Manga Books

I have had tons of pets. But none as demanding as cats. Now that I think about it cats are good training for dating, but I'm getting off track. Sumire Iwaya finds Momo, a homeless guy in a box, and takes him in. But in order for him to stay with her and eat her food he has to be her pet. Which is why he has a female dog's name. Now that seems simple, till her old flame shows up and wants to link up with her again. What if he wants to come over? What if he wants to have dinner with her? What if he wants to have sex with her? Things may get complex. I plan to keep an eye on this manga series.

I really can't add much to the detailed reviews already listed, so I'm just here to add more stars to this under publicized manga. I own volumes 1-13, and am eagerly awaiting the final volume- too bad they take four months in between each volume. This manga is intelligent and funny, with great romantic moments. And it is refreshing that all the main characters have well developed personalities, and are talented (as opposed to the stupid-but-sweet girl with smart guy dynamic you sometimes see playing out in shoujo manga.. eh..). This is definitely manga for an older teen or adults. Don't be turned off by the questionable title- you'll be missing out on a great story (in Japanese (Kimi wa Petto), the title literally means "You're My Pet" but I guess Tokyopop didn't find that catchy enough). Highly recommended.

Sumire Iwaya is a tall, workaholic, head-strong woman with a commanding personality. She has a smoking problem, tends to get drunk on wine, and dates men who are at her height or taller. In the first two pages of the manga, her personality and several of her habits are revealed, as well as her punching her now ex-boyfriend for cheating on her in the office. As she frustratingly tries to deal with her loss, she kicks a box lying at her doorstep and looks down in horror when she sees a body inside.

Enter Momo...or that's what Sumire decided to call her 'pet'. With a bouncy, energetic attitude, Momo, named after a real dog Sumire had a long time ago, allows Sumire's comfort as she washes him, feeds him, pets him and talks to him about her deepest feelings. Momo, in return, opens up to Sumire that he takes ballet classes and hopes to make a career in what he does. Like Sumire, he also has a tragic past, but he's a lot more quiet about it. Sumire aso has to hide Momo as her human pet from everyone in her office (they all think he's a cat!), especially her new love interest, a sexy man named Senpai Hasumi. While she struggles to let go of her feelings for Hasumi, she also can't seem to let go of Momo as well, being the one major conflict in the volumes to come.

The good thing about the first volume is that although it tends to rush into things quite too fast (Kissing Momo already?), it keeps you reading to find out if Sumire will have one of her bitchy moments, seeing more of Momo's hilarious antics, and to see the slowly developing relationship between Sumire and Hasumi. The humor is spot-on, with Momo taking the role of a dog a bit too seriously as he shakes himself dry after a bath, or curling up on the couch the same way a dog would do.

It's a romantic comedy that can be pretty humorous and some parts had me laughing outright. You can feel for Sumire and her struggles between a man she loves, and the 'pet' she took in. And her love for Momo shows, especially when Momo takes off for ballet 'unannounced', leaving Sumire in a nervous breakdown of guilt and indepression. To anyone who likes romance that isn't afraid to take itself to some funny levels, this manga is for you. Good stuff.

I've read a lot of manga in my time, and this is, by far, one of the best. Tramps Like Us is an off-beat romantic story about a young(ish) professional woman who takes in a 17-year-old boy as a pet. What I really like about this manga is that it doesn't fit into the classic romantic comedy manga format. Speaking about the series in general (not just Volume 1), Sumire does have a boyfriend, an ex that she arguably hasn't gotten over, and issues with her family. But what makes the story (in Volume 1) is when she takes in an injured boy as a pet, naming him "Momo" after her dog that died when she was a child. This causes trouble as Momo seems to have some deeper feelings for Sumire, and suspicion arises when Sumire won't bring her boyfriend over to her house because of her "dog". She eventually has to learn to divide her time between the two, all while keeping her boyfriend from knowing that she's keeping a boy as a pet.

The manga is also very well written and well drawn. I saw the TV series, "Kimi Wa Pet" that was based on the manga, and it was good but it didn't seem to measure up to this manga. I like Yayoi Ogawa's style and use of facial expressions. Also the end and beginning of chapter artwork is always really cute. :) If you love manga, are just getting into it, or want to try it, I highly recommend this series. Even reading through just the first novel gets you hooked. It's sweet, addictive and original...you'll love it!

