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ブリリアント☆BLUE by: 依田沙江美
Brilliant Blue Vol 1 by: Saemi Yorita
Rated: 16+
Price: $12.95
Doki Doki - BL/Romance/Drama
Review May Contain Spoilers
I thought this story about Shouzo, a young man who is forced to return to his small town after living in Tokyo after his father is injured, was sweet and engrossing. There wasn’t much romance in it, just the steady building of a childhood friendship into a more mature, adult relationship, with two very different, compelling personalities. Shouzo doesn’t want to be home again, he much prefers the big city, and he’s not exactly thrilled about being back home. There’s the family business to keep afloat, though, so he makes a small sacrifice, something that isn’t supposed to last longer than a month, and agrees to take control of his father’s construction business until he’s back on his feet again. Fates conspire against him, and he finds himself staying much longer than anticipated. Then, instead of fighting against the tides pressuring him to stay and work at Mita Construction, he decides it’s easier to just stay.
Part of Shouzo’s problem is that he is a go with the grain kind of guy. He gets swept back into the flow of small town life as soon as he arrives, and he isn’t one to make waves. He keeps his thoughts to himself, and thinks that things will have a way of fixing themselves if given enough time. He prefers to be left alone and not bothered, and he is very reserved with his friends and co-workers. He also has an annoying habit of blurting out blunt observations, that can rub people the wrong way. When he is reunited with his childhood friend, Nanami, he can’t believe how much the other man has changed. Nanami, who used to be overweight, is now a slender pretty boy with dyed hair who now resembles a character in a shoujo manga.
Through the course of the book, the two reaffirm their friendship, though it is a strange one. Nanami is sort of like an idiot savant; he’s good with figures, able to perform complex multiplication in his head, but don’t ask him to read. He has trouble remembering kanji, and gets easily confused when confronted with difficulties. The one thing that brings the two together seems to food, or Nanami’s love of it. He is like a puppy, frolicking and playing, only wanting a pat and a little attention to be happy. I hate to call him simple, but that’s exactly what he is. It’s easy for people to take advantage of him, and when one of Shouzo’s business associates does exactly that, Shouzo is torn over what to do. Stay out of it, or jeopardize their business relationship to protect Nanami?
There were times when I felt very sorry for Nanami, because he is so easy to take advantage of. His family babies him, and when they discover that he’s in an illicit relationship with another man, they try to separate them. The whole situation with Douwaki made me uncomfortable, because of how the other man manipulates Nanami. It upset Nanami, and it upset me, that Nanami couldn’t free himself of Douwaki’s clutches. I kept hoping that Shouzo would do the right thing and protect his friend, since Nanami couldn’t protect himself. I hesitate to call Nanami an idiot, but with his simple thought-processes, I don’t think another word fits him, and that left him open to abuse from others.
Brilliant Blue is a very different kind of read, due to its unique characters. Both Nanami and Shouzo have some social issues that they need to address, but when they are together, they transcend their weaknesses. Slow-paced and meandering, I found the first volume of this series charming and very hard to put down.
Grade: B+
Review copy provided by Doki Doki
This review was written by Julie for the MangaCast. Please drop by the Manga Maniac Cafe and check out the menu. There are always tasty reviews on display!
Only one K-On! DJ in the top 10 this week…BOO!! Instead we are treated to some well needed diversity. When was the last time you saw a KaRei doujin? Actually this might be my first.
1
喰霊-辱-
Ka-Rei ~Joku~
by: Mizuno the Great
Circle: Ore-tachi Misnon Ikka
Category: manga - Kadokawa - Ka-Rei
Age rating: 18+
Price： 683円
Release date: 2009/06/25
2
SURVIVOR
by: Kuro Kenjuu
Circle: Black Dog
Category: light novels - Kadokawa - Strike Witches
Price： 315円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/04/26
3
夢の東方タッグ編3
Yume no Touhou Tag Arc 3
by: Orange Jelly
Circle: Icicle Orange
Category: Doujin Soft - Touhou Project
Price： 735円
Age rating: 13+
Release date: 2009/06/28
4
デビューDEビュー
Debut de View
by: Mukyu
Circle: Yamada Ichizoku.
