Manga Mondays: Love Master A Volume 1

Following in Alison from Alison Can Read's footsteps, I decided that since I love reading it so much, I'll be reviewing manga series that I come across whether in my library or in the bookstore.  

Love Master A Vol. 1 - Kyoko Hashimoto

Summary: 

Determined to start a new life away from all the rumors and nicknames, Aria transfers to a new school - only to find that thanks to the nosey boys of the student council, her reputation preceded her.  Ironically nicknamed "The Love Master" due to her bad luck with romance, Aria nevertheless decides to turn over a new life - helping other couples overcome their problems, whether they like it or not.

**Warning: Review may contain some story spoilers.**

The Dish: 

Very cute if a bit extreme on the energy.  After being rejected by 50 boys to whom she confessed her love, Aria has decided to forsake love and make a fresh start at a new high school where she hopes her nickname as the "Love Master" won't follow her.  

Much to her surprise, on her first day Aria is chosen as the first years' student council president by the other first year student council members: Jin Kadomatsu, the health and safety coordinator who literally sweeps Aria off her feet, secretary Mizuki Tachibana who hides in the student council room to avoid other girls, treasurer Kurusu Umezono who spends most of his time utilizing the budget on technological means of monitoring the school, and vice president Chikayasu Takebayashi who is practically the reincarnation of a benevolent and loyal samurai.  And much to her dismay, the other student council members know about her reputation, but Aria manages to bounce back with energy to take the wheel of the first years' student council.

The art style is quite unique despite its similarities to most shoujo romance manga with the large eyes of main characters on otherwise fairly minimalist faces.  What I really appreciate are the unique characteristics of all of the main characters and even of side characters.  With some manga series, it can be difficult to distinguish between characters due to physical qualities that are too similar.  Readers will have no trouble knowing who is who in Hashimoto's adorable romance story.

In the way of the story, the first volume is told in a series of short vignettes and experiences involving the first year student council as Aria tries to find her footing as president.  Most readers will enjoy the pacing of the stories and the hilarious situations endured by the student council.  Personally, I found Mizuki's quirk of being afraid of other girls so endearing, and when readers see Mizuki, I think they'll understand her fears.  The last vignette starts the first of an over-arcing story which involves the second year student council trying to unify all the student councils together.  This story also involves the second year student council president, Takara Sakakiyama, wanting to make Aria his girlfriend.  While Aria is in debate over her feelings for a member of her own student council, she's unsure what to do to refuse Sakakiyama's advances.  What will she do?  Find out in the final volume.

While the story and art are fairly tame, this series is recommended for teen readers and above.

Post-Thanksgiving Holiday

(Image belongs to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary)

First off, I hope all of you were able to have an excellent and filling Thanksgiving holiday.  And if you did go shopping or were working on Black Friday, I hope all went well without any snafus.  

Well, it's been one of those weekends where despite having 5 days off from work, I was still uber-busy because my folks were in town for the holiday and my beau was working on Black Friday.  It's been a fun time but also rather exhausting, and I'll be happy for the schedule to get back to normal.  

Here's what I've been reading over the holidays, and I hope to finish it this week:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What I plan to read next:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

OR

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

OR

Soulless: The Manga Volume 2 by Gail Carriger and REM

What were all of you reading over the holidays?  ^_^

Top Ten Tuesday (31): Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read Graphic Novels

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read Graphic Novels

(In no particular order)

1. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, Peter Gillis, Renae De Liz, and Ray Dillon

For those who have read The Last Unicorn, I think they will appreciate how the story is told visually. For those who haven't read Beagle's unique fantasy novel, I think it would be a great way to be exposed to the story to hopefully inspire them to read the original (and possibly see the 1982 film, too). 

2. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya (23 volumes)

If there is one manga series I will recommend to just about anyone, it is Fruits Basket (the same goes for the anime as well). It has this warm feeling throughout the story even when there are trying times for the main characters, and you can definitely see how Takaya's art style grows from the first volume to the last. With memorable characters and so many great interwoven stories, you won't be disappointed with this series. If you want a shorter series by her, I recommend her earlier series Tsubasa: Those With Wings (only 3 volumes). 

3. Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson (Mature)

Hoo boy... this is for the paranormal detective readers and certainly not for the faint of heart. There were times that I was to the point of tears while reading this graphic novel because of the themes it discusses. However, despite those, there is the overall theme of this group of dogs and a cat in charge of investigating paranormal activity in their neighborhood. That is pretty darned cool, and Thompson's art does not disappoint in showing the stories. 

4. Yume Kira Dream Shoppe by Aqua Mizuto

If you prefer stand-alones, then look no further than this bit of cuteness. At one volume, Mizuto's book tells four stories all connected to the Dream Shoppe. Each main character of the four stories visits the Dream Shoppe, hoping to find the means of granting their greatest wish. However, they learn that sometimes it's not about having the wish granted for them but how they grant the wish themselves. 

5. Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima (Mature) (28 volumes)

The first volume was a gift from my Aikido sensei...and I'll always be grateful for that even though the story does revolve around revenge. It's a fascinating story that includes a lot of Japanese history, which is another reason to check it out if you're a fan of Japan. 

6. Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP (6 volumes including Magic Knight Rayearth 2)

It's just a beautiful series.  That's all I have to say about it. Oh, and it involves fantasy and giant spiritual robots, how awesome is that? With this series being as short as it is, Magic Knight Rayearth is a great series to "test the waters" of manga.

7. Blacksad by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (Mature)

If you're a fan of noir or the old-school private investigators, look no further than Blacksad. Diaz Canales touches upon hard themes and there are graphic parts to the three stories told in this edition. But between the art and the storytelling, it is just remarkable. I'm not sure if there will be another volume, but as stand-alones go, it's one worth checking out.

8. Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova (Mature) (3 volumes)

Three volumes in one, this is one kickin' omnibus for a graphic novel. I've always loved conventions, particularly those of the anime and sci-fi/fantasy type, and having a graphic novel series that takes place at an anime convention is awesome unto itself. Chmakova has a great style, great story, and great characters, which makes this another great "stand-alone" or rather "three-in-one" graphic novel.

9. Millennium Snow by Bisco Hatori (2 volumes)

Yes, I know I put volume two on here, but that's because my favorite character is on this cover! If you're wanting to "test the waters" of manga, this is another excellent choice since the series IS only two volumes long. If you do happen to like Hatori's style, might I also recommend Ouran High School Host Club by her.

10. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi (4 volumes so far)

I've only recently become absorbed with this middle grade/young adult graphic novel series, and already I'm hooked. Kibuishi has a unique style and story to tell, and for those who enjoy kick-butt heroines, you'll need to look no further. While there is much growing up to do for our main character, there's so much going on around her that forces her to make decisions without thinking. This is an excellent choice for your pre-teen to enter the world of graphic novels.

Manga Review: A Bride's Story Volume 1

Title:  A Bride's Story, Volume 1
Author:  Kaoru Mori
Genre:  Manga/Graphic Novel
Pages:  192
Publisher:  Yen Press
Summary:  Amir is twenty years old when she marries her husband, a boy named Karluk from a neighboring village.  Adjusting to life in a new household can be trying for any young bride, but Amir's husband is eight years her junior!  Amir was a strong, sophisticated hunter and horsewoman in her village, but though their villages were next to each other, their customs are very different.  As Amir introduces Karluk to the foods and pastimes that were popular among her comrades back home, the warmth she feels for her young husband grows.

The Dish:  The idea of marrying someone who is eight years your junior... seems like a lot to take in especially when you're moving away from all that you have known in your life.  However, considering the time and setting of the story, it was considered the norm for girls to be married at age fourteen or fifteen.  By those standards, the main character, Amir, is considered old at twenty years. 

While the story is about Amir joining the family of her young husband, most of the focus is on Karluk's family members and their day-to-day lives.  There is an immense change with the arrival of this new girl, but they take Amir's differences in stride without necessarily scolding her.  While there was definitely an air of surprise, both from Amir upon meeting her husband and from Karluk's family, the warmth that grows between Amir and the family definitely shows. 

