Title:  D. Gray-Man Vol 7

Author:  Katsura Hoshino

Publisher:  VIZ

ISBN:  9781421510552

May Contain Spoilers

Still not feeling quite up to snuff, but thought I’d tackle a slightly longer review.  Besides, lying around, feeling miserable, is starting to get a little boring.

After Allen disappears, Lavi and Lenalee are frantic to find him.  Their search is cut short, however, and they are ordered to continue with their mission, without Allen.  Allen, meanwhile, awakens to find himself at the Asian Branch of the Black Ministry.  He’s alive, but he’s forced to deal with the terrible knowledge that his Innocence has been destroyed.

Miranda Lotto is back, and she’s become a snappier dresser!  Miranda is one of my favorite characters, and I really relate to her fits of anxiety.  Her Innocence is one of the coolest, too.  Though temporary, her ability to manipulate time certainly comes in handy.  There are a couple of warnings to heed, such as should there be a battle (a given), any injuries sustained (probably many) will return once her Time Recovery is deactivated.  Oh, and she can’t turn time back for the dead, so you had better be careful!  Yeah, that’s a little deficiency that she might have to take up with someone higher up.

Lavi is given a scolding by Bookman, and his loyalties are tested by the old man’s words.  Destined to be the next Bookman, he’s there to observe, not become involved in the struggle against evil.  He’s not an Apostle of God, and his job is to record the events taking place around him, without getting caught up in them himself.  This has to be tough for Lavi, to remember his duty and not become emotionally involved with the people around him.  Odds of success - I’d bet about zero.  Lavi’s too passionate to remain detached from his friends.

I was a little disappointed with Allen’s storyline.  Having lost his Innocence in the battle with Tyki, Allen is left for dead in a pool of his own blood.  Instead of dying, his Innocence, reduced to particles, entered his body and sealed his punctured heart.  Now recovering at the Asian Branch, he’s attempting to re-synchronize with his Innocence and get his arm back.  While this story arc is introducing new characters, it just seems to be dragging on needlessly.  When all else fails, he’s forced to battle to the death with the guardian deity that happens to be in residence at the Asian Branch.  Er, I guess if the cure doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger?  Can’t he just try a Zicam, instead?  They’re working for me!

Grade: B-

Rated for Older Teen

Review copy provided by VIZ

I am trying to fight off some pestilence caught from someone at work, and am feeling a definite lack of energy.  I haven’t done much for the past few days other than nap, read, and suffer through long days at work, wishing I was home and in bed.  Zicam fixes have replaced a yearning for chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and that’s sooo sad.  Please forgive me for these brief observations of the following - hopefully I’ll soon be ready to tackle a longer, more thought provoking review.

Aqua Vol 2 by Koue Amano - TOKYOPOP 

Back on the planet Aqua, Akari continues her quest to become a gondolier in New Venezia.  It’s been six months since she arrived, and she’s starting to feel quite at home, working with Alicia at Aria Company.  Meeting new customers and training with her friends, her days a packed as the seasons slowly drift by.

Aqua’s slice of life adventures won’t be for everyone, but I am finding a lot to like about this series.  I especially enjoyed the chapters with President Aria, as the plump kitty ran away from home and, later, tried to emulate a television hero.  So cute!  The illustrations convincingly portray a beautiful, watery paradise, and the characters continue to charm.  Huffy Aika is a favorite, as she tries to remain unaffected by Akari’s unbridled enthusiasm, yet is caught up in it every time. 

Grade: B 

Thirsty for Love by Yukine Honami & Satosumi Takeguchi - Junè

Orie is in love with Yuka, his first real girlfriend.  His blissful happiness soon turns to confusion, as he learns that Yuka has not one, but two other boyfriends.  When Yuka dies suddenly, will their grief pull them together, or tear them apart?

I didn’t care for this story at all.  The characters were less than likeable, especially Suguru, and Yuka came across as selfish and flighty.  Orie, a basketball player, admires the older Suguru, and longs to play on the same court with him.  When Suguru learns that Orie is also seeing Yuka, he becomes cold and distant.  After Yuka’s death, the two clash constantly, as Suguru, seeking an outlet for his grief, lashes out at Orie, blaming him for the loss of Yuka.  The happy go lucky Tatsumi, the third boyfriend, appears the least effected by events, but the very different young men all struggle to come to terms with Yuka’s sudden passing.

