of nowhere refusing to come home. I hope the pictures are worth whatever punishment gets handed down and I’m not being catty. I really hope it’s all worth it in the end. Other than that, I enjoyed watching them all hang out and work so hard to get the perfect shot. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbow Days” Vol. 10, by Minami Mizuno

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

Mocchi confesses his feelings for Anna before Wataru gets a chance to and Mari feels as if she needs to confess to Anna as well.

We get some of Mari’s backstory as to why she’s so prickly and how she became friends with Anna. It’s emotional but not dark so this series is keeping it’s generally light tone. It’s an easy going YA romance and this volume has some great character interactions. It’s a little Anna centric right now and even though she’s a likable character, I would like to see more from other characters for awhile since it’s been about her for a lot of this. 3 out of 5.

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