As a character, Amir doesn't seem to say as much as Karluk's family, but I really like her.  She is a brave young woman not only because of leaving her village and family behind to join Karluk's family, since that is proper during the time period, but mostly because she is considered an "old maiden."  Within this time, there were little options for older girls when it came to marriage, and for Amir to settle for a husband that is eight years younger, that shows a lot of her courage and lack of hubris.  Karluk is a kind boy who does accept his older wife, but there is a slight sense of hesitance on his part.  He does show concern for Amir when she goes on a rather lengthy rabbit-hunting excursion, but he is also amazed at what skills his wife possesses.  Perhaps his hesitance is due in part to intimidation not only because Amir is an older woman but because of her skills.  I look forward to seeing how their relationship grows in the next volume.

In the way of visuals, Mori's art can be described in one word: gorgeous.  Not all manga artists choose to go with a more detailed style, so it's refreshing to see one creating whole worlds in their story.  The settings are breathtaking and very realistic, and the people are diverse both in facial features as well as attire.  Mori often used a series of wordless panels to convey parts of the story, doing so flawlessly without breaking the overall volume.  Overall, A Bride's Story Volume 1 was a beautiful and warm introduction to our main characters, and I will be on the lookout for Volume 2, which is scheduled to be released in the US on October 25th.

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers post about all the books they have received whether in the mail, if we purchased it, or checked out from our local library.

From Karen of Books Beside My Bed (because she's so awesome):

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston...

Personalized since Mr. Weston was at the Texas Library Association conference this week! ^_____^

From Carmel at Rabid Reads for winning her Giveaway:

Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn 

From author R.A. McDonald:

Ada Legend of a Healer

From Half-Price Books:

Intertwined by Gena Showalter (I wanted to read some of her YA and LupLun wrote a great review.)

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (I blame Karen's great review and for her pointing it out in the store.)

Black Unicorn by Tanith Lee (Finally, I have all three in the trilogy in hardcover!)

Black Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham (I'm still in a dragon mood lately.)

Wolf Moon by Charles de Lint (So I don't have to worry about returning it to the library!)

From Borders during Store Close-out Sale (kind of bittersweet):

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (I blame Carmel's great review.)

Natsume's Book of Friends Volumes 4 and 5 by Yuki Midorikawa (Cannot pass up manga on sale.)

Whew! Long list for me, but I'm happy about all of my new books. ^_^

What did y'all receive in your mailbox this past week?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Sakura Hime Volume 1

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura

By Arina Tanemura

Publish Date: April 5, 2011 by VIZ Media LLC

From Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com~
Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword.  All her life, Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why.  Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her...

It's been awhile since I've had a manga series to anticipate the release, and I'm happy to be returning more to the Japanese graphic novels.  I adore most of Arina Tanemura's works, and this new title looks like a promising series.  Her art is one of the biggest draws for me along with the fantasy and legend elements, and I really hope this one delivers a great story. If you're unfamiliar with Tanemura's previous series, here are some of her titles. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Manga Shakespeare Twelfth Night

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Manga Shakespeare Twelfth Night

By: William Shakespeare, adapted by Richard Appignanesi

Date Published: March 1, 2011 by Amulet Books

From Amazon.com~

A comedy of mistaken identity and thwarted love, Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays and is frequently performed and studied across the country. When Viola finds herself shipwrecked, she pretends to be a male servant and falls in love with Duke Orsino. The Manga Shakespeare interpretation, which incorporates fresh ideas and thoughtful settings, will introduce the classic play to a new audience of Shakespeare fans.

Twelfth Night has always been one of my favorites of Shakespeare's plays, and the man could sure write comedy just as well as he could write tragedy.  Sometimes I wonder why teachers focus on all of the tragedies rather than giving their students a little comedy for balance.  It's nice seeing a little mixture in this play, and I can't wait to read the manga.  Nana Li is a recognizable manga-ka as well, so her art style should definitely fit the storyline for Twelfth Night.  And as a librarian, I think it's a good way to get students to actually visualize the play, especially if the adaptation remains true to the original language and traditional Shakespearean rhetoric.  

