Manga Books

Valentine's Day is a special day where a female is expected to give a male of her liking some dark chocolate. This is meant as a gift of love the male is obligated to consider the female as a possible girlfriend. One month later is White Day where a male gives a female White Chocolate with the same obligations. This selection of the XXXHolic series shows the love or lack of love is affecting the characters. And there is this female hand rising from a grave that people can't seem to figure out. On to the next book! I learned about XXXHOlic from the Amazon Vine program and the pressure of having to buy Manga for my classroom. I like XXXHolic very much.

I really loved this book and i suggest it to any otaku who really has been considering starting the series.

If you love XXXholic, #4 won't disappoint! The hilarious bickering continues between Watanuki and Domeki (or as Watanuki-kun refers to him, "Mr. Zero Expression Face"), as Watanuki seeks to show his true feelings to Himawari-chan by exchanging chocolate with her on Valentine's Day and White Day (it's a Japanese thing). Meanwhile, Yuko-san shows Watanuki how "words are bonds that only humans can use." Neat!

Bottom line: if you've enjoyed the first three volumes of XXXholic, you'll love this one too. If you haven't yet read XXXholic...what are you waiting for? It has beautiful art, terrific characters and dialogue, a goth sensibility and philosophic introspection galore. What else is there in life?

Another great volume of Yotsuba is upon us, this time readers are able to see Yotsuba and friends going on a trip, preparing meals, relationships, and writing a newspaper. Each story is filled with many humorous moments and as I stated with almost all of my reviews for Yotsuba, it does not get repetitive or tiresome. My favorite story is when Fuka gets her heartbroken and is feeling depressed, while Yotsuba is trying to console her (a 4 year old trying to console a 16 year old is just mind boggling).

Anyway, I am glad that ADV decided to continue releasing the series (I think if this series was discontinued it would be bad business for ADV and for the readers, pretty much it's bad for everyone). Do yourself a favor and pick this volume up if your a fan of the series or simply want something fun to read.

This is one of those mangas that will keep you coming back for more. Instead of robot girls or demonspawn, this is just a delightful look at the world through the eyes of a six year old girl who gives the word "naive" a whole new meaning. Yotsuba continues to work so well in this volume because nothing changes, and as you read you find yourself chuckling at how her persception can be validated more than those thought to be mature around her. She is cute and witty, but her unawareness is what keeps you reading on. Overall, this is the best manga I have ever read and it will keep me reading because I can share it with anyone and get a chuckle or two out of them.

As summer vacation winds down, Fuka, the neighbor next door, makes a big mistake by telling Yotsuba about a heartbreak she is experiencing with a guy she likes. She tells Yotsuba to keep it a secret but I don't think Yotsuba even knows what a secret is. The kid is just totally mind blowing in the wind truthful and proceeds to tell everyone in both households, even publishing a self-made newspaper with a single headline "Fuka Knows Heartbreak"! Fuka isn't the only one going through hard times. Miura laments that her entire summer is going to be uneventful so she's not going to have any good memories. Jumbo takes it upon himself to give the girl a good time by taking her, Ena, and Yotsuba on a fishing trip. Yotsuba also takes on the looming crisis of global warming by herself and also decides to advance the seasons with fairy magic!

After almost a two year hiatus, ADV manga has finally put out the fourth volume of Yotsuba&! Will miracles never cease? Don't worry if its been a while since you read Volume 3 since Yotsuba doesn't really have a plot per se anyway. Instead it merely chronicles Yotsuba's perceptions of the world, her encounters with the people around her, and the situations she finds herself in during a normal day. Because she is so clueless, things we take for granted are a major intellectual effort for her to grasp, which makes for most of the manga's humor. If you don't find such jokes very funny, you probably won't like this book. I think ADV's publishing of this volume almost two years after the last one a shameful disgrace. If this hadn't been one of my favorite titles, I wouldn't have picked it up simply out of protest. I still haven't picked up the fourth volume of Gunslinger Girl, a title that was similarly placed in oblivion by ADV. Hopefully, this very funny and warm-hearted series will be completed without any further interruptions by a incompetent company.

Beautiful artwork, a seme that reminds me of the best of Naona Boura's work!
The story's feel is a calmer, more adult romance. Of silent misunderstandings and taking the time to work out emotions. Our seme, the lawyer Kitahara is absolutely adorable in his emotional chibi form, while very often it's Kuze, the law secretary and uke that is seriously, and aggressively pursuing this love.
I loved this one and am already waiting in line for vol 2!!!

This is another great Yaoi from DramaQueen. This mangaka's artwork is clean lined, the facial expressions vividly alive. Such expressive eyes!

