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Book reviews
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu review
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Apr 15, 2021
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu review
Time travel, being transported into an RPG like world and the main protagonist meeting a beautiful girl in this world that has something to do with his fate. None of this is something you have never seen before in the world of anime and manga. However, you have to give credit to the author of this light novel series, I couldn't help but get into the way the author executed this story. After watching the first few episodes of the anime, I just had to read the original light novel which the anime was adapted from.

Each chapter of the light novel series seems to end with a cliffhanger or a set of events that just wants to make you keep on going. Though the storyline isn't the most original one you have ever seen, it is certainly one of the most interesting ones out of other RPG like series. With it's excellent art style, fairly interesting characters, and character-based plot, this light novel will surely hook you in no time.

Story (8) : Like I said, these type of being transported into an RPG like world isn't rare in the anime/manga/light novel industry or real life entertainment. On the way home from the convenience store, the main protagonist, Subaru is transported to a fantasy world. Where he meets the beautiful and charming, Emilia. Their paths become intervened as he helps her find her stolen emblem. Only to find out in the end of the day, Emilia and him both were killed. While, someway or somehow, Subaru was able to return to where he first appeared in this fantasy world. Revealing that every time he dies, he goes back in time, thus the timeline is restarted. With his newfound powers, he begins his journey to save Emilia. However once he does, only to his own delight, he finds more problems and more people that seek to harm him or the people he are close with. Sounds familiar? Well, the thing about going back into time after death is something you might have heard before, especially in Tom Cruise's Edge of Tomorrow. I won't argue about the fact that this story isn't the most original, as they aren't many original ideas out there left anymore. As the light novel progresses, you are able to experience more of the protagonist's internal conflict that he has to go through and multiple other problems. As each twist starts to unfold one by one, you can't help but cheer for Subaru. Not only for him to get the girl, but also so that he is able to help and save his friends from tragedy.

Though after each problem he solves, when he dies, he doesn't return to the very beginning of the timeline, instead he appears in a time a few moments after the incident. The only problem I have with the storyline, is that since the story progresses, you don't know what will happen at all. As this light novel series is mainly completely character-based. Instead, you don't have a single idea how this manga series will end. Though by doing this, the light novel can be quite "refreshing", since I don't read many series like this, which gives the series a unique touch towards it. Whether this is a good thing or bad thing, I'm not sure yet, but I anticipated to see more chapters to come.

Art (10) : The art accompanied with this light novel series is detailed, refreshing, cute and gorey all at the same time. With his upbeat and cute artstyle, it tends to mislead the reader in a way to make them expect another story. The colored pages of this light novel series are also quite colorful and bright, they are also really well done. You don't expect any deaths or internal conflict at first, but then you are greeted by the violence of Subaru's countless deaths. In the anime, the first few deaths of Subaru isn't as deatailed as in the manga series.

Not only that, even with the cute artstyle, it's hard to believe that Subaru is going through physological issues even with the cutesy artstyle. I am a big fan of the art either ways. As the mangaka in charcge with the art is quite new to the industry, I can't wait to see the mangaka's future works.

Character (8) : Most of the characters in this manga series are completely lovable and cute. Though Subaru can be quite plan and hard to believe. He is an otaku shut-in, who works out everyday? I get bugged out about this part every once in a while throughout this series, but otherwise, I fell in love with pratically all the characters. Whatever flaws the main protagonist is, compared to many other protagonist from similar series, he is still quite likable. He is heroic, strong and is willing to sarcifice himself for the people he cares for.

Whether the characters are theives or are heirs to the throne, they all have an individual presenoailty that isn't too cliche. Each and every charcter is unique in their own way, and each of their flaws also help to build more personality for the characters. Though even though some characters may some bubbly and positive, some of them have dark sides to them and physilogical issues relating to their problems. For example with Subaru, his deaths and betrayal from other characters are building up inside him. Some times I can see that he wants to give up so badly, but because he is strong, he will not give up. Though I can't help but wonder, when will Subaru one day go mad and just give up? As the pain of each death can be incredibly painful, physically and mentally. Though I quite enjoy seeing Subaru go through his problems, as it adds more color to the story. It isn't common to see something as dark as this happening to the main protagonist in series similar to this.

Enjoyment (10) : This light novel series was simply one very, very fun ride. Even with this series's flaws, I really enjoyed reading it. It was funny, and they were mulitiple times where I can't help but just laugh out loud. The jokes in this series are not at all dumb or cliche, instead they are just plain funny. I also can't help but root for Subaru as he tries to make his relationship as friends with Emilia progress into something more. He is indeed, quite charming at times when he isn't insane from all the problems building within him. Not only does this light novel have an positive and cheerful mood towards this show, it also has a dark theme that comes in every once in a while as Subaru struggles thourgh in internal conflict.