The title Tramps Like Us could refer to the fact that the main character, Sumire - a girl in her late twenties, offers to take in a homeless young man for a night as a gesture of goodwill ... but I prefer to think it refers to the characters's quest to find their place in the world. All the characters in this series are "homeless" as they are looking for their place to belong, whether it be at work or in a relationship.

Normally in stories featuring a twenty-something girl, like Bridget Jones, the main character deals with problems such as looking slim and trying to cope with work. However Yayoi bravely gives us a main character who is so attractive she resembles a model, is highly educated, and, apart from a few hiccups, has a successful career. Yayoi shows us the inner thoughts of this "perfect" woman, who is actually very insecure and lonely. She has to cope with her workmates misinterpreting her shyness with being an a cold hearted [...]. Women dislike her because she is so goodlooking, while men feel threatened by her high education, tallness, and career success. After being dumped by her boyfriend, when he makes his secret girl-friend pregnant, she makes a vow never to date anyone who is shorter than her, makes less money, or is not as qualified as she is.

One night she finds a young man living homeless outside her house. After letting him stay one night and, in a bid to make him leave and as a joke, she offers him the chance to live in her flat as long as he agrees to be her "pet." And to her surprise, he agrees! Sumire names him Momo, the same name as her childhood dog, and treats him exactly as she would a dog. She gives him a home, feeds him, and tells him her problems. As she does not think of him as a "man" she is completely at ease to be herself and does not feel the need to pretend to be "perfect" as she does with the men she dates. However, because she thinks of him as a pet, she does not think of the possibility of a relationship with him. Before she realises it, he becomes her confident and her emotional support. Problems arise when she meets up with her first boyfriend/crush, the goodlooking, successful, and really nice guy Hasumi. Her relationship with him in college ended prematurely in college and they both see this as a second chance. However she cannot admit to Hasumi that she keeps a young man as a pet.

Yayoi gives us three dimensional, very human characters. Both Hasumi and Momo, while being completely different in looks and personality, are both sweet, attractive and considerate. Sumire is also very likeable. She is only truly comfortable in jogging bottoms, smoking, playing playstation games, or watching trashy tv. These are her secret vices that only her best-friend and Momo can see. It is a welcome change to read a romance with older characters, from the normal high school stories, and Yayoi delivers honest believable three dimensional characters, attractive art, and a very addictive romantic (and often funny) storyline.

The story is about finding companionship, about how the prospect of love can be so close to you that you miss it, about the difficulties a successful career woman has in a male dominated work environment, about how women are faced with the prospect of choosing between marriage and work, and about finding your place in the world. A place where you can be truly free to be yourself, comfortable in the knowledge that you are loved for your faults as well as your successes.

The Art of Howl's Moving Castle is a large, hardback book, and is chock full of information and pictures from the amazing movie by Hayao Miyazaki.

This book begins with hundreds of concept sketches by Miyazaki, containing location scenes and characters with notes. The concept sketches go in order of appearance from the movie, so the concept sketches for Sophie come at the beginning, for example, while the concept sketches for Human Turnip show up near the end. There are thousands of gorgeous location scenes as well plus short bios on some of the creators of the movie and a few articles that discuss the creaters' experiences working on the film. Also, at the very end is the complete final screenplay to read through. The screenplay has a few minor changes in it from where the English actors improvised a little (especially Billy Crystal), but otherwise, is exactly from the movie.

Being a student of film and the arts, I found this book extremely helpful and interesting, because it showed the creative process of a huge movie. I would definitely recommend it to any film or arts students to browse through if they wan to get an idea of what kind of work it takes to create such a monumental film!

The only qualm I have with this book is that there were hundreds of screenshots. Not that that's bad, especially if you want to buy this book to revisit the movie, but I would like to have seen a few more sketches and whatnot, or at least a few more articles on how the particular scenes with the screenshots were made.

That aside, I fell in love with this book and was enchanted from front cover to back cover.

This book opens a world of anime art like none other. Primary characters & secondary characters are carefully drawn out and walk through a world & story created for them. As a professional artist, I found great interest in the prelimiary drawings straight through the setting concepts. This is also a great book for fans of the movie. If you loved the movie, you will love this book.

