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| « March 22, 2004 | Main | March 25, 2004 » |
恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 1
Sometimes, even I need a break from all those boy/guy comics and get something with a real story rather than situational comedy. Koi Kaze fits that gap very well. Koi Kaze is going to be animated and is schedule to air next month, so I thought I'd get ahead and see if it's worth it or not. I've actually been interested in reading this book a few months ago when I saw it at Kinokuniya. There's no blurb on back, so I didn't know what it was. Plus, I had a backlog, so I couldn't really start a new manga unless there was some type of urgency (like having the anime show premiering). I like the artwork in here, but what gets me is the story. It's actually written for a more mature audience despite the pretty pictures. It takes a hard look at how love is supposed to be between a brother (late 20s) and a sister (teen), even though they've never really seen each other before. While the girl treats him as a brother, he has conflicting views of her, especially since he's been sexually deprived from having been dumped a few months ago. There are no bonuses in the comic. 1. 春、ふる (Spring, Wavering): 七夏 (Nanoka) has come to her dad's house waiting for her brother 耕四郎 (Koshiro). However, he doesn't come so Nanoka heads back to her mom's house. Meanwhile, Koshiro still can't get over being dumped. He sees Nanoka drop something and returns it to her. They have a freeze frame moment. The next day, he sees her again and invites her to the amusement park. Atop the ferris wheel, he breaks down in front of her from all the emotions he's been keeping. After they leave, their dad seems them and formally introduces them as brother and sister. 2. 目覚めの悪い朝 (The Terrible Morning When I Open My Eyes): Having made an ass of himself in front of his little sister, he runs away to his mom's house. He has a dinner and talks with his mom about why they've been separated and now suddenly reunited. It's because she's now in high school and the dad's house is closer. He comes home, finally, but still feels like an ass. 3. お兄ちゃん禁止 (Brother, Stop): Koshiro is still quite annoyed, so he doesn't treat Nanoka with much respect. After tolerating with it for a bit, she gives up and decides not to be so nice. Afterschool, she stays late out with her friends rather than coming home. However, it's dark and even though she's reluctant to call home for an escort, she does and Koshiro comes with his bike. 4. 「毎晩一緒に寝ようね」 ("Let's Sleep Together Every Night, Okay?"): Koshiro is still very disturbed by the fact that he had lusted over his little sister. He apparently has a black teddy bear that he has treasured since childhood. He washes it and hangs it up to dry, and Nanoka sees it hanging. He gives it to her, and in return, she returns to her mom's house and gets her white teddy and they do a bear exchange. Koshiro doesn't really like to play along, but Nanoka treasures the gift and sleeps with it. 5. 月が満ちるまで (Until It's a Full Moon): At school, Nanoka is exposed to romance and sees a couple kissing for the first time. That night, she takes a walk with Koshiro and explains her desire to see what kissing is like. The next morning, she leaves a note for Koshiro to do some shopping. He postpones it until late and when he heads out, he sees it's raining. He brings some umbrellas and meets up with Nanoka and they both walk home. Nanoka tells him that she's in no hurry for love (meaning, she's already got a nice brother). 6. 思春期 (Puberty): After work, he meets his ex, who spots him with his little sister. Nanoka goes home first and Koshiro and the ex go out for a drink where they talk about his new little sister and their relationship. He comes home, more frustrated than ever. He finds one of Nanoka's bras and uses that as sensual stimulation as he masturbates. Afterwards, he is terribly ashamed that he ever did such a thing. 7. 夏の午後はうたたね (The Summer Afternoons are for Naps): He explodes the next day after Nanoka emptied out the trash in his room. The bra was in there and he could have been caught red-handed. But later, he tries making it up to her, even though she doesn't know what's going on. |
Title: 恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 1" |
いちご１００％ (Strawberry 100%) Vol. 9
