romance comics

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Lenni Reviews: “Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite” Vol. 6, by Julietta Suzuki

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

A newbie vampire’s vlog goes viral, prompting a flood of foreign vampires coming to Japan and attacking random people. Lord Rinya, who manages the vampires in Japan, has a devious plan to get things under control, but his main goal is to have Hina for himself.

Not to overspoil things, but it is so cool to see Hina assert her authority and power while still being a gigantic nerd. I just adore that dichotomy. Lethal goofballs are so much fun. One minute she’d be fangirling over her favorite character’s voice actor (who is a fucking creep) and the next she’s commanding a room full of vampires. And it’s nice to see the vampires being a threat to humans instead of last time, where being hit by a truck wasn’t even that big of a deal for a person. It feels like there are some real stakes this time – pun not intended. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Boyfriend, Sometimes Girlfriend” Vol. 1, by Musawo

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

Shishizaki is the prettiest and most popular girl in school, and while Akizuki feels he has no chance, he confesses to her. To his surprise, she accepts! But she is hiding a strange secret: her family is cursed.

Okay, soooo, this is some Ranma 1/2 shit going on here, only instead of using water, it’s a kiss that sparks the transformation. The tone swings from cutesy to “Kasane” levels of creepy (that’s a great comic, you should check it out). This smacks of YA romance, so I doubt it will get as dark as that series, but I can see Shishitaki’s ability used for some sick shit. Either way, this is a tepid opening and we’ll see if it gets better. 2.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 7, by Aki Kusaka

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

Yuri’s been working hard at her part-time jobs to save enough money to throw a birthday party for Keiichiro, but he declines, declaring his birthday cancelled. When she tries anyway, it all goes delightfully wrong.

It’s adorable that Yuri wants to do something nice for Keiichiro, and even though it gets wacky in a way only this manga can, the overall feeling is positive and romantic. It’s silly, cute, and has some comedic beats that really work. Not much forward progress, but it was still fun. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 16, by Ayuko Hatta

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

It’s graduation time, and Erika reflects on how she’s spent the last few years. She heads to Kyoto to pursue her passion for glassblowing.

Yeah, them moving in together turned out how I’d expected. I get it, Kyoya has an attitude, but Erika is a fucking SAINT for putting up with this guy long enough to get their happily ever after. I dunno, I think she can do better, but sometimes he seems like he finally accepted how to be happy without being a dick.

But that’s only SOMETIMES.

I guess I’m happy if they’re happy? 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 36, by Tomohito Oda

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

Tadano goes with Komi to her grandmother’s house for a few weeks to study, and he gets closer to Komi’s family.

It was nice to see them working hard but also having some fun. Tadano stays there for a while, so there’s plenty of time to watch them enjoy New Year’s and such before we go back to their exams. While it’s sweet to see them support each other, I do wonder about Tadano making it his mission to follow Komi to her choice of school. Maybe do your own thing? It’s still very lighthearted and sweet; not a bit of toxic or questionable actions, thank goodness. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 5, by Alto Yukimura

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

Kotsume the otter is considering a job with Poseidon while Dynonisis and Hermes accompany Colette on her journey.

Mild spoilers, but I am VERY unsure about the addition of a “precocious young child” character. She’s cute, but I can see her getting annoying long-term. Since we’re getting into the realizing feelings phase, we don’t have any confessions. Especially since Colette is still so devoted to her work. I wonder if she’ll be forced to choose between that and Hades. And that damn silly little otter made me cry; that adorable little fucker. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 9, by Io Sakisaka

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

After rejecting Haruki’s confession, Saku is convinced she did the right thing, freeing him to love Hazuki. But Kotono’s scolding has her doubting her decision in this final volume.

While I’m glad Saku finally stepped up and was honest about what she wanted, I’m actually disappointed Haruki (spoilers) was indeed the guardian angel the whole time because that’s pretty predictable. It’s sweet, but part of me wanted it to be a completely random person who had nothing to do with any of them, but they got together anyway. This was still nice, though. Even if you can totally see it coming. As the final volume, all my tender-hearted readers out there get our happy ending. 3 out of 5.

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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: “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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