This is an interesting concept, but I didn’t care for the execution.  There was a lot of powerful emotion, but it just sputtered aimlessly along. 

Grade: C

Review copy provided by Junè

Sweet Admiration, written by Yuuki  Kousaka, illustrated by Midori Shena, translated by Andria Cheng - Junè.

Katsuya fell in love with his friend’s older brother, and twelve years later, he moves to Tokyo, accepting a position at the company that Shio helped to create.  Nothing works out quite as Katsuya expected; the promised company housing falls through, and he learns that Shio only rarely visits the office.  When the president informs Katsuya that he’s to move into Shio’s apartment and be his roommate, Katsuya wonders if he’ll finally have an opportunity to let Shio know how much he cares for him.

Katsuya has a more boring life than I do.  All he seems to do is cook and work.  And try to score brownie points with Shio by being the perfect housewife.  This novel crawled along at a snail’s pace, and out of the blue threw in a romantic complication just as things were starting to look like smooth sailing for Katsuya and Shio.  The entire sub-plot with Shio’s little brother Takamasa left me unconvinced about their relationship.  Still, Katsuya was a sweet guy - he was just stuck in a boring book. 

Grade: C-

Review copy provided by Junè

Romantic Comedy Based On Popular Manga Series Depicts Five Art Students And Their Transformations From Adolescence To Adulthood

San Francisco, CA, May 12, 2008 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the DVD release of HONEY AND CLOVER today. The live-action film, directed by Masahiro Takata and based on a best-selling manga series by Chica Umino, features English subtitles and will carry an estimated retail price of $24.98. Special bonus features on the disc include cast interviews, and a dedicated website about the film is available at www.honeyandclover.us.

HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy that focuses on five college students and the art school they attend. Mayama, Morita and Takemoto (played by J-Pop star Sho Sakurai, who also appeared in HULA GIRLS) aren’t necessarily living fancy lives, but they always manage to have fun. When a talented and pretty painter named Hagumi Hanamoto (played by HULA GIRLS star Yu Aoi) enrolls in the program, her presence and unique approach to art affects the entire school and her new friends, especially Takamoto. The plot thickens as Hagumi becomes embroiled in a complicated love triangle as she struggles to find her artistic voice. Takemoto has a deft touch with his art, but he’s not at his best with relationships, while Mayama is calm and gentle, and Morita is an eccentric genius and a rootless wanderer. Five one-sided feelings are tangling, with no answer in sight. HONEY AND CLOVER showcases the journey that everyone must take to transform from adolescence into adulthood and the long and challenging road these five young people must navigate to balance the demands of school, work, and love.

HONEY AND CLOVER is based on a bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Chica Umino which has sold more than 5 million copies to-date in Japan. In 2003 the popular series won the 27^th Kodansha Manga Hagu Award, Japan’s most prestigious comics award. The manga series was also adapted into an animated series in 2005 and finally into the live-action film released in Japan in 2006. HONEY AND CLOVER is currently serialized in SHOJO BEAT Magazine and the graphic novel is available in the U.S., both published domestically by VIZ Media.

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Title:  Nosatsu Junkie Vol 5

Author:  Ryoko Fukuyama

Publisher:  TOKYOPOP

ISBN:  9781427802378

May Contain Spoilers

Man, does Naka have it rough.  First, she’s head over heels in love with super popular model, Umi.  Never mind that he’s a boy pretending to be a girl.  Then, Ikue, an up and coming photographer, confesses his feelings for her - throwing her into a tail spin.  Argh!  It’s so hard to concentrate on not looking like a serial murderer with all of these distractions popping up!

This is such a funny series!  Naka continues to behave like a total spaz, and one is forced to wonder why she’s never been prescribed Ritalin.  Everything is such a big deal to her, sending her into fits of stammering and painful looking contortions.  Her reactions always make me laugh,  though I feel slightly guilty finding so much pleasure in her distress. 

She’s got a lot on her mind in this volume, what with Iku confessing that he likes her.  What?!  Whoa! This stern taskmaster actually likes her?  This was one of the most amusing moments in the book, as it took a few seconds for the words to penetrate her dazed brain.  Uh-oh, Umi! Looks like you’ve got some competition!  The rivalry between Umi and Iku is great, as they are total opposites and approach their conquest of Naka in different ways.  Iku, older (though probably not wiser), is more up-front about how he feels.  Umi, suffering from a sudden lack of self-confidence, can’t muster the nerve to tell her how he feels.  I felt that with this volume, we really got to know Umi - his fears that Naka was the one sailing past him, and his inability to open up to her.  He also knows that his days as the cute model Umi are numbered, and he has goals to accomplish before he’s forced to quit.  Like Naka, his inability to block out all of these distractions are having an unfortunate effect on his career.