Overall (9) : I would definetly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys time travel or characters being transported into RPG like worlds. Currenly, I am curious what will happen in the future of thie series. Will Subaru return back to the real world? Will Subaru die and not be brought back to life? Will Subaru find out the true meaning to his power? The possibilties are endless. This light novel series is pretty close to being perfect, and I anticipate for more updates of this series to come in the future. The wirting style (from the translatation) is quite refreshing and easy to read. I would also recommend watching the anime after reading this light novel series, or if you already watched the anime, I would also recommend you to read the light novel series. Even though the anime and light novel are already quite similar, the experince can be quite different. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this light novel series, it was exciting, dark and light-hearted all at once.
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Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai
Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai
Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai
Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai review
Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai
Apr 14, 2021
Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai review
==Spoiler free==

The best thing about this light novel is how well it is written. The quality of writing and worldbuilding is the greatest part of this LN, and I think it surpasses most LNs I've read.

If you want a well written, more novel-like, rich world, read this.

I hope more people read this LN, since the writing is so good and the MC, Mariela, is a simple, cute, hardworking, thoughtful, intelligent little alchemist.

Story - great. No forced isekai to get the character in this setting, but still has a good intro.

Art - the covers of the books are beautiful and help flesh out the world. The first book has a short full-colored manga scene.

Character - The MC is a girl who is a great alchemist! Shes not over-sexualized and not a flat 'powerful so my waifu is interesting'-girl. She's simply a good alchemist that happens to be a girl, because she studied well and followed her teacher.

Enjoyment - 10. The writing is great and never leaves me cringing the way some LNs do. The author isn't writing to please an audience(no fanservice), just great writing. Keep in mind that if you want a fast paced, tons of action, this may not be what you are looking for. It has good language, good pacing (slow, relaxed, easy to read).

Overall - 10. This is given to the genuinely great story and wonderful writing. It is outstanding for its depth of its world, immediately in book 1.
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SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE
SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE
SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE
SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE review
SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE
Apr 13, 2021
SHOUNEN SHOUJO ROMANCE review
Interesting plot, failed in execution.

I love shoujo and josei, and I keep looking out for what characters and emotions get depicted. Love is complicated, and there are many many ways of exploring that.

The premise of this story is fantasies and bullying, which when mixed together has the potential to yield a psychological and philosophical drama. Unfortunately, this story pumped in bad comedy, and leads who could not grow. I'd have forgiven if this had been a one-shot, because there is a page limitation. But 3 volumes all going in a loop without adding flavour... Quite a disapppointment, especially when the mangaka has under her belt a one-shot series like Koibumi Biyori. I wish the tone and mood of Shounen Shoujo Romance was kept at the level of Metal Moon. Metal Moon turned out to be way more a complex story with defining characteristics than this failure of a shoujo manga.

Bullying is traumatic. There are several cases of bullying that have left students changed forever. I was hoping the mangaka would be addressing that. Perhaps she found one way of dealing with it, that could be shared as a coping mechanism. Nope.
Okay, so mix in fantasy. Fantasy has the power to turn anything into anything. After all, it's the power of imagination, and it can glorify a bad incident to shield the mind, protect one's soul, one's integrity, one's worth. Fantasy can have the power to shield bullying, and possibly convolute it to a masochistic connection with the victimizer. Do we get to see that? Ehh, I sure hoped so. But nope. .

[Somewhat spoiler below]
This series remained a childish desire for a "prince" without outlining what a "prince" really is. Unless it's just good looks. Throw in a tsundere guy who subconsciously reverts to bullying the girl he has taken a fancy to. Oh but the girl is strong, she doesn't hold a grudge. Okay, we have a stong female lead? The power of fantasy throws in feelings of love. Patience is tested, by others, by oneself, to the brink of death. But the ego still will not yield. Throw in confusion with an ex flame, and a cousin who wants to be the man of your dreams.
[Somewhat spoiler end]

See that paragraph has so much going on. But the saddest part it, there's no exploration of the psyche. It feels like - oh you brought this idea in, now how's it going to develop. But that's it, there's no more at all. It leaves you hanging in a disapppointed place. The only character that gave me some faith is Sou, the cousin, who questions his place.

