Kaiju, apocalyptic aliens, cryptid witches, and loving couples fill the pages of the volumes we’re reviewing this week. Read on to see if we recommend the latest releases of Dandadan, It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love, and more!
The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse (Vol. 3) • Dandadan (Vol. 18) • My Girlfriend’s Child (Vol. 9) • Handyman Saitou in Another World (Vol. 9) • It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love (Vol. 5) • Kaiju No. 8 (Vol. 15)
Dandadan, Manga Vol. 18
I’ll be honest: I thought volume eighteen was getting a little sloppy by its climax. The fight involving the revealed antagonist behind this game board arc and Okarun’s attempts to defeat him weren’t as imaginative as most of the major battles in the past, and then when we get a flashback here, I thought to myself: “Here we go again. Another touching flashback scene in a shonen series.” But despite my initial attitude, I did enjoy where this volume ultimately went. I was moved. And I think you will be, too. There’s a magic to Dandadan in introducing new characters that somehow don’t feel as if they should be major characters in a huge shonen series—whether they be Okarun or Vamola or Zuma—but which stir our emotions and make us care in a manga that could just get by on its quirkiness and awesome illustrations alone. That Dandanan is more than its art—which again, is remarkable—speaks volumes about the talent of its creator. What a wonderful, wonderful series. ~ Twwk
Dandadan is published by VIZ Media.
READ Reviews of Dandadan: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10 // Vol. 11 // Vol. 12 // Vol. 13 // Vol. 14 // Vol. 15 // Vol. 16 // Vol. 17
The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse, Manga Vol. 3
Saya’s near-solitary mission has become a group one, as Isami and Kanoko continue their journey with her, encountering more robots, sad stories, and mysteries. Actually, they encounter more than this. Volume three is an almost-perfect blend of the melancholy that hangs over this post-apocalyptic manga; a cold, sci-fi world warmed by the heart of those more human than humans; and exciting action scenes. I don’t want to give anything away, but the series continues to deepen as the group moves further along on their journey. Meanwhile, the aesthetics of it all—the beautiful and devastated backgrounds in sharp contrast to the bright and simple drawings of Saya—remain a huge selling point of this manga, which is one of my favorite new series. If you haven’t yet checked out The Color of End, I highly recommend you give it a chance. ~ Twwk
The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse is published by Yen Press.
READ Reviews of The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2
Handyman Saitou in Another World, Manga Vol. 9
Members of two cursed races try to find ways to lift the evil upon them; one chooses selfishness and harm upon others, and the other kindness and compassion. Volume eight completes the Moonlight Arc with some of the most gruesome scenes of the series, but also some of the most uplifting. It also addressed something that had been bothering me. Lafanpan is the central character of this arc, but it felt like the character growth and challenges for here were somewhat manufactured. Not quite real. Volume eight, however, does a nice job of completing her growth as well, and I was surprised to find that her choices were natural and expected, and further, that we needed to learn more about fairies for her growth to be complete. The Moonlight Arc ended up being an excellent story in this underappreciated fantasy series, and I’m going to bask in the glow of its ending while we await the next adventure for our family of heroes. ~ 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 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8
It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love, Manga Vol. 5
Sana and Kanato-senpai are officially a couple! While Sana is overjoyed to be his girlfriend, she’s also realizing she doesn’t know a lot about Senpai! Thankfully, each wants to learn about the other and have them fall in love even more than they already are. What kind of fun adventures are ahead for them? I am squealing! The overwhelming cuteness left me so happy! I have loved the series thus far, but the lovey-dovey vibes here probably gave me cavities, these two were so sweet! I adored seeing them get to know each other, such as learning what the other’s favorite things are, taking the initiative to be involved as a couple (and not as an admin and “model”), and our sweet Sana realizing that at the end of the day, her super hot boyfriend is just an ordinary high schooler like her. I know a few people mentioned that in the previous volume, they really didn’t like how Kanato pretty much ghosted Sana after she confessed. I admit I was really bummed by