This is my favorite series currently in publication and this issue is the latest, having been just released early this month (my other favorite, Narue no Sekai is also out now too). Such a shame that I don't subscribe to JUMP, but weeklies are expensive. In light of their new drama cd, the cd makes the story even better as I finally have their voices in my head. This volume mostly concerns Tsukasa, although it has a bit of Yui at the beginning. Satsuki and Aya are pretty much side characters for now, but that'll probably change as Junpei's wavering emotions change too. You gotta love romantic comedies where the guy just can't choose. There are two pages of bonus 4 panel comics at the back of the book and a summary page at the beginning. 72. 最後の夜 (The Last Night): At the end of last book, Yui ran away from home to Junpei's place. Junpei told her dad that he'd return her, but they end up staying a night at a hotel. 73. 唯の味方 (Yui's Hero): At the hotel, Yui confesses to Junpei about how she didn't want her parents to move away from the neighborhood 6 years ago and that she likes him. Rather than staying the night, Yui gets a call from her mom to return immediately as something terrible has happened, but it's a ploy. As soon as Junpei appears, Yui's dad for not bringing her home. When he comes around, Yui resolves to live by herself and not stay at Junpei's place anymore. 74. 水着で個人指導 (Private Lesson in Bathing Suits): Having been away from work due to Yui, he tries to make up to his boss. His boss says he has to get Tsukasa into a bikini for him. So Junpei asks Tsukasa if she wants to go swimming and they go to his boss's pool. However, Junpei can't swim, so he gets rescued by Tsukasa. 75. 誰よりも甘い男 (The Sweetest Man): On the street, Junpei is bothered by a few thugs and is saved by a tall and very handsome man who is especially nice to him. At home, he gets invited to Tsukasa's house to try out some of her new cake and also to have her help him on his homework (as she's the smarter one). At her house, Tsukasa gets a visitor who turns out to be none other than the tall, nice man. 76. 迷える子羊と拾う神 (The Mislead-able Lamb and the Pick-Up God): Junpei has his suspicious about their relationship but it all comes crashing down when he sees them embrace. He runs out of her house and meets Aya on the road. They talk for a bit, which makes him feel better (it's nice having a selection of girls, isn't it?) 77. 抱擁 (Embrace): The next day, Tsukasa is wondering why he just ran out. They meet by the bakery where she works and she explains to him that she had a knee-jerk reaction to seeing a roach in the kitchen and that the guy was her tutor. 78. 誕生日アゲイン (Birthday Again): It's Junpei's birthday and he manages to triple book himself with three of the girls, Aya, Tsukasa, and Satsuki. But in the end, they have a gathering of the drama club team at a karaoke bar where Hiroshi, Junpei's friend, reveals some costumes for the girls to wear on this special occasion. 79. BIRTHDAY PANIC: The girls dress into their black leather, Charlie's Angel styled outfit and sing the night away until an explosion in the first floor restaurant occurs. They have a minor panic, but are saved by firemen who see them in the outfits. 80. 思いでの校舎で (At the School Building of Memories): That night, Tsukasa invites out Junpei at midnight. They go back to their old middle school where they first met and Tsukasa sneaks in the school and asks Junpei to send the night with her in the nurses's office. |
Title: いちご１００％ (Strawberry 100%) Vol. 9 |
こいこい７ (Koi Koi 7) Vol. 1 LE
Another series by Morishige. How does the guy do it? He has two comics running at the same time. Must be a bunch of underlings. I like this series a little better than his other one. The intro, while it isn't meaningful, is quite eye-catching with the phrase "The Flowers are in Full Bloom!" (read the book to find out). If you can't do it the pure way... The character design is better in this series too, although I can't help but think that Yayoi is almost a complete copy of Kurumi with pink hair that wraps under her eyes. In comparison to other stories that feature super-powered girls saving the day, I have to say that this comes in near the middle of the pack. Even so, it's still enjoyable. There was a more expensive first edition with a more provocative cover and a calendar that I missed out on. In this book, there are a few pages of a club newsletter at the end and colors pages to start the story off. (7/24/04) Edit: I discovered the LE edition at a used bookstore (for cheaper too!). Cover has been replaced with the LE version. 1. 接触編 ('Contact' Chapter): 田中哲郎 (Tetsuro Tanaka) is a month late starting high school due to an accident. As he's finally able to go, he's almost hit by a truck, but is saved by a mysterious girl who wears the same pendant as the one that his school has. He finds out that he's the only boy in his class and is instantly hated by his classmates except for a few. One girl is 飛鳥ヤヨイ (Yayoi Asuka), whose name Tetsuro is familiar with as it's the same name as a girl he knew when he was little. A few more girls get introduced, one being 風祭サクヤ (Sakuya Kazamatsuri). Yayoi reveals that she has superpowers and she takes him to his dorm, which she is going to share with him along with Sakuya, 月読みミヤビ (Miyabi Tsukuyomi), 鈴鹿アキオ (Akio Suzuka), 蝶野オトメ (Otome Chouno), 猪飼ヒフミ (Hifumi Inokai), and finally his teacher, 花皇 (Kano). 2. 発動編 ('Into Action' Chapter): Tetsuro wants to transfer out after finding out that he's living with a bunch of girls with extra-ordinary powers. He confronts Yayoi saying that she scares him. This puts Yayoi in a tail-spin into self-destruction, but Tetsuro apologizes just in time. 3. 