The series remained mediocre. Some reaaaaallly great elements brought in, but just failed to take it to a level that could have made this a very stong, memorable experience.
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KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA
KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA
KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA
KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA review
KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA
Apr 10, 2021
KARE KANO HAJIMEMASHITA review
I don't know about the rest of you folks, but when the boy I had a long standing crush on asked me out, I went apeshit! Correction, I redefined apeshit. There wasn't a moment I wasn't squealing inside my head and at school, the few times I did face him, I COULDN'T face him for fear of internally combusting under the weight of my own embarrassment. THAT'S what adolescent first love does to you! Given this highly dignified version of a first love experience, I had high expectations from this story's summary, fully expecting a read laden with "Kyaaaa" and much doki-doki. Sadly the romance gods did not smile, the clouds did not part and the gratification I so craved for was not delivered.

The story starts out as summarised, with the heroine being granted her deepest wish when the boy of her affections casually calls her out on her infatuation and asks her out. Thus begins their (or only hers?) first love journey. There's awkwardness, kawaii stolen moments and plenty of wide eyes from the heroine, but little transpires that makes you sit up and take notice.

Art, while not unappealing feels a bit unoriginal and wooden sometimes. The heroine's expressions look a bit hentai-ified in most panels, while the bishie seems a tad like a one dimensional oaf. Their kisses feel rather clinical and empty, no racing of pulses here.

Character's try to tug at your heartstrings, but fall short of successfully stirring your senses. There's a rogue hiding beneath the exterior with Ryoutarou, and a coy geisha wishing to brighten her master's day under Hanamori's bumbling expressions. But while there's plenty of potential for tender moment given the plot and established dynamic between the leads, their chemistry isn't palpable or sizzling.

To the mangaka's credit, the story HAS its cute and doki doki first love moments but they don't take. It could benefit from matured art and addition of some sincere expressions rather than one constant character defining grin or simpering smile in all panels, regardless of the situation. While storytelling and pacing may be a forte for Momoi Sumire, she may consider joining leagues with an artist skilled at playful and tender expressions and art to be able to better deliver oneshot masterpieces with cute plots such as this one.
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Fukigen Cinderella
Fukigen Cinderella
Fukigen Cinderella
Fukigen Cinderella review
Fukigen Cinderella
Apr 10, 2021
Fukigen Cinderella review
Fukigen Cinderella is a story i had been meaning to read for awhile. It is something that had peaked my interest i'd say around a year ago at the time of this review. I finally read it and while i do like it, It kind of let me down on some levels.

~~ SPOILERS ~~

First lets start out with characters.

Haruhiko : Is the main character(s) of the story. Haruhiko is the regular male while Aki is the Female he turns into every noon. Haruhiko to be blunt is a total asshole who has tried raping his only friend in the past and also said he would rape some girls as a threat. Normally this is one easy way to hate a character. But the story does a good on explaining why the MC is so messed up. He had a guardian taking care of him that was completely insane and messed up his childhood and more.

While the story goes on he starts to become less of a dick to put it bluntly. It is honestly a interesting character and the way it was portrayed was really well done. In the end though he isn't my favorite character. That would go to Aki.

Aki: Is the female version of Haruhiko. She is portrayed to the world around her as a broken and unstable girl. She has obviously had bad stuff happen to her and is afraid of something. For the readers though we know that it is just the MC trying to cope with the fact he has been changed into a female. At one point later during the story. The worlds opinion on her slowly starts to become the actual deal to Aki. She is starting to confront all the things Haruhiko had to face as a child and her fear and hate for men. The transition from her just trying to cope with her new surrounding to confronting her past problems is really nicely done isn't that noticeable.

But besides the basic things happening to her. The other stuff going on is nice. She is going around having to deal with the relationships Haruhiko. Such his first ever friend that he ended up trying to rape in middle school. She is able to learn the effects of her doing to the friend and is able to learn that while yes the friend doesn't like what happen, She isn't still angry with him and still wanted to be his friend even after that.

There is also typical stuff that happens in Gender bender stories. Such as going cloths shopping and going to cafe's that only females go to. But the story does a good job of not falling into the typical formula these. Such as the cloths shopping with friend. Instead of their being a scene meant mostly for fan service such as the character trying on all these revealing clothing. We skip going cloths shopping and just see Aki returning home with bags of items she bought. Instead of having revealing outfits she has a dress that isn't anything over the top.

Back to the cloths shopping scene. While it is nice that it didn't do the typical. It may have been nice to a view of the friend who went cloths shopping with her. Cause the world around her is still under the impression that she is a broken girl. So it might have been nice to see the friends few of trying to help a girl in need with cloths shopping. Just my opinion though.

