Manga

Manga Review – Kodocha: Sana’s Stage

Kodocha: Sana's Stage Volume 1

Kodocha: Sana’s Stage
こどものおもちゃ (Kodomo no Omocha)
OBANA Miho
Shoujo – Comedy, drama, romance
10 Volumes (complete)
Tokyopop
Out-of-print

Summary:

Sana is a child actress, but her school life is anything but fun! Akito and all the other boys in class cause chaos every day, and no learning can be done. Sana finally can’t take it anymore, and she is going to try to stop Akito’s nonsense. Akito, meanwhile, can’t quite figure out this weird girl…

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Manga Review – Silver Nina

Silver Nina Manga

Silver Nina
銀のニーナ (Shirogane no Nina)
Itokatsu
Seinen – Slice-of-life, comedy
71 Chapters (ongoing)
Crunchyroll

Summary:

Shutaro has returned to his small hometown from Tokyo after being let go from his job. As he decides what to do about his future, his parents put him in charge of his half-Finnish, half-Japanese niece Nina. Shutaro helps Nina learn all about Japanese culture while trying to deal with his own problems.

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Manga Review – Kokoro Connect [Redux]

Kokoro Connect Volume 1

Kokoro Connect
ANDA Sadanatsu (story), Cuteg (art)
Shounen – Drama, comedy, romance, supernatural, gender bender
5 Volumes (complete)
Seven Seas

Summary:

The five members of the Student Cultural Society (three girls, two boys) spend their days hanging out and writing a school newspaper. One day, two members announce they switched bodies the previous night. The others think it’s a joke until they start swapping bodies, too. Do they really know enough about each other to pretend to be one another?

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Manga Review – Blue Exorcist

Blue Exorcist Volume 1

Blue Exorcist
青の祓魔師 (エクソシスト) (Ao no Exorcist)
KATO Kazue
Shounen – Action, adventure, supernatural, comedy, drama
14 Volumes (ongoing)
Viz Media

Summary:

Rin is a school dropout who is always getting into fights. His twin brother, Yukio, and their guardian Father Fujimoto constantly worry about Rin’s future. One day, Rin starts noticing some strange bugs swarming about and a human with horns threatening him. In danger, he suddenly releases fire from his body. Now Rin’s life will never be the same.

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Manga Review – Romeo × Juliet

Romeo × Juliet

Romeo × Juliet
COM (art), William Shakespeare (original story), Gonzo x SPWT (animation)
Shoujo – Romance, tragedy, fantasy, drama, action, gender bender
1 Omnibus (complete)
Yen Press

Summary:

In the city of Neo Verona, the commoners suffer under the rule of Montague. A mysterious vigilante known as the Red Whirlwind fights to protect the capital, but the Red Whirlwind is really a girl forced to cross-dress. “Odin” is nearly captured, but she is saved by a young noble. And the two will cross paths again…

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Manga Review – Chrono Crusade

Chrono Crusade Volume 1

Chrono Crusade
クロノ クルセイド
MORIYAMA Daisuke
Shounen – Action, adventure, historical, sci-fi, supernatural, romance, comedy, drama
8 Volumes (complete)
ADV Manga
Out-of-print

Summary:

Despite the U.S.’s prosperity in the Roaring 20s, dark forces still cause chaos. Sister Rosette works as an exorcist, but she often ends up causing more destruction than demons. Fortunately she has her partner, Chrono, with whom she shares a deep bond despite the Order’s objections. (more…)

Manga Review – A Devil and Her Love Song

A Devil and Her Love Song Volume 1

A Devil and Her Love Song
悪魔とラブソング (Akuma to Love Song)
TOMORI Miyoshi
Shoujo – Romance, drama, comedy
13 Volumes (complete)
Viz Media

Summary:

Maria is very good at reading people. Unfortunately, other people don’t appreciate her bluntness. After being expelled from a private school, Maria transfers to a public school. But will this “devil” finally gain some friends and learn to love herself in the process?

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Manga Review – Tokyo Babylon

Tokyo Babylon Omnibus 1

Tokyo Babylon
東京 BABYLON
CLAMP
Shoujo – Supernatural, boys’ love, mystery, psychological, tragedy
7 Volumes / 2 Omnibuses (complete)
Tokyopop / Dark Horse

Summary:

Despite being only 16, Subaru is the head of his clan of onmyoji users. He uses his abilities to defeat and heal the evil spirits haunting Tokyo. Subaru is supported by his twin sister Hokuto as well as Seishirou, a veterinarian and heir to a rival clan who proclaims to be in love with Subaru.

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Manga Review – Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition

Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition

Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition
純潔のマリア exhibition (Junketsu no Maria exhibition)
ISHIKAWA Masayuki
Seinen – Fantasy, historical, comedy
1 Volume (complete)
Kodansha Comics USA

Summary:

While the Hundred Years’ War rages on, Maria the witch and her familiars try to stop the fighting. But not all the people want her help, and Heaven does not approve of Maria’s meddling. Will Maria keep using her powers to prevent battles, or will she just give up and have a carefree romp in the hay?

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Manga Review – Maria the Virgin Witch

Maria the Virgin Witch Volume 1

Maria the Virgin Witch
純潔のマリア (Junketsu no Maria)
ISHIKAWA Masayuki
Seinen – Fantasy, historical, comedy
3 Volumes (complete)
Kodansha Comics USA

Summary:

While the Hundred Years’ War rages on, Maria the witch and her familiars try to stop the fighting. But not all the people want her help, and Heaven does not approve of Maria’s meddling. Will Maria keep using her powers to prevent battles, or will she just give up and have a carefree romp in the hay?

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