romance comics

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Lenni Reviews: “My New Wife’s Fake Smile” Vol. 1, by Kengo Matsumoto

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

After a month of marriage, Sojiro’s wife, Chiyo, always sports a fake smile. As it’s an arranged marriage and he’s the second son, Sojiro vows to do his best to become the husband she deserves and make that smile real. However, he is totally unaware that Chiyo is desperately holding her intense feelings for him inside.

These two are a couple of goofballs who misunderstand each other but are still funny and nice to one another. It’s a light-hearted comedy that has potential in both good and bad ways. I can see these consistent misunderstandings getting repetitive in the long term if they don’t progress as a couple as more volumes pass. There are some serious moments as Sojiro is a samurai and gets into some sword fights, but this just means the art handles the sweet, the silly, and the fight scenes with no problem. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 4, by Alto Yukimura

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

As Colette’s journey to her hometown continues, she encounters Hercules and spends time with her siblings. We learn more about all of them and their journey as healers.

Kotume is an adorable addition, and screw Posidon for being cruel to that precious little bean.

How can you be mean to that little face!!??

Other than that, this volume is mostly about Colette and Hades getting closer. There was the chance of a typical ‘beach episode,’ but she is such a hard worker that we skip that trope, and she spends the time learning unique skills from the healers near the sea. She adds these to her skill set before heading back to the underworld. This is the volume with the most negativity as some apprentices are nasty to Marie (Colette’s older sister) and the harsh treatment of Kotsume (an otter). It was a downer in the series for sure. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 3, by Alto Yukimura

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

Dionysus makes an appearance as he’s one of many afflicted with a cold that’s going around. As thanks for treatment, he invites Hades and Colette to a banquet to get closer.

In addition to the banquet, we see more of Colette being an amazing apocathary and how deep her connection to the vilage goes. Again, this is one of those series where the romance and fantasy are great but Colette’s pure hearted and earnest dedication drives this story and is a pleasure to read. Seriously, the budding romance between Hades and Colette is such an afterthought in my mind. I could have the whole series just be about her and be totally fine with it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite” Vol. 4, by Julietta Suzuki

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

After the cosplay shoot, Amanatsu gains a bit of fame when the photos are posted online, resulting in a forced date that triggers Viktor to trick Hina and Amanatstu to go back to Hina’s father.

This volume balances the silly and the serious better than the previous ones. It also builds up another person lurking in the background and shows that Hina is a force to be reckoned with, despite her adorable otaku nature. It’s nice to see them getting closer and having fun. I would like to see Hina come into her own while still being her goofy self, but it feels like we’re still getting the cast together for whatever plot points are coming up. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 4, by Oreco Tachibana

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

Kotaro, Satoko’s bodyguard, comes to rescue her, but Shinpei isn’t about to let her go that easily.

We also learn who hired the thugs who kidnapped Satoko in the first place, which was not surprising in the slightest. Again, Shinpei really swings from psychotic to sweetheart in a terrifying way and the art is fantastic at showing both. Even though Satoko has these two scary guard dogs, she still gets a chance to show her strength in her own way within the confines of her position and her health. For now, we’re still stuck on the island and not likely to leave anytime soon. I’m itching to find out what happens when Satoko gets home. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Marriage Toxin” Vol. 9 Joumyaku & Mizuki Yoda

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

A recovered Gero heads to rescue Makoto from marrying Takeo, who has been obsessed with her for years. Then Gero and Mei go to an upscale matchmaking event that’s crashed by the Gun Master Clan.

Takeo is… I struggle to find the words. I somehow am very creeped out by him, yet also can’t completely take him seriously. Reiji is the real threat here, making Takeo just an annoyance whenever you see him. After that, this volume wastes no time; it’s right on to the new group of masters to introduce as a threat. We also get a quick tease of a Gero and Mei date, but honestly, it doesn’t slow anything down. I did like the little date because it gave Gero the chance to voice how Mei has really gone above and beyond to help him, getting in REAL danger many times just to get Gero married. Mei is an awesome character. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 2, by Alto Yukimura

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

When Apollo decides to go on vacation, Colette volunteers to fill in as healer to the gods in his absence.

In this volume, we also get Charon’s backstory, which is so sad. For all its whimsy, this series gets dark sometimes. I have to admit, I’m totally about the hardworking, sweet characters that are super genuine and are actually rewarded for their efforts. I’m not even into the possible romance. I can watch Colette just do her thing: healing people and expanding her apothecary skills. It’s also a way to learn about the world they live in and the unique take on the Greek Gods, even if some of them just kinda drop in and vanish within a few pages. I feel like if we’re going to include them, just go for it and give them some real “screen” time. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 7, by Daruma Matsuura

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

Konosuke and the others arrive at the Sessho-seiki Tsuki just unsealed. The man who kidnapped her, Dosuke, is ready to fight to keep Tsuki to unseal more and Konosuke must face both him and his sister, Katsu to save her.

I gotta give it to Konosuke; he has a fantastic character arc so far. He went from this depressed, hopeless guy to someone who fights so hard against such powerful foes. It’s awesome. So much of this plot is driven by people who are at their lowest seeking powers that come with a terrible price and this volume has some great action, making this very thrilling. I’m looking forward to seeing how this goes, considering there’s some time jumps. I don’t know how that will factor in to the main plot and how diving so deep into the bad guy’s backstories will fit in? Maybe there will be some reincarnation shenanigans? We shall see. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Steel of the Celestial Shadows” Vol. 6, by Daruma Matsuura

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

Konosuke, Aki, and Bokutake face off against the gambler: Rabbit Eyed Tenroku.

This volume also includes Tenroku’s backstory of suffering through famine (this was pretty fucked up…) and Konosuke’s powers finally manifest. It’s a little spoilery but I enjoy the idea of having luck so good that it destroys everyone around you. Very Twilight Zone. There’s plenty of plot to chew on with Konosuke and Tsuki’s powers. What hooked me about this series was their relationship and I hope these new revelations don’t negatively impact what they’ve built so far. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Marriage Toxin” Vol. 8, by Joumyaku & Mizuki Yoda

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

Erina and Mei conspire to get Gero and Chinatsu to date, then Ureshino calls to ask for Gero to help her friend, Makoto, who is also being forced to marry by her abusive father.

The majority of this is the job with Makoto and the marriage she’s being forced into. Her father is working with the Ghose Master, and his powers are unique, but I felt like it was just another woman to add to Gero’s roster of prospective brides, but he’s not making any progress in becoming more confident romantically. His confidence shows in combat and the fights are cool but I’m hoping this becomes more than collecting massive amounts of possible wives. 3 out of 5.

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