I totally enjoyed the layout and discussion in this book. I have been a Miyazaki fan ever since, "My Neighbor Totoro" which I saw when I lived in Japan. If you relish animation and all the details of this art form, you'll like the format and attention this book gives.

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If you loved the movie, you will love this book, The Art of Howl's Moving Castle it's hard cover, with original sketches, storyboards and the final screenplay!

The book explains every step of the complex story, from the original book adaptation to the final movie. Also have quotes and articles from creators of each process (designers, art directors, supervising animators, etc.) It's like seeing the movie scene by scene with artist commentaries.

Being a great Miyazaki fan I really love this book. Even though majority of the books is filled with movie stills, I love it. I revisit those pictures in the books and get myself lost in the beauty of colors. Also being a student of animation, I really get to learn a lot of things. Character concepts and other drawings are really helpful. I highly recommend this book for anybody who likes stories, animation and colors.

This product showed up speedily and in very good condition. I am very happy with it.

I'm a big fan for Fruits Basket, the anime, but I started to read the Manga out of curiosity to continue the story and I have to admit that the Manga never failed to amazes me. This volume is so great. We see the relationship between Tohru & the others grows during the summer break, Tohru in her swimsuit, Yuki kissing her and Kyo's care and hidden love for her. It is so much fun to read.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

the best anime i ever had try it you will never regret (:

This book and all the others totaly rock! I don't know what I would do without them!

Tears Of An Angel shows another side of Alita that you don't get to see in the first graphic novel. The cyborg "Battle Angel" is in love. However, the person she's in love with lives a dangerous life. The ending may or may not suprise you. It's basically a sad love story. Tears Of An Angel is a great and I hope you enjoy it.

the love story in this book is beautiful, it's wonderful, and i luv it because of this. it's sad, rythmatic, and stays this way through the entire book. it DOES end a little suddenly, tho, but don't they all?

In this second poignant volume of Battle Angel Alita, Alita falls in love with a young street urchin named Hugo. Hugo's dream is to make enough money to move to Tiphares, the mid-air city where all your dreams can come true. Unknown to Alita, Hugo is making his money by assaulting and stealing body parts from cyborgs, a crime punishable by death. A character from the first volume, Zapan, who was humiliated by Alita, finds out about Alita's feelings for Hugo and begins to conspire a plot that will destroy Alita's heart. Will Alita's next bounty be Hugo?

This manga was fantastic. While I compared Battle Angel Alita to Ghost in the Shell in my review of the first volume, there really isn't a comparison. Alita operates in a more savage world, where laws don't function unless bounty hunters enforce them. It is a place where your fellow man will let you die on the street without lifting a finger. It's such a horrible world that Alita's love stands out in even starker contrast to the evil that surrounds her. Yes, there are scenes of "ultra-violence" but what makes that different from our world? The thing I like about Alita is that there are horrible scenes of graphic violence but there are also scenes of philosophic thought and tenderness. Just like real life. Horrible beauty.

If "Battle Angel Alita" merely introduced us to the amazing cyber world of Yukito Kishiro, then "Battle Angel Alita: Tears of an Angel" builds upon that world and, more than likely, sets in motion the plot.

After her victory over the all-powerful "King of the Maggots" in the first manga volume, Alita now faces her toughest challenge yet: love. Yes, love. While that phrase usually sounds cliched, it applies perfectly in this second manga volume. Alita has it tough to begin with, but when things start to spiral down even further, she must make a choice that could end up destroying her.

Like before, the artwork is beautiful and very detailed. And, like before, "Tears of an Angel" is riddled with violence and blood and gore that sticks it in the section of mature readers who have very strong stomahchs. The story is a superb, miniature masterpiece, and it undoubtedly adds to the internal conflict of Alita trying to find her identity.

This second volume is also featured in the "Gunnm" two episode OVA anime series ("Gunnm" is the original name of the "Battle Angel Alita" series.) Like before, I advise you to read the manga before watching the series, as comparisons will most likely decrease the enjoyment of the manga. But with that said, enjoy "Tears of an Angel". Along with the first volume, the second volume is a superb triumph.

