This week’s reviews include “another really touching volume” of one series, “absolute page-turners” for another, a manga that “just isn’t very good,” and more! Check out our reviews and let us know what you’re reading these days!
The Failure at God School (Vol. 2) • Handyman Saitou in Another World (Vol. 8) • Lycoris Recoil (Vol. 4) • Nue’s Exorcist (Vol. 3) • You and I Are Polar Opposites (Vol. 7)
The Failure at God School, Manga Vol. 2
The outdoor survival camp is underway! Yet even with Nagi’s team seeming to be in first place, they quickly find out that this doesn’t ensure they will succeed, as they learn that now they are unexpectedly on a strict time limit. Nagi’s classmates quickly realize that their classmate Touta could be the key to winning this survival camp, but everyone is shocked and frustrated when he refuses to use his powers. Will Nagi and her team be able to make it through before the timer runs out? What a compelling cast of characters! I was extremely shocked by how fast I read this volume—I was so invested in seeing what would happen next during this school event! I felt the tensions were extremely high, and was shocked by how the story excelled at slowing down to see brief glimpses of the past concerning certain characters or to show how inspiring Nagi is as a female lead through her determination despite her lack of divine powers. It wasn’t until I went back to flip through the volume after finishing that I realized how well everything came together flawlessly! Granted, Tsukuyomi was hilarious in the beginning and at the end! I find it hilarious that he doesn’t show a lot of expression unless it involves sweets. Ha! Lots of humor there, and I definitely feel it’s one of my favorite parts of this volume! Overall, this was another really touching volume, and I felt deeply engaged from start to finish! ~ Laura A. Grace
The Failure at God School is published by Yen Press.
READ The Failure at God School Vol. 1 Review
Handyman Saitou in Another World, Manga Vol. 8
Thrilling. Handyman Saitou in Another World has been interesting for its creativity and art from the beginning, but the last several volumes have shown that mangaka Ichitomo Kazutomo is also an excellent storyteller, using familiar fantasy elements but creating unique and compelling tales. Here in volume eight, he turns the story toward Lafanpan as she attempts to be rid of her curse once and for all. The character building for Lafa, which thus far has been focused on her growing affection for the party despite her solitary nature, very naturally leads into this adventure that she at first wants to take on her own. Very quickly, the quest leads to dangerous encounters, with the last third of this volume being absolute page-turners, full of thrilling scenes. I’m eager to see how the story continues to unfold in volume nine—and I have a feeling that this arc, so quick to turn toward action, is going to be a slow burner from here on out, as the context presented in between action pieces in these chapters bears out. And I am absolutely here for it! ~ Twwk
Handyman Saitou in Another World is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of Handyman Saitou in Another World: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6
Lycoris Recoil, Manga Vol. 4
The full expanse of what makes LycoReco special is on display in volume four of the manga adaptation. As everyone deals with the fallout of the slaughter of Lycoris at the end of the last volume, Chisato is getting nearer to danger, and while Takina recognizes this, Chisato doesn’t seem to. In the midst of encroaching peril, though, Takina moves in with Chisato (to her chagrin) and the duo takes on a bodyguard job. That storyline allows the emotional aspects of the story to be emphasized, as does the heavier focus in this volume on Chisato’s vulnerability. But this isn’t just a touchy-feely volume—it is full of action. The rooming situation also offers a fun bit of humor in an otherwise serious and quickly moving volume. The swiftness of the volume, I should note, is welcome, as the series conveys a real sense of danger and possible doom for sweet Chisato. This is a terrific volume for a strong adaptation of an excellent series! ~ Twwk
Lycoris Recoil is published by Yen Press.
READ Lycoris Recoil Vol. 1 Review
You and I Are Polar Opposites, Manga Vol. 7
Two couples down…one to go? The cover pairing for volume seven of You and I Are Polar Opposites is my favorite of the whole series, but they’re the ones who aren’t together yet. And unlike the first two couples, who were hindered by miscommunication and shyness, Taira and Azu have deeper issues—which is why I love them so much! As volume seven takes the main cast of characters into their senior year, including the anxiety about new classes and choosing their next steps, it also digs down into each of the cast members’ psyches. There’s rich stuff here about Tani’s sudden wavering from his decision to pursue education, and as mentioned, for both Taira and Azuma. The latter is coming to terms with her crush on the former, but doesn’t know how to handle it because he doesn’t seem to like her and intends to move far away after high school. Taira, on the other hand, is such a bucket full of anxiety that he can’t even begin to consider a relationship. There’s a lot of authenticity in how these two think (the same could be said about the series as a whole), so it’s not surprising that Taira comes to realize that Azu may like him, and despite how pretty and popular she is, it’s not a thought he embraces. I have to say, volume seven isn’t nearly as humorous or as cleverly written as the earlier volumes (this has unfortunately been a trend as the couples develop and grow together), but it’s still very good and, as I mentioned, pretty deep and genuine. You and I Are Polar Opposites remains one of my favorite romance series, and if somehow the upcoming anime flops, you can always turn toward the original and embrace these characters and their stories in this excellent work. ~ Twwk
You and I Are Polar Opposites is published by VIZ Media.
Read Reviews of You and I Are Polar Opposites: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6
Nue’s Exorcist, Manga Vol. 3
For all of Nue’s Exorcist’s strengths, and there are many—the lovely character of Nue, the relationship dynamics overall, the sometimes epic artwork—volume three reveals that its weaknesses are likely to dominate the series. It begins with Moroyuki Fujino’s arrival to assassinate Gakuro after his student Shiroha’s failure. While the compassionate and capable Fujino is an excellent addition to the cast, and the revealing of his power results in some cool panels, they also fully demonstrate why the series just isn’t very good. Instead of letting the panels tell the story, the series has a habit of stopping short: the fights and scenes generally feel too short; they don’t get to the point of being fully expressive and cool, as the mangaka suddenly ends scenes, jumping to a point hours later, and settles with explaining what happened and why. It’s frustrating that just when the action gets good, we’re taken to a boring exposition. Added to all the explanation about this world, the exorcists, their goals, their powers, etc.—and everything is a mixture of uninspired and unmemorable. All three volumes so far have basically been long info drops colored as action and character-building scenes, and I still don’t really know or care about the rules of this world. A shame too, because Nue especially is a fun character, and I’m taken with Shiroha as well. But I don’t care about either enough to have to care about the rest of the story. ~ Twwk
Read Nue’s Exorcist Vol. 1 Review
Nue’s Exorcist 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.
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