Manga Books
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Manga Books sorted by
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The Great Catsby Vol. 1 (Great Catsby)
Published in Paperback by NETCOMICS (2006-03-15)
List price: $17.99
New price: $10.03
Used price: $7.98
Used price: $7.98
Average review score: 

Poignant and hits home
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-16
Review Date: 2008-07-16
Anyone who knows what it's like to lose love, not know quite what to do with your life, and having potential--but again, being beside yourself with what to do with it--will love this book. The story is beautiful, and the drawings are too! It's very cinematic, especially as the volumes go on. I also give Doha kudos for doing such a good job with the anthropomorphic animal thing. Not many graphic novelists can do it, but he does it, and well. Bravo! A must read!
Don't judge the book by it's cover!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-17
Review Date: 2008-05-17
I am an avid manga reader who has read over 200 manga books. I saw the cover of the book and I thought Wow I love the art! I had no idea what it looked like inside until I purchased it.
When I got it, the book was HEAVY! Twice as heavy as a manga from Tokyopop or VIZ. The pages are in beautiful color and in shiny magazine-like paper. Flipping through the pages, it looked like part cartoon and part poemy.
After finishing the first volume, I found out I really liked it. It is different than any manga I've read. The characters are cats acting & dressing as humans. The main character loses his girlfriend and tries to move on to a new one. There's talking balloons for when he talks and then words for when he's thinking. When he's thinking, it feels like you're reading a poem. The words are well written.
It's a great realistic love story! The characters are adorable! Glad I bought it! The story is complete at 6 volumes. I look forward to reading all of them.
When I got it, the book was HEAVY! Twice as heavy as a manga from Tokyopop or VIZ. The pages are in beautiful color and in shiny magazine-like paper. Flipping through the pages, it looked like part cartoon and part poemy.
After finishing the first volume, I found out I really liked it. It is different than any manga I've read. The characters are cats acting & dressing as humans. The main character loses his girlfriend and tries to move on to a new one. There's talking balloons for when he talks and then words for when he's thinking. When he's thinking, it feels like you're reading a poem. The words are well written.
It's a great realistic love story! The characters are adorable! Glad I bought it! The story is complete at 6 volumes. I look forward to reading all of them.
can't wait
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-29
Review Date: 2007-07-29
i loooove love love this series, and i can't wait to read the last volume. the art is gorgeous, full-color, and alternately really poignant and really hilarious. the plot lines are simple, but still totally intriguing. i'm just as into houndu's story as catsby's, and it's rare that i find side plots to be as important as the "main" plot. read these books, you'll definitely fall in love with the characters.
Great Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-09
Review Date: 2006-07-09
The first book is a little depressing. Catsby is a sad, and pissed character, it is a great book. A lot of the situations are real life, and easy to relate to.
I just had to read the 2nd one, and I just ordered the 3rd and 4th
I just had to read the 2nd one, and I just ordered the 3rd and 4th
One of the best
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-09
Review Date: 2006-07-09
I've been around comics for a long time, and I have finally found something that is 100% good. In fact it's genious. The art is great and the story is constantlt realing me in. The best thing is that it realstes to real life situations with relationships, friends, and basically everyday life. Pick it up as soon as you can because it truly won't dissapoint. The best

Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide
Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2002-12-10)
List price: $10.95
New price: $49.81
Average review score: 

Best Hamster Book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-23
Review Date: 2007-10-23
I bought this for my 10 year old son and he loved it. My 14 year old and I also read it and we agree, it's a winner. The pictures are great and its packed with information for any new hamster owner. If you are adding a hamster to your home, get this book!
EXCELLENT INFORMATION-FILLED BOOK!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-04
Review Date: 2007-01-04
This book is fun for children and adults. It gives much much information about caring for hamsters that can really be of use. Take it from me; this book has helped me so much! It talks about your hamster's needs and wants, "do"s and "don't"s, breeding, cage information and much more! This book is highly recommended by me.
Excellent guide for young readers
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-27
Review Date: 2005-06-27
I bought this book for my daughters 9th birthday because we decided to let her get a hamster. The book is very informative, has bright colorful pictures, and simply makes you want to read it! My daughter read the entire book in one setting, as did I. I liked the fact that each chapte focuses on the child reading the book, explaining everything in simple terms and then on the very last page of the chapter there is a just for parents list of everything that was covered in the chapter. I know I learned a few things from reading this book and I'm sure you child will too!
One of the Best Hamster Books I ever read
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-27
Review Date: 2004-08-27
I'm huge Hamtaro fan (Anime and Manga). I had been a Hamtaro fan for about a year or more when my best friend decided to get a hamster of her own. I went to a sleepover and had met her new hamster "Harmony" named after Harmony in the 2nd Hamtaro game and future character in the Hamtaro Anime Series. With that her parnets had got her this Hamster Care Book. I only looked at a few pages and I really enjoyed it. A month later, after begging, my mom finally got me a hamster (Who's name is "Bijou"). She didn't get me any books because I had already researched about Hamsters and my brother had one a few years ago (But my brother didn't know how to take care of him). I decided to buy and borrow Hamster Care Books to gether more information about Hamsters. Along one of these books, I finally got the Hamtaro Hamster Care Book and I loved it more then the other books I had collected. My little cousin (Who's 5) who's planning on getting a hamster had looked at the book and understood it right away (Without me explaining any thing). I highly suggest this to any Hamtaro fan, hamster fan, animal fan, or someone who getting a hamster.
Great info in a "cute" package!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-23
Review Date: 2004-12-23
When I found a review of this book on hamsterific I thought it was a book about the cartoon Hamtaro, but I was wrong. It's filled with very good hamster information that's easy to read, but still more comprehensive than other hamster books I've read.
Hamtaro is just there as eye-candy.
This book is fantastic, the authors really seem to have a different, more serious perspective on hamster care.
Hamtaro is just there as eye-candy.
This book is fantastic, the authors really seem to have a different, more serious perspective on hamster care.

