New releases in April include the latest series from the creator of One Punch Man and Mob Psycho, and the eighth volume of I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World—and we’ve got reviews of both those volumes, and much more on this week’s Reader’s Corner!
Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince (Vol. 5) • Bug Ego (Vol. 1) • A Condition Called Love (Vol. 16) • Cosmos (Vol. 4) • Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated. A Magic: The Gathering Manga (Vol. 7) • I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World (Vol. 8) • It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love (Vol. 4) •
A Condition Called Love, Manga Vol. 16
Hotaru and Hananoi have always aimed to be on the same page and talk out their feelings, but for their first year anniversary, they unfortunately are not. Both are hurting; they want nothing but the best for the other, yet for some reason, they are not syncing up. It’s not until the class trip that Hananoi realizes what they need to do moving forward, and it’s going to change both of their lives. If I had a least favorite volume of this series, it would be this one; but I can’t say I hate this volume either, given the way hope was all over the page at the end, thanks to the MVP Yao-kun. There was a huge twist that I honestly should have seen coming after the end of the previous volume, but it was so major and shocking that I didn’t actually think it would happen; and without spoiling anything, I hope that the situation gets resolved happily! I found myself crying when Hotaru couldn’t stop overthinking—she is trying so hard! She poses a heartbreaking question: What do you do if someone falls out of love with you because you’ve changed? It really tore at my heart to see her break down and worry about that, because even though she has changed since dating Hananoi, I still feel her changes are not all bad changes. She’s grown so much, and I truly just want her to be happy. I’m thankful that my copy of volume eighteen is currently on its way, because while the ending of this really encouraged my heart, I still feel crushed by what happened! ~ 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 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10 // Vol. 11 // Vol. 12 // Vol. 13 // Vol. 14 // Vol. 15
It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love, Manga Vol. 4
Sana might have seen Doigaki’s real (pretty) face, but her feelings for Senpai are unwavering! Things have been pretty awkward since the camping trip, but when she gets an unexpected visit from Senpai, her feelings bubble over and she shares her heart with him. Screaming! Squealing! This volume was everything I was hoping for and more! I knew everything would be okay after the last volume, but how this volume unfolded was so much more than I was anticipating! Granted, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t some heartbreak, but I was so glad communication was a thing (and that Doigaki stepped in and said something) because that ending was totally swoonworthy! I truly love the progression of Sana and Senpai’s relationship and how honestly both of them were with themselves, worrying about “using” each other, because neither wanted to be apart from the other. Considering how hard it is to know what Senpai is thinking, I don’t think I realized as a reader how much he has cared for Sana, even though I feel it has come out in small ways thus far. I’m glad he’s made his feelings known in a way where there was no confusion, and that Sana now knows exactly how he feels! I’m so excited for the next volume and honestly wish these volumes were released quicker, because I always have such a good time! Today I feel super happy from the latest developments, and I can imagine I’ll feel that way in the next volume too! ~ Laura A. Grace
It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love is published by Seven Seas.
READ Reviews of It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3
Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince, Manga Vol. 5
Mimi is officially acknowledged as Prince Renato’s fiancée and the future princess of Rubini! Yay! Granted, things didn’t go smoothly with Lord Ireneo’s scorned lover, but now all that’s left to officially move forward is for Prince Renato to meet his in-laws! He may be excited to meet Mimi’s father, but poor Mimi is nervous about how things might go. When I read this volume, two of my kiddos had the stomach flu, and this manga absolutely warmed my heart and provided such a joyful reprieve! In fact, I laughed so much that my stomach hurt by the end of the volume! I was so appreciative of the “romance” being back on page as much as it was before volume four! I loved seeing our leads go to Mimi’s house so Renato could meet her family and all the wonderful shenanigans her family brought! It was hilarious and so much fun!! I enjoyed seeing them readily welcome Renato in and how much they joked about him being so “stiff”! If I ever thought he was easygoing, I guess he’s not that easygoing compared to Mimi’s family! Ha! But oh my goodness, how many volumes will it take for our leads to finally get one little kiss in?! I thought they would this time around because Renato’s right-hand man was nowhere to be found, but alas, it was still not to be! I’m excited for the beginning of this new arc that was hinted at, though! It sounds like it could be pretty dangerous, but knowing we’re about to meet yet another character who is the complete opposite of one of our leads, it has me ready to see what fun things will be in store next! ~ Laura A. Grace
Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince is published by Square Enix.
