scifi

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Lenni Reviews: “Lynx” Vol. 1, by Samuel Sattin & Tokitokoro

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

After a climate disaster known as The Regression, humanity is stuck in a perpetual winter. Detective Lynx Takuma and her enhanced cat partner Skua, have investigating a series of deaths where strange feathers were found at the scene.

While this throws a lot of lore and abilities and backstories at you, it feels a bit flat. I think it’s because a lot of the backgrounds are solid whites. But it is a winter dystopia so I can’t judge it too hard for that. I do love a hard boiled lesbian detective with cool powers and a weird mystery brewing in a complicated world. I think it’s pretty cool so far! 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Bug Ego” Vol. 2, by ONE & Kiyoto Shitara

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

Kokudo revealed universe-altering life hacks to Hitsujiya, who has been using them, but these two aren’t the only ones who are aware of these reality-warping tricks.

I don’t know if this is weirdly weird or weirdly brilliant. Other than how oddly wholesome Kokudo and Hitsujiya’s friendship is, I’m just along for the ride. Play around with a hack that helps you win a prize by tricking your brain into thinking a food you hate tastes good? Go for it. It’s so absurd, I’m just enjoying the journey. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Bug Ego” Vol. 1, by ONE & Kiyoto Shitara

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

Hich schoolers Kokudo and Hitsujiya find a book of life hacks. As they try out the increasingly strange tips, the results of using it or failure to follow the rules result in some world-bending consequences.

Okay so…. I don’t have a read on this yet. I’m not sure if this is trying to be weird for weird’s sake or is building up into something bigger and more profound/intricate. There are some cosmic horror moments that are interesting and have some cool potential, but my confusion is outweighing my interest at this point. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Parasyte Paperback Collection” Vol. 1, by Hitoshi Iwaaki

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

In a world where humanity is slowly being taken over by alien parasites, Shinichi ends up infected. While he manages to contain the being to his arm, he is thrust into a dangerous life with the alien Migi as an ally.

This is another series that I’ve gone so long without interacting with up until now. Finally getting to it, I can see why it’s such a classic. It has horror elements I enjoy, the clueless but well-meaning protagonist, a greater threat looming in the future… I can see where Ajin got its inspiration, while this is, of course, very different. Since it is an older series, the tone and art are very nostalgic, and maybe younger readers will be affected by that, as it’s a completely different vibe from more modern titles. As for me, I like it, and I’m glad I’m able to experience it. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fool Night” Vol. 6, by Kasumi Yasuda

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

Those against transfloration are attacking Transflora Medical while Hourai sets a trap for the antitransfloration movement.

I’d read an entire side series where Kanaeno is just being a badass. The absolute highlight of this volume. The plan was to lure out Dr. Kodai in order to clear the name of the company since everyone thinks they made Ivy. While that may seem simple, this volume turns it into bloody carnage. The fight scenes are so well done and while the art for Ivy’s killings always has an impact, it really shines here. Things are ramping up and I can see why; with all the rampant exploitation built into this system. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Alien Bros.” Vol. 3 Keigo Shinzō

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

Fuyunosuke and Natsutaro are still studying humanity when their command suddenly cancels the plan to colonize Earth. Now, they need to decide if they will leave for another assignment or remain on our planet.

This is my favorite volume in the series. It hits some emotional beats and has some humor along with the mature bits (trigger warning for attempted rape when they try being women for a day). This really shows the connection between the brothers better than previous volumes. They actually seem like family here. I think this is the last volume so, way to end this on a high note! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 17, by Buronson

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

Ken and Ryu arrive in Sava where 3 brothers squabble for the throne of their dying father, King Asam.

While after the 3 brother’s drama there is another story, the stand out here is King Asam. Unlike a lot of the rulers and/or in this series, he’s powerful, empathetic, and loving instead of comically evil. I wouldn’t mind a side series just about him. I’m a little annoyed that his daughter doesn’t get more regocnition as she’d the one child of his that seems to care about him (at first) and – absolutely spoilers for this volume and the movie – this story suffers from the Four Brothers problem (where I was pissed that one of them died leaving only three brothers). You’d expect the life lesson of them working things out between them but nope. They just fight and kill. It felt like a chance for a good story there. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo Fears Rhapsody” Vol. 1, by Akira Sugito

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

In a world where humans have to deal with monsters called “Fears” – named such that they feed on human fear, Hachiro was bred to be a destroyer. But he’d much rather enjoy what human life has to offer, particularly ice cream.

While at first I was getting Mr. Villain’s Day Off vibes, this comic is much darker. The other Fears can, do, and enjoy killing humans, and this volume has a significant body count. One moment, it’s bloody mayhem; the next, Hachiro goes back to being a big goofball. It’s a bit of whiplash, but it works, and I think it’s because Hachiro is entertaining. I want to follow whatever wacky journey he’ll be going on. There’s even a superhero group that’s trained to fight Fears, and Hachiro’s creator is lurking about so, it’s not all slice of life. We’ve got some good plot to look forward to. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Jungle Juice” Vol. 4, by Hyeong Eun & Juder

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The task force is on Black Rock Island and Suchan exhibits abilites that give the big wigs at Nest some huge concerns.

This volume doesn’t have much downtime. It goes right from Black Rock to some precarious midterms, to the attack on Nest. Again, the abilities presented are so creative and amazing to look at. The names of some of the moves are delightfully cheezy and fun and again, this colume moves so damn fast. Even when it does a flashback, it’s action-packed. Once they’re all out, this would be such an easy series to binge. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fool Night” Vol. 4, by Kasumi Yasuda

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

As Hourai is recovering from Ivy’s attack, Toshiro is looking into the murderous plant’s origins; which leads him to Pauper Town. This area is so poverty-stricken, they hold an event called The Parade where someone is sacrificed to get bare minimum resources to the area.

I’d already thought the wealth disparity contributing to “voluntary” transflorations was bad but (spoilers for more exploitation) cultivating transflorated children for furniture is just fucking sick. This volume is mostly tracking down Ivy’s origins so they can show the transfloration company doesn’t make killer plants on purpose. It’s all really sad and empty to think they only want to stop Ivy because the company needs to save face. 4 out of 5.

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