Latest booktore visit

Went to the bookstore to look for Ichigo Jikan (草莓时间) which I remember seeing before (now wondering if I saw wrongly as baka updates says there are zero volumes out?? But really thot I saw it cos I remember thinking the girl looks like a elementary schoolgirl...sidetracking) and ended up with Watashi no + Okusuri (baka updates link) (我的爱情魔药) because the cover was somewhat cuter than the rest of the limited stuff there. I didn't even know the Japanese title and had to google for it. Cos the Chinese title is just "My love potion". I was wondering where the other volumes are, but came to realise it's complete at one volume. I'll write a review once I complete it. Hopefully the impulse buy will prove to be interesting, but I should really stop buying on impulse!

Seduction more beautiful than love

Manhwa finished at 5 volumes, 2 volumes out in English, vol. 3 out on 4 November 2008. Decided to update this as I have been waiting for the third volume forever and was just wondering if my bookstore wasn't bringing it in. On Tokyopop's website, it is still at vol. 2. Guess there just wasn't demand for this.

Brief Summary: Pretty young teacher is harassed by handsome mysterious student who seems to have a crush on her, or is it something else?

Interesting title isn't it? The other alternative is "beautiful fascination better than love". I do find this a bit slow moving and up to volume 2 there isn't much development of the characters or plot. (Is it just me or are most manhwa rather? Just think Bride of the Water God and Goong/Palace).

I was a bit disappointed with the teacher's character, she didn't seem very mature, but perhaps it was that one bad incident that really brought it out. The guy is as usual a dark horse, dunno what is going on inside his mind at all and there are flashbacks to suggest that something horrible happened in his past (which we're sure to find out later). I think it might be related to the reason he's stalking/having a crush on the teacher. I think I do need a reason; or else it's just not meaningful. Read a comment that it gets creepy in book four, but I wouldn't know since book three is not even out in English yet. I'm just glad it doesn't seem to drag since it's complete at book five. Let's hope it settles all the issues nicely. Frankly the first chapters got me interested but after reading book 2 the interest faded. I'm right now not sure if I'm going to follow the rest.

The art seems quite typical of manhwa, not over cutesy (with long bodies) as is to be expected I guess, as the characters are not young, and also the topic is rather serious.

One of my friends told me she can't appreciate this and the storyline wasn't good, another told me that it was pretty good and the art wasn't bad. So, guess it's really up to the eye of the beholder.

My Rating:
Story: B- (too slow! a bit confusing with the guy's girl friend, etc. angst! I wonder if it's the translation or it's just not coming out in the art what's going on or is it just me?)
Art: B
Recommended? I am on the fence. I just don't know where all this is going. There doesn't seem to be much direction and so far don't really feel much for any of the characters. And, the publisher doesn't seem interested in it anymore so perhaps we'll not see the end of this series for a while (ever?).
Similar to: Somehow reminds me of Akahime Ranshin, but then again I know of only four titles (the other I won't mention since it's not worth mentioning) that involve this female teacher male student relationship as a storyline. The other one that I did find was one of the stories in a volume called Koi Moyou. That was a bit different but quite a rush too as it's only a oneshot.

Emma

Manga complete. by MORI Kaoru

Brief Summary: Rich guy falls for maid, and of course society is against it.

Maybe I shouldn't be reviewing this one since I stopped at two chapters, but I just wanted to note down the disinterest (altho to be fair I know this title has a lot of fans and it isn't that the artwork is bad per se, just that the drawing style isn't really the type I like and the storyline was just so flat).

In the first chapter you have the guy falling for the girl already, without exchanging more than ten words (erm, I didn't actually count). Ok ok, so bash me over the head, that's how shojos go right (is this a shojo?)? But the next thing you know, the guy's friend comes (chapter 2 if I'm not wrong) and falls for her too, without even saying a word this time. What gives? Scratch head.

My Rating:
Hmmm...I think I can't qualify to give a rating, as mentioned above. But I would say I'm not reading anymore (that should give you a hint).

On the other hand, I've read many people's comments about how they are fans of her work and this series, so perhaps there is something I'm missing. Also, her art may appeal to some people more than me. I read that this mangaka really does her homework on the eras that she draws.

Actually, she has another one out called Otoyomegatari which I've found quite interesting. The art there is also quite incredible, so it's quite strange that I have such differing views on the two. But at the same time I also find that story quite slow and meandering in a sense.