Ryoko Fukuyama really gets the blend of comedy, drama, and romance right in Nosatsu Junkie.  It’s light-hearted fun, highlighted with unique illustrations.  

Grade: B+

Rated for Teen 13+

I just posted a review of Ayano Yamane’s A Foreign Love Affair over at MangaCast.  Please drop in if time permits.  Please click here for the review.

Title:  I Shall Never Return Vol 2

Author:  Kazuna Uchida

Publisher:  Deux

ISBN:  9781934496107

May Contain Spoilers

My goodness, the characters in this series lead the most angst ridden, tortured lives, ever!  With the exception of Ritsuro, the males are selfish and unstable, looking only to find happiness while awash in their pain.  Ken and Iwasaki are really just reflections of each other, striking out because of unresolved loneliness and pent up bitterness due to unresolved issues with parental figures - in Ken’s case, he just wants his mother’s affection, while Iwasaki is simmering with resentment for his father.  In an effort to garner attention from their parents, they betray their friends and journey down a dark road of self-destruction.

I can’t really say that I am enjoying this series, but I find myself fascinated by the actions of the characters.  It’s like when driving by an accident, and not being able to stop from rubbernecking.   Ken is really very difficult to like, as he’s sunk into a lifestyle that’s abhorrent and contemptible.  However, he’s decided to turn over a new leaf in this volume, after being overcome with guilt and regret over the suicide of a friend.  Of course events conspire against his new resolve, and his dark past catches up with him in a nasty way.  One of the things I dislike about I Shall Never Return is how sex is used as a weapon, to humiliate and intimidate.  I don’t find all of the rapes and attempted rapes titillating - I find them reprehensible, and a story element that I just don’t like.

Throughout the train wreck of Ken’s life,  Ritsuro is there for him, steadfast in his love for his troubled friend.  His devotion, however, isn’t totally unreserved - he thinks that through the power of his affection, Ken will change for him, transforming into a decent guy.  So that makes me wonder - does Ritsuro love Ken as he is, or Ken as he wishes he would become?  Either way, I think he’s in for a rocky relationship with his unpredictable lover.

Grade:  B-

Rated for Mature

Review copy provided by Deux

Title:  Crimson Hero Vol 5

Author:  Mitsuba Takanashi

Publisher:  VIZ

ISBN:  9781421510125

May Contain Spoilers

I enjoyed this volume better than the last, partly because volleyball took a backseat to all of the drama.  Walking home in the rain with Yushin one day, he and Nobara see Satomi kissing a stranger. Oops!  Busted cheating on him, Satomi confesses to Nobara that she felt like she was second fiddle to Yushin’s love of volleyball.  Nobara is bewildered that Satomi didn’t share her feelings with Yushin instead of being unfaithful to him.  She’s alarmed when Yushin sinks into the depths of despair after discovering Satomi’s indiscretions.  When Nobara confronts him about his self-destructive behavior, she’s overcome with emotion and bursts into tears.  Here’s the guy that she loves, and he’s totally withdrawn from everything, refusing even to eat.  This was a powerful scene, as Nobara becomes so frustrated with Yushin that she starts punching him, trying to jolt him out of his despondency, angry with him for letting this stop him in his tracks.

Haibuki is starting to take on a sinister air, and he’s getting a little creepy.  He knows that Nobara has a major crush on Yushin, but he doesn’t care.  He’s determined to win her over, and refuses to give up on her.  He even starts scheming about how to spend time with her, whether she wants his company or not.  He’s walking a fine line here between loving her and hating her, between wanting to be with her and wanting to see her have her feelings crushed.  Yup, that’s a little creepy.

Nobara has a rival introduced in this volume, by the name of Kanako Noda.  Tall and lanky like Nobara, she’s a track star with the hots for Yushin.  To get closer to him, she tries out for the volleyball team, which is desperately short members and may be demoted to a recreational group.  Nobara is thrilled with their new teammate, until Kanako starts making a nuisance of herself by chasing after Yushin.  Kanako is goofy and rambunctious, open with her attraction to Yushin and lacking a shy bone in her body.  She’s quite the contrast to the reserved Nobara, and the two clash over Kanako’s less than dedicated approach to volleyball.     