As is true of almost any tale of cyborgs the question of the difference between mechanical consciousness and mechanized humanity is one of the driving forces behind the Battle Angel Alita series. At what point does a combination or brain, spinal column and hardware gain or lose its human nature. In this second stanza in the series, Alita, who was brought back to life in the first volume, re-finds her capacity for love when she meets Hugo, a human boy. Hugo's goal is to make his way from the traps of the Scrapheap to the upper city of Tiphares.

Hugo and Alita seem made for each other, despite the gulf of artificiality that separates them. But Hugo, despite being a complete human is willing to steal the spines out of their original possessors if it brings him closer to the day he can go to Tiphares. This gruesome sideline, and the ghouls he works for gradually eat away at his own humanity until it is clear that he and Alita are really going in opposite directions. Alita will discover her spirit as Hugo gradually loses his soul.

In the meantime, we get a close introduction to the grim nature of life below the city in the sky. Hunter Killers take heads for bounty, people feed on scraps while anything good is sent to Tiphares, and black market ops farm the neighbors for profit. For such as Hugo and Alita there is really no escape, only a dark struggle that can only lead to insanity and death if the dreamer refuses to waken.

Balancing what is almost a post-apocalyptic vision, is Yukito Kishiro's wonderful artwork. He has the same eye for detail that made 'Ghost in the Shell' such a compelling spectacle. The cover art made me wish, for the second time that this series had made it as a feature film or OAV series. If you have been feeling drawn deeper into the world of manga, Alita is a great introduction to Japanese science fiction.

This product showed up speedily and in very good condition. I am very happy with it.

This epidsode will make you want to continue on to the next issues. Its fun, its sad, and it's entertaining.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

This volume was definately one of the best so far. It was so good, it surprised me! No part of this volume is boring. I loved the parts with Kureno (he's one of my favorite characters), and the class trip was the best! This volume raises LOTS of questions, those of which you'll have to find out for yourself. But trust me, this volume is so worthy of the $10 you'll have to spend, that I'll read it again after just reading it yesterday! Take my advice, you will love this volume. Fruits Basket really does put all else to shame!

I absolutly love this series. While at first it may seen strange you just can't help falling in love with the characters (<3 kyo) and their whole story. Before you know it you end up rooting along with the characters on their journies. While they are aimed at a teenage audience my mom aunt and 12 year old brother even enjoy them! This series was the first Manga I had ever read and its what actually got me started on reading manga and enjoying it. I Absolutly cannot wait until the 14th book comes out...
I highly recommend this series to everyone of all ages.

This volume is exceptional, just like all the other ones. A lot of mysteries are solved in this book but some other mysteries pop up too. I suggest you buy this book... you won't regret it.

this is a great kids book! very romantic and alot of koge donbo cuteness! I luv it! although, isnt it weird how karin doesnt realize kirika is evil? maybe she doesnt realize because shes failing school!
still the cutest manga ever!

I really love Kamichama Karin. I've collected the whole set. I kind of recommend older mature kids to read it, like from 12+. Let's just say that volumes 3 and 6 are kind of, ahem, ODD. I shall not tell you what oddness it is, as I do not want to be a spoiler. But overall, Kamichama Karin is a super funny story!!

OK, I love this series! Spoilers ahead! This book introduces the weirdest character in any manga I've EVER read: Micchi hate 'im. He introduces him self to the class, and on the way to his seat, hears Karin's name, gives her a kiss on the cheek. He's apparently heard of her before. Then, he hears Kazune's name and gives him a kiss on the lips (a random girl: must..e-mail..everyone!). He then starts flirting with Karin relentlessly, despite the fact that she hates it. Once, he grabs her, despite her protests, and gives Kazune a mysterious look, along the lines of "hey, look, I can hug her. Ha,ha." Could Kazune like Karin? The book ends with him pinning down Kazune, saying that he owes him a favor. Hmm... I love the romantic tension and fights!! ;P