his actions as well, but I think one thing I really enjoyed about this volume specifically is how they both realize “flaws” about themselves and are able to admit them to the other. I feel this volume is not only the start of them growing closer together as a romantic couple, but also the start of them facing their real selves and how they unintentionally push their own ideas/truths onto the other person, as well as what they can do moving forward to remedy that. It was deeply satisfying and leaves me very, very excited for what’s to come because while this series might have started out “shallow” to some, I think it is showing that it has a lot of heart too, and that we will see these characters grow and mature together! I, for one, look forward to it, especially if we are going to get more of the lovey-dovey vibes we did in this volume! 🤭 ~ 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 // Vol. 4
Kaiju No. 8, Manga Vol. 15
Kafka has saved his childhood friend, Mina, and is now appears to be on the verge of ultimate victory as he faces Kaiju No. 9. After all, any kaiju without its core or even a damaged core can’t survive—at least, that’s what usually happens, so why is Kaiju No. 9 still standing?! I have such mixed feelings about this volume and think, unfortunately, it is my least favorite in the series. This volume didn’t quite deliver the excitement and intensity I have felt when reading the previous ones, except in the scenes with Narumi and Hoshina! Those were so good! I loved seeing their backstory and never imagined Narumi would have beef with Hoshina! Ha! The way they fought was awesome, and it had me on the edge of my seat and cheering! But I feel I’m unsure about some stuff with the kaiju? On the one hand, I am thankful that we were given an explanation of what the kaiju is that entered into Kafka’s body, but on the flip side, does that mean all kaiju are similar? Are there kaiju who were simply born and not made for or from some nefarious reason? How do you know the difference between them? Does it matter if you can’t know? I felt that specific part of the story really confused me personally, in the sense that I had more questions than answers. However, the ending was very good, and it was the most Kafka decision ever: I couldn’t help but think, “This is so him!” Though I’m also like, what does that mean for the final volume? Will Kafka be a kaiju forever? Is there a way for him to turn human again? I will definitely be tuning in and seeing how the series wraps up! ~ Laura A. Grace
Kaiju No. 8 is published by Shonen Jump.
READ Kaiju No. 8 Reviews: Vol.1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol.4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10 // Vol. 11 // Vol. 12 // Vol. 13 // Vol. 14
My Girlfriend’s Child, Manga Vol. 9
Sachi is in her final month of pregnancy and is beginning to feel all the nerves of her baby’s imminent arrival. It doesn’t help that she is unexpectedly diagnosed with potential preterm labor and is now on bed rest! Sachi and Tanaka wait with bated breath as they get closer to the baby’s due date… I realize there is technically one more volume in this series, but since this volume wraps up the final part of the story, I am calling it a ten out of ten ending! It was moving, inspiring, beautiful, and oh-so emotional. Truly, everything I had been hoping for, and I’m not even fully sure of what to say because my heart feels so touched. I am deeply thankful this series exists! The entire birthing process was incredible! I was even shocked that they talked about post-childbirth issues, such as breastfeeding and postpartum depression! I think a part of me really thought we would only get up to the part of Fuku giving birth, and that was all. I feel I should not have been surprised, though, because this creator has been so incredible about writing Fuku’s story in such a realistic way that it can provide deeper insight about all aspects of childbirth than any textbook or handbook can! And to clarify, I’m not saying those aren’t important, because they are! But even as a mom of three (with one of my kids being a teen), I felt extremely seen in Fuku voicing questions, her struggles as a new mom, and the constant worry, as I remember those same feelings, thoughts, and worries despite how long it’s been. It made me wish this were a series I could have read when pregnant with my first child because of how comforting it would be to see someone else’s story, even if fictional, and realize I am not alone. I am definitely very eager to read the next volume since it seems to be made up of several different side stories! I am very, very curious as to how our little family is doing! ~ Laura A. Grace
My Girlfriend’s Child is published by Seven Seas.
READ Reviews of My Girlfriend’s Child: Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8
“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.