Pet Shop of Horrors and Tokyo Pet Shop of Horrors

Completed manga
Ongoing follow up Tokyo series

Brief Summary: In a pet shop in Chinatown the owner, Count D, will be able to recommend you the perfect pet, with some conditions, some of which you may not be able to live up to...

Ok, this may seem like a different addition to the site (it is not shojo romance obviously), but this actually has a rather "special" (for want of a better word) place in my manga "journey" (for want of a better word) as it's the first manga I searched for and read myself and bought. Ok, those of you who know should know why (and those of you who read my below reviews can chance a guess since I hint at being partial to some things ;p).

Perhaps in my rush now it's not the best time to review this, but I've been wanting to add this for ages. This manga is probably the widest read of those I've tried to introduce to friends. :) Seemed the most acceptable to both guys and gals, though some thought it was a bit too weird-ish. We've had debates on Count D, the main character, and whether he's ultimately good or evil. There seems to be some morals somewhere but you get a bit lost on whether it's kangeroo court or real justice.

The episodic nature of this series makes it easy to start just about any volume, as long as you get the basic of that Count D sells strange pets that have special/strange/eerie/supernatural/dangerous qualities. These pets may also take on human form in some people's perceptions as well.

The first stories are actually a different format from the latter stories, especially when it gets to the new "Tokyo" series. The stories range from "huh? What was that about?" to "oh, that was cool". Some are quite intriguing and the pets' qualities are usually surprising or horrifying. There are some stories which seem to have some morals as well, or lessons to be learnt. The underlying story of Count D and his dad, and grandad and where they come from, who/what they are (and their motivations), is given an ending too as the story wraps up in the original series, but somehow it wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping it would be.

Anime and Tokyo Series

Four of the original stories were made into an anime, which weren't bad overall. And after the first 14 volumes were completed, the artist started another set based on the same Count D but set in Tokyo instead of Chinatown, USA. I guess it was just so popular so she decided to go back to the same formula.

My Rating:
Story: B (it ranges actually)
Art: C, the art is not that great and "clean" and there are no bishis. :)
Recommended? Interesting premise and some stories are better than others. Easy to pick up at any volume and perhaps reading a few volumes would give a better idea of the series than jus one or two stories.

Beauty Pop

Ongoing Manga

Thought this would be a bit different as there is some refreshing storyline about the girl having some talent (hairdressing), but in the end, I don't think I'll continue to follow this as they just keep showing episodic makeovers of different people in different situations, and there isn't much interaction between the girl and the guy and if you're looking for romance it's kinda disappointing when you don't find any after a few chapters. Ok, so I didn't finish this so perhaps it gets better. Those who read it will have to enlighten me cos I'm dropping this from my reading list until I get really bored/free.

My Rating:
Story: C-
Art: B-
Recommended? As far as the first two volumes or so goes, I don't think so.

7 Jikanme Rhapsody

Manga Complete

This is probably one of the best teacher-student short mangas I've read. And what I like about this is how (ok, the premise is still silly) the teacher is so level headed and knows exactly what a teacher-student relationship should not be. Ok, maybe this sounds very ambiguous, but I'm really trying to not spoil it for you.

One thing I didn't like though, was the smoking by the Sensei (a bit hard to see but the scene is above). Yep, that gets on my nerves cos I don't know why mangas have to protray them like that, and then draw them in such "cool" positions. I just feel it gives off the wrong impression, even in this day and age when people know about lung cancer and all. Especially for teens since we know these mangas are targetted towards them and we also know for a fact that smoking is harder to quit the younger you start. Ok, ok, I'm getting off my pedestal, jus that well, with all the stealth marketing and product placement, you just never know!

Regarding the art, the two characters are ok, not extremely bishi or pretty but ok. I think the guy looks like the other teacher in Faster than a Kiss which is this mangaka's work too (No surprise?). He can look a bit dorky at times. ;p And, this author's a guy?? Think first time I've hread a guy's work, most mangakas are ladies.

My Rating:
Story: B- (cliched!)
Art: B
Recommended? A bit (teensy) refreshing, you can give it a try if you've not had too many of these student-teacher stories, but if you have, you can also give it a miss.

Similar to: All the rest! The characters understandably look like those in Faster than a Kiss (cos same artist).

Kare Kano/Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou

Manga finished at 21 Volumes




Brief Summary: A girl's hard earned popularity is jeopardized by a new male transfer student who seems to be just (if not even) smarter and good looking. A one sided rivalry ensues but soon develops into something else.