As far as the plot goes, Kamichama Karin is a rather generic 'magical girl' story- an ordinary girl suddenly gains magic powers (wowie zowie!) and is forced to fight evil. Sound familiar?
All the characters seem, at first glance at least, to be nothing more than flat archetypes. There's the kind, sweet, motherly girl; the mean, rude, expert fighter guy; the nauseatingly 'normal' girl (the main character, of course); the dashing, polite, gorgeous male love interest; the wisecracking cute mascot. Yes, they're all here.
Not helping matters is the incredibly poor dialogue. For some reason, the translators felt obliged to pump it full of incredibly irritating slang at bizarre moments. This is especially strange-sounding when you realise that half the cast consists of wealthy kids who probably would have been brought up to be extremely polite.
However, even with all of its faults, Kamichama Karin is quite entertaining. It is genuinely funny at times (although the later volumes seem to be less so), and there really are some really heartwarming bits. And it's cute. Good grief, is it cute. I practically had a heart attack while reading the extra chapter in volume 3. Kamichama Karin was drawn by cuteness expert Koge-Donbo (of Di Gi Charat fame), and it shows.
In short, the plot is only okay, while there is some humour and general 'warm fuzzy feeling'-ness. And it's very, very, very cute.

I have to say, volume 5 has the best story and action. Alita finally faces up to Zapan, and the action grows and grows until the entire scrapyard is at risk from Zapan's new Berserker Body (once Alita's).

Very gruesome and deranged as well; Zapan carries his girlfriend's head in a glass container, the girlfriend he killed after remembering Alita, and the ending is my favorite out of all of them =D

The quality that I got the book and the time it got to get all the way to Eygpt was... awsome.

The plot: A deranged ex-fighter Zapan from Alita's past hates Alitain a psychopathic way. When he sees Alita's picture on TV, as she competes in an athletic event, he has a fit of insane rage and accidentally kills his girlfriend. Two years later, Alita has found peace and a group of friend who she loves. She doesn't fight and works by playing music in bars which she enjoys. Zapan catches up with her and in defeated by Alita and other fighters... or so they think. A mad scientist/MD heals his brain and naturally it ends up in a powerful cyborg body. He is still out to get Alita and she fights to protect the city and people who have turned her out on account of the crazy cyborg that is out to kill anyone it meets and keeps inquiring after her.

The plot here is a strong point, particularly Alita's relationships with Ito's adopted children and with the community. Zapan's relationship with his girlfriend, told in flashbacks, also unfolds nicely. She saw good in everyone and is the only person who sees good in him. We are told that Zapan is Alita's karma and in a sense each of them takes the other's safehaven away. The ending has a message of hope despite the fact that Alita has everything (except one of her arms - she is a cyborg so loosing limbs doesn't kill her).

The art is all black and white and done in a realistic style. Layouts are well done and the story flows from frame to frame well. Lots of this book (like all books in the series) consists of fighting scenes. This would normally bother me, but in this case it didn't, mostly because there were little plot points in there revealed in visuals not dialog.

I recommend this book if it at all appeals to you. I hadn't read previous books in the series (well I had read the first book, but this is a few series later), but there was enough info for me to follow the plot. The drawback to the book is that the sequel to it is kind of blah. On the other hand most plot points are rounded up at the end of this book so it won't kill you to stop while you're ahead. This is also a good choice for public libraries because it is clean and holds together well.

With the conclusion of the battle with Jashugan two years elapse in which Alita builds a different life entirely, as a musician at the Bar New Kansas. Even though she protests to Doc Ido that music and fighting have much in common, it is obvious that this time of peace and growth has been important to Alita. She has friends, things to do, and a sense of belonging that has eluded her before. It is a precious time, but one not destined to last.

Perhaps this manga should have been titled Angel's Karma. A moment in Alita's past, her shaming of Zapan that is coming back to haunt her. The hypersensitive hunter killer is unable to move beyond his hatred of Alita, and in a fit of rage accidentally kills his girlfriend. Now insane, carrying Sara's head around in a jar, Zapan is heading for Alita. She joins forces with Sara's father, and the two confront the killer and take him out. Kind of.

Reality, even manga reality, is too harsh to allow such a simple solution. A berserker body that Doc Ido discovered at the same time he found Alita has fallen into the hands of Desty Nova, a Tipharian like Doc, but a lunatic as well. Nova has decided to restore the shredded functions of Zapan's brain hand install him in the berserker. He has equally ugly plans for Ido and Alita finds herself facing a one-cyborg apocalypse.

This story is a tragedy with a grain of hope life a mustard seed held in its core. The fate of everything Alita cares about is at risk, and the beautiful cyborg is called on repeatedly to may incredible sacrifices. Ending Zapan will be, at best, a Pyrrhic victory, and Alita will gain a flash vision of a height that she may never be able to attain. And yet, almost within reach, is a promise of things to come.