Her Majesty's Dog Volume 1
Published in Paperback by Go!Comi (2005-11-02)
List price: $10.99
New price: $5.00
Used price: $3.00
Used price: $3.00
Average review score: 

majestys dog
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-10
Review Date: 2006-11-10
it was excellent,funny and everthing i was looking for.my 2daughters loved it alot. they are excited for more of it.i think it is the best.thank you so much victoria blair
Great introduction to the manga world!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-07
Review Date: 2007-08-07
About six months ago I came across a display of manga books. Although I've never been a big comic book fan, I fell in love with the beautiful cover illustrations and began to browse through them. One manga in particular caught my attention, not just for the cover art but also for the book description. The story of a teen psychic and her guardian demon is a tale that sounds right up my alley. However, I just wasn't sure. After all I am a bit older than your usual manga fan. For months every time I would into a book store I headed to the manga section, pick it up and put it down again. Last weekend I finally decided to buy the first of the series. I'm so glad I did! Despite my confusion over the format (read back to front and, I think, in the opposite direction of American books) and the very short actual reading time spent on the book, I found it facinating. I loved the storylines about malevolent spirits, the innocent girl and her overprotective guardian. In fact, I not only read it once, I've re-read it four times already. I totally recommend it to anyone who enjoys horror/romance and the supernatural.
Doggie gone good...
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-23
Review Date: 2007-01-23
How can you not like this manga? I admit, the cover was the first thing that had attracted me-bondages maybe? After glancing at the artwork, I soon fell in love. Ayume and Hyoue are two very likeable characters, each filling in what the other person lacked. I always find myself looking for the next volume when I go to a bookstore. Amazing storyline, I would recommend it to everyone.
I didn't want to....
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-16
Review Date: 2006-12-16
I didn't want to like Her Majesty's Dog....I realy, really didn't. But I can't help it. I like--no, I REALLY like it. At first I didn't want to read it because at the time of it's release I was SO into InuYasha, and one day I was casually flipping through shojo beat magazine and I saw an ad for Her Majesty's Dog. When I saw the cover , I was like "it's a shojo version of InuYasha! What a rip-off!". Then, when I was at Borders one day, I saw the book and, just to see what it was like, I took a look at it. I decided, when I read the back cover and had read the first few pages, that it was a total copy of InuYasha! The fact that Hyoue protects Amane like InuYasha protects Kagome was especially hard to enjoy, and Hyoue's personality was almost exactly like InuYahsa's (almost always angry, over-protective, easily jealous, etc.). Amane even looks like Kagome to some extent. But about a year after Her Majesty's Dog was first released, I had grown tired of InuYasha (it's just so long and the story never gets anywhere). I was once again at Borders and I decided to give this another try. And I am so glad that I did. Her Majesty's Dog may sound a bit weak form the outside, but once you've read it, you see that it is deep and very entertaining. Mick Takeuchi has beautiful artwork and her story is very good, actually. Now, when I look back, I hardly see any similairities at all between Her Majesty's Dog and InuYasha. So far, my favorite thing about the books are the relationships between the characters and the little omakes at the beginning of each volume (the ones where Amane is treating Hyoue like a dog: for example, in this volume she is in chibi form and telling him to stay in his dog house and Hyoue is glaring up at the sky. It is very very funny and cute). So, for anyone who is suspicious about trying Her Majesty's Dog, I ask you to give it a shot. It is much better than it appears.
Something like Inuyasha in our modern world
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-24
Review Date: 2006-06-24
Ok, I love these newer mangas now making it to the USA that have female leads with submissive but strong male partners. Reminds me of the knight-lady dynamic in romances. Yet these aren't overtly romantic and the lady in question is quite strong and capable if somewhat naive to begin with. Amane is a wonderful character trying to fit into a new school and a new life and Hyoue is her faithful everything until she starts making new friends. But I think these friends are going to make her stronger and that will only make her possession of Hyoue even better. I plan to keep reading to find out.

How to Draw Anime & Game Characters, Vol. 3: Bringing Daily Actions to Life
Published in Paperback by Graphic-Sha (2001-08)
List price: $19.99
New price: $5.86
Used price: $4.98
Used price: $4.98
Average review score: 

Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-31
Review Date: 2007-12-31
The shipping was really fast. I bought this book as a gift and they liked it!
Wow...........................
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-24
Review Date: 2005-11-24
This book is so good it's scary it teaches stuff from poses to move ment step by step so you can get it really easyly. At first I was terrible at drawing movement so every piture I drew was a charater standing but then I got this book at the libray. And now I know how to draw people jumping running and much more. Very helpful and useful it should have ten stars. Cool as it gets the person who made this book worked for Studio Ghibli!
~*~Purin~*~
~*~Purin~*~
A must have
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-28
Review Date: 2006-11-28
I must say, I really enjoyed this book. I love how the book displays the body in different views and in different positions. This is especially useful when you can't draw a character from a certain sitting position. For those who are a little concerned about nudity, don't worry. There is some nudity, but it's mostly the guys. I really wouldn't call it nudity though, since they do not draw the nipples on the females at all. It's merely a silhouette of the naked form. Other than that, this book is a must have. It really shows daily activities (like the book suggests)it also has some activities like karaoke. I wouldn't call that a daily activity, but that pose can come in handy if one wishes to draw a karaoke scene in their manga.
Another excellent book
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-26
Review Date: 2004-02-26
The third book in the series picks up right after the last with perspective. The first chapter is dedicated to it, and provides many great tips. It then moves on to basic character movements such as walking, running, sitting, sleeping, and much more. From there it even goes into greater detail by showing you variations of the previously mentioned movements, and a lot of them. After all, no two people are made the same. This is a great book for any artist period who wants to learn the different poses of the body.
A book worth your money
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-22
Review Date: 2004-11-22
Ozawa does a wonderful job again! He inititally starts the book on drawing your character using perspective giving a numerous amount of pointers and examples. Then giving basic action poses (walking, running, sitting, standing, laying down, etc) and going into variations of those actions by using multiple examples of characters. A typical example page consists of a stick figure in a particular pose, a block figure, and the actual finished character in the same pose. Front and back, or other view of the pose is common and he even gives pointers and tips of details to look out for.
Besides teaching you how to draw real believable characters, this book is an excellent edition that you may later use as a reference book for poses. Like his earlier books, Ozawa covers nudity tastefully and this book can be used by young artists without fear. A book well worth the money, imo.
Besides teaching you how to draw real believable characters, this book is an excellent edition that you may later use as a reference book for poses. Like his earlier books, Ozawa covers nudity tastefully and this book can be used by young artists without fear. A book well worth the money, imo.