2 stories here. The titled story is excellent, the characters likable. Maybe Kitahara's (seme) love for Kuze (uke) could have been better explored. After all Kitahara is the much older and supposedly more worldly-wise guy (the mangaka's reference to geezer here is quite funny), was married once, has never shown any inkling that he goes for guys and never made love to one. On the other hand, Kuze is an acknowledged gay, with past experience with other guys. But this is Yaoi and it is heartening to have Kuze's deeply harboured love for Kitahara finally reciprocated. The scenes leading to Kitahara's declaration of love are heartwarming and sprinkled with comical moments. The development of their relationship from there onwards is humorous yet warm and tender.

The sex is tastefully done too and here the mangaka does an excellent job building up the emotions.

The second story is the usual student and teacher relationship but this mangaka's humorous style lift the story up a few notches, providing us with another entertaining read.

I like this mangaka's style, her dialogue light toned yet effectively emotional. And the small panels of caricatures just add to the enjoyment of her stories.

Well done DramaQueen. Looking forward to the continuation of Kuze's and Kitahara-sensei's story.

I'm impressed with the story and the clean lines of each panel in this graphic novel. Looking foward to the next installment of this story.

How could this be the last book in one of the most wonderful series ever?? I kinda knew how it would end, but I had no idea that Sirius was actually Lili's mother,Kaoruko Hoshizawa! Talk about the element of surprise! It's a perfect ending to a must-have manga!

I can't believe this series has ended! With a little bit of mystery, humor, and love, the Zodiac P.I. series has put a smile on my face! No. 4 is my favorite book, with my zodiac sign in it! Natsumi Ando shows her genius in each book in the Zodiac P.I. series! Lili was the perfect main character, and this was the perfect manga series!

Go Zodiac!! the last book... so sad. I totally recommend this to anyone who likes a little romance and mystery!!!

I really like this series.I was hoping this one came out before Bleach at least here in the US.THis was Tite Kubo's earler work before Bleach.I like the character design, the plot , the characters are very intersting and comedy is not bad at all- about the same as Bleach.
Hope they make this into an anime.

If you like comedy, humor, horror, and action then this title is for you!

In the first volume of Zombie Powder we learned of the 12 Rings of the Dead, the legendary source of zombie powder which can return life to the dead as well as give immortality to the living. Those who seek the rings are called Powder Hunters. Once such Hunter is Gamma Akutabi, a powerful martial artist with a black metal arm that is a terrifying weapon. Gamma is joined is quest for the rings by his partner, the gun-toting Mr. Smith, and the young boy Elwood. After defeating a group of bandits, Gamma has acquired the one of the twelve rings. We get our first hint at just how powerful these rings are when Gamma puts it on...the rings are literally alive and can suck the life essence right out of the wearer if one is not careful with its use.

The trio move on to another town where a ring is supposed to be hidden. Gamma soon finds himself in a battle with a group of thugs who are chasing down a crusading reporter named Wolfina who has been exposing their crimes. Gamma soon sees she can take care of herself, but has not problem assisting the very well-endowed Wolfina. Wolfina thinks the rings are nothing but myths and admits there is a rumor the local hospital is rumored to hide a ring. This is bolstered by the appearance of another powder hunter, the sinister magician/mass murderer, Baragne Balmunk!

Zombie Powder is an action/fantasy set in modern times that mixes in fantastically outrageous characters with lots of humor and outstanding art. Creator/Artist Tite Kubo's art is very crisp and clean and the action is very easy to follow. The characters really make the book. While Gamma is focused on finding the rings, he cannot help but play hero to everyone who needs his aid. Wolfina makes for a beautiful, sexy, and funny foil for Gamma.

This Manga from the creator of the hit Manga Bleach truly has it all!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I LOVE THIS SERIES. It's filled with heart and emotion and coupled with great artwork. The feeling of vastness and numbness in exploring the endless realm of space oozes from these stories. One begins to realize how small we are in the grand scale of the galaxy. The stories in this volume continue the linear storytelling of mankind's advancements into space exploration, so read Volume 1 first! Great great stuff. I'm surprised this doesn't make it on the top 10 essential graphic novels of all time. I mean, I love Alan Moore and all, but he's not the end all, be all to great comic storytelling - sheesh! Try Yukinobu Hoshino's masterpiece, you'll not be disappointed!

Graphic novels are usually overlooked or thought of as the big brother of comic books, but some of them, stand out as surpassing what can be done in either text or art alone.

The 2001 Nights series is one of them.

Imagine the various yet interconnected Arabian Nights tales mixed with a bittersweet realistic hard sci-fi reality. 2001 Nights uses the anime drawing style to deliver stories of mankind's first steps into space.

Each story is set years apart, at the next logical step in the possible evolution of spacetravel. Some are fairly far-fetched (the Devil Planet, about a world made of anti-matter) while others seem sad and poingant (I am Rocket, where a robot probe is given artificial intellegence and sent out to a neighboring star never to find out that it has become obsolete).

But all of these form a wonderful weaving pattern that should be enjoyed by anyone who likes well written stories.

