We are now caught up with Akane-banashi! Check out our review of volume five below, along with reviews of a selection of new and recent releases, including the opening volumes of Bless, Snowball Earth, and Tales of the Tendo Family!
Akane-banashi (Vol. 5) • Bless (Vol. 1) • A Condition Called Love (Vol. 7) • Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Character Guide • Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! (Vol. 3) • Snowball Earth (Vol. 1) • Tales of the Tendo Family (Vol. 1)
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Character Guide
Character guides are a strange thing—they’ll be a treasure to one and a complete pass for another, with both possibly being super fans of the manga! With that in mind, I’ll drop some information here on Jujutsu Kaisen’s character guide to help you decide whether or not to pick it up. First off, it really is chock full of information. Even minor characters are discussed in the front half of the volume, while volume commentaries, information from mangaka Gege Akutami (including a fun interview between him and Tite Kubo), and explanation of the JJK world fill much of the rest. The last bit was of prime importance to me; I’m a fan of the anime series, but don’t quite comprehend all the ins and outs of the jujutsu sorcerer world, so this guide is a handy dandy pickup for this confused JJK watcher. But besides the informative bits, there are parts that just really fun. A rapid-fire style section gives lots of cool little bits of info: for example, did you know that Todo only has one best friend? That Miwa likes Gojo because she likes trendy things? And Panda does not poop—he only wore diapers as a baby because the principal put them on him on a whim? Now you know all the important stuff. Then again, maybe you already did, especially if you’re such a Jujutsu Kaisen fan that you would want to buy this companion book. Nonetheless, it still makes a nice addition to a collection as a licensed companion to the manga series and, as noted before, a source of information for less dedicated fans who have read or watched through a point that’s roughly analogous to episodes late in the second season (I think I pinpointed it between that one death, which is referred to in the guide, and that other death, which isn’t). ~ Twwk
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Character Guide is published by VIZ Media. It releases on April 23rd.
Tales of the Tendo Family, Manga Vol. 1
This was an interesting read, but not quite what I expected it to be? Ran is a fake. The real Ran is off running for her life so she doesn’t have to marry Masato, a member of the Tendo family. Rumors spread that for any woman who marries into this family, few hardly ever leave alive. The fake Ran decides to take the real Ran’s place, but the problem is that Masato refuses to be deceived by his new “bride-to-be.” This volume reminded me a little bit of My Happy Marriage in terms of the setting and the heroines both having rough upbringings (though Ran didn’t grow up in an abusive home), but I think that’s where the comparisons end, because the hero was nothing like Kiyoka. They both may be beautiful men, but Masato is plain mean and almost cruel time and time again. Ran on the other hand was an…intriguing character, if that’s the right word? I was really sad that she wanted to die so she could be with her deceased Grandpa. She even felt when she tried to take her own life that he was angry and made her plan fail. As a result, she felt that she just needed to help save people like he saved her and then she could take her own life. This is her main motivation, which is unsettling and saddening. Masato, of course, uses this to his own advantage at a later time, which was deeply upsetting and triggering. I unfortunately don’t have plans to continue reading this series, or at least buy volumes. I think if my library were to get volume two, I would maybe continue it; but for now, I will live through other people’s reviews of later volumes and make a decision at a later date on whether I’ll come back to this series. ~ Laura A. Grace
Tales of the Tendo Family is published by ONE PEACE BOOKS.
Bless, Manga Vol. 1
One of my most anticipated shonen manga is officially here in paperback, and I couldn’t be more excited! Aia secretly has a dream to be a makeup artist, but instead he’s become a model because that’s what people expected of him. Jun is a girl with freckles and has a desire to be a model, but also chooses to not pursue her dream due to other people’s expectations. When both of them find themselves “teamed up” for their school’s runway fashion show, it might just spark their passions to start pursuing their dreams after all. This is the second time I’ve read this volume, thanks to KMANGA, but the first time reading it physically. And let me just say it brought back all the emotions I felt the first time as well as an even stronger desire to cheer for these two leads. I think it’s amazing to see how they have different areas of struggle, but have the same root struggle. They both feel they can’t chase their dreams due to other people’s expectations, but once they open up to one another, they push and lift each other up to race for their dreams. It’s beautiful and makes me teary-eyed when reading, because as someone who felt I was “bound” to people’s expectations, I thrived seeing these two break those chains and go forward with a new blooming confidence. I hope their friendship only grows stronger and they can continue to stand by each other’s side and move forward in excitement and strength. The fashion and makeup part of this story was definitely everything! I loved seeing by the end of this volume why the series is called Bless and how that title will affect later volumes. Highly recommend this manga to those who are looking for a non-romantic(?) makeup and fashion manga that challenges the idea of beauty and the blooming confidence to chase after your dream! ~ Laura A. Grace
Bless is published by Kodansha.