How To Draw Manga Volume 36: Animals (How to Draw Manga)
Published in Paperback by Graphic-Sha (2005-06-01)
List price: $19.99
New price: $37.99
Used price: $35.75
Used price: $35.75
Average review score: 

Great animal reference book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-19
Review Date: 2006-12-19
For those of us who struggle from time to time with drawing animals, especially if the animal is sitting or standing a certain way then this is a great book to buy. Another book from the brilliant Hikaru Hayashi, he shows you some steps of drawing the animals with the use of shapes to start off with so that you can give the animal form. He also give you examples of each animal from different angles, as well as their routines. The only bad thing about this book would be that he doesn't give you detail throughout the whole entire book. Only the the first couple of pages start you off with shapes. I would definately recommend this book for those who already know how to draw to some extent and above. I do not recommend it for beginners. The only nude picture in this book would be of a woman holding her cat, but her back is facing towards you, so it really isn't a big deal at all. This book is far from tasteless.
disapointed
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-10
Review Date: 2006-08-10
I WAS SO LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THIS BOOK. JUST RECENTLY STARTED DRAWING MANGA AND ANIME, AND LOVING IT. THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR THE VARIETY OF ANIMAL IT COVERS, BUT I REALLY FAIL TO SEE HOW THEY ARE MANGA ANIMALS. I HAVE MANY BOOKS ON DRAWING ANIMALS, AND COULD HAVE JUST ADDED MANGA "EYES" TO THEM AND SAVED MY MONEY. LOTS OF PICTURES BUT LACKS INSTRUCTIONS.
Finally!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-06
Review Date: 2006-07-06
I'm glad to see thay made a book on how to draw animals i am especialy happy to see they show how to draw ferrets and other animals u realy don't think abou drawing.
Its great if you know what your doing
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-11
Review Date: 2006-07-11
This book waa really helpful. It has a lot of pictures that makes up for its lack of information. It includes a lot of different animals from the simple hamster to the complexity of the orangatang and the lion.
It is broken down into four main sections. The first section includes basic information. While the other three include the actual animals.
The Second section has most household animals but also a few exotic ones such as meerkats. The first few pages are mostly dogs and then it goes into cats. I believe that these are the animals that the author goes into most detail. But for each animal it has a number of different poses and includes a look inside their mouths which I find helpful when drawing bite marks.
The third section includes wild animals and also becomes more difficult. It gives a huge variety but the sections become increasingly smaller. And the last chapter labeled birds is very small and has a lot of detail but seems very crammed to the point where you can become confused. This section also includes one page of fish, angel fish and goldfish, which was pretty upsetting. They could have included a lot more bony fish and on more than one page.
If you need written instuctions on how to draw an animal, this is not the book for you. But if you can look a step by step drawn instructions then you should do fine and will find it very helpful.
It is broken down into four main sections. The first section includes basic information. While the other three include the actual animals.
The Second section has most household animals but also a few exotic ones such as meerkats. The first few pages are mostly dogs and then it goes into cats. I believe that these are the animals that the author goes into most detail. But for each animal it has a number of different poses and includes a look inside their mouths which I find helpful when drawing bite marks.
The third section includes wild animals and also becomes more difficult. It gives a huge variety but the sections become increasingly smaller. And the last chapter labeled birds is very small and has a lot of detail but seems very crammed to the point where you can become confused. This section also includes one page of fish, angel fish and goldfish, which was pretty upsetting. They could have included a lot more bony fish and on more than one page.
If you need written instuctions on how to draw an animal, this is not the book for you. But if you can look a step by step drawn instructions then you should do fine and will find it very helpful.
wonderful! an ANIMAL BOOK, yet it still has naked women...shame...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-06
Review Date: 2006-07-06
ok, this book is one of the BETTER BOOKS in the HTDM series (the male book is pretty good too) and it does have a nice variety of animals in it, like giraffes, camels, tapirs, birds (tho not many *frown*) etc...it WILL NOT show step by step, so beginners beware...it just provides basics, and it kinda expects you to be able to take methods and put them to use in drawing animals...
out of all the books i own and have seen, this is probably one of the only books that is realy useful...it actualy teaches you something, in which others do not, b/c all manga books in this series have naked girls in them (disturbing...so utterly disturbing...everytime i see the HTDM female book, i feel like im going to lose my lunch)...tho wat DID get to me is even tho this book is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TEACH YOU TO DRAW ANIMALS, IT STILL MANAGES TO STICK A FEW UNCLOTHED WOMEN IN THE CAT SECTION...my response, as you can guess, was "wat...the...crap?"...i thought it was animals only, not humans! geez! that aside, the book helps w/ geting the animal proportions down right, and differences between some species and genders...
one of the only books you should get if you like manga...most others are useless, and a big waste of money...the ones you should also consider when learning to draw are listed below:
Tadashi Ozawa's 5 Volume collection "HTDM: Anime and Game Characters" (they have the pretty colorful covers...they teach u how to draw different types of characters, expressions, and actions both daily and battle)
HTDM Bodies and Anatomy (female nudity, males r covered...just get it for the muscle structure)
HTDM Male Characters (nudity curiously omitted...*raises eyes b/c all others make sure "body parts" on women are very detailed*)
HTDM Animals (but you already knew about this one *laugh*)
out of all the books i own and have seen, this is probably one of the only books that is realy useful...it actualy teaches you something, in which others do not, b/c all manga books in this series have naked girls in them (disturbing...so utterly disturbing...everytime i see the HTDM female book, i feel like im going to lose my lunch)...tho wat DID get to me is even tho this book is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TEACH YOU TO DRAW ANIMALS, IT STILL MANAGES TO STICK A FEW UNCLOTHED WOMEN IN THE CAT SECTION...my response, as you can guess, was "wat...the...crap?"...i thought it was animals only, not humans! geez! that aside, the book helps w/ geting the animal proportions down right, and differences between some species and genders...
one of the only books you should get if you like manga...most others are useless, and a big waste of money...the ones you should also consider when learning to draw are listed below:
Tadashi Ozawa's 5 Volume collection "HTDM: Anime and Game Characters" (they have the pretty colorful covers...they teach u how to draw different types of characters, expressions, and actions both daily and battle)
HTDM Bodies and Anatomy (female nudity, males r covered...just get it for the muscle structure)
HTDM Male Characters (nudity curiously omitted...*raises eyes b/c all others make sure "body parts" on women are very detailed*)
HTDM Animals (but you already knew about this one *laugh*)