I love it. It couldn't get better than this. 9 different 'faces' about love, each different in time, location, and form of love. Amazing artwork, it blew me away. I had literally cried in some parts, each love or hurt was so distinct, it brought raw emotions out. Recommend it to everyone. Possibly the best in the series.

Buy this book. This is book 3 of the ongoing series. This series is one of the best out there and shouldn't be missed.

This book is really good and I highly recommend it. The story is more interesting than the other 2 books making me want to re-read it over and over. Overall a great read and worth the buy.

Wow! This has to be the best of Kawai's books thus far. I can't stop reading it! It's amusing how Hamtaro is so hopelessly in love with his owner throughout the book. It's not based on the Hamtaro we know from the TV show, but this book is so much better than any one episode from that series. I'm not sure you can say this book is just for kids either. And if you got either of the previous two hamtaro books, and found them to be somewhat of a bore, you'll find this book to be much more enthralling, especially if you're an older reader like me. ^_^

This series is so addicting! Just when I think the next volume can't be more complex and shocking I'm proven wrong. I love it!

I just finished reading this volume and I am totally hooked. I cannot wait till I get the next volume, which will be in January. After School Nightmare is an excellent title and I would always rate it 5+, no doubt about that and we have go! comi to thank for bringing such excellent titles to the U.S.
In this volume, Mashiro is still struggling with his sexuality and feelings but you will get to see him getting intimate with Kureha. I do feel bad for Sou but I truly believe that he is the one Mashiro really wants and not Kureha. I am not sure what will happen in the next volume but I hope things will heat up between Sou and Mashiro.

Thanks again, go! comi.

All I can say about this is... it's about time. I first saw Ai no Kusabi a few years ago in the anime version and absolutely loved it. The graphic novel is equally as good. What I like about it is the untold part of the story the anime never really touched on. It adds more to the story itself and gives more depth to the characters. I currently am waiting for the rest of this series to come out so I can own all of them. It's a must read!

I liked the first novel and loved the second. I found the second easier to read and understand but still very compelling. Will definately read it again. I have placed an order for the 3rd book with Amazon and this book series looks to have won a place in my collection.

Ai no Kusabi Volume 2 concludes with more questions than answers. The questions about what led Riki, the leader of Bison, from the slums and into the grasp of the Blondy, Iason Mink, are the focal point of the volume, but as a result even more questions are raised.

The biggest question would have to be the details of Riki's time at Guardian and what happened to him and his "friends" there. Dark allusions to their unfortunate fate are made, but the details about some "incident" that keeps being mentioned are still elusive.

Also is the question about the black maket courier boss Katze's true intentions, though to pose that question might be too much of a spoiler for those who have not yet experienced the volume. Suffice to say, his own slum roots and connections to the driving plot of this volume are curious and more than a little ominous.

I do have to pose an issue, aside from questions, about the nature of Riki's relationship with Guy. It is still unclear how they met, and while it keeps being restated that they are "pairing partners" and trust and devote themselves to one another, anything but that is being shoved in our faces in this volume. Riki continues to drift further and further away from Guy and Guy's lack of presense this time around only leaves us wondering what is going through his head during all of this.

And in case any of that was confusing, volume 2 of Ai no Kusabi takes place entirely in flashback to the time before Riki and Iason Mink ever met by chance on the streets of Midas. As the restless 15 year old leader of Bison, Riki keeps searching for something elusive with almost obsessed fervor. Caught by Iason trying to pick-pocket a tourist, and subesequently let go on a whim, Riki, refusing to allow his pride to be indebted to anyone, forces an encounter with Iason that will forever affect both of their futures.

Iason is cold and calculating, but already by the end of the book we can see his own growing obsession with Riki. It's clear that not only is their chance meeting destined to pull them closer together, but also that this closeness will ultimately result in tragedy for both of them.

If you're looking for romantic bits, you're going to be disappointed, but there are a few graphic scenes in this volume: one frustrating and humiliating incident with Iason and a scene tarnished by that one with Guy (one of Guy's few appearances in the volume).

Again in this volume, as in volume 1, the translation is fantastic. But also again, as in volume 1, the entire book needs a good lookover by a proofreader. The language is so smooth and articulate that seeing simple typographical errors was incredibly irritating and off-putting. The illustrations this time around, with the exception of one image of Iason towards the end that was two pages ahead of where it should have been, actually hit in the right places for the moments they depicted. I'm glad DMP mostly took care of that problem from volume 1 and I hope they continue to pay attention to that detail in the future.

If you're looking through this review, having already read volume 1, knowing where this story is headed and still interested in continuing, the book is worth the read, I assure you. If you're looking through this review considering whether or not to start reading the series all together, I say, yes, please do, but go back and start with volume 1. The story is deep, tragic and so wide-scoping that missing all of the detail contained at the beginning will make it harder to appreciate coming this far.