READ Reviews of Always a Catch: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4
Cosmos, Manga Vol. 4
After the insane events ending volume three, and the slight time skip before volume four (leading up the point that Kaede’s sister, Sakura, begins to attend his high school), Cosmos feels like it’s in territory entirely different from that of the initial volumes, which were almost “alien of the week”-style as Kaede learned to become an agent. Now, Kaede is really good at what he does—he doesn’t even necessarily need to be paired with Rin on missions. I don’t know quite how I feel about that since the “buddy cop” pairing was so much fun at first. However, the authentic storytelling at work (Kaede should have grown in time, especially with the desperate Pied Piper case he and Soprano endured) makes the manga even more gripping than it has been. This volume introduces a new character—a classmate of Sakura’s—that helps keep the series grounded somewhat in school life and the daily tribulations of being a teenager. But the introduction of this new character also opens the really cool story that starts in the second half of volume four, where the series moves to space (there’s mention of the Artemis mission, by the way, which is quite timely!); another new character is introduced, and the artwork depicting him is memorable and creative—stunning and epic, even! All the while, the Pied Piper case remains in focus. I remain thrilled by this work, which so expertly brings together mystery, sci-fi, and school life elements into an exciting but often also warm work. Here’s hoping we get many, many more volumes of this unique and excellent manga. ~ Twwk
Cosmos is published by VIZ Media.
Read Cosmos Reviews: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3
Bug Ego, Manga Vol. 1
What exactly is Bug Ego about? Well, it might be about the true meaning of friendship, as Hitsujiya—a student who was formerly bullied but is now seen as being relatively normal by his classmates—takes care of pariah Kokudo, though both wonder if they really care about each other. It might be about redoing your life as Kokudo introduces his new friend to “hacks,” unusual happenings in the world that occur when you do certain rituals, like a dance Hitsujiya does naked on the soccer field that allows him to go back in time. Or maybe it’s really all just psychological horror—when that very same hack leads to dark consequences. By the end of volume one, I felt no nearer to understanding what this work was meant to be, nor did I really get a beat on the character motivations—but you know what? That’s the enjoyment of Bug Ego, ONE’s latest work (joining Mob Psycho 100 and One Punch Man), which blends fantasy and science fiction on epic levels with mystery and horror, and the personal stories about the two leads with the bigger question of just what hacks are and how they affect the world. The artwork by Kiyoto Shitara (ONE is the writer) is intense, dark, and grimly captivating, and the unease at what the two boys are doing and if they’re using one another or actually friends offers a mystery almost as large as the hacks. Who knows if ONE can follow through on the promise of volume one, but I can promise you this: There’s enough wonder here for me to return for the second volume and see how this unique series continues to play out. ~ Twwk
Bug Ego is published by VIZ Media.
I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World, Manga Vol. 8
The tournament is quickly called off because of the intense danger to all the people at the stadium, as keeping them safe from harm takes first priority. As the focus shifts to protecting everyone gathered, however, Nunnally and Rockmann look to the source of the evil and disruption: Städal. Tag teaming once again, can these two overcome the biggest threat they have faced yet? I’ve seen several shoujo readers online say they want more stories with intense action and engaging world-building that isn’t centered around a main romance, and all I can say is please check this series out! This is the best volume yet! And yes, it did have a very romantic plot point, but it is one I have been so hoping for; if you’ve read up to this point, then you know how real the struggle has been for us readers in our girl just not seeing the writing on the wall, but she finally realizes! Yessss! In any case, the action is some of the best I have read in shoujo manga! The way the fight scenes and magic are drawn is like watching a movie, but in book form! I can feel the heat or ice that is affecting everyone around, the loudness and panic of the crowd, and all the screeching of the demons causing chaos. This volume definitely left me on edge and desperate to know whether the ultimate villain will be defeated or not! The next volume is going to be extremely critical for what unfolds in Nunnally’s entire world, as well as in her personal relationships too. I have no doubt she and all the willing knights and mages are going to take down this baddie, and I can’t wait to see it, because it is going to be good! ~ Laura A. Grace
I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of I Want to Be a Receptionist in This Magical World: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 7
Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated. A Magic: The Gathering Manga, Vol. 7
A ’90s-themed romcom isn’t complete without a harem for a nerdy protagonist. Okay, that’s maybe not exactly the best description of what’s happening around Hajime, but there are now apparently three (or four if you count a new teacher!) girls interested in the MTG player. Thankfully, in this sweet series, he only has eyes for Emi. But miscommunications will play a role in continuing to keep the two from becoming a pair. It’s okay, though—the angst fits super well with the setting, and this story never strays very far from being a really cute, really warm series. And while the introduction of a “new girl” felt mechanical at first, by the end of this volume, I appreciated the extra dimension she brought to it. I should also note that another strength of the series—using events from the time period, both MTG-related and others with a larger cultural impact—is on display once again here as 1999 moves along. This is another wonderful in this sweet, nostalgic series! ~ Twwk
Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated. A Magic: The Gathering Manga is published by VIZ Media.
READ Destroy All Humans. They Can’t Be Regenerated. A Magic: The Gathering Manga Reviews: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6
“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.
