With ten eerie tales, Alley is a fascinating look into Japanese fears. With serial killers, ghosts and demons, most horror sub-genres are represented. My favorite story, Blessing, even has a mystery to solve within it. Many of the stories are unique enough to be remembered long after the story isContinue Reading
If you already draw, the Anime Art Class Sketchbook may include enough instruction to curve your talents towards manga. If you don’t draw much (or at all), this book alone will not be enough. Start with one of the author’s excellent anime or chibi art class books first. The AnimeContinue Reading
In Glitch, Vol. 1, a Japanese exchange student sees dark shadows on his first day in a new high school. On the way home after picking up his younger sister, they both see the same shadows. There are relieved that if they are both seeing it, it must really beContinue Reading
Akari is a typical girl trying to fit into her clique in Japanese high school. All the boys look the same to her. None seem hot to her. But Yuki intrigues Akari. Yuki doesn’t feel the need to blend in with the other girls. In fact, her calmness makes herContinue Reading
If you have a family member or friend that loves all things Japanese or sushi in particular, you can’t go wrong in gifting them The Art of Sushi. The book tells the tale of how a French manga artist learns everything about sushi from two Japanese chefs and their suppliers.Continue Reading
Miss Nanoka was orphaned when a sinkhole swallowed up her parents and their car in modern Japan. Now-cursed Nanoka is sometimes sent to the same area fifty years earlier. In Mao Vol 2, Nanoka and the exorcist Mao are still looking for the cat demon, Byoki, in that same eraContinue Reading
I was disappointed by Mashle: Magic and Muscles Vol 3. Mash and his dorm mates fight the Magia Lupus bullies on their home turf one on one. There is no other character or plot development. I actually like the bonus comic about magically creating a pot mouse better. Other thanContinue Reading
Loid is a spy. He has a fake family made up of Yor, the wife who is also an assassin, and Yuri, a first grader, who is also a telepath. In this episode of their story, Loid and his co-worker, Fiona, are the focus. The pair must win a tennisContinue Reading
There are two mysteries presented in Moriarty the Patriot Vol 5. First, there is the conclusion of a locked room mystery set on a train. There is also a complete three-part mystery where the queen asks Sherlock to search for a damaging document. If it is released to the public,Continue Reading
Nine more episodes from this action-filled series await you in Undead Unluck Vol 3. Fuuko Izumi, nicknamed Unluck, has the power of unluck. Anyone who touches her skin-to-skin dies. She meets and teams up with the immortal Undead who she nicknames Andy. In the last volume Andy was possessed byContinue Reading
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Vol 2 continues the mashup of Harry Potter and One Punch Man. Mash has no magic abilities in a world that requires them. In Vol 1, he wins entry to his country’s preeminent magic school, Easton Magic Academy (think Hogwarts) based solely on his phenomenal strengthContinue Reading
“It may be time we start taking this seriously.”—from Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Vol 3 Akira Tendo is still trying to finish his list of a hundred (more or less) things he wants to do before becoming a zombie. But first, he and his friend, Kencho, mustContinue Reading
There is a dance. Then, a school practice exercise that turns into a real fight. RWBY: The Official Manga Vol 3 is the last volume in this prequel to the anime series. I’m sure I would have enjoyed this entire series more if I had watched the anime first. AsContinue Reading
“Quitting my job opened my eyes. I’m gonna do everything I ever wanted. No restrictions!“ Akira Tendo is still trying to finish his list of a hundred (more or less) things he wants to do before becoming a zombie. While waiting for the zombie apocalypse might take us awhile (dependingContinue Reading
“I ain’t no zombie. I’m undead! Maybe you can snuff out my ridiculously long life!!”—from Undead Unluck Vol 1. Fuuko Izumi, nicknamed Unluck, has the power of unluck. Anyone who touches her skin-to-skin dies. When she meets the immortal Undead, she names him Andy. Andy hopes she can kill him.Continue Reading
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson return in manga form in Moriarty the Patriot Vol 3. Holmes is arrested for murder! Sir Baskerville is playing the Most Dangerous Game! Moriarty is exposing the dark underside of the British nobility! The two stories here are based loosely, very loosely, on the AContinue Reading