I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone (Yaoi) (Shameless)
Published in Paperback by 801 Media, Inc. (2007-12-05)
List price: $15.95
New price: $8.50
Used price: $9.40
Used price: $9.40
Average review score: 

oh Boy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-17
Review Date: 2008-07-17
Well this is my third title from Shiuko Kano and this one is definitely on the hard core .Everytime this two meet, it is a f*** fest, maybe the mangaka was pressured to have more s** in this title.
Character development wise and story not that strong compared to other titles ie Kiss all the boys and Yakuza in Love.
I like the illustration style but The cover is the weakness.
Character development wise and story not that strong compared to other titles ie Kiss all the boys and Yakuza in Love.
I like the illustration style but The cover is the weakness.
Step Right On Up
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-04
Review Date: 2008-06-04
Maybe I'm Your Steppin' Stone (Yaoi)
The younger seme (Ezumi Masashi) and older uke (Sakai Kazuya) is a concept I've recently gotten behind....that is thanks to this manga. Reading the reviews, you are well aware of the plotline, but the chemistry between the characters is most important to note. And let me tell you, there is CHEMISTRY!
The artwork is great, especially the details given to the eyes and lips. During those most intimate moments, it is most intense. I think everyone will let out a squeal during the tryst between Masashi and Kazuya when Masashi drives Kazuya so wild that he's literally biting the sheets. *WHEW!* Yes, moments like these make me love this manga ever so much.
But, smut alone doesn't make this manga top notch. The storyline is great and it grabs your interest. You really care about the characters and root for them to have a happy ending. I'm looking forward to the spin-off manga, unfortunately not about these characters, "Maybe I'm Your Steppin Stone".
My only problem is that the link to digicomic.net is no longer operational, that is a let down once you read the Club Dandy section.
The younger seme (Ezumi Masashi) and older uke (Sakai Kazuya) is a concept I've recently gotten behind....that is thanks to this manga. Reading the reviews, you are well aware of the plotline, but the chemistry between the characters is most important to note. And let me tell you, there is CHEMISTRY!
The artwork is great, especially the details given to the eyes and lips. During those most intimate moments, it is most intense. I think everyone will let out a squeal during the tryst between Masashi and Kazuya when Masashi drives Kazuya so wild that he's literally biting the sheets. *WHEW!* Yes, moments like these make me love this manga ever so much.
But, smut alone doesn't make this manga top notch. The storyline is great and it grabs your interest. You really care about the characters and root for them to have a happy ending. I'm looking forward to the spin-off manga, unfortunately not about these characters, "Maybe I'm Your Steppin Stone".
My only problem is that the link to digicomic.net is no longer operational, that is a let down once you read the Club Dandy section.
Hot hot hot!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-16
Review Date: 2008-03-16
I love Shiuko Kano's books because she always manages to create engaging, sexy stories. "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" is no exception, and this time around she combines a romantic and fun plot with some of the hottest sex scenes I've seen in yaoi manga yet.
Do NOT hesitate to pick this book up! The characters are great, the artwork is stunning, the pages sizzle, guh...read it. Enjoy it. Then read it again.
Do NOT hesitate to pick this book up! The characters are great, the artwork is stunning, the pages sizzle, guh...read it. Enjoy it. Then read it again.
I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone by Shiuko Kano
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-18
Review Date: 2008-03-18
Sakai has a passion for well endowed women, really if you look at them they border on the fat type, but everyone has his taste... And when he falls in love for Izumi's sister, it's with his great regret that he is informed that the girl only dated well cultured men, and Sakai is a drop out from school who works as construction worker. But Izumi makes a bargaign with him: he will help Sakai to pass the test for college's admittance and Sakai in exchange will have sex with Izumi.
Even if Izumi has never had before a gay relationship, he is very willing to go on with the bargain: it's only sex, isn't it? But when he realizes that maybe he is more involved of what he thought, he chickens out and tries to break with Izumi. But Izumi is not willing to let go.
In comparison to other Shiuko Kano's manga I have read, this one is very explicit: it's like, since the relationship started as a pure sex thing, that the drawning needs to be more explicit and less romantic. And also the style is a pretty more "comic" and less "realistic". I like a lot Izumi's looks, and a little less Sakai's. Most of the time Sakai is too extreme, but sometime I can see an almost naivee's looks in him.
A manga very explicit which manages to be also funny and lighthearted.