Yup, as long as Crimson Hero stays off the volleyball court, I find the story a fun, though overly dramatic, read. 

Grade:  B

Rated for Teen

Title:  NANA Vol 10

Author:  Ai Yazawa

Publisher:  VIZ

ISBN:  9781421517469

May Contain Spoilers

When Ren and Nana become front page news,  their relationship gets put on hold.  Ren is rushed off to the UK for a promo shoot, and Nana is trapped in her apartment by a pack of blood thirsty reporters.  It’s Yasu to the rescue, and then Nana finds herself bundled off to the mountains to work on BLAST’s album.  Meanwhile, Hachi is learning that being engaged to a hot rock star like Takumi isn’t all fun and games.

In a moment of carelessness, Ren and Nana are captured on film, feeding the frenzied news outlets with the revelation of their relationship. Meeting this new challenge head on, Nana is determined to make it big, for no other reason than to steal Hachi back from Takumi.  Hachi’s become like a favorite toy, and the kids at the day care aren’t willing to share her.  Nana is the most selfish, wanting to keep her friend only for herself.  Sure, she was willing to share her with Nobu, but everybody else had better keep their hands off.  Takumi is just as bad, settling his fiance in a super posh apartment, and then leaving instructions at the reception desk to deny that they live there.  Sorry Hachi, you’re in isolation!

Nana’s got another problem, and I’m wondering if her pride will allow her to continue along her current path. With news about her and Ren the talk of the town, the record label is suddenly interested in releasing some of BLAST’s material.  It looks like they might even be in on some of leaks to the media.  Why wouldn’t they want to cash in on all of this free publicity for their up and coming band?  But how will it sit with Nana, now that the public perception is that she’s just riding on Ren’s coattails for her shot at some time in the spotlight?  All of the news is slanted to put her in a bad light, so she’s got an uphill battle to be a well-liked celebrity.  Ren, the handsome devil, is a fan favorite, and now that he’s got a girlfriend, his fans aren’t too happy - with Nana - Ren, they still think can do no wrong.

My favorite aspect of NANA is how all of the characters’ relationships are interwoven.  They all have pasts that haunt them, or irrational feelings that dictate their actions.  They spin their wheels, struggling to pursue their goals, even though more often than not, succeeding doesn’t make them any happier. And just when things seem suffocatingly unbearable, Ai Yazawa manages to inject a sparkling gem of humor amidst all of the dramatic angst. 

Grade:  B+

Rated for Mature

Review copy provided by VIZ

Title:  I Hate You More Than Anyone Vol 4

Author:  Banri Hidaka

Publisher:  CMX

ISBN:  9781401214029

May Contain Spoilers

Banri Hidaka has a very muddled and rambling storytelling style than can sometimes be exasperating.  Her characters often beat around the bush, dancing around issues instead of getting them out in the open and clearing the air.  I have to be in a certain frame of mind to read her works, or I begin to become impatient with the pacing and the stuttering dialog.  When the characters finally get to the point, though, there is dynamite interaction and fast-paced dialog.  It just sometimes takes a while to get there.

This volume has Kazuha finally confide to Sugimoto about her plan to become a hair stylist.  He warns her that it’s hard work, and then sets her up with a job at Honjo’s salon so she can get some valuable on the job training.  While discovering that working in a salon is hard work, even though she’s really only a gopher, she also discovers that getting along with co-workers isn’t always a piece of cake.  Will she survive her first job?

I enjoyed the brewing relationship between Senko and Honjo, and think they make a charismatic couple.  There’s a simmering tension between them, and even Senko’s insults can’t hide it.  Despite being sarcastic and a pain in the butt, Honjo was there when Senko needed a shoulder to cry on.  Right now, their relationship is more interesting than Kazuha’s and Sugimoto’s.  Sob!  Sugimoto!  You are being neglected again in this volume!  Why do you have to work so much?

The art is the other reason that I keep coming back for more.  Everyone is so attractive, with perfect hair and exquisite taste in clothing.  Well, maybe not Honjo, who looks like he has wings on his head, but pretty much everyone else.  Kazuha, I want your clothes!  I’m much too short to do them justice, but they look so elegant.  Much more appealing than my crumbled jeans and thermals.

Grade: B

Rated for Teen