Category: anime - Toei - PreCure
Age rating: 18+
Price： 735円
Release date: 2009/06/26
5
E.A.S.
by: Todozuka Raisuta
Circle: Studio Mizu Yokan
Category: anime - Toei - PreCure
Price： 420円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/30
6
K8
by: Izumi Kazuya
Circle: Cyclone
Category: manga - SquareEnix - SekiRei
Price: 735円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/15
7
ツンデレの世紀 カメラはツンデレの断片をとらえ始めた
Tsundere no Seiki Camera ha Tsundere no Tanpen wo Torae Hajimeta
by: RAITA
Circle: Zettai Shoujo
Category: anime - Sunrise - MaiHime
Price： 630円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2004/12/30
8
嫐
Nabuki
by: Clover
Circle: Hyper Pinch
Category: Original
Price： 735円
age rating: 18+
Release date: 2008/08/17
9
ワルプルギスの夜
Walpulgis no Yoru
by: Keuma
Circle: Keumaya
Category: PC Game - TypeMoon - Fate/
Price： 1,260円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2004/12/30
10
実録ハレンチオーディション
Jitsuroku Harenchi Audition
by: Hijiri Tsukasa
Cricle: Shin-Hijiridou Honpo
Category: manga - Houbunsha - K-on!
Price： 630円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/09
Ahh I remember when I first heard Children of the Sea was licensed…I literally was in Ikebukuro Station crawling out of the Yuurakucho line looking for some place to go to lunch. A friend, and manga associate, called me up to let me know the news. I was a little shocked by the word, and by the tone of her voice so was she, but I was still quiet pleased as an IKKI fan. Though I really did not know what to think of it since at the time I felt there were other IKKI titles more worthy. And then in a matter of days I was in Shogakukan with IKKI staff and it all started to make sense.
Yeah, that story was a trip and so is Children of the Sea. Enjoy both, but go pay for Children and ask for more when IKKI releases more of their hi-quality mind-melds on paper.
VIZ MEDIA RELEASES DAISUKE IGARASHI’S SURREAL AQUATIC MANGA CHILDREN OF THE SEA
San Francisco, CA
June 22, 2009
–VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announced the release of Daisuke Igarashi’s surreal and riveting manga series, CHILDREN OF THE SEA, releasing July 21st in North America. The manga is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an estimated MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.50 CAN.
When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish.
Daisuke Igarashi is an award-winning manga creator who began his career in 1993. His series Majo received the Excellence Prize at the 2004 Japan Media Arts Festival and was nominated for the Fauve d’Or Best Comic Book Prize at the 2007 Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême. Little Forest was nominated for the 2006 Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. His current series Children of the Sea is the winner of the 38th Japan Cartoonist Award and runs in IKKI magazine.
CHILDREN OF THE SEA is the first title to be published under IKKI from VIZ Media, a sub-imprint of the VIZ Signature imprint. In addition to now offering the print version of Volume 1, VIZ Media and IKKI magazine in Japan have collaborated on an online destination (www.sigikki.com) to present free chapters of some of that magazine’s most-loved stories to English readers – beginning with CHILDREN OF THE SEA. The website also features an interview with the creator.
IKKI, a monthly magazine published in Japan has established itself as the home of some of the most innovative, bold, and compelling series in the world of contemporary manga. Since its launch in 2003 IKKI has built a catalog of titles notable for its diversity. From action to comedy to drama, from slice-of-life stories to surrealist fantasies, the one common thing these works share is an uncommon emphasis on creative quality and on pushing the boundaries of the norm.
“We are very excited to team with IKKI magazine to launch this new imprint with the debut of CHILDREN OF THE SEA,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “The story presents realistic, emotionally honest characters and also has a strong ecological message of preserving the wildlife in the planet’s oceans. Readers won’t want miss to how Ruka and her two new waterborne friends discover the reason behind the worldwide disappearance of fish. With this new imprint and related web site, we look forward to introducing many more critically acclaimed manga titles to readers across North America.”
For more information on IKKI please visit www.sigikki.com.
I think it is about time to officially call it…Houbunsha`s K-On! is the flavor of the season if not the first half of 2009. And what`s not to like…It`s got rock & roll. It`s got bishojo in school uniforms. Combine the two and you have girls with guitars!! And like the best moe-fests this series has a character design for pratically every freak out there, so fetishes will be fulfilled even if you are more into enka than indie rock.
How well will K-On! fare in the US where manga fans have not been too receptive to musical manga? Hard to say really, but if ever available I would pay big bucks to have an official K-On! Rock Band guitar.
by: Nakajima Yuka
Circle: Digital Lover
Category: Manga - Houbunsha - K-On!
Price: 420円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/07
2
澪ちゃんの微熱解消大作戦!!
Mio-chan`s Cooling Down Mission
by: Haruki GEnia
Circle: Raijinkai
Category: Manga - Houbunsha - K-On!
Price： 525円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/10
3
王タマ
King Of Soul
by: Takeda Hiromitsu
Circle: Pearl Shell
Category： PC Game - TYPE-MOON - Fate/
Price: 735円
Age Rating: 18+
Release date: 2006/12/31
by and circle: bolze.
