Apocalyptic worlds, a “blood altar,” a showdown to the death between the greatest sorcerers, people turning into horrible monsters, and tragedies for a young girl? This Reader’s Corner is full of pain and suspense, but we have room for a romance or two as well! Read our review below for all these cool new and recent releases!

Dark Moon: The Blood Altar (Vol. 5) • Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf (Vol. 1) • Hero Syndrome (Vol. 2) • Hima-Ten! (Vol. 2) • Jujutsu Kaisen (Vol. 25) • Luciole Has a Dream (Vol. 1) • My Girlfriend’s Child (Vol. 6) • Uncle from Another World (Vol. 11) • Victoria of Many Faces (Vol. 1)

Luciole Has a Dream, Manga Vol. 1

One young boy “awakened” by the light and one self-proclaiming wizard who “awoke” him travel an abandoned world looking for anyone at all. Yet it seems the more they travel, the more alone they are. What waits in store for these two? I’m at a loss at how to describe what I just read, because it was nothing like I expected. I went in blind, and I honestly think that is the best way to start this story? Granted, I think it’s important(?) to know the series is on hiatus, because I feel the more I read, the more questions I have, and not necessarily in a bad way? Also, I gasped with that cliffhanger of an ending! Rewinding, though, it was an interesting reading experience, because I feel I’ve read very few manga where you want to stop reading and purely focus on the high amount of art detail! Right from the start, it’s already overwhelming in a way that makes you feel awestruck at how there is so much to take in; but it’s like a feast for the eyes, so you can’t just move on and read the next page. I don’t even think the amount of time I spent reading this volume just once was enough to take in all the details! When it comes to the characters, I loved Lu! I was deeply touched by his determination to go out each day and see if he could find other people. I think that’s why it also hurts my heart so much when he doesn’t find anyone but keeps clinging to the hope that he will. Claude is…I’m not sure how to put it into words, but I am curious to know more about him. I have no idea how long this series has been on hiatus or when/if it will return, but I would love to see more of this story unfold! I would recommend this volume to anyone who loves very detailed art and enjoys reading bittersweet stories! ~ Laura A. Grace

Luciole Has a Dream is published by Yen Press.

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Dark Moon: The Blood Altar, Manhwa Vol. 5

Can the stakes get any higher with this series?! Now that Heli has regained his memories of the past and knows who Sooha really is, Heli and the boys face their toughest enemy yet. If that was not bad enough, this enemy knows how to take full control of their bodies, leaving Heli powerless as he attacks his friends. Can they break the enemy’s hold that’s been forced upon them, or will they be destroyed by each other’s hands? I knew this volume would be intense because of how volume four ended, but I was so unprepared because having Heli actually fight and take down his brothers had my stomach turning and me forgetting how to breathe! It was pure pain to read, and I felt so much agony and heartbreak and had to keep holding my breath when turning the page because surely it would get better! Surely someone would step in and help! And thankfully, yes! There was help, but there was so much pain and blood to get to that point that while I know I’ll reread this series in the future, I don’t know if I have the heart to reread this specific opening again. Truly one of the most brutal and absolutely crushing scenes I’ve ever read in a story, and I can only hope we will never see something like it again! I mean, near the end with the new foes, it seems a little bit hopeless, but that is nothing compared to the beginning. I don’t know how these guys will fight their way out of this, but the final line from Heli on the last page was everything, and I have no doubts these guys will be quite able to overcome these foes! Definitely a series I am continuing to love, as each volume has gotten better and better and very intense (which has been every volume already, but now it’s like times ten)! I’m hoping for the best for Sooha and that everyone will come out unscathed! ~ Laura A. Grace

Dark Moon: The Blood Altar is published by IZE Press.

READ: Reviews of Dark Moon: The Blood Altar: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3

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My Girlfriend’s Child, Manga Vol. 6

Sachi has made her choice, and that is to leave her high school to continue her education elsewhere until the baby is born. However, as she prepares to leave and say her goodbyes to the teachers who have helped her, she is caught off guard when visiting her locker one last time. Could there have been friends and other students supporting her all along without her even realizing it? I have finally accepted that this is probably the only series I will own that will make me cry every single volume, but goodness, is it worth it! (Though this time I almost started sobbing!) Sachi’s journey has been so hard of late, and I felt this volume revived my heart, even if it was painful to see her having to grow up quickly in terms of making “adult decisions.” I admired how she handled things with her bully and how she spoke highly of the teachers and educators around her when I struggled with all of their previous actions thus far. Though her teacher’s growth was amazing, and I felt very proud of him even if I was also super sad. But back to Sachi, I am so incredibly proud of her and admire how she is taking one step at a time! You can tell how much she has changed and has accepted her choices, because that last chapter was filled with happiness that completely overflowed on every panel. I could not help but smile with her and bask in the happiness she showed as she looked so beautiful and peaceful! And Takara! He continues to be equally incredible, and I get emotional just seeing him so supportive of Sachi and all she does! The way he looks out not just for her physical health but also for her mental and emotional health is extremely beautiful to see unfold. I genuinely want nothing but continued happiness for these two and hope their future continues to look bright! ~ Laura A. Grace

My Girlfriend’s Child is published by Seven Seas Entertainment.