Aki is kind of like her own character with the only thing connecting the two of them is their past experiences and that they switch between each other at the strike of 12:00. She is my favorite of the series.

Mifuyu: She is the only other character worth mentioning. She is the first friend of the MC. The one he tried to rape in Middle School. She doesn't get as much screen time as she should. But she is the one that helps Aki through the tough time. Not much to say besides that she is an important character and is a pretty decent character overall.

Let's talk about my gripes with the story now.

I'd say one of the biggest problems lies in the pacing. I feel this is a story that should have lasted much longer. The themes and secondary stories are forgotten at the end of the story and is the general pacing is off too.

A good amount of times instead of picking on subject and expanding on that we are barely shown much of that. Example : First time Aki is shown she is almost rapped. Instead of focusing on the dramatic experience that this causes. It is mentioned a few times with Aki freaking out at men a couple times. This could'v been more delved into. Such as the character not wanting to talk to anyone in general after this. Haruiko would be jumpy around all men even though for most people just yesterday he was the same as he always been.

Themes are also dropped a lot. Thought we might get a scene that Aki is in the School play of Cinderella. But character said's no and that's the end of that. The worst example would be the first page or two. It shows witches doing something. That's the last of it. We don't get the witches later on or the character doesn't mention once besides at the start.

There are also a couple characters that are not given enough time to truly shine. We have 4th best character named Saki. A weird silent type with not much emotion. But she is just used as a character to spout words of wisdom.

Second to last we have the fact that through out the entire story Aki is never dressed up as Cinderella or even puts on a dress.

Lastly is that ending. In the end Both Haruiko and Aki wake up in a hospital and they have their own bodies now. Not only is this completely random and unexpected. The entire ending seemed rushed. There is also Aki now in her own body. While still having a good amount of the brashness from Haruiko and as far as we can tell just Haruiko clone but with Aki's body. He is almost instantly wanting to go on a date and eat food with his friend.

While i do like that the story admits that the two Main characters are basically their own person. But in the end i kind of wish and like the idea of the changing between them doesn't change or it gets to the point where both the characters can talk to each other in their minds and still switch. Another option would'v been to just have Aki become the main body. Not only does the MC become a better person when as Aki but is also a much more likable character.

Gonna end it here or i might be here longer than i want.
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Aquarium
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom review
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom
Apr 08, 2021
Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom review
My library, while attempting to get the published volumes of the original manga, bought this. And although I had already watched the 2003 adaptation, I read this.

NOTE: The English translation I read had terrible print quality, please seek out a fan translation or the original print if you plan on reading this.

It's honestly not so bad. Some story lines are a little rushed through, but clearly it had some thought put into it. I wouldn't recommend it before the original manga, as perhaps the original tried to say what it had to say clearer. But I don't think this manga should get a bad rap.

Story - 6
Some plot-lines get rushed in order to focus more heavily on the altered main story. While I think this was a good idea for this manga it means some characters suffer. The altered main story is a little less dense than the original, probably to appeal to a modern younger audience. Not necessarily bad but it does kind of make the story loose some of its weight, the reasons behind characters actions are just less powerful.

Art - 8
Actually very good! The print quality isn't amazing but I was reading the official English translation, I can't say what the original Japanese print is like. The backgrounds are quite good for a re-adaptation and some panels are genuinely really great to just look at. It's been a while since I read it, and at the time I had read significantly less manga, but I still feel as though the art I can remember was well done. I would maybe seek out the artist's other work even, and it was a real shame the print quality made the lines kind of fuzzy and ink faded.

Character - 4-5
Unfortunately the characters are scuffed a bit by the book's attempts to slim down. Some supporting characters are much stronger, but most main characters suffer hits to their motivation and some characters changes of heart just hold less power. I wish each chapter just had a few more pages just so that each of them had the time to expand the character’s personalities.

Enjoyment - 7-8
Was pretty great. I had fun. If you've already read the original manga or watched the 1980s adaptation or 2003 adaptation (The one with the same plot as this manga and which I can't discern was made before, alongside, or after this manga) I would recommend. I think the anime of this adaptation does a better job, especially in the character department (it's better balanced/paced) but the manga shouldn't be ignored. Panel arrangement from what I remember is excellent. If it's in your local library and you've got time to kill check it out

Overall - 6-7
Better than average and I would recommend over a lot of manga that gets published just to get pages out. Engaging but not a slow long read. I recommend for its art and the supporting characters. It was based off Tezuka's masterpiece after all, it can't be all bad.
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Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi review
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi
Apr 05, 2021
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi review
Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi was a manga I decided not to read when it was publishing, and I finished it today. Just a few minutes ago. I have to say that I was really dissapointed with this manga (comparing it with other Tanemura’s works) but my idea changed in the last chapters. I think that this will be a long review and I’ll try to do it with minor spoilers.