Category: manga - Shogakukan - Hayate the Combat Butler
Price ：683円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/04/2
5
コト輪～完全版～
Coto-rin ~The Complete Edition~
by: Seura Isago
Circle: Sago-sou
Category: Toys - Tomy - ZOIDS
Price: 840円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2005/12/30
by: Ayano Naoto
Circle: Kaiki Nissyoku
Category: manga - Houbunsha - K-On!
Price： 630円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/10
by: Aizawa Hiroshi
Circle: High Risk Revolution
Category: manga - Houbunsha - K-On!
Price: 714円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/07
8
実録ハレンチオーディション
Jitsuroku Harenchi Audition
by: Hijiri Tsukasa
Circle: Shin Shindou Honpo
Category: manga - Houbunsha - K!On
Price： 630円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/06/07
9
マモタマ2
MamoTama 2
by: Takeda Hiromitsu
Circle: Pearl Shell
Category: manga - Shueisha - Eyeshield 21
Price: 735円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2005/12/30
10
フロうま*03
FURO Uma 3
by: Mizakura Nankotsu
Circle: Harthnir
Category： video game - Banpresto - Super Robot Wars
Price: 893円
Age rating: 18+
Release date: 2009/04/26
金の王子と銀の王 by: 阿川好子
Golden Prince & Argent King by: Kouko Agawa
Rated: 18+
Price: $12.95
Junè - BL/Romance/Drama
Review May Contain Spoilers
Despite the incredibly wooden art, I thought this story about a poor boy who finally gets a break was sweet and very emotionally gripping. After his mother dies, Yuuki is left on his own. Because he is illegitimate, none of his mother’s relatives wants to take him in, so he is forced to make his own way in life. Working hard and sacrificing like his mother, he is managing to get by. When his father’s family contacts him and offers him a place in their house, he’s delighted to know that he has a family that cares about him. After moving into the opulent family abode, he develops very strong feelings for his two older half-brothers. When Masumi confesses his love for Yuuki, the young man is left confused. It’s the cold and distant Gai that makes his heart race, but will he ever have a future with his older half-brother?
The entire time I was reading this, I thought I was reading a Harlequin Romance. Down on his luck Yuuki is a very sweet and caring young man, but he’s been lonely since his mother died. Because he had to work, he didn’t get to make any friends at his school. When he moves in with his brothers, he is happy to be part of a family again. Older brother Gai is the head of a successful company, and he’s hardly ever around. Masumi is closer to his age, and he confides that he is the product of another of their father’s affairs. My, that man certainly got around!
Yuuki soon has to sort out his confused feelings for his brothers, as well as defend himself from jealous bullies at his new high school. Neither Masumi or Gai helps much; first, Masumi tells Yuuki that he loves him, and then Gai’s aloof attitude sends his heart racing. Popular Masumi doesn’t seem to notice that Yuuki is being picked on by his fan club, and Yuuki doesn’t want to put either brother out by letting them know what’s going on. All of this drama is delivered with copious amounts of angst, as Yuuki wonders if things would be best if he just moved back out on his own.
I liked the timid, caring Yuuki, and was caught up in his self-denial and personal torments. He loves Gai, but realizes that they can never be together. They’re brothers, and besides, Gai has a girl friend who he seems to care for. He’s also unwilling to hurt Masumi’s feelings by rejecting him, which only causes conflict between Gai and Masumi. The situations were all predictable, but that didn’t stop me from getting swept up by the story. The events unfold at a steady pace, and nothing is examined at great depth, which keeps Golden Prince & Argent King firmly in the brain-candy category. It’s a fairy tale where the poor guy gets his happily ever after, and who can resist that? I only wish the art wasn’t so awkward.
Grade: B
Review copy provided by June
This review was written by Julie for the MangaCast. Please drop by the Manga Maniac Cafe and check out the menu. There are always tasty reviews on display!
Ganktusuou, vol. 2
Manga by: Mahiro Maeda
Scenario by: Yura Ariwara
Planning by: Mahiro Maeda and Gonzo
Rated: Older Teen, ages 16+
Price: $10.99
Publisher: Del Rey
Gankutsuou, including the animated Japanese series, is based on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. Thankfully, no knowledge of the anime or book are needed in order to enjoy the manga version, which takes a different tact on the science fiction retelling that Gonzo originally created.
The second volume of the manga, co-authored by Gonzo co-founder Mahiro Maeda, continues the tale of revenge sought by Edmond Dantes against the men who orchestrated his demise many years ago. Here, Dantes, now the Count of Monte Cristo, takes vengeance on the Villefort family.