READ Reviews of My Girlfriend’s Child: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5

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Hima-Ten!, Manga Simulpub Ch. 8-16 (Vol. 2)

Tenichi may have developed a respect for Himari’s accomplishments and her go-getter attitude, but his classmate Kanai Honoka is the girl he’s sweet on. Cute, cheerful, supportive, levelheaded, and with a reserved personality to match his, “Wife Material” is practically her middle name (and almost is, since “Kanai” is a homophone with one the Japanese words for “wife”). So when fate hands him a chance to spend a rare day off with her, he jumps at the opportunity. Honoka is certainly far more relaxing to be around than the tempestuous Himari, where it seems that for every two steps their housekeeper/client relationship takes forward, it then goes one step back. But you know, two steps forward and one step back will still take you forward eventually, and Himari might not be the only wildcard in play for long… Well, I have slightly mixed feelings about volume two of Hima-Ten! It continues to be the precise kind of rom-com junk food I get cravings for—I wouldn’t have written several Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious To My Charms reviews if I wasn’t a sucker for this stuff—but there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of fanservice shots. In volume one, such shots were rarer and had a stilted feel to them, in a “this is just here to meet minimum editorial requirements” kind of way. In volume two, however, mangaka Genki Ono seems to be more comfortable with letting readers “get to know” the leading ladies (at least on a sliding scale: Kanai is “basically off limits,” Himari is “depending on the situation,” and a new girl is “clearly here to be the sexy one”). Shonen Jump tends to be slightly more restrained on this kind of stuff compared to some competitors like Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine, so we’ll have to see if the current trend eventually levels out. For now, at least, it’s still a predictable but fun rom-com. ~ WacOtaku

Hima-Ten! is published by Viz Media and through the Shonen Jump app.

^{Read: Hima-Ten! Vol. 1 Review}

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Uncle from Another World, Manga Vol. 11

Alicia returns! After an absence of several volumes, the third girl in Uncle’s unlikely harem jumps back into the tale as he turns to her to exorcise Magatsu-Koto-no-Noshi. After the last arc involving that god was so epic in scale, this one is more moderate, tracing Uncle’s journey to Alicia’s city, introducing a couple of new characters, and then beginning a new battle. That’s pretty much of the breadth of what happens here. Unlike other volumes, there isn’t a lot of fun or chatter in the current, earth timeline, nor is there a ton of relational development, even though Alicia and Uncle have been reunited. In fact, volume eleven relies heavily on past developments, particularly those related to the church in this isekai world and to Alicia’s party. That doesn’t mean this volume isn’t fun—the humor is right on as usual, and I’ve also come to really enjoy the messy style of the illustrations. But there isn’t much creativity here, either. Even the enemy (enemies?) are rehashed. I have a feeling, though, that the goings-on here are building toward something in volume twelve—and because it’s as funny as ever, we can let this average volume of an otherwise tremendous series slide. ~ Twwk

Uncle from Another World is published by Yen Press.

^{READ Reviews of Uncle from Another World: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10}

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Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf, Manga Vol. 1

You might have heard the saying, “Life is a story,” but for Helena, stories are life. She writes and draws them as naturally as breathing air, using them as not only a distraction from the absence of her father but also to bring a smile to her younger brother’s face. Yet when her brother gets into a tragic accident, who will she be able to share her stories with now? Maybe she’ll get a chance when she meets her favorite author, Mr. Big Bad Wolf, but even he seems to have struggles of his own… This manga wasn’t quite what I thought it would be, but I believe there is a need for stories like this. Ones that use fiction to show you’re not alone in using books to escape harsh reality. Or when you’re a writer/artist and in such a deep slump that you feel a breakthrough is forever out of reach. I really, really loved Helena as a female heroine and her consistent courage and strength to bring happiness to her brother when it seemed they had been abandoned. However, my heart really hurt for her as she continued to use picture books as an escape from the pain of things with her brother. I would say that Mr. Big Bad Wolf’s story wasn’t any easier to read, but not by much (and only because he was an adult, not a child like Helena). I might not be a writer anymore, nor am I an artist, but as a creative who has struggled, I related far more than I expected. Overall, this wasn’t what I personally expected, but I definitely feel it would be deeply encouraging or relatable to struggling creatives! It was a very heartfelt story, and I am curious about what will happen next, even if I’m unsure if I’ll pick up the second volume or not. ~ Laura A. Grace

Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf is published by Yen Press.