Even if Izumi has never had before a gay relationship, he is very willing to go on with the bargain: it's only sex, isn't it? But when he realizes that maybe he is more involved of what he thought, he chickens out and tries to break with Izumi. But Izumi is not willing to let go.
In comparison to other Shiuko Kano's manga I have read, this one is very explicit: it's like, since the relationship started as a pure sex thing, that the drawning needs to be more explicit and less romantic. And also the style is a pretty more "comic" and less "realistic". I like a lot Izumi's looks, and a little less Sakai's. Most of the time Sakai is too extreme, but sometime I can see an almost naivee's looks in him.
A manga very explicit which manages to be also funny and lighthearted.
Very Hard Yaoi
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
Review Date: 2008-04-23
Kazuya wants to impress a girl by taking the high school entrance exam. So he turns to her younger brother Masashi to help tutor him. But Mashashi wants Kazuya for himself and demands sex as payment for the lessons!
When 801 Media announced they would publish hard yaoi, I was skeptical. I only consider it hard yaoi if the sex is graphically rendered (and cones of light had best not be anywhere in the book!). 801 has delivered exactly what they said they would. This manga is Hard yaoi with a capital H! There is hot sex right from the very beginning. I loved Ayano Yamane's Finder series, which was very graphic, but this takes explicit yaoi to a new level. The mangaka goes beyond simple intercourse and depicts sexual acts that I have only read in gay romance. These two even get it on in the bathroom at a movie theatre! Fortunately, the art is very well done. The people are proportioned correctly, there is shading and detail throughout and the men look like men. Everything a hard yaoi fan could want. So, why only 4 stars? The translation.
I had a difficult time in a lot of panels figuring out which man was saying what. There is a LOT of angst in the story, from both boys, and this lack of clear dialog was frustrating at times. The first "chapter" of the story, the boys have sex and it appears just casual on Kazuya's part. But, in the second chapter he is suddenly the reluctant uke, refusing intercourse. I wasn't sure at first if the second chapter was supposed to be a flashback. His resistance continues for another chapter or so before it becomes clear both boys are in love with one another. The story is a very good romance. Masashi is a seme who knows what he wants, but this is still his first relationship and "first time." This is Kazuya's first time with a man, and he already has self-confidence issues because of his lack of education. This naturally leads to tension and more hot sex. When Kazuya's motivations for taking the test are revealed, readers get a great conclusion to a sweet romance.
Overall, I highly recommend this yaoi. The translation by 801 leaves a little to be desired, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book. I will certainly look for more by the mangaka.
When 801 Media announced they would publish hard yaoi, I was skeptical. I only consider it hard yaoi if the sex is graphically rendered (and cones of light had best not be anywhere in the book!). 801 has delivered exactly what they said they would. This manga is Hard yaoi with a capital H! There is hot sex right from the very beginning. I loved Ayano Yamane's Finder series, which was very graphic, but this takes explicit yaoi to a new level. The mangaka goes beyond simple intercourse and depicts sexual acts that I have only read in gay romance. These two even get it on in the bathroom at a movie theatre! Fortunately, the art is very well done. The people are proportioned correctly, there is shading and detail throughout and the men look like men. Everything a hard yaoi fan could want. So, why only 4 stars? The translation.
I had a difficult time in a lot of panels figuring out which man was saying what. There is a LOT of angst in the story, from both boys, and this lack of clear dialog was frustrating at times. The first "chapter" of the story, the boys have sex and it appears just casual on Kazuya's part. But, in the second chapter he is suddenly the reluctant uke, refusing intercourse. I wasn't sure at first if the second chapter was supposed to be a flashback. His resistance continues for another chapter or so before it becomes clear both boys are in love with one another. The story is a very good romance. Masashi is a seme who knows what he wants, but this is still his first relationship and "first time." This is Kazuya's first time with a man, and he already has self-confidence issues because of his lack of education. This naturally leads to tension and more hot sex. When Kazuya's motivations for taking the test are revealed, readers get a great conclusion to a sweet romance.
Overall, I highly recommend this yaoi. The translation by 801 leaves a little to be desired, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book. I will certainly look for more by the mangaka.

Love Hina, Volume 6
Published in Comic by TokyoPop (2002-10-22)
List price: $9.99
New price: $4.97
Used price: $1.98
Used price: $1.98
Average review score: 