Of the earlier "Battle Angel Alita" series, volumes one and two were excellent in all areas, and volumes three and four were still good but a step down in the quality of story-telling. This volume, number five, "Angel of Redemption", raises the quality of the plot back to where it should be.

The story of "Angel of Redemption" takes place two years after Alita's motorball stint, when she has gotten over her loss of Hugo and has regained her life with Ido and other friends. But as we all know, Alita's past won't let her live in peace for long. With teriffic pacing and use of an exceptional story, Yukito Kishiro creates beautiful scenes where an old enemy of Alita resurfaces and where she ultimately discovers loneliness and abandonment.

Kishiro's art is still as good as ever, filled with spectacular atistry that immediately draws the reader into the story. The high violence and gore factor is also still here, so this is still a series for mature audiences. The pacing and quality of the story returns from the slight slump of volumes three and four, back to the level of volumes one and two.

There is, however, one thing that makes volume five totally unique, and in a few ways better, than volumes one and two. The first two volumes don't have very powerful cliffhangers, so while the stories in these volumes are teriffic, they don't give the reader something to look forward to in the next volume. Volume five does have a powerful cliffhanger (although it's not a major plot twist kind of cliffhanger), and the reader will desperately want to know what will happen in volume six.

If you've read the first four volumes, you won't be disappointed by volume five. If you haven't read the first four volumes but enjoy beautiful art, beautiful story-telling, and can stomach high levels of violence and gore, then "Battle Angel Alia" is for you.

I liked this book, at first it was very confusing and weird. But CC goes deeply into the dynamic characters. The two situations in the book are very realistic and lifelike making the reader either love or hate the story.

Today I just started reading the first story .For most people it would probably make them feel sad but it made me feel confused .It makes you think of life and afterdeath.And you kinda feel for her friend Asparagus because every gets teased and it can make you go insane.

Confidential Confessions is one of the greatest manga of all time because it deals with real issues. You wont find any magic, superheroes, or bishounen in this series. Instead you will read about girls who have to deal with tough issues such as bullying, rape, sexual harassment, drugs, prostitution, stalking, and suicide. I recommend that every teen read Confidential Confessions.

Vol. 1
A strong beginning to an amazing series. The first story in this volume deals with bulling, suicide, while the second story deals with prostitution.

Vol. 2
This entire volume deals sexual harassment and is an awesome follow up the first volume.

Vol. 3
The first story in this volume is great because it explores drugs and some of the reasons why kids take them, however the second story is forgettable and is overshadowed by its predecessors.

Vol. 4
The story in this volume deals with prostitution again but instead of having a protagonist go into prostitution because of bad circumstances, this girl goes into prostitution because she is very materialistic and wants money to buy brand name items. The next story revisits the issue of bullying but in more depth. Both of the stories are remarkable but the next story is (for lack of better terms) lame. It deals with lesbianism but the impact is not hard hitting because the main character seems like a stalker rather than someone who is hiding her true feelings for the same sex.

Vol. 5
This volume treads on the tender issues of rape and AIDS. This volume is magnificent and I believe it should have been the last because of the bittersweet ending.

Vol. 6
This is the weakest of all 6 volumes and is a pathetic and disappointing end to a great yet disturbing series. The first story is about stalking and the second story involves a girl who is transformed from a victim to a bully.

There you have it, the complete mini-guide to Confidential Confessions. Like I said before this is a great manga and should be read by all teens. My only complaint is that this story was meant for the Japanese and so some of the main characters actions wont make sense to Americans (you might say, "what the hell is the matter with them, why don't they speak up for themselves!?)" because the Japanese are much more reserved people who don't like to make trouble for their family of school.

The Confidential Confessions Series is something that every girl or woman should read, manga reader or hater alike. Reiko Momochi has really captured the emotions and degree of each crisis for each character in the series, from dealing with drugs to escape problems, to dealing with sexual harassment from a teacher.

You feel for the each girl in each story, weather its anger for what you feel is a stupid solution for the situation, to sadness because nothing can be done. And with each situation comes a change in the characters involved, it being good or bad depending on what they hold dear. The atmosphere my be a bit dark, but it adds to the seriousness of the situation. But with the darkness is light, in some form or another.