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Victoria of Many Faces, Manga Vol. 1

Victoria seems to have the new life she has been dreaming of after living as a spy for so long. She can take her days easy and enjoy her newfound peace; but when she finds an abandoned young girl sitting on a bench, her new life is flipped upside down once again. However, this time it might be for the better, because this young child brings a joy to her life she didn’t expect! Hopefully, though, her old life and her new life won’t crossover too much and cause her problems in the future… This was delightful! I was hoping I would like this because I heard it had the theme of found family, and oh my goodness, it was wonderful! Maybe because this is adapted from a light novel, the pacing—feeling?—felt different than most shoujo manga I read: Rather than a quick focus on romance (which I personally don’t mind), within the first few pages it focuses on Victoria adopting a young child. I was shocked! Not in a bad way, but in a way that found family trope starts right from the beginning! So I would definitely say if you prefer romance to be on the back burner with found family taking the focus, then this is a manga I would highly recommend! Victoria herself is a very interesting character! I love her as she is, but sometimes my heart broke for her because she didn’t always know how to act or what expression to make without putting on an act, due to her past life of being a spy. I hope she can continue to be her normal self and enjoy her life with Nonna by her side! Overall, I really enjoyed this first volume and am very interested to see where it goes! I will definitely be recommending this series! ~ Laura A. Grace

Victoria of Many Faces is published by Yen Press.

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Jujutsu Kaisen, Manga Vol. 25

Volume 25 of Jujutsu Kaisen is everything that’s fantastic about the series and everything that’s lacking, all in one. First, what’s great (and this is a major spoiler for the series). This is the volume in which everyone’s favorite, Satoru Gojo, returns. The bulk of volume twenty-five features not only his return, but his Christmas Eve showdown with Sukuna. And it is as cool and intense as you’d expect it to be, not only because these are two of the greatest sorcerers ever, but because their personalities are so distinct and have been built up so wonderfully over the course of this series that the matchup between their taunts is honestly even better than the one between their powers. Their battle is totally absorbing. So what’s wrong with the volume? Only the same thing that’s been troubling ever since the Culling Game Arc—which ends in this volume—began: Things are happening too quickly. Gojo’s appearance happens like that after Sukuna’s backstory is wrapped up quickly as well. And we don’t get enough time at all with our newest major characters, much less the ones previously introduced (some of whom have since passed away), even as the end is nigh. Slow down, Gege! The other issue, which plagues both the Sukuna/Gojo battle and the one in Sukuna’s flashback, has been present almost since the very beginning, which is that the techniques of this world and the overall system are difficult to understand, often presented and shown off without proper explanation (once again—too quickly); we just have to “go along.” Ultimately, that’s fine because the characters are so cool and the fights so amazing that we’re still having an incredible amount of fun even as we dread which character will die next. But if those two issues could have been fixed, we wouldn’t just be looking at one of the best shonen manga of the past few years—but perhaps one of the best of all time. ~ Twwk

Jujutsu Kaisen is published by VIZ Media.

^{READ Reviews of Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Character Guide and Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Anime Guide: Season 1}

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Hero Syndrome, Light Novel Vol. 2

Guys, this series is bad. Really bad. And really disappointing too. As I mentioned in my review of volume one, there’s “a lot of potential here” in a series that crosses “the themes and artistry of Madoka Magica” with a sci-fi military setting. The start of volume two is okay: Kaguya and Asuma now have a much improved relationship, with the latter not only trying to protect the former as Charon moves forward with Kaguya’s plan to try to bring every hero back to their humanity, but also beginning to realize his feelings for her run deeper than friendship. Meanwhile, a new squad member has been added—Haru, who is there to observe and report, and has no intentions of making friends. But the writing, guys—the writing is so bad. Author Rei Ayatsuki attempts to mix serious and silly, with scenes of “oh the girl doesn’t know how to cook” balanced with death and life struggle on the battlefield, but isn’t able to do so; the former depends on a lack of realism, and the latter on this authentic danger we have to feel. Not only don’t the tones mix well, Ayatsuki does both poorly. His most serious offense is that contrivances are built on contrivances are built on contrivances. He pushes the story where he wants it go—even if there’s nothing that really requires it go to a certain direction—when it doesn’t make sense too. For instance, there’s a short scene where Kaguya tells Azuma how she remembers every single hero she’s worked with! What, all two of them in these past couple of weeks? Oh wait, no, Ayatsuki has to mention to us that it’s so many that she can’t keep track. Seriously? That doesn’t make any sense within the structure of the story. It’s page after page of that. A shame, really, because the overall story is nice and there are some cool surprises within the text (especially near the end of this one). Still, trust me on this one—Hero Syndrome is not worth your time. ~ Twwk

Hero Syndrome is published by Yen Press.

Read: Hero Syndrome Vol. 1 Review

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“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.