Every manga and light novel publishing house has its sweet spot, the areas in which they excel or that they have a heavier focus on than other companies. That’s part of what makes this such a golden age for readers of Japanese works: there’s such a variety of works to choose from! This week, we review works from five different publishers and also a separate imprint of one of the firms and, no surprise, the variety of works we cover is astounding. Scroll below to read our reviews of this week’s selection of diverse manga, manhwa, and light novels!
Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture (Vol. 2) • Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle (Vol. 5) • Drifting Dragons (Vol. 4) • Getting Closer to You (Vol. 2) • I Want to End This Love Game (Vol. 1) • Not Sew Wicked Stepmom (Vol. 2) • Oshi no Ko (Vol. 4) • The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices (Vol. 4, LN) • The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices (Vol. 4, Manga) • Usotoki Rhetoric (Vol. 5) • Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (Vol. 3) • Yokohama Kaidashi Kidou (Vol. 1)
Yokohama Kaidashi Kidou, Manga Vol. 1
It is not often that the words “cozy” and “postapocalyptic” are used together to describe a piece of literature, but for this manga they are the perfect fit! Follow the heartwarming story of Alpha, a kindhearted android who manages a small café in a seaside town. The story is episodic in nature, providing glimpses into Alpha’s life as she serves coffee and has meaningful interactions with the locals. Along the way, we discover some oddities and mysterious elements that add some intrigue to this postapocalyptic landscape, leaving me hoping for further exploration in future volumes. This deluxe edition is a visual delight, complete with beautiful color art pages that evoke a sense of nostalgia. After a long day, this manga was the perfect way to relax and unwind. I can’t wait to read more and continue exploring this charming world. ~ Marg
Yokohama Kaidashi Kidou is published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Getting Closer to You, Manga Vol. 2
I am so thankful K MANGA exists because I was able to read more of Getting Closer to You recently, and it was such a wonderful sequel! Much to everyone’s surprise, Hibi and the basketball team have a practice match with one of the best teams in the prefecture! As Hibi does all she can to help the basketball team and their muscles, she creates more regimens, researches more about muscles, and even maybe goes on a date with Natsume?! This volume was everything I had hoped for and more! I loved volume one and haven’t read a volume of manga that made me laugh as hard as that one since! As a result, I came into this volume fully expecting the same thing, and it delivered! Truly, this series is exactly what I have been wanting in a shoujo sports series! While it’s definitely a very funny series, and I love it for that, having the blend of sports events with romance is absolutely perfect! I felt all the highs and lows that come with a sports match and then felt all the skipped heartbeats and blushy moments when Natsume and Hibi hang out at a romantic spot. That is the kind of seamless blend I’ve been looking for and truly hope only continues because I feel I am having the best of both worlds in this series! However, I don’t think I would find so much crossover of two different genres in one series if it wasn’t for Hibi and her love for muscles! Goodness, she continues to be hilarious as always, and I laughed so much at how many compliments she was able to give Natusme’s muscles! I also thought it funny that the love rival is the one who has “better” muscles, and that is why she shows any “interest” towards him! Ha! I am very hyped for the next volume, especially with the ending of this one, and hoping that Kmanga has all of the third volume on their platform because I must read more! ~ Laura A. Grace
Getting Closer to You is published by Kodansha.
READ: Getting Closer to You Vol. 1 Review
Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture, Manga Vol. 2
Have you ever picked up a book to pass some time but found yourself putting down the book every few minutes because it’s so good? That was my experience with volume two of Associate Professor Akira Tatatsuki’s Conjecture, which continues to reimagine the supernatural mystery genre in fresh and captivating ways. The paneling retains its cinematic flourish from the last volume, which heightens the drama and enhances suspenseful scenes. But like I mentioned in my review of the last volume, this series has always been about its characters, and they remain the highlight here. Professor Tatatsuki brings such a refreshing presence to this series: he goes out of his way to show attentive kindness to everyone he meets, whether a client who feels responsible for the disappearance of her friend, or Naoya himself, who struggles to connect to others because of his lie-detecting abilities. Speaking of which, I particularly appreciated the way this volume portrays lies. The dark speech bubbles for lies from volume one appear here as well, but the focus is on the way those lies affect Naoya almost viscerally, to the point that he actually faints when overwhelmed by lies. Deception wreaks havoc in relationships and the world because it betrays a lack of care for people and their stories. In contrast, truth heals. True, the road to truth might wind through shadowy valleys shrouded in fear and mystery. But the journey is worth it. “Knowing is better than not knowing,” Akira Tatatsuki declares at one point. “I would rather tear my eyes out than live averting them from the truth.” Those are lines we can all pause and reflect on. And many others like them fill the pages of this volume, which is a must-read for mystery manga fans. ~ sleepminusminus
Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture is published by Yen Press.