Didn't pick this one up at first cos of a few things - the drawing is simple and didn't really appeal to me (guess it was the style of the time), the storyline seemed childish and I really didn't see myself going through 21 volumes of it! Decided to read it cos well, it's available in the library.

The pace is quite fast and despite the rather youngish look and actions of the characters, there are a bit of endearing mature issues addressed starting in the volume I'm left at, volume 5. The same issues of girl bullying and a love rival are included but they are treated a bit differently, in a bit less exaggerated way I suppose. The girl is seen to be quite level headed and despite her initial outbursts of irritation at having him usurp her star position, she doesn't get silly in being overly jealous or possessive. You get the feeling that the author is trying to say that despite having a relationship you don't need to be clingy to have it grow, sometimes being apart can be a good thing too. I think that's what's refreshing about this series, although at the same time, because it is so balanced and "nice" it doesn't seem to illicit strong feelings from me and I don't really have a strong urge to keep following it because it seems so safe and secure and the complications seem entirely solvable in a sane manner.

Overall the series has a sweet innocent feel to it so far. I understand that the later issues have them progressing in their relationship outside of school and into adult life so perhaps the series itself will get more and more mature and complex, rather than dealing just with the usual school issues it now does.

My Rating
Story: B
Art: C
Recommended? Didn't really like the art, it was too simplistic and the people weren't bishi enough! But the story is rather sweet if not convoluted and ambling along sometimes. It is after all, 21 volumes!

More information:
Baka updates

Zenbu Kimi No Mono

Brief Summary: Girl agrees to go out with arrogant popular student council president to save her flower arranging club from being closed down.

Cute little one shot. A bit meaningless fun. Just that the characters are pretty. :) Of course, it's your usual oneshot shojo girl falls for pretty boy and all the fangirls show their claws. The whole story is one big shojo plot device. So typical you've seen it everywhere. Sigh...

My Rating:
Story: C
Art: B
Recommended? If you've got nothing else on your plate (really nothing else).

Bitter Virgin

Manga completed at 4 volumes

Brief Summary: Girl with a tragic past transfers to the school. Boy classmate happens to overhear her confession at church and starts to feel compassion for her.

Well, find the title quite misleading. Thought it was smut, but realised it wasn't after reading some of the synopses on it and also going through it myself. In fact, it's rather innocent.

Dealing with rape and abortion, I also thought it would be quite sad or traumatic reading considering what happened to the female protagonist but it was rather ok (or perhaps it was cos I skimmed through those portions).

Find the premise rather interesting and different from the other shojos and as well implemented as could be I suppose.

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: B
Recommended? For something different from your usual boy meets girl at school. But could be a bit disturbing, even tho it is rather tastefully done.

Crossroad

Manga complete at 7 Volumes

Brief Summary: Three unrelated teenagers who lived together as siblings when young are forced to live together again after seven years of separation.

Ok, admit my summary is the pits. After going through the manga, it seems to be a mix of everything. There is brother-sister, and there is teacher-student, both very popular "forbidden love" themes that are probably supposed to bring out some angst and emotional frustration.

There were some elements that I found confusing in this, such as the girl's relationship with the teacher (and realised later I'm not the only one as someone else has commented they stopped reading this because of this part which they can't get at all). It was ambiguous yet hinted of very deep feelings. It became quite central to the story, and although I am supposing the main focus was still the relationship between the "brother and sister" who are actually both adopted and therefore unrelated, it caused a strange sidetrack/diversion.

There was also the relationship of the male protagonist (the brother) and another girl which was also confusing as they seemed to like, yet, be using each other. And then, this relationship of the brother doesn't seem to bother the girl protagonist in any big way (isn't is supposed to be that the rival is there to create major heart rending problems?) and so it goes the other way around too with the girl's relationship with the sensei (teacher). At the end, it doesn't even appear the brother knows about it. So this is a different treatment as jealousy isn't the main aim here. There is something else. It is a strange story.

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: B-
Recommended? Ok, but think need to spend more time figuring it out. Or maybe on the other hand, just don't read too much into it. This mangaka has another series going called Cy Believers. Sounds erm, just as confusing.

Should I?

Came across Mars, another manga by the same author as Eternal Sabbath, and the characters look similar. I'm wondering whether to read it. Seems as angsty and dramatic as ES and even more so, dealing with rape, abuse, suicide, etc. etc, and plus, the couple (did you get it's a romance?) fall in and out of love throughout the manga (talk about tormented!). Well, these were elements in ES as well. So maybe it's too much for me right now.