I do not use mal anymore but I think that this review may be helpful to someone, since seems that many people dropped this manga..

The plot is simple and really awkward. A girl called Ai, 16, in love with Nekota, 11. I don’t have any problems with the age gap, but Nekota is just 11… I mean, for me, he’s really young and the plot was really hard to digest, including that Ai falls really fast for him. As something normal in school life/romance only shoujos, there are a lot of problems within the main characters, such as exlovers, problems with friends, parents…

The main problem I saw was that the plot was very simple. If you compare this work with other Arina Tanemura works, as I said before, you’ll be really dissapointed. Arina is special not only because the way she draws, that may be very annoying for some people, but for the stories she made. She usually does stories with magic, main strong characters with a hard background who have to face a lot of difficulties. But Ai isn’t like that. She’s just a student, a normal student, who enjoys her love life with her cousin. Putting aside the fact that Nekota and Ai are relatives, their relationship seems “fine”.

Ai. Ai was the main reason that made me feel dissapointed. But I changed my oppinion in ch65. She knows that. Arina knows that Ai isn’t a strong character. Arina KNOWS that this story isn’t strong as her other ones. And that’s what makes Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi special, that it’s not like his other stories. Ai doesn’t need strong power, she doesn’t need magic. In her monologue, she said that she doesn’t have magic or is a ninja, or a shojo manga main character along with other past works references, that she’s just a normal person, and that is okay.

As a personal feeling, I think that Arina wanted to express that she’s able to do normal things, normal stories about two lovers, without magic or tragic backgrounds (…Or not very tragic). And if she did this with that feeling, she did it well. It’s true that Ai-Nekota relationship reminded me a lot of the Maron-Chiaki relationship (Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne), but of course both relationships are different.

Please, read Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi with this feeling in mind. That it’s okay if it’s a normal, boring, love story. Because that is also special and gives it the same value as her other works.

Thank you for reading, do not give up this manga and please give it an opportunity!
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Magetsukan Kitan
Magetsukan Kitan
Magetsukan Kitan
Magetsukan Kitan review
Magetsukan Kitan
Apr 05, 2021
Magetsukan Kitan review
How is that a most beautiful young woman lives in an evil mansion known for hosting unspeakable monsters? This question, sir, is not the one I will answer. Instead, I'll answer why you should pack you bags and move into that mansion full of monsters as soon as possible.

Story 5/10
There isn't really a story per se because Magetsukan Kitan is a succession of small episodes which are funny for the most part. So despite the fair number of chapters, there is very little progression over the course of 47 chapters. But this doesn't necessarily mean that Magetsukan Kitan is boring. I absolutely enjoyed reading how the main character makes the acquaintance of the notorious members of this mansion in hilarious stories.

Art 7/10
You could say that the art style proceeds from the end of 90s - beginning of 2000s. I am personally keen on the style of this period, that may be due my Madeleine de Proust of some sort. The atmosphere in the mansion is transcribed decently. However, don't expect to find here the right material if you came here because of the harem tag. Although the art is decent, the general atmostphere of the manga is about gag and fun.

Characters 5/10
Don't expect huge character developments. While the backstories of most of the inhabitants of the mansion will be unveiled at some points - these are surprisingly more serious and constrast with the overall funny tone of the manga, these parts don't last but in a few pages during the resolution of the episode. Of course, as you get to know them better, you will learn that these despised monsters have a gentle side to them and can be even more friendly and reliable than real humans.

As for the MC, he is the 90s-style clumsy young man who came to Tokyo searching for a job. He falls for the lovely landlady and will try to seduce her by trying to be manly. While what lies under the interactions between both characters might be obvious, it is still funny to see how they struggle in spite of evolving in a 'hostile' !environment.

Overall & Enjoyment 8/10 or 5/10
Depending on whether including the last stories in the grading, I might end up giving a very different score. I liked the first chapters the most because gags were simple and efficient. But I regret the turn that the story took into so-called 'dark' sub-stories by the end. I think the violence that it brought wasn't necessary and didn't succeed to bring more substance to a manga that should have sticked to what it did best : upfront gags and funny ecchi. Instead, the violence that appears in the last chapters mostly feels out of place, I confess I was saddly left with a bitter after-taste.
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