READ: Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture Vol. 1 Review
Not Sew Wicked Stepmom, Manhwa Vol. 2
Step one of Queen Abigail’s plan to win the affection of Princess Blanche was a rousing success. At long last, the princess doesn’t flee at the sight of her stepmother! (Though Abigail’s devilish smile still needs some real work.) The king, however, remains disinterested in showing Blanche affection or even spending time with her. But Abigail won’t give up so easily; after all, if she can’t turn Sabrian’s heart towards Blanche, she’ll never win his permission to make Blanche so many new dresses that all the kingdom’s seamstresses collapse from exhaustion! Thus, the tale of Not Sew Wicked Stepmom charges forward in all its whimsy and fantasy. And just as with the last volume, I’m delighted. Volume two continues to pop off with its art, which is as vibrant and expressive as the first volume. I can sense the care stitched into every flower and frill adorning Abigail and Blanche’s dresses; if the artist did a whole book detailing the clothing designs in this series, I’d be first in line. Also, did I mention expressive? Because this volume pulls out all the stops when drawing its characters’ facial expressions. See, for example, the page where a secretary’s jaw drops to the floor—no, literally—or the scene where Abigail ingests some inebriating substances, with hilarious and wholesome results. It takes me back to Bocchi the Rock!, especially since both series only poke fun at their characters out of love and a desire to see them grow. Ultimately, that thread of growth and reconciliation continues to tie this series together, especially as Sabrian’s story gets fleshed out more and more in this volume. He’s unwilling to be the father that Blanche needs, but his unwillingness seems almost involuntary, as if he’s being held back by something (or someone) from his past. Yet Abigail is slowly melting down his walls with her sincerity and determination, sowing seeds of affection that will blossom one day, even if Sabrian continues to deny that he’s affected. “I’m simply intrigued at how the queen now seems kinder and shows a wider variety of expressions.” Sure, Sabrian, sure. We’ll see how long that lasts. ~ sleepminusminus
Not Sew Wicked Stepmom is published by Ize Press, an imprint of Yen Press.
READ Not Sew Wicked Stepmom Vol. 1 Review
The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices, Light Novel Vol. 4
It’s a real thrill when you stick with a series and see it transform from good to great. That’s what’s happening with The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices, which with each successive volume has shown the author’s penchant for writing fascinating characters and connecting threads of his story carefully and in exciting ways. In volume four, Mamecyoro does both with enthusiasm; the palace ball arc, which started in volume two and ran through the entirety of volume three, is now over, and the aftermath has begun. This is an event that shakes up the kingdom and character relationships, and instead of sweeping it under the rug for the next romantic and action-filled arc, Macecyoro lets the consequences unravel as they should, putting Octavia in uncomfortable situations and leaving us the wonder from the beginning of the volume, “Is this really going to be a fun read with the protagonist under virtual house arrest for finding the true crown in the kingdom and saving Sil by doing hitherto unknown magic?” The answer is yes, yes it is, because new and interesting characters are introduced, relationships and plot points set up from the very first volume begin to really develop, and the core relationship between Octavia and Klifford, who are apart for the vast majority of this volume, grows all the more angsty and romantic because they are separated. I couldn’t put this volume down! In the author’s note, Mamecyoro apologizes for being tardy in completing volume four, but there’s no need for that—even if it’s as short as the previous volumes are, every single one of the 163 pages is so carefully crafted that I’m left nothing but satisfied. And if future volumes continue this way, I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for the rest of the story to unfold. ~ Twwk
The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3
Usotoki Rhetoric, Manga Vol. 5
Kanako continues to thrive as a detective assistant to Mr. Iwai and even has found a place she considers to be home. However, as she and Mr. Iwai continue to solve mysteries in their local town with the aid of her power to detect lies, she is unprepared for an unexpected visit from her mother! I was fully prepared to get emotional at least once when reading this volume because that has happened over and over again up to this point. However, I was unprepared for the fact that it wouldn’t be from Kanoko learning something related to her power, but from seeing her mother! Goodness, that chapter was so emotional, and I was very moved by her mother’s words! I hadn’t read the blurb before reading this volume and honestly thought that she would never see her mother again and that she would only exchange letters, so it was a wonderful surprise to see everything unfold as it did! And that wasn’t the only chapter I loved! I really really enjoyed all the chapters! I think the last mystery in this volume was my favorite because I thought the mystery case would go in a certain direction when in reality it didn’t. Instead of our detectives needing to find someone, they needed to confirm someone’s identity. This was another nice surprise! Plus, with respect to one of the characters that Kanako meets, there is no way she is not going to see him again! I am very curious as to how he knows what he does and what his role will be in future volumes! Once again, loving this series and recommending it to those who enjoy mysteries! ~ Laura A. Grace
Usotoki Rhetoric is published by ONE PEACE BOOKS.
Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle, Manga Vol. 5
“Operation: Fake Relationship with Nanase” is activated and in effect! Which leads to romantic situations, like Nanase and Chitose starting to develop real feelings for one another, and humorous ones too, like the rest of Chitose’s harem getting upset in cute and over-the-top ways. Well, not quite. The former doesn’t happen because this series really isn’t about romance; it’s focused instead on Chitose and his character development. And indeed, when the manga dives into his character, it really shines (like light through a ramune bottle?). His interactions with his guy friends and the more genuine ones with the girls are thoughtful and sometimes moving. And the hint of a self-deprecating nature and humility within Chitose, which is normally hidden behind extreme self-confidence, helps make him a somewhat complex lead. But there’s not enough of that and too much focus on the harem, which is why the latter part—cute reactions to the fake relationship—never takes off. It isn’t funny when a bunch of girls become crazy jealous at one of their own dating Chitose. It feels brutal, actually, since what you hope to see out of a series like this is friendship or at least depth of relationships instead of cringy and toxic dynamics. But even that not-too-deep expectation is too much to expect of a series where all the girls have hitherto been painted as one-dimensional—that dimension being that they’re all basically the same girl, difficult to distinguish from one another since they all have the same basic personality: “cool chick in love with Chitose cause he’s even cooler.” Every scene they’re in as a group or in which they display this lack of personality is degrading, unfunny, or boring. Thankfully, there aren’t many such passages in the latter half of volume five, which focuses more on Chitose himself. Still, this is a deeply flawed series with just enough positives that I keep coming back volume after volume, loving it and hating it in virtually equal doses every single time. ~ Twwk
Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of Chitose is in the Ramune Bottle: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4
I Want to End This Love Game, Manga Vol. 1
Yukiya and Miku, childhood friends who are about to enter high school, have a crush on one another. But neither can admit it. Even worse, they hide their feelings through a “love game,” in which each tries to make the other melt (or explode or fall apart) to the point where love is finally confessed. The setup is one that could go awry easily—it could be rote and become old quickly, or it might become so ecchi that the relationship between the two becomes secondary. Instead, the first volume of I Want to End This Love Game gets it just right. It is so cute that I felt crushed beneath the weight of the kawaiiness of it all. Like, really: staaaaaaaph it already! But actually, don’t, because each situation that Yukiya and Miku find themselves in is set up and executed just right; the bravado never goes too far, the characters always value one another, and humor and romance mix together in just the right ratio. It’s all pretty magical, really. And that has me excited to continue this series and a little worried as well—can it keep this too-cute-and-so-funny tone going without losing its way or becoming mundane? Time will tell, but I’m happy to play this love game out and let it take me wherever it wants to go. ~ Twwk
I Want to End This Love Game is published by VIZ Media. Volume one releases on February 13th.
Drifting Dragons, Manga Vol. 4
Against the odds, Takita has been rescued by her shipmates and all is joy and celebration! Then, just minutes later, a posh sky yacht bursts out of a cloudbank, collides with the Quin Zaza, and takes off in an airborne hit-and-run (I haven’t seen a crew with luck this bad since Cowboy Bebop). With their ship now seriously damaged and nowhere near enough cash on hand to cover the necessary repairs, the whole crew will be out of a job unless they can collect some compensation. Tracking down the ship in question is the easy part; the real challenge comes when her captain proves to be an eccentric young high-society dandy with a strong dislike of Drakers. But whatever his feelings, he needs a skilled crew for a special mission and he’s willing to pay handsomely for their services. Meanwhile, after seeing Takita very nearly killed on the job, the crew’s cool beauty Vanabelle finds herself questioning why she’s in this line of work at all… Remember in my review of volume three, where I wrote that Takita came to terms with the ‘ideology’ of the Drakers and this viewpoint would soon be challenged? Well, new character Brno Massinga provides the first challenger. Perhaps “ideology” is too strong a word, and it’s nothing so on-the-nose as “You believe A, I believe B, therefore we must fight!”; but if you pay attention the conflict is there. And don’t let what I’ve said scare you off with the idea that Drifting Dragons is a social commentary trying to disguise itself as a manga—it’s an adventure story through and through. Speaking of adventure, this is the point where the series loses its “early volume vibe” and dives into the thick of things with multiple long-term plotlines starting here. The ship is now fully underway and the voyage promises to be one to remember! ~ WacOtaku
Drifting Dragons is published by Kodansha.