Eternal Sabbath

Manga: Complete at 8 Volumes

This is definintely not your shoujo. In fact, if you're looking for romance, though there is, you'd have to read a lot, a lot before you got to it. But the refreshing part is really that the girl (being a neurologist and of course MD) is very smart and not dotty in the least. She isn't easily controlled by emotions of love/lust. Though in the beginning she is looking for a partner that is not her one and consuming goal.

The plot is interesting, very sci-fi, ok believable (you know you have to suspend disbelief in such situations anyway right) and not entirely too complex or the other extreme of being too flat. The characters are nicely developed and the pace is good.

There are a lot of difficult problems and issues discussed too, in topics such as morality, death, genetic engineering, research, abuse, etc. It is in a way, actually quite "heavy".

The art is different from many of the shoujo and is more rich in details and tones. The characters are drawn realistically (though still beautifully) and the guy, probably still qualifies as a bishi. :)

You can find a VERY detailed "summary" (oxymoron?) at Comics Worth Reading.

My Rating:
Story: A
Art: A
Recommended? Yes actually, but only if you lean toward sci-fi.

From Far Away

Manga completed at 14 Volumes

Brief Summary: A girl gets drawn into another world where she is the key to awakening a monster.

This topic isn’t new, just think of Escaflowne, Anatolia, Queen’s Knight, Kyo Kara Meoh and even Amatsuki (I’m sure you could name many others), where someone is sucked into another realm/world and, somehow despite being rather plain and nondescript in the normal world, is now a special person of some consequence there.

And then there is the romance, though this isn’t exactly your typical hearts and flowers shojo. In fact, I was wondering all the time whether this was written for males or females. There is a deep romance element but a large part of the story is centered on the royal politics. The fight scenes are also spectacular, going on for quite a few pages a time. So it did seem more for guys, but then again, I know some girls like their fight scenes too, and the romance part didn’t seem like something the guys would be that interested in (I could be wrong).

The characters have good chemistry, especially the two protagonists. Of course the guy’s got issues (and the girl is sweet and nice) but they are settled later on. The drawing isn’t bad but the characterization seems more towards the older 90s style, which you can see from the girl’s hairstyle. The guy also isn’t your typical bishonen, though he seems cool enough.

The story is rather typical with bad guys galore, but there wasn’t really adequate explanation on the whole concept of how she became so special - some similar stories would have had her ancestor or something coming from this world into ours sometime in the past, and having a lineage in the fantasy world to begin with (e.g. Meripuri). With this one, it wasn’t really touched on at all (or did I miss it?).

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: B
Recommended? There are so many titles with the same topic so if you’ve read a few you may be weary already, but if you haven’t this isn’t a bad start I guess.

Bloody Kiss

Manga: Complete

Brief Summary: A high school girl inherits an old mansion from her grandmother and finds that there are two vampires living there already.

Interesting concept but predictable shoujo romance. The characters do lack a bit of depth and whatever torments they professedly have aren't really settled at the end of the manga. Only the romance part is kind of, in a way, developed.


The vampire is a bishi of course, and the other one, apparently a servant, doesn't act very servant-ish and kind of plays a strange bit part. Have seen some comments that this manga is a bit strange, and ya, in a disjointed kind of way I think.

Just as a side, I also wonder how come the grandmother didn't show up earlier in the girl's life, as she was supposed to be very poor and all.

My rating:
Story: C+
Art: B
Recommended: I guess if you can't get enough of the vampires scene. Ya, why not? It's only 6 chapters.

Akahime Ranshin

This oneshot manga actually got me started on the teacher-student genre but actually was disappointed in all the ones I found after this one. I particularly like this because it is quite subtle and sweet. The ending is left to your imagination. Usually I like a better clear cut ending, but I guess it was good this way too (altho I wouldn't mind if they came out with part 2).

Some other things I liked were that this is a female teacher and male student, whereas most with this topic is the other way (male teacher who smokes too much more likely). I also like that the guy is not overly hyper, perverted or agressive and isn't childish in the least really. That's nice for once, cos the difference between the student and teacher isn't so exaggerated, which I think is good or else it makes the whole relationship unbelieveable. There's jus some good chemistry between the two protagonists.

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: B
Recommended? Good for a quick read.
Similar: Can't think of any in particular at the moment.

