The Name of the Flower Volume 1

I love the word “aphasia”. I don’t know why I always remember the complicated term for forgetting words, but the irony amuses me. So when I saw the online preview for The Name of the Flower by Ken Saito, which prominently uses the term, I had to check it out. High school student Chouko has been orphaned. With no one to take care of her, she winds up staying with a remote cousin of her father’s. (There are a few […]

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Luv Luv: Make More Love & Peace, Sounds of Love, Object of Desire

Finishing up my coverage of the Aurora Luv Luv titles … these are the three titles I haven’t yet covered from line of explicit sex manga for women. Make More Love & Peace by Takane Yonetani A sequel to Make Love & Peace, about the girlfriend of a cop. This series is the only one in the Luv Luv line (and it’s only two books), but regardless of format, it’s still their most rewarding read because it’s about more than […]

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Oishinbo a la Carte 2: Sake

After an introductory volume on general Japanese cuisine, Oishinbo volume 2 starts specializing by covering Japan’s best-known alcoholic drink and other wines. As part of his planning for his newspaper’s Ultimate Menu, journalist Yamaoka explores drinks to go with the food. Lots of preconceptions are corrected, starting with the idea that sake can’t be as good as the best French wines. An argument is made that if well-made sake with no additives is handled as well as wine, kept from […]

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Yokohama Shopping Trip (Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou)

If you’re wondering what to read after Aria, try Yokohama Shopping Trip by Hitoshi Ashinano, another science fiction series based around the small events of daily life. They both have similar contemplative approaches, where the gorgeous scenery is as important as plot and the theme is appreciation of what you have. Sadly, you’ll have to download scanlations, since it’s not officially available in English. Which is unfortunate, since it’s a wonderful read (but probably a hard sell). The science fiction […]

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High School Debut Volume 8

Now that sporty Haruna and popular boy Yoh are known to be a couple, she’s suddenly desirable to other boys, younger students who don’t have preconceptions about who she used to be. One is a silent, staring stalker; the second tries to be an outgoing player who fancies himself a rival for Yoh’s status as school stud; and the third a gloomy Yoh wannabe. The mix makes for good comedy, as the different ways boys react to a crush are […]

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Otomen Volume 1

Asuka is a manly boy — kendo (swordfighting) champion, judo and karate expert — who secretly loves “the fluffy, the sparkling, the cute, the sweet. Cooking, sewing, love stories.” He needs to keep his stereotypically feminine interests secret in order to protect his image. The idea of a lead character who has to hide his true feelings is symbolic. It’s something a lot of teen readers can relate to, at a time when their outer projection is often at odds […]

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Aria Volume 4

After some trouble, I finally found a copy of the latest chapter of this gorgeous series. As volume 4 begins, it’s summer on Aqua, and Akari and her fellow gondolier trainees Aika and Alice vacation on a small island. Yes, it’s a bathing suit chapter, but the clothes are reasonable, and instead of body parts, the emphasis is on the fun and relaxation of the beach. The younger girls have never swum in an ocean before, and their feelings of […]

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Tokyopop in March: NG Life, Tsubasa: Those With Wings, Star Trek Manga Ultimate Edition

Tokyopop sent along some of their upcoming March releases for review. NG Life Volume 1 by Mizuho Kusanagi, $10.99 US Four-volume series High school student Keidai remembers his previous life in Pompeii. His love then, Serena, has been reincarnated as the new neighbor, Yuuma, a middle-school boy. His best friend then is now a female classmate, Mii, who at least listens to his memories that no one else shares. NG Life should make for enjoyable light comedy, but the impression […]

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