Graphic Friday: Natsume's Book of Friends

Title:  Natsume's Book of Friends, Volume 1

Author:  Yuki Midorikawa

The Dish:  Natsume is not like other boys.  All of his life he's been able to see spirits and demons...and they're usually chasing him.  But this isn't his fault since the demons believe he is his grandmother, Reiko, from whom he inherited his spiritual gifts.  When she was alive, Reiko had taken the names of many different demons after spiritual battles, thus forming her "Book of Friends".  After releasing a demon he calls "Nyanko-sensei", due to the demon being trapped in the form of a lucky cat, Natsume finds the "Book of Friends" and vows to return the names to their proper owners.  Nyanko-sensei has promised to assist Natsume in this task on the condition that should the boy die while on his quest, the demon shall receive the "Book of Friends".

I was introduced to this series by a friend of mine, though it was the anime, not the manga.  Oddly enough I didn't watch an entire episode despite my curiosity.  Then, when I saw the manga available here, I just had to really see what the story was about.  The overall story of Natsume's Book of Friends is that Natsume is basically wanting to undo what his grandmother did years ago in taking the names from the demons listed in the book.  What I really love is the episodic stories involving Natsume with the various demons he encounters such as when he first meets Nyanko-sensei, or Madara as he is called by other demons.  The most endearing story to me involves the "Dew God", a spirit that was treated as a god many decades prior.  However, with only one believer remaining and growing older, his stature had been reduced to a tiny spirit easily held in one's hand. 

The banter between Natsume and Nyanko-sensei/Madara is quite humorous, especially with Nyanko-sensei always taking into account that he could always just eat Natsume to gain the Book of Friends.  In fact, it was Nyanko-sensei/Madara that made me very interested in this series simply because his true demon form has the appearance like that of a wolf.  It is rare to see wolves along the side of the protagonist in manga.  In the Dew God's story, there was a prediction made that involved Nyanko-sensei/Madara that makes me very curious to read more volumes.  Overall, I can't wait to continue collecting more volumes and I'd like to revisit the anime when it comes to America. 

When reading a graphic novel series, do you prefer more episodic stories or the overarching storyline and why do you prefer that type of story?

(Belated) Graphic Friday: Yakitate!! Japan

Title:  Yakitate!! Japan

Author:  Hashiguchi, Takashi

The Dish:  Battling...brawling...baking?  At the tender age of 6, Azuma Kazuma was introduced to the art of bread-making by a local baker with a dream to create a signature bread associated with Japan.  The French have a bread, the Germans have a bread, many countries have a bread associated in their country of origin.  And thus, Azuma's dream of creating such a bread for Japan, or Ja-Pan, was born.  

Why should people read this manga series?  Because it's a manga about a bread competition.  How many shonen series can boast this type of competition?  In most action manga, the competition is a battle royale in the sparring ring between two (or more) brutal warriors, as with Dragonball Z, YuYu Hakusho, and so forth.  With Yakitate!! Japan, it's still a battle...the ring just happens to be in the kitchen using an oven.  

This is one crazy manga starting off with Azuma competing for a position at Pantasia, the most prestigious of breadmaking brands in Japan.  While in the competition, Azuma meets formidable opponants in Ken Suwabara, a breadmaker with the heart of a samurai, and Kyousuke Kawachi, a young breadmaker with a secret past.  But Azuma has one advantage on his side in this bread competition...his "hands-of-the-sun", or palms that are warmer than normal temperature.  Azuma fairs well in the competition, but due to some scheming in part of some of the competition, he does not win the position at Pantasia's main branch.  Instead, he and Kawachi have both caught the eyes of Tsukino Azusagawa, owner of the the smaller south Pantasia branch.  How will Azuma fair working in a bakery that is in competition not only with other local bakeries but also with Pantasia's major rival, St. Pierre?  

Overall, I have enjoyed this manga simply because of the unique theme even if it does revolve around a competition.  It has the heart of the hero's journey as Azuma strives to achieve the perfect Ja-pan, or Japanese bread.  The side characters involved in the manga are what really make the story great, although I believe we dwell too much on Kawachi's "hair issues" later in the series.  Although I haven't been able to finish the manga yet, I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of the final bread competition. 

