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News – Mangaka Fujiwara Cocoa of Inu x Boku SS Passes Away at 31

Inu x Boku SS Volume 1
I was very sad to hear Fujiwara Cocoa passed away on March 31, 2015. ANN reports that Oricon states it was due to an illness. Regardless of the circumstances, she was far too young. My condolences to her friends and family.

She is best known for Inu x Boku SS (review here). Yen Press is releasing the manga, and Sentai Filmworks released the anime. Other titles she has written include Dear, a series about a boy searching for the one who cursed him and a girl with a secret, and Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita, a 4-koma involving an evil officer who falls in love at first sight with the magical girl who wants to defeat him.

I remember reading Dear and liking it, but I don’t think I read to the end. As for Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita, I was really enjoying it. It will unfortunately never have a proper ending, as it was ongoing. It had just been adapted into a drama CD.

I see that her birthday was April 28th. Maybe we can make it Fujiwara Cocoa day? I think I’ll do a special post(s) involving her titles. Anybody else in? You know, read her titles, post pictures, watch the Inu x Boku SS anime, etc. Just a way to remember this talented manga author.

Manga Review – Demon Love Spell

Demon Love Spell Volume 1

Demon Love Spell
あやかし恋絵巻 (Ayakashi Koi Emaki)
SHINJO Mayu
Shoujo – Romance, supernatural, comedy, smut
6 Volumes (complete)
Viz Media

Summary:

Miko wants to inherit her family’s shrine, but she can’t see or detect spirits! One day, she accidentally shrinks the most powerful demon, the incubus Kagura, into a chibi form. Kagura won’t give up until he goes back to his regular form. But he needs love to survive!

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Game Summary – Kurosaki Ranmaru Route B from Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret

Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret Kurosaki Ranmaru Bouquet 1

This is part of a series of summaries of the routes in Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret. Heavy spoilers for the game and Uta no Prince-sama All Star ahoy!

Today’s covers Kurosaki Ranmaru’s Route B. Unlike the other games, the senpai each have two routes, one for each song. Each route has two endings. The first ending is the one you get if your love or music meter is below 80%.

My Japanese is limited, so apologies if I misunderstood anything. If I got something wrong, please feel free to tell me.

Warning: long post ahead! Line breaks correspond with the end of a chapter.

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Yen Press Announces Digital and Print New Licenses

Yen Press announced a whopping 13 titles at its Sakura-Con panel. Some are going to be digital-only releases.

For me, the highlight is Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun. It’s a 4-koma series where various crazy people directly and indirectly get involved in making a shoujo manga. It’s written by the author of Oresama Teacher and The Magic Touch. Cycling sports title Yowamushi Pedal is also attracting a great deal of excitement.

What are you looking forward to?

Game Summary – Jinguji Ren Route from Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret

Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret Jinguji Ren Knight

This is part of a series of summaries of the routes in Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret. Heavy spoilers for the game and all previous Utapri games ahoy!

Today’s covers Jinguji Ren’s route. Starish each has one route with two endings. Note that the routes seem to take place after Debut and not after Rainbow Route in All Star. Both Rainbow Route endings are considered True Love endings, but A is the one you get when your love or music meter is below 80%.

My Japanese is limited, so apologies if I misunderstood anything. If I got something wrong, please feel free to tell me.

Warning: long post ahead! Line breaks correspond with the end of a chapter.

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Manga Review – The Prince of Tennis

The Prince of Tennis Volume 1

The Prince of Tennis
テニスの王子様 (Tennis no Ouji-sama)
KONOMI Takeshi
Shounen – Comedy, sports
42 Volumes (complete)
Viz Media

Summary:

Seishun Academy has a strong tennis team, but even its members are intrigued by the skill of 7th grader Ryoma. Cocky and confident Ryoma only has one goal, but perhaps the world of middle school tennis will expand his horizons.

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Game Summary – Hijirikawa Masato Route from Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret

Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret Hijirikawa Masato Kiss

This is part of a series of summaries of the routes in Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret. Heavy spoilers for the game and all previous Utapri games ahoy!

Today’s covers Hijirikawa Masato’s route. Starish each has one route with two endings. Note that the routes seem to take place after Debut and not after Rainbow Route in All Star. Both Rainbow Route endings are considered True Love endings, but A is the one you get when your love or music meter is below 80%.

My Japanese is limited, so apologies if I misunderstood anything. If I got something wrong, please feel free to tell me.

Warning: long post ahead! Line breaks correspond with the end of a chapter.

(more…)

Game Summary – Kurosaki Ranmaru Route A from Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret

Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret Kurosaki Ranmaru Bouquet 1

This is part of a series of summaries of the routes in Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret. Heavy spoilers for the game and Uta no Prince-sama All Star ahoy!

Today’s covers Kurosaki Ranmaru’s Route A. Unlike the other games, the senpai each have two routes, one for each song. Each route has two endings. The first ending is the one you get if your love or music meter is below 80%.

My Japanese is limited, so apologies if I misunderstood anything. If I got something wrong, please feel free to tell me.

Warning: long post ahead! Line breaks correspond with the end of a chapter.

(more…)

Opinion – To -Chan or Not to -Chan? Japanese Honorifics in Manga

So my first opinion-slash-ramble is going to cover a big one: honorifics in manga. It’s one of the Great Divides in manga translation and in other Japanese-related media. Some people swear it’s a rather unique feature that is necessary for full cultural understand, and other people claim it does nothing but detract from a smooth adaptation. So, how do I feel about the subject?

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News – A Silent Voice Wins New Creator Prize at 19th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Awards

A Silent Voice by OIMA Yoshitoki was the only manga with a license in the US to win at the 19th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize ceremony. It won in the New Creator Prize category. The manga series is rare story about boy meets deaf girl. A Silent Voice is licensed by Kodansha USA. Back issues can be read on Crunchyroll with a subscription.

This is an excellent series, and I am looking forward to owning physical copies when Kodansha USA starts releasing the volumes in May.

Other licensed series up for consideration for a prize were Naruto and Assassination Classroom. The full list of winners can be read on ANN.