Reviews

Manga Review – The Ancient Magus’ Bride

The Ancient Magus' Bride Volume 1

The Ancient Magus’ Bride
魔法使いの嫁 (Mahou Tsukai no Yome)
YAMAZAKI Kore
Shounen – Drama, fantasy, romance
5 Volumes (ongoing)
Seven Seas

Summary:

After years being unwanted and being able to see things others can’t, Chise agrees to be sold at an underground auction. Her new owner turns out to be a skeleton-headed mage named Elias. Chise is surprised when Elias warmly welcomes her as his apprentice, but she is even more taken aback when he announces she’s his bride!

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Manga Review – Bakuman.

Bakuman. Volume 1

Bakuman.
OHBA Tsugumi (story), OBATA Takeshi (art)
Shounen – Comedy, drama, romance, slice-of-life
20 Volumes (complete)
Viz Media

Summary:

Moritaka has a talent for drawing, but he plans on getting a normal job. His life takes a turn when a classmate, Akito, asks him to team up to create manga. Moritaka is reluctant until he learns Miho, his crush, wants to be a voice actress. Moritaka and Akito work towards getting an anime green-lit so that Moritaka and Miho can get married.

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Manga Review – Voices of Love

Voices of Love

Voices of Love
アイノコエ (Ai no Koe)
Hazuki Kanae
Josei – Romance, drama, smut, mature
1 Volume (complete)
Aurora Publishing

Summary:

Five protagonists are dealing with both the emotional and physical parts of a relationship. From first love to forbidden love to fractured love and everything in between, will their relationships end happily ever after? Or will they just end?

Warning: this review is of a series that is recommended for ages 18+ and is not safe for work!

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Manga Review – Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi

Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi Volume 1

Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi
あかやあかしやあやかしの (Aka ya Akashi ya Ayakashi no)
Nanao (art); HaccaWorks* (story)
Shoujo – Supernatural, mystery, drama
3 Volumes (ongoing) of 9 Volumes (complete)
Yen Press

Summary:

The sheltered Yue and his companion, the black fox Kurogitsune, sneak off to visit a festival. There, Yue meets two boys, Tougo and Akiyoshi, who seem different from other people. The town’s guardian tells Yue that this means he is to prepare for the “meal” — by eating one of his two new friends!

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Manga Review – Imadoki!

Imadoki! Volume 1

Imadoki!
イマドキ!
WATASE Yuu
Shoujo – Comedy, drama, romance, slice-of-life
5 Volumes (complete)
Viz Media

Summary:

Tanpopo is excited to be a new student at the prestigious Meio School. Just before classes start, she meets a boy who loves flowers. But when Tanpopo sees him again, the boy, Koki, denies meeting her and swears he has no use for friends — flowers or humans. Tanpopo is not going to give up. She’s going to prove to Koki that friendship is meaningful.

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Manga Review – A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice Volume 1

A Silent Voice
聲の形 (Koe no Katachi)
OIMA Yoshitoki
Shounen – Drama, psychological, romance
62 Chapters / 7 Volumes (complete)
Crunchyroll / Kodansha Comics USA

Summary:

Shoya hates being bored. When a deaf girl, Shoko, transfers to his class, Shoya thinks he’s found the perfect source of entertainment! Shoya and others harass Shoko, and she eventually transfers out. Shoya then has the tables turned on him. Years later, Shoya feels like his life has no meaning, but he has one last thing to do: meet Shoko once again.

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Manga Review – Ani-Imo

Ani-Imo Volume 1

Ani-Imo
兄が妹で妹が兄で。(Ani ga Imouto de Imouto ga Ani de.)
KURUMATANI Haruko
Shoujo – Gender-bender, romance, supernatural, smut, comedy
7 Volumes (complete)
Yen Press

Summary:

Youta is shocked to learn he and his “twin” sister Hikaru are not biological siblings. However, he is stunned even more when Hikaru kisses him and says she’s in love with him! As if that wasn’t confusing enough, Youta’s life gets even more complicated when he switches bodies with his now-aggressive “little sister”.

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Game Review – Norn9: Var Commons

Norn9: Var Commons

Norn9: Var Commons
ノルン+ノネット ヴァール コモンズ
Visual novel
Otomate / Aksys Games
PS Vita

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Sorata suddenly finds himself in what appears to be Japan from 100 years ago. A girl who doesn’t even remember her own name invites Sorata join her on the ship she’s been waiting for. What Sorata doesn’t expect is for that “ship” to be flying in the sky! What is this ship’s purpose, and will Sorata ever return home?

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Manga Review – First Love Monster

First Love Monster Volume 1

First Love Monster
初恋モンスター (Hatsukoi Monster)
HIYOSHIMARU Akira
Shoujo – Comedy, drama, romance, shotacon
4 Volumes (ongoing)
Yen Press

Summary:

Rich girl Kaho wants to change herself, and moving out is her fist step on her journey. When a handsome stranger saves her from being hit by a truck, Kaho is smitten. When she finds out the boy is her landlord’s son, Kaho believes it’s destiny and confesses to him. Kanade tells her he’ll only go out with her if she can accept him for who he really is…

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Anime Review – The Seven Deadly Sins Season 1

The Seven Deadly Sins Season One

The Seven Deadly Sins Season One
七つの大罪 1st Season
Shounen – Action, adventure, comedy, fantasy
24 Episodes (complete)
Netflix

Summary:

Ten years ago, the most powerful group of knights, the Seven Deadly Sins, tried to overthrow the kingdom. Their coup failed, and the seven members disappeared. Rumors have been swirling of a Rust Knight crying out for the Seven Deadly Sins. The rumors prove true when a suit of armor appears at a tavern run by its youthful-looking owner.

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