The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices, Manga Vol. 4
In volume four of The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices, Octavia, surrounded by three dashing men, rushes through a maze of secret passageways to make it to the Sky Chamber in time, she hopes, to save her beloved Sil! Powerful enemies await…but we have to wait too, as this volume features virtually no action. It’s literally the group of four running down hallways the entire volume, though it’s not without twists and turns—some literally, but mostly in the form of some flashback material that gives a little more information about this complex plot involving characters whose motivations we know almost nothing about. Surely the truth will all unfold in a later volume, but this one is confusing. The light novels do a far better job, as you’d expect, in filling in details that keep the reader engaged despite the overabundance of mystery. While the manga is able to display a cuteness to some of the characters, particularly Octavia and a newly introduced soldier, the LN is a far better read than the manga, which reduces the series to a run-of-the-mill isekai fantasy. ~ Twwk
The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices: Vol. 2 // Vol. 3
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, Manga Vol. 3
What a twist in this final volume of the adaptation! Roughly half of the material is manga-original as we get a fully developed backstory for the elderly Fujiyama-san and his now-deceased wife, Sakura, focusing on their youthful romance. The parallelism between the two couples, old (Fujiyama and Sakura) and young (Cherry and Smile), is intensified, with several more layers of interconnection added to those in the film. The interweaving of their stories is what makes the film so rewarding, so it’s a delight to see this theme at last take center stage in the manga. In particular, Cherry’s connections with both Fujiyama and Sakura are strengthened, as Fujiyama is revealed to have been a songwriter (i.e. poet) for a band named Cherry Soda. Meanwhile, revelations about that elusive record that everyone is searching for create analogies between Sakura and Cherry: Sakura admired someone in the media spotlight while hiding her musical talents away, much like Cherry with the vivacious Smile, teen Queen of streaming, and his own reluctance to take the stage with his poetry. In the end, both shy youths need to take drastic measures to express their love! We also get a little cameo with Smile’s family at last, addressing my disappointment with volume two. Even with these additions, I would say that this series works best as a complement to the film rather than as a distinct telling of that story. It really did need another couple of chapters’ worth of character moments around the younger couple to get me to buy into their summer romance in the way I do with the older couple. So, if you enjoyed the film as I did, check out this manga adaptation and especially this closing volume to see the older pair’s story charmingly developed. At the end of the day, this series has been very much like the soda pop bubbles of its title: sweet, sparkly, and all too brief. ~ claire
Words Bubble Up is released by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2
Oshi no Ko, Manga Vol. 4
As Aqua’s reality show wraps up, it’s time to switch gears and focus on Ruby’s ”First Concert Arc”! Kana and she are now joined by Mem-cho, who proves to have quite a few more years of experience under her belt than anyone had hitherto suspected! The three struggle to choose a center for their upcoming debut, mostly because the one best suited to the role, Kana (i.e. the one who can actually sing), is genuinely reluctant to take it on, for reasons that reveal a whole other dark facet of the entertainment industry. No one ever said this series was going to be all starry eyes and rainbow glow sticks, now, did they? Although it’s been building, this is the volume that firmly establishes the love triangle (and hints at the quadrangle down the road, yikes!). Mem-cho stands in for readers as she realizes that Kana and Akane are squaring off against one another for Aqua’s affections. And yet, this is also the volume that makes it very clear that the competition for Aqua’s attention is really a shadow war. Instead, he’s a bit of a MacGuffin, a foil, if you will, against which the two young actresses are confronting the mountains of insecurities and even trauma they have each accrued from having spent their entire lives in a cruel industry. In this sense, he is more like a therapist than a romantic lead, and his presence actually puts each of the young women and their struggles in the spotlight, rather than himself and their relationships. The little side story here with Mana, the aged (at twenty-four!!!) idol, really underlines this aspect of the so-called love triangle because she is yet another young woman who, like Kana and Akane, is utterly alone in this seedy world, with no one to help process the disappointments, hurts, and overwhelming pressures heaped on her young shoulders. It isn’t romance these young women are searching for: it’s help in finding a healthy identity in the midst of a brutal world. Anyhow, just a theory. Yet again, we have some brilliantly layered writing and character development from Akasaka and Yokoyari in this volume. And Kana’s baking soda t-shirt? Genius. You go, girl! ~ claire
Oshi no Ko is published by Yen Press.
“Reader’s Corner” is our way of embracing the wonderful world of manga, light novels, and visual novels, creative works intimately related to anime but with a magic all their own. Each week, our writers provide their thoughts on the works they’re reading—both those recently released as we keep you informed of newly published works, and those older titles that you might find as magical (or in some cases, reprehensible) as we do.
Thank you for the review of I Want to End This Love Game! I just saw someone else share about it too and now thinking of getting it for my birthday! Sounds so cute!
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