I highly recommend this manga to anyone who wants to read something that can hit close to home.

I would reccomend any book in this series... it delivers a good slice of the shoujo we love in an extremely realistic way with very real problems we all deal with today. Even people who aren't interested in anime would want to take a look at one of these. You don't have to collect them in any particular order becuase the series itself is a collection of short stories. There's a story for everyone... I know that in this particular book I was dumbstruck to see that the story "Forbidden Kiss" hit very close to home... I broke down crying while reading it. The stories seem to have been spread out over a period of time (the art quality fluctuates over stories) but any changes are overlooked as each story captivates and motivates you to make the world right. A must read, pick one up immediately.

This particular volume deals with catalouge prostitution (if anyone knows a proper term for this, tell me. As far as I know it's a strictly Japanese thing), corporal punishment, "hazing" and torment by other students, and a teenage girl in love with her (female) best friend.

Wow, what a great story for the final volume in this series. Ryo and Dee have to protect a woman as bodyguards, who has entered the witness-protection program of the FBI. What complicates the matter is the fact that this woman is married to the number two man in organized crime in New York. But the woman also seems to have plans of her own...

Ok, in addition to lots of kissing and snuggling of Ryo and Dee in the other books of the series, this is the volume where Ryo and Dee finally make love. Actually they're making love twice. The first time Ryo is still unsure, but decides to throw his doubts overboard. But it takes Ryo another three weeks until he finally declares his love for Dee on a trip to Long Island. And after that they make love again. ;)

This series as a whole is simply terrific, the drawings are beautiful and sometimes hilariously funny and the characters are interesting. The love scenes in my opinion are always tasteful and sweet. I just loved this series.

I have so much love for this series. UST all over the place, heavy plot, well developed characters (even the minor ones!), good artwork, and finally, *finally* Dee and Ryo get together and wow, is it beyond good. I don't read Japanese so I don't know how good the translation is, but I like what I saw.

To really enjoy FAKE, the main thing you want to remember is that Sanami Matoh didn't know the specifics of American law or the NYPD (she admits as much in the author's notes). So just forget what you know about criminal procedure, the justice system and whatever you've seen on Court TV; if you can do that, you'll find this manga much more fun.

I've read a fair amount of yaoi manga and this is probably one of the best out there. You can't ask for much more in the way of plot and action. The characters are so well developed that they feel like real people and the artwork is beautiful. Seven volumes before Ryo finally gives into Dee, and the UST is maintained at a perfect level, just enough frustration to make you snatch up the next manga, but not enough to make you grow tired of it. And it's not really about the sex (or the lack of it; poor Dee), it's about getting to know these guys and their colleagues and figuring out each mystery they're involved in. By the time the series ends, you don't want to let them go.

If you're a yaoi fan and you (somehow) haven't read this series, it's one of the few I'd actually recommend buying instead of just checking out of the library. It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, I know 'kool' isn't a word. Oh well, shoot me.

FAKE draws to a close in an amazingly well drawn (as always) scene of pure hearmelting bliss. I was sad to see it done, and wished that it went further. There is, actually, a short after-story for everyone else in the artbook buuuuut...it's not located in the 7th book! So sorry!

(For those who can, go find Like, like Love!)

The book on Ryo's past finally closes, the weight of his parent's death finally lifted from his shoulders. Thus he is able to finally let himself admit his love (gasp!) for Dee and they have a very erotic and amazing night together, after having one earlier in the book that had been a bit more rushed.

For those who like their yaoi/shonen-ai books light...this is still a bit graphic for those looking for sweet kisses and hugs. If you want full blown graphic sex scenes...neither are here. A subdued, cleverly shaded scene with beautiful imagery are given instead!

All in all...an amazing manga ends with the amazing finish of the seventh and last book.

FAKE, we miss you already.

(Don't forget to buy the DVD! :D)

This is my all time favorite series - even though it's only Shonen Ai it is the greatest Manga Series out there. The art is great and the story is funny and sweet in a lot of places, especially when it reveals how much the two main characters care for one another. It focuses on Dee Laytner and his persistence to get into the pants of his new partner Ryo Maclean, your average uke not knowing what to make of Dee's advances and Dee isn't the only one after Ryo, their new boss Berkley Rose is and Dee has his own admirers including one hyperactive jealous JJ, who hates Ryo. This is a must have series for any Yaoi or Shonen Ai Fan!