It's Love

Manga: Complete at 7 volumes

Brief Summary: An orphan is taken in seven years before the manga starts, by a family with three boys. She is bullied by all three but they all have the same reason they don't want her as a sister - because they've all fallen for her!

Discovered this manga/manhwa quite by accident. The characters are rather beautifully drawn, and quite characterestic of Korean drawing style that I've seen so far in Goong and Bride of the Water God (is it just me or do they like to have two pigtails or buns?).

Basically this is a reverse harem, with the three guys being brothers, all different and successful in their own ways. It's a tormented sweet innocent story, but at least the girl is not the one that keeps working at the relationship. It's nice to see the guy (in this case, guys) working at it for once! ;P All the guys care for her in their own way and it's kind of sad to know that she can only have one of them! ;p

My Rating:
Story: B-
Art: B-
Recommended: Keeps you in suspense!

Tail of the Moon/Tsuki no Shippo

Manga: Completed

Was looking for a short manga, and came across Tsuki no Toiki, which is the precursor for this one. After finishing that one, it led me to this one, as the characters follow on as well.

Seen an ad before at the back of shojo volumes but it just never appealed to me, probably the look of the two main characters. The guy is ok but the girl is drawn to look very very young and almost puberscent and that makes them an oddly matched couple. I so wish the girl had been drawn more mature.

Have read a few commentors write that they find this a bit childish. Well, it's quite common for the girl protangonist to be just that and unfortunately she is shown to be unsophisticated, bumbling, clumsy, unrefined and all....but of course, with a good heart. Sounding a bit like Itazura Na Kiss? Ya, in a way it does remind me of the many so mangas I've already reviewed below. The difference probably is the time period? This one is a ninja period manga and that put me off a bit (though, I did also get absorbed in Nabari No Ou).

Though I can appreciate some of the things she goes through, as it's nice to see her grow up through having those experiences. Unfortunately though, some of them are really quite silly. As I finish the last volume, 15, I'm left a bit disappointed. The ending is a bit abrupt and perhaps, even, cheesy (not to mention unbelievable)? I would say more but being too specific would spoil it for those who haven't read it. I can see now where the comments on it being a bit simple/childish come from. The sequence of events is a bit choppy and I get the feeling of being stopped and put into a new scene in staccato like steps. The characters' feelings are really expressed very well and are also chopped off mid-emote. I just don't feel too much for them after a while. Felt it had potential but somehow there was something amiss. I had to down the rating of this one to a B- from a B.

And, for some reason, the fonts on this manga are huge. Somehow contributes to the kiddy feel.:)


My Rating:
Story: B-
Art: B
Recommended? Typical but there are some endearing parts.

Girl Got Game

Manga: Completed

This started out promising, with a premise like Ouran High but instead of a host club it's a basketball club. The drawing is also nice and the girl turns into a pretty boy.

But later on, the story gets kind of twisted and a bit strange and the characters are simplistic and 1 D. The girl is immature at times and tends to go off a tangent which is quite unexpected of her original representation.

My Rating:
Story: C-
Art: C
Recommended? A bit too simplistic, perhaps if you've got no other mangas or were huge fans of Hana Kimi.

Meripuri

Manga: Complete, 4 volumes

Finished Merupuri and managed to get all vols except 1. Sort of bought this on a whim (I didn't even unwrap to look inside!) and discovered quite early on after I bought it that it is a very different genre from the ones I've been reading. I didn't realise that from the synopsis and expected something rather different. Basically the reasons I bought it were that, 1. It was written/drawn by the same author as Vampire Knight, which I quite liked, and 2, it had only four volumes (I was trying to save $$!) ;p ok ok, been telling everyone this (that this is not my usual style) - hmmm..why is that? To justify my read? heheheh One thing's for sure, this is probably one manga my husband would never pick up, though he read most of non shoujo manga.

As a friend says, it's quite a sweet love story, and it moves pretty fast from volume two onwards and most of the plot actually ends in the first part of volume 4 - I think the rest of the last volume was just for the sake of fillers to make one full volume.

The fast pace and short and easy read is good for those who don't like a draggy storyline. There's also a lot of chemistry between the two characters, though I've read at least one review describing the plot as a reverse harem type (i.e. the girl with many admirers). Oh well, it's a fantasy right? ;p

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: A - love the details in the dress, etc. A friend said the bodies of the people are too long, but this is quite typical in a lot of shoujo.Recommended? Ok for a light read, but nothing much in terms of depth. Sweet.