Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14

Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14 by Fumi Yoshinaga Note: This review may contain SPOILERS for earlier volumes; you may want to read previous reviews if you are unfamiliar with the series. Quick recap: In an alternate history, Shogunate Japan was struck by an epidemic of “red-faced pox”, also known as “bearpox.” For unclear… Continue reading Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14

Manga Review: So Cute It Hurts!! 5

Manga Review: So Cute It Hurts!! 5 by Go Ikeyamada Quick recap: Megumu and Mitsuru Kobayashi are fraternal twins. Megumu’s a studious history nerd and Mitsuru’s good at kendo and other sports. They go to different schools. When Mitsuru’s grades dropped badly enough that he’d lose his sports eligibility, he pressured Megumu into switching identities… Continue reading Manga Review: So Cute It Hurts!! 5

Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Sawa takes a moment to smell the flowers.

Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood Sawa Yukimura runs a small used bookstore in Tokyo in 1931 and takes care of her adopted little sister Asahi. The bookstore is often closed, though, as Sawa is also a member of the secret government assassination squad codenamed “Nue.” She’s also the last known survivor… Continue reading Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Manga Review: Case Closed, Vol. 73

Manga Review: Case Closed, Vol. 73 by Gosho Aoyama Recap: Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the dub) is a teen genius detective who has been shrunk by a poison and now poses as grade-schooler Conan Edogawa, but still solves crimes. Thus the Japanese title that translates as “Detective Conan.” See my earlier reviews. This volume… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Vol. 73

Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946

Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946 by various creators Batman was a big success in the comic books, so it wasn’t long at all before it was decided that he’d probably be a hit in the newspaper comic strips as well. Once that was decided, the problem of Sundays had to be considered.… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03 by Akiko Higashimura Quick recap: The all-women apartment building Amamizu-kan, home to jellyfish-obsessed artist Tsukimi and her nerdy friends, is threatened by gentrification. They have a champion in the person of Kuranosuke, a prominent politician’s black sheep son who likes to dress in women’s clothing (and looks really good doing… Continue reading Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Fruits Basket Volume 8

Manga Review: Fruits Basket Volume 8 by Natsuki Takaya Tohru Honda’s extended family sucks. After her mother died, her aunt and uncle made it clear they wanted nothing to do with the child. But the optimistic compassion and strong work ethic Tohru inherited from her mother served her well. She got a part time job… Continue reading Manga Review: Fruits Basket Volume 8

Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2

Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2 by Aoike Yasuko It is the 1970s, and the Cold War is raging behind the scenes. One of the top front line officers in that war is Major “Iron” Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach of NATO intelligence. He and his team of “Alphabet” agents attempt to thwart plans… Continue reading Manga Review: From Eroica with Love 2

Comic Book Review: The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Comic Book Review: The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll’s House written by Neil Gaiman, art by Mike Dringenberg & Malcolm Jones III In the mid to late 1980s, DC started to have a “British Invasion”, bringing over several talented British authors that had new perspectives on the DC universe characters. One of these creators was… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll’s House

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02 by Akiko Higashimura Quick recap:  Amamizu-kan is a women-only apartment building inhabited by the Amars, a group of socially awkward women who fear socially-skilled people, who they call “the stylish.”  Jellyfish-obsessed artist Tsukimi accidentally befriends the “princess” Kuranosuke, who turns out to be a young man with a penchant… Continue reading Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02