Christmas revelations
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-17
Review Date: 2007-06-17
Vol. 6 of Love Hina marks the return of Mutsumi, the girl Naru and Keitaro met on their travels during volume 3. As Mutsumi establishes herself in the Hinata household so she can work towards the Tokyo U exam, she and Keitaro start to grow closer. And by the cliffhanger end of volume 6, Naru discovers a revelation that could mean Mutsumi is Keitaro's long lost "promise girl."
For my money, this volume is the climax of the love triangle aspects of the Love Hina series. In fact, a similar scene was played as such in the anime, and it works just as effectively here despite this being the less-than halfway point of the series. Did Ken Akamatsu plan on finishing the series early at one point? Who knows, but while he does come up with several fresh and intriguing plot threads down the line, none match the emotional angst found here. Next to Naru, Mutsumi has always been the only other serious contender for Keitaro's affections. And with her habit of randomly kissing people, who knows what the next volume will bring?
An important volume of Love Hina. Don't miss it.
For my money, this volume is the climax of the love triangle aspects of the Love Hina series. In fact, a similar scene was played as such in the anime, and it works just as effectively here despite this being the less-than halfway point of the series. Did Ken Akamatsu plan on finishing the series early at one point? Who knows, but while he does come up with several fresh and intriguing plot threads down the line, none match the emotional angst found here. Next to Naru, Mutsumi has always been the only other serious contender for Keitaro's affections. And with her habit of randomly kissing people, who knows what the next volume will bring?
An important volume of Love Hina. Don't miss it.
Talk of true feelings in the nude
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-22
Review Date: 2004-10-22
This hilarious manga series continues. This time around, we learn who Keitaro's "mystery girl" is (maybe). If you enjoyed previous volumes of this series, you are sure to enjoy this one, too.
Love Hina Volume 6
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-08
Review Date: 2004-06-08
If you love manga, be ready to love it even more! Love Hina Volume 6 is packed with prrrrfect graphics, unique and funny characters and a storyline that ever keeps developing.
It has been one year since Keitaro Urashima (our bumbling but lovable hero) arrived in Hinata House, and what a year it's been! Keitaro still has his sights set on Tokyo University, and much to his liking aquires the beautiful Naru as his tutor- again. Still unable to pluck up the courage to tell her how he feels, he takes her out to the cinema. Things are really looking up for the Tokyo U couple until a certain someone shows up on the scene and gets Naru guessing about Keitaro's mystery promise girl... The volume ends in the very sandbox that the promise was made, and the ending certainly made me run and buy the next volume asap!!!
It has been one year since Keitaro Urashima (our bumbling but lovable hero) arrived in Hinata House, and what a year it's been! Keitaro still has his sights set on Tokyo University, and much to his liking aquires the beautiful Naru as his tutor- again. Still unable to pluck up the courage to tell her how he feels, he takes her out to the cinema. Things are really looking up for the Tokyo U couple until a certain someone shows up on the scene and gets Naru guessing about Keitaro's mystery promise girl... The volume ends in the very sandbox that the promise was made, and the ending certainly made me run and buy the next volume asap!!!
Excellent Manga
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-02
Review Date: 2004-02-02
This is one of my favorite manga series. I need to get more cause i only have sailor stars and this one. This is rated 16+ cuz its got some nude and some things that only older teens get. My top mangas are sailor moon, cardcaptor sakura, and Saint tail.
Love Hina Will Change Your Life
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-06
Review Date: 2006-05-06
I have no idea how or why I picked up this amazing book. But I like to think it was divine intervention.
Myself being a 17 year old high school student, felt like I had no real direction in life. I was dragging through the days, trying to get by as fast as I possibly could.
But this book... It showed me something.
Much like Keitaro, I lack any major skills and have a lot of doubt in myself. But unlike Keitaro, I wanted to give up, call it quits, try to get by. This amazing story showed me that there's always hope. Hope for new love, new friends, ... a whole new life!
All I can say is that this absolutley breath taking book changed my life for the better. I see now that I can't live my one life by just coating through high school. I have to live it to it's fullest facing all chalanges head one with each and last fiber of my being.
I understand now, and this book showed it all to me. The story, artwork, dialouge, all flawless.
Please, if you haven't read this book, manga, comic, whatever, yet.... Then go out and read it. If a loser like me can pull a 180 and change everything with just 14 volumes of bliss, then I imagine that you can gain even more from these amazing pages.
Myself being a 17 year old high school student, felt like I had no real direction in life. I was dragging through the days, trying to get by as fast as I possibly could.
But this book... It showed me something.
Much like Keitaro, I lack any major skills and have a lot of doubt in myself. But unlike Keitaro, I wanted to give up, call it quits, try to get by. This amazing story showed me that there's always hope. Hope for new love, new friends, ... a whole new life!
All I can say is that this absolutley breath taking book changed my life for the better. I see now that I can't live my one life by just coating through high school. I have to live it to it's fullest facing all chalanges head one with each and last fiber of my being.
I understand now, and this book showed it all to me. The story, artwork, dialouge, all flawless.
Please, if you haven't read this book, manga, comic, whatever, yet.... Then go out and read it. If a loser like me can pull a 180 and change everything with just 14 volumes of bliss, then I imagine that you can gain even more from these amazing pages.

Manga For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
Published in Paperback by For Dummies (2007-02-05)
List price: $19.99
New price: $0.44
Used price: $0.43
Used price: $0.43
Average review score: 

Becoming a GREAT manga artist!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-23
Review Date: 2008-02-23
You may not be the greatest manga artist, but you WILL have the confidence to start.
A great book for Manga lover beginners.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-27
Review Date: 2007-06-27
I bought this book for my 17-year old stepson who always loves manga. He is very excited to have this book that can teach him Manga from very basic stuff to the leve he can draw himself.
Ths shipping is very fast although I chose free-shipping for order 25$, it arrived in a week.
I love Amazon!
Ths shipping is very fast although I chose free-shipping for order 25$, it arrived in a week.
I love Amazon!
This book is great!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-23
Review Date: 2007-02-23
I'm learning all sorts of things I never knew about manga - the history, the drawing techniques, the characters, and even the storylines. Very impressive! I've never seen a manga drawing book this clear and informative. The simple, conversational writing is easy to follow and funny. It's organized well, so flipping through for pertinent information is a breeze. And, of course, the drawing is amazing. This is a must-read for anyone who loves manga and/or wants to draw it. I'm developing a new appreciation for this art.
A wonderful introduction to Manga
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-21
Review Date: 2007-02-21
I was, at best, ignorant in regards to manga and mediocre in regards to drawing. This book improved both these deficiencies with its friendly and informative text, and its clear and step-by-step drawings. I definitely recommend this book as an accessible introduction to the genre and art of manga.
Manga for Dummies
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-12
Review Date: 2007-02-12
I bought this book because of my interest in Manga art but, this book took me beyond drawing. The author, besides being a good artist, is a great teacher. This book is full of information and history. I got this book to learn to draw Manga type art but, I became drawn into the words of the author. You can sense his respect for it's history and his want for the reader to understand all there is to know about Manga. The book is very easy to follow and when (and if) you get to the "How to Draw" part of the book, it takes you through a very easy, step by step process.
I feel this book was a wonderful purchase on my part.
I feel this book was a wonderful purchase on my part.