Oh my dear God... Thank you Sanami Matoh. This is the perfect ending to the perfect series. It's my favorite series and after finishing it I can't stop reading fanfiction about these two [In fact I can't read any fanfiction other than ones based on FAKE now!]. I feel so alive after reading this series... and i'm so happy for Dee [my fav character. HE'S SOOO HOT!!!] for finally getting Ryo after 2 long years of celibacy. He deserves it. He loves Ryo so much. They're perfect 2gether.
And, in my opinion, I love Matoh-sensei's art and congradulate her for not making Ryo into into one of those ukes with no muscles at all, it's good to see something that breaks away from the mainstream. I also love how Ryo is older. Love It!! Ryo isn't too wimpy but he isn't detached from his sentimental side - and neither is Dee. This couple is amazing and I think all FAKE-addicts should go onto the web and read some fanfictions by Wildefyre, Swordy[read the Crash and Burn Series!!!!Now!!], happyberry, and all the rest.
...And if you don't know already, the characters from FAKE all appear in a short one-shot that is based a few years after the manga ends and shows who ends up with whom. This 24-page short was featured in Sanami Matoh-sensei's artbook Monotone and was called Like, Like, Love. If you like, and are interested, if you go to fakephoenix.com [no www.], enter, and go to translations, you'll find 'Like, Like, Love' at the bottom of fakephoenix's list [no downloading involved, just click the links and there are the pics]. I <3 fakephoenix's site. She takes care of it so well, in my opinion.
This is the best manga ever, and the OAV ain't too shabby if you don't think like me. [I think the animators screwed up Matoh-sensei's wonderful art and the fact that Henry was okay after getting hit with a motorcycle (in other words, the creators of the anime didn't follow the manga all too well) weirded me out, because even in the manga Henry was carried out on a strecher because of a little police brutality... but w/e].
Yeah, well, I'm done.
DeeXRyoFFRox
Signed,
A die-hard anime/manga fan

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

This was my favorite volume so far. I love Haru so much he is my favorite character. I got to read more about him and I also got to read about sorry-ful Ritsu and his childhood.......I love Fruits Basket so much. This is the best manga ever written.

I love the Fruits Basket series. I love how the book is well written and the humor in it. The characters personality is perfect chosen for each character and they all fit it great! I can't wait for the next volume!

Fruits Basket book 8 is the best one so far. I've read it about 12 times. If you're a fan of Haru, you'll love this book. You also meet Ritzu in this book . it's a must buy!

Haru Sohma's personality suddenly goes black in school and he begins tearing up the classroom for no obvious reason. Yuki attempts to get the reason for these actions only to learn of some dealings with Akito that Haru has had to suffer from lately. Ritsu Sohma shows up, dressed all in a pretty kimono, this Sohma member dazzles Tohru with her good looks, and horrifies her with her inherent anxiety attacks. But the truth of Ritsu lies under the surface, and Tohru is surprised to learn it. Besides that, Ritsu is also a zodiac member, the monkey, born in 1980 I estimate. Ritsu and Tohru bond after Ritsu confesses some personality flaws to Tohru. Yuki also checks up on Haru, to see how he is doing after turning black at school.

School parent/teacher conferences are coming up, and the Sohma house is all in a panic over it. Kyo and Yuki don't know who to ask to attend, and much time is spent agonizing over what their future plans are. Tohru also breaks down a bit under the stress of all of this.

A reoccurring dream of Yuki's past puts him into a foul mood, as does a surprise visit from his brother Ayami. In an attempt to heal their broken past Ayami offers to attend the school conferences in place of Yuki and his parents.

Summer vacation begins with a trip to the haunted mansion for everyone. For Tohru this is a disturbing experience, as she is terrified of haunted houses. Haru helps her through it with some creative thinking, much to Yuki and Kyo's annoyance.

More Haru...sigh... there simply isn't enough Haru in this series I'm afraid. But fans of him will get just enough of a peek into his life to be satisfied. Ritsu is a bit annoying, but you need that to balance out the strength of all the other characters... Still in love with this series though, who isn't by this point?