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, Manga Vol. 3
I don’t know why, but I wasn’t quite as sold on this volume as the previous ones, and I am so bummed about that! Melphie and her fiance Aristide are still making their way to Galbraith, but as they stop at Fort Rittered for a night of rest, Melphie (respectfully) busts into the kitchen wanting to make a more gourmet meal than just porridge! And of course, what better way to do that than with monster meat she brought and with monster meat the Blood-Mad Duke catches? This series has been such a fun read, with me loving volume one and the different elements that had me giggling when reading it! I wouldn’t say this volume doesn’t have those elements, because our leads pretty much spend their time cooking and chatting together, which is my favorite part, but I don’t know what’s not “clicking” for me? I’m not fully sure, but I think it might be that I want more of the focus back on the romantic side of this story rather than the story fleshing out into a deeper one. This is definitely not a bad thing, because I’m so glad we are learning more about the characters and what they like and don’t like, as well as why they do the things they do. That’s exciting! But I think I miss how “cute” the first volume was and how it was focused on the leads coming together over food, which again is in this volume but somehow it doesn’t quite hit the same. Still a fun story, and I love how everyone is getting hooked on monster meat as the leads grow closer together! While I’m a little unsure about continuing this series, I still had a great time reading this volume and felt super hungry by the end of it! Ha! If you’re looking for a foodie meets fantasy shoujo, this is one I would still highly recommend checking out! ~ Laura A. Grace
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! is published by Kodansha.
READ Reviews of Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2
Akane-banashi, Manga Vol. 5
Akane didn’t know it, but she walked into the professional rakugo world with a target on her back. The Arakawa School’s strict meritocracy allows its apprentices to be promoted quickly if they can prove their skills, but there is a tradeoff for such a great benefit. This blatant disregard for rakugo’s traditional “time in service” requirements has made plenty of enemies among the other major schools. More than a few rakugo performers have a grudge against any and all Arakawas, and a Junior Apprentice like Akane makes for a very easy target. That’s how she comes to the attention of a certain Senior Apprentice known more for petty power harassment backstage than any noteworthy skill onstage. Akane has a plan in the works to even the score with this jerk without making a public spectacle, but even if it succeeds there could still be consequences… Akane’s “Zenza” arc properly gets going in volume five, and it puts some excellent character writing on display as our heroine’s combative streak clashes with Japanese culture’s traditional reverence for etiquette and hierarchy. In less capable hands, this storyline could have been very straightforward or even a “preachy” little morality play. But author Yuki Suenaga makes it far more interesting through his understanding that while the reader has an omniscient perspective, realistically the characters in-story do not. The story doesn’t indulgently wallow in that disconnect—Akane is still very much the good guy, and certain other characters are still very much jerks, and I very much like it that way—but for a non-traditional Battle Shonen that doesn’t have the option to fall back on flashy fistfights if its character-driven story fails, proving it can deliver in areas like this is critical for keeping readers invested long-term. ~ WacOtaku
Akane-banashi is published by VIZ Media.
READ Reviews of Akane-banashi: Vol. 1 // Vol.2 // Vol.3// Vol.4
A Condition Called Love, Manga Vol. 7
Excuse me while I squeal because I loved this volume so much! Hananoi and Hotaru continue to have many firsts, with it now officially about to be their first time hanging out over summer break! As Hotaru worries whether she is being a good enough girlfriend, neither of our leads are prepared for an old “friend” seeing them on one of their outings! I have so many feelings and things I want to talk about with this volume! First, I was surprised by how emotional this was and how at numerous points I was tearing up! Usually, that is because of Hananoi, but this time (or at least in the beginning) it was because of Hotaru. Oh my goodness, her voicing her struggles and how she was feeling as well as her wrestling with a lack of self-confidence made me want to start crying! Secondly, I’ve noticed with the recent volumes we’ve been getting more and more of Hananoi’s backstory, with this volume being no exception. I’m unsure of what to fully share here because of spoilers, but I love how when Hotaru finds out all the “creepy” things Hananoi has done, she doesn’t turn away from him and berate him for his anxiety in past relationships. Instead, she soundly tells him she wants to help that anxiety ease in a certain way, and he is so shocked! Hotaru just heard all the unhinged things he has done and how he would date whoever, but as the volume goes on we see so much more of Hananoi’s heart and why he did those things. Thirdly, Yao-kun really redeemed himself in my eyes! I won’t expand on how due to spoilers, but I hope he continues to surprise me in positive ways! Eagerly look forward to seeing what happens next because just when I think I can’t love this series more, I always do! ~ Laura A. Grace
A Condition Called Love is published by Kodansha.
READ Reviews of A Condition Called Love: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6
Snowball Earth, Manga Vol. 1
I was woefully unprepared for how fantastic this first volume would be! Wow! Tetsuo is the “savior” of planet Earth: piloting a giant robot, Yukio, he has rescued the world from intergalactic “kaiju” invading the world. Both of them go out for one big last mission before they finally go back home, but the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Tetsuo finds himself in an escape pod headed straight to Earth. He’s even more confused and shocked to find out that Earth is not the same as he remembers, because now it seems like it’s in a new ice age! Let me just say it now: I cried at the end of the first chapter, and then I cried again later on! What an epic read! If I could compare this to anything, I would say it’s Kaiju No. 8 meets Komi Can’t Communicate but in the “Ice Age.” Definitely not a mashup I was expecting, but it was amazing, and never expected to get so emotional when reading! Tetsuo is a very relatable character, and I found him an easy hero to cheer for due to his struggles! The way he is trying so hard to communicate with others well but feels like he never can honestly reminded me of myself when I was younger. It feels like a hurtle you can simply never overcome, and due to that and the events that took place, I so desperately want to see him make friends! I want him to keep moving forward even if he feels the hole in his heart will never heal, but…that plot twist! I totally cried! After having my heart ripped out right alongside Tetsuo, I was completely caught off guard by what happened! Very well done to the creator, because I never saw that coming! While this wasn’t a super graphic read, there were a few spots where I felt grossed out, as I could do without seeing dead kaiju heads flying. Ha! Nonetheless, I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next volume! ~ Laura A. Grace
Snowball Earth is published by VIZ Media.
“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.