The Villefort family patriarch, Gerard de Villefort, is the highest-ranking judge in futuristic Paris and helped imprison Dantes in the past. Everything Dantes had — his lover, his title, his life — was taken away when he was thrown in jail, hence his penchant for revenge.
In these chapters, the family experiences several trying situations involving murder, poisoning, incest and deceit. The reader is practically compelled to watch the Villeforts give in, one by one, to the Count’s evil and the madness it brings with it.
Much of the artwork here evokes the anime, but also Maeda’s prior experience at Studio Ghibli. In one scene where the Count seduces Madame Villefort, the illustration is reminiscent of scenes from Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa. While this black-and-white retelling lacks the brilliance of its animated predecessor, its darkness fits this story all too well. Additionally, the two supplements at the end of this volume expand the reader’s knowledge of the world of Gankutsuou with beautiful pen-drawn visuals by Maeda.
Being very familiar with both the book and the anime, I was worried that I would find the manga dull in its replication or that it would pale in comparison to the anime. However, I was surprised with an alternate plotline and an overall theme that better reflects the original source material. Then again, this volume’s darker tone may be a result of the seinen anthology it was serialized in, Afternoon.
Gankutsuou, vol. 2, is like a train wreck that you can’t stop yourself from watching, no matter how grim the results. For those enamored with the source material, or those who enjoy sinister stories, this book is recommended.
This is Lorena’s first review for MangaCast; additional reviews are available at her blog, i ♥ manga.
トラブル・ダブルフェイス by: 神崎貴至
Double Trouble by: Takashi Kanzaki
Rated: 18+
Price: $12.95
Junè - BL/Romance/Comedy
Review May Contain Spoilers
Kou has moved into the dorms at Seiran Academy High School to put some much needed distance between himself and his step-brother, Naruki. Kou is hopelessly in love with him, and he wants to keep his feelings a secret, but staying so close to Naruki is torture. When Naruki transfers to Seiran Academy, Kou has a whole new set of worries. The naive and innocent Naruki has attracted the attention of all of the school’s predators, and Kou needs to keep his step-brother safe. Will he ever be about to confess his feelings to Naruki?
This silly comedy gets off to an unlikely start; Kou’s roommate, who has a huge crush on Kou, hypnotizes Naruki so that he can defend himself against all of the wolves that are circling around him. Naruki has no idea that Kou and Yoshino have hatched this plot to help Naruki help himself, all so the over-tired Kou can get some rest. With almost the entire student body after poor Naruki, Kou is hardly getting any sleep. He wants to make sure that he keeps Naruki all for himself, so he’s working overtime chasing the other guys away. When the hypnosis plan goes slightly awry, Kou has even more trouble to deal with. Now, whenever Naruki is aroused, he transforms into an much more aggressive version of himself, and the only way to change him back into the sweet, meek Naruki is for him to find release from his frustrations.
Needless to say, Kou isn’t very happy with how Yoshino’s plans turned out. I don’t know why he would ever trust Yoshino, because his clever roomie has only one thing on his mind, and that’s winning Kou away from Naruki. Yoshino plots and calculates, devising elaborate methods to steal his love away from Naruki. If Naruki ends up with two personalities, oops, that was just a simple miscalculation by Yoshino.
Most of the humor of the book comes from Naruki’s constant changes in personality, from timid shy guy to relentless lover. With this forceful personality, Naruki is the top, and Kou is relegated to the bottom, a position he never envisioned for himself. At first he’s just happy to know that both Naruki’s love him, even if the shy Naruki won’t accept his feelings. However, as time goes along, and the super sexy Naruki has his wicked way with just about anyone he crosses paths with, Kou starts getting a little upset. This wasn’t supposed to be how things worked out, and with Yoshino constantly working at cross-purposes, love is a very rocky road for everyone.
The art is super, with attractive characters filling the pages, their shifting emotions clear and easy to read. The pacing is swift and the plot moves along at a good clip, not straying away from the basic premise of this emotionally confusing love triangle. The hypnosis angle keeps everything light and somewhat silly, leading to a satisfying, though easily forgotten, tale. This would be a great title to pack in the beach bag to read while catching a few rays.
Also included is the bonus chapter “You’re the Naive One,” which didn’t hold my attention for more than a few pages. I would rather have read more about Kou, Yoshino, and Naruki than about the models portrayed in this story.
Grade: B-
Review copy provided by June
This review was written by Julie for the MangaCast. Please drop by the Manga Maniac Cafe and check out the menu. There’s always tasty reviews on display!
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