Manga Mania Bishoujo (Manga Mania)
Published in Paperback by Watson-Guptill (2005-07-01)
List price: $19.95
New price: $9.96
Used price: $6.94
Used price: $6.94
Average review score: 

manga mania bishoujo
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-07
Review Date: 2008-01-07
This book came with another one that I ordered. It's another great book to have.
Nice
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-12
Review Date: 2007-05-12
Had good drawings of eyes, face, and etc. But is for more beginners than advanced drawers. It's kind of show steps you would take to get to the final product.
Another hit by Hart
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-04
Review Date: 2007-01-04
I must say, that looking at this cover is exactly what you will get throughout all of this book, well almost. Hart put his drawing in their as well, but it's not alot of it. Anyway, This book gives you examples of hair styles, facial expressions, clothes, and girl type. Although Hart's simple so called manga style is in some of the pages,the book is still very good. The contents of this book includes:
The details of the head
Character types
Bishoujo hair
The bishoujo body
Advanced poses
Bishoujo clothing
Drawing characters in costumes
Creating glamour
Creating chemistry (only very little images of this section.)
Magical girl effects. (Only a small portion of effects in this section)
This book is a good start to giving you the basic idea of giving your girl character a appealing standing pose, as well as attractive hair. I definitely recommend this book for those who are having a slight problem with giving their female characters sex appeal, and if this book isn't your cup of tea, then I would recommend "More how to draw manga Volume 1: The basics of character drawing." That is another great book. Other than that Hart picked some good artists' for this book, so it's definitely worth buying.
The details of the head
Character types
Bishoujo hair
The bishoujo body
Advanced poses
Bishoujo clothing
Drawing characters in costumes
Creating glamour
Creating chemistry (only very little images of this section.)
Magical girl effects. (Only a small portion of effects in this section)
This book is a good start to giving you the basic idea of giving your girl character a appealing standing pose, as well as attractive hair. I definitely recommend this book for those who are having a slight problem with giving their female characters sex appeal, and if this book isn't your cup of tea, then I would recommend "More how to draw manga Volume 1: The basics of character drawing." That is another great book. Other than that Hart picked some good artists' for this book, so it's definitely worth buying.
Great Book
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-09
Review Date: 2006-02-09
Manga Mania was actually not bad. Chris Hart's books are rather hit or miss for me, but this book was very comprehensive. It covers the female figure in great detail in Japanese style. The contributing artists were wonderful and did a good job of showing the female figure and face from various angles.
The sad thing about Chris Hart's books is that his own artistic style is so very poor. Frankly I could've done without his own illustrations, which is really too bad since he is the author.
I think the couples illustration at the end, and the drawings of the face from various angles were worth this book's price alone.
5 stars. A book I'll use again and again!
The sad thing about Chris Hart's books is that his own artistic style is so very poor. Frankly I could've done without his own illustrations, which is really too bad since he is the author.
I think the couples illustration at the end, and the drawings of the face from various angles were worth this book's price alone.
5 stars. A book I'll use again and again!
Great Book!
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-23
Review Date: 2006-03-23
This book is adorable. The art is stunning (That's because Christopher Hart only drew about 22 illustrations out of the whole book.)Christopher was never a good artist in the style of manga. I'm was never a fan of his art and still isn't.
But this book is great to have for refrence, most of the book is not for beginners, But it might be useful for them to buy it anyway. It does has some simple steps for them in drawing the heads.
It starts you off drawing beautiful eyes. Then the many lips and mouths and their expressions.
Then drawing the head in different poses.
And then it goes to teaching you how to draw the Cheat between the Pretty Girl (only two pages though.)
It shows you 9 pages on hair, when wind is blowing, between short, long, medium, and wild hair. The many curves of hair and style. Also "When you change a hair style, you change a character" page. It gives you 12 pages on body expressions and poses and Body Language.
3 pages on the poses of hands and (2 pages)
on feet (note all feet pictures except one, is wearing some kind of shoe.) It also tells you between a Stylish Figure and a Seductive Figure,a Cool Figure, and Warrior Figure(4 pages.)
It also have Advance Action Poses (11 pages.)
It also has Bishoujo Clothing from Primitive to Techno Soldier to School to Professional Uniforms to Magical and non-Human costumes (11 pages.) They have Drawing Characters in Costume
(17 pages)(the following is in order); Futuristic fighter and in medieval Futuristic Fighter, Fantasy Elf Princess and Rich Elf Princess, Traditonal in Country and Tropical, Athlete in Gymnast and Runner, Villian is Fantasy and Sci-fi, Scientist in Pretty and Beautiful, School Girls and their many uniforms.
Glamouring up a Character (9 pages) shows you how you can make a character more glamourous by changing the hair, outfit, or pose. But afterwards it's Creating Chemistry (7 pages).
And last but not least "Magical Girl Special Effects" (on the last 7 pages.) <--That might be very useful if you creating a Magical Bishoujo Manga.
I'll give it 5 stars cause it was a very good book and most of the illustraions were amazing. It was worth the money.
A Super Good Book for Kids. Cause it contains no nudy at all.
But I think that this book is better than Christopher Hart's Shoujo Book.
But this book is great to have for refrence, most of the book is not for beginners, But it might be useful for them to buy it anyway. It does has some simple steps for them in drawing the heads.
It starts you off drawing beautiful eyes. Then the many lips and mouths and their expressions.
Then drawing the head in different poses.
And then it goes to teaching you how to draw the Cheat between the Pretty Girl (only two pages though.)
It shows you 9 pages on hair, when wind is blowing, between short, long, medium, and wild hair. The many curves of hair and style. Also "When you change a hair style, you change a character" page. It gives you 12 pages on body expressions and poses and Body Language.
3 pages on the poses of hands and (2 pages)
on feet (note all feet pictures except one, is wearing some kind of shoe.) It also tells you between a Stylish Figure and a Seductive Figure,a Cool Figure, and Warrior Figure(4 pages.)
It also have Advance Action Poses (11 pages.)
It also has Bishoujo Clothing from Primitive to Techno Soldier to School to Professional Uniforms to Magical and non-Human costumes (11 pages.) They have Drawing Characters in Costume
(17 pages)(the following is in order); Futuristic fighter and in medieval Futuristic Fighter, Fantasy Elf Princess and Rich Elf Princess, Traditonal in Country and Tropical, Athlete in Gymnast and Runner, Villian is Fantasy and Sci-fi, Scientist in Pretty and Beautiful, School Girls and their many uniforms.
Glamouring up a Character (9 pages) shows you how you can make a character more glamourous by changing the hair, outfit, or pose. But afterwards it's Creating Chemistry (7 pages).
And last but not least "Magical Girl Special Effects" (on the last 7 pages.) <--That might be very useful if you creating a Magical Bishoujo Manga.
I'll give it 5 stars cause it was a very good book and most of the illustraions were amazing. It was worth the money.
A Super Good Book for Kids. Cause it contains no nudy at all.
But I think that this book is better than Christopher Hart's Shoujo Book.