What competition-based manga series capture your attention?

Graphic Friday: Lone Wolf and Cub

Title:  Lone Wolf and Cub, Volumes 1-14

Author:  Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima (artist)

The Dish:  Honor, betrayal, disgrace, vengeance…Lone Wolf and Cub chronicles the story of Ogami Itto, the Shogun's executioner who uses a dotanuki battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan,he is forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, Daigorō, they seek revenge on the Yagyu clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub".

I was started down the path of Ogami Itto and his son, Daigoro, by one who thought I would appreciate the merits and the journey of this father and son seeking vengeance and justice within Japan.  After reading the first 14 volumes, I would have to say he was right simply because although Ogami and Daigoro are the protagonists within the story, it is rather hard to state their story is a 'hero's journey'.  Because of what Ogami does (which at times involves Daigoro in the grand scheme) as an assasin, one cannot really call them "heroes" though in many cases, Ogami has managed to save side characters we meet within their long quest even if saving them often at times means releasing them from pain/dishonor/distress.  Their story is more of a quest to clear the honorable name of Itto and to punish those who had betrayed them. 

What I also admire about the writing of Lone Wolf and Cub are the notes written regarding the time period.  Koike helps set the story in a more historical sense in allowing the reader to see more through the eyes of the characters and understand a different culture's manners and behaviors.  He also supplies a glossary of main terms used throughout the volumes (some with additional terms) in the index area of the books while words used less frequently are explained within the text itself.  Kojima's art style is definitely unique and recognizable among other Japanese graphic novels.  Although at times disturbing, I believe it helps set the mood for the times, giving a more realistic view of how things appeared and were dealt with in this era of Japan.  I would almost liken it to Rurouni Kenshin only more gritty, violent, and rough through and through rather than just the edges. 

What graphic novels grab you?

Graphic Friday: Magic Knight Rayearth

 

Title:  Magic Knight Rayearth

Author:  CLAMP

The Dish:  When the world as we know it is falling apart, when those sworn to lead it have turned against the realm, who will rise up and stand against the enemy?  Three teenagers from Japan.  Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are three girls visiting Tokyo Tower on school trips when the floor opens up beneath them, sucking all three into Cephiro, a world that is shaped and molded by the strongest of wills.  Once there they meet Guru Clef who informs the girls that they must save Cephiro and rescue its Pillar, Emeraude, from the once loyal priest, Zagato.  At first hesitant, each girl must find her own inner strength to draw out the power of her guardian beast, Selece for Umi, Windam for Fuu, and Rayearth for Hikaru. 

Magic Knight Rayearth is one of the older manga series and also one of the first series I read when I became interested in manga.  There is something remarkable about this series despite its familiar and perhaps clichéd plot.  Let me start off by saying this: CLAMP = Beautiful.  There is no doubt when one reads a CLAMP novel that the artwork will be gorgeous, sometimes too much so.  The detail the artists put into creating not only the characters but their very world is impressive, and it is one feature I love about Magic Knight Rayearth.  That detail is also shown in the personalities of the girls.  Granted, it is a tried and true plot device to bring together people possessing different skills in order to accomplish a task.  This doesn’t take away from the story, instead adding greater warmth to it as readers travel with Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu.  Each of the main characters has something favorable, and one cannot help but like the girls and hope for the best end result. 

Another great point of this series is meeting all of the side characters, which isn’t a large amount.  In some series there are so many side characters, a reader would need to keep a list of each one for characters who appear once and then again farther into the story.  Within Rayearth, every character that the girls meet on their quest has a reason to be there whether it’s to test Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu in some means, or to befriend and assist them; sometimes both are done in the process.  However, it is the final test that will make the girls look back on their journey and ponder the “what if?”

Overall, Magic Knight Rayearth is one manga series that I could read over and again.  With a great story, likeable characters, and beautiful art, it is one series I intend to keep in my collection. 

What manga/graphic novels do you remember from your past?