YA graphic novels

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Lenni Reviews: “Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love” Vol. 8, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Satomi is having trouble dealing with how nice her boyfriend Yagyu is to other girls and feels this affection should be reserved only for her.

Not that this series slips into high angst but it was nice to see Satomi and Yagyu get a little messy. It’s fine for characters to have a happy relationship but these two were almost too perfect and I wondered if any conflict was going to happen. Happy is fine but not always compelling to read about. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 4, by Makoto Ojiro

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

Summer vacation as well as the photo contest and meteor shower party are on the horizon and the pressure is on for Magari and Nakami to make sure the event goes well and they are a properly recognized club.

These kids are just so earnest and I can’t help but root for them to have this club. Nakami and Magari are also helping each other manage their insomnia but getting the club to happen is the main focus. There is a budding romance between them and it’s sweet but I think I’m just as excited for the viewing party as the characters are. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Neighborhood Story” Vol. 1, by Ai Yazawa

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

Mikako is an aspiring designer attending Yazawa Arts Academy and her childhood friend Tsumomu is attending the same school. Tsumomu happens to resemble a famous rock star and ends up being very popular, even getting a girlfriend; forcing Mikako to consider if her feelings for him are more than friendship.

While our main pair and the surrounding group are dynamic and interesting; for some reason I thought more of this would be about fashion and design. This manga is all about the drama and feelings and the forming relationships. I can’t blame the story for my assumptions so, as this is, it’s a breezy little school romance. Mikako is a high-energy character and the art style really allows for her highs and lows to be expressed beautifully. The story may not have fashion as the focus but the outfits the characters wear are fantastic. Very creatively done. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Insomniacs After School” Vol. 3, by Makoto Ojiro

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

Summer approaches and the Astronomy Club prepares for their first official club event; a meteor shower watch party. Meanwhile, Magari and Nakami attend a festival together as their relationship grows closer.

The majority of this volume is watching these kids get their event together as well as our main couple still struggling with their sleep issues. The kids are so earnest and determined to make the club and the party to be a success and it’s super sweet. It’s a very refreshing volume. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 3, by Ayuko Hatta

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

As they head back to school after Christmas break, Erika’s grades have tanked due to her being distracted with Kyoya so he offers to tutor her. When Valentine’s Day rolls around, their classmate Shinohara develops a crush on Erika, making Kyoya jealous.

Okay, Kyoya is crossing the line between cutting and aloof to flat out abusive asshole. It isn’t healthy or amusing to see him treat Erika like crap, making her cry, and generally making her miserable. Its enough to make you hope she dumps him flat out for someone better. There is also a side story “I Ain’t Your Clown” where a student named Kodama uses humor to avoid being rejected. She is so adorable, it washed the nasty taste Kyoya left in my mouth. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 1, Kenichi Kondō

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

Keitaro avoids the supernatural due to his unusual magnetism when it comes to spirits. All he wants is a regular life but when he takes a tutoring job, he meets the young Yayoi, who is on a mission to capture ghosts and ghouls in order to find the one that took her mother’s spirit. His childhood friend and Yayoi’s cousin, Eiko, is all to eager to help out.

The art style does creepy and cute very well, especially the nightmare fuel of pulling demon hair out of your throat (seriously, that’s a recurring nightmare of mine). The premise and execution so far is perfect. Keitaro has an interesting backstory to explore and Yayoi is very entertaining and scary to watch. Strong start to the series. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 1, by Suu Morishita

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

Suiren is considered the most beautiful girl in school but she is also distant and quiet; not happy at all with the attention from both boys and girls. She ignores them all except for Kawasumi, who seems to be the only student who doesn’t gawk at her all the time, sparking Suiren’s interest. The problem is, Kwasumi has no interest in dating and rejects any girl’s advances.

I like how our main pair are both fairly down to earth. Suiren isn’t a conceited mean girl and her friends are an amusing foil to her quiet nature; we’re not watching her staring around without a single word. I am intrigued and want to see where this series goes. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol. 8, by Nene Yukimori

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

Everyone is studying for exams so they can enjoy their summer break. After wards, Kubo and her sister help out at their aunt’s beach shack but it turns out they need an extra pair of hands and Kubo knows just who to ask.

Getting back on track with Shiraishi’s story, it’s still great to see him settle in and get use to having friends and doing normal teenager things. If it makes any sense, I felt proud of him as a reader. The beach scene with the bathing suits was a little much for me since these characters are so young but an actual teenager probably wouldn’t be too bothered; especially if they’re familiar with this genre. It’s a common situation in manga like this. 4 out of 5.

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