Naoki Urasawa's Monster, Vol. 1
Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2006-02-21)
List price: $9.99
New price: $5.21
Used price: $5.13
Used price: $5.13
Average review score: 

Very Entertaining
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-20
Review Date: 2007-03-20
Great Art, Superb story, I got hooked from the begining; and I will sure
read em all.
read em all.
a brilliant thriller
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-04
Review Date: 2007-01-04
I'll keep this one short - you need to buy this to see how easy it is for a master to pull you in without even introducing characters or a plot! It's an incredible page-turner, even backwards and in black and white. Reader beware: there are only 4 or 5 volumes of the 18 or so available right now! If you start this you will be in for the long haul. If you get really addicted you can always torrent some fan subs of the extremely faithful anime production.
Maybe You Have to Be Older ...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-04
Review Date: 2006-05-04
I'm extremely fond of MONSTER (from the anime) ... but does it occur to NO ONE that it's really only a very clever paraphrase of THE FUGITIVE? (THE FUGITIVE was, in turn, a present-day gloss on LES MISERABLES, but at least series creator Roy Huggins admitted so right up front.) Maybe one has to be old enough to remember the 1960s TV series to make the connection, but it's not a casual one ...
Check it out: The main character [Dr. Tenma/Dr. Kimble] is framed for (a) murder(s) he did not commit by an enigmatic villain [the one-armed man/Johan] and suddenly finds himself a fugitive. He travels hither and yon in pursuit of the bad guy, with a relentless, obsessive cop [Inspector Morse/Detective Lunge] on his trail. Elements of conspiracy and cover up from the genres of cold war thriller and psychological suspense are blended in, to be sure, adding layers and variations -- but it is THE FUGITIVE all the same. And I'd be flabbergasted if Urasawa Naoki (the creator of the source manga) didn't use the series or the Harrison Ford movie as conscious inspiration.
Check it out: The main character [Dr. Tenma/Dr. Kimble] is framed for (a) murder(s) he did not commit by an enigmatic villain [the one-armed man/Johan] and suddenly finds himself a fugitive. He travels hither and yon in pursuit of the bad guy, with a relentless, obsessive cop [Inspector Morse/Detective Lunge] on his trail. Elements of conspiracy and cover up from the genres of cold war thriller and psychological suspense are blended in, to be sure, adding layers and variations -- but it is THE FUGITIVE all the same. And I'd be flabbergasted if Urasawa Naoki (the creator of the source manga) didn't use the series or the Harrison Ford movie as conscious inspiration.
Monster
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-28
Review Date: 2006-12-28
Unbelievable! You will be engrossed in the world created by Naoki Urasawa. The story is superb and the character development couldn't be more detailed. The pychoanalysis of each player is unmatched in other manga. You can't get better than this. The content is intelligent and accurate. The author did his homework on psychology, neurology, surgical procedures and the history of Germany around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's impressive. Not much on Japanese culture but that's also interesting. You have a Japanese protagonist and you have German culture. Morality and how far you can push someone until they loose their humanity is explored. The antagonist is facinating. In some novels he doesn't even make an appearance yet you feel his presence throght the elaborate descriptions of his character from the mouth of others. Nicely done. The action is non-stop, especially in volume four. The violence is very real and it will get to you. But you won't loose hope because the main character is so amazing.
EXCELLENT
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-10
Review Date: 2006-07-10
I've read both volume 1 and 2 of Urasawa's Monster and find it excellent. Even if you are not a fan of manga, and you find a little odd reading "backwards", these books worth it.
Urasawa's art is (and is not, at the same time) the typical japanese manga art. Is good, clear and well paced. The story is interesting, intriguing and, even if you have the main elements of the story known from almost the beginning of volume 2, your "need" to go on and read the story, and to see how it develops until the end (and what will be the end) is great. An the "need" turns on to be more important while you turn the pages.
I don't know exactly how many volumes it will take to get to the end, but you can count on me to faithfully be there to read it. And I think if you give it a try you will surely be there too.
Urasawa's art is (and is not, at the same time) the typical japanese manga art. Is good, clear and well paced. The story is interesting, intriguing and, even if you have the main elements of the story known from almost the beginning of volume 2, your "need" to go on and read the story, and to see how it develops until the end (and what will be the end) is great. An the "need" turns on to be more important while you turn the pages.
I don't know exactly how many volumes it will take to get to the end, but you can count on me to faithfully be there to read it. And I think if you give it a try you will surely be there too.
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