因果地平編 ('The Horizon of Cause and Effect' Chapter): Tetsuro is abducted and abused by the popular clique at the school. While he's being held captive, 7 girls (the girls from his house) appear calling themselves the "Koi Koi 7" and rescue him. 4. 真夜中狂騒曲 (The Tune of Midnight Mania): Sakuya has a secret life she leads as the leader of a group of female riders (of bicycles). Thinking that Sakuya is leaving at night by herself, Tetsuro insist that he accompany her, but ends up being dressed like a girl so he can join the clan. 5. 夢見れる機械 (The Machine that Can See Dreams): Otome is mostly a machine, but she occasionally has dreams about events she doesn't remember. She and Tetsuro spend a day together, but at night, she short circuits and when she wakes up, she remembers nothing. Those dreams are her lost memories. 6. 世界平和は踊る (The Peace on Earth Dances): Akio, who's ability is flying, gets Tetsuro to team up with her wearing jumpsuits and becoming the freedom fighters, "Koi Koi 7." They spend the day helping people and Akio reflects on her past when she was helpless, but now that's changed. |
Title: こいこい７ (Koi Koi 7) Vol. 1 |
花右京メイド隊 (Hanaukyou Maid Tai) Vol. 1
Thinking that I was going to get the new anime series, as Rie Tanaka is featured in it (and then work my way back to first season/ova), I decided to pick this up. It's okay, I guess. For a story to work for me, the first few pages are critical. I need to be sucked in really fast with a meaningful intro, even if the rest of the story is you're typical romantic comedy. Unfortunately, this series doesn't have such an introduction. It's not a bad thing, but it'll just take me longer to fully enjoy the story. There are no bonuses, not even a mention of when and where this comic was serialized. Bah. 1. ご主人様 (My Master): 花右京太郎 (Hanaukyo) moves to Tokyo with his grampa after his mother died. What he didn't expect was that his gramps lived in a huge mansion with an army of maid, the head maid being Mariel. Even worse, his gramps leaves the house and maids all to him. And so begins his life of being pampered by maids. 2. 太郎の学校 (Taro's School): At school, the maids help Taro with work when he's put on the spot in front of the class. They also make him the jock of the school by helping him play basketball, using wires and three maids pulling. 3. 花右京家の大惨事 (The Big Accident at the Hanaukyo's): イクヨ (Ikuyo), a maid, is physically weak, but excels at making machines, or so she thinks. She tries to make a weather machine, but it goes awry and explodes causing havoc at the mansion. However, it does make snow fall. 4. ライバル登場！？ (A Rival Appears!?): A member from a competing family, 慈悲王リュウカ (Ryuuka Jihiou), appears to scope out Taro. While she expects him to be an aristocrat, he actually just tries to be a regular guy, sweating out work with the maids. 5. マリエルのこと (About Mariel): Taro and some maids, including Mariel go to the beach. There, Taro takes with the question of whether he likes Mariel and vice-versa. She responds that she indeed likes him, but he gets the impression that she doesn't know what he really means by "like." 6. 新顔登場 (A New Face Appears): A maid, Konowe, returns. She's very much of the swordswoman type and tells Taro to stop helping out because he's the boss. While shopping, she seems him looking for presents. They have a sit-down talk, he fends off some attackers, and their relationship gets better. 7. 太郎の休日 (Taro's Day Off): Even though it's Sunday, the maids have him working like a horse with homework, physical training, bathing, etc. At night, he's all pooped out and sees Cynthia, a younger maid. They play some video games before the other maids find them and create a commotion. 8. 花右京家の頭脳 (The Brains of the Hanaukyo House): It turns out that Cynthia has two personalities, the other is Grace, a computer genius although a bit rambunctious. She and Cynthia switch personalities after each falls asleep. As hackers are attacking the main computer system, it's Cynthia who's currently away, so they try to make her fall asleep and Grace comes to save the day. |
Title: 花右京メイド隊 (Hanaukyou Maid Tai) Vol. 1 |
シュガ～ (Sugar) Vol. 1
While I try to keep with the natural progression of series, i.e. if the manga came out first, then I'll read the manga first before the anime, for this one, I went ahead and read the manga which is based off the anime series. I've only seen the first few episdoes of the anime (yet another case of having the whole season unwatched on my shelf), so I can't really comment on how it compares, but there are some things that are immediately noticeable. The artwork in the manga is just a little off. I like the character design in the anime, and the manga tries to follow, but there's just something a little different about how she is. Maybe it's her eyes, but it bugs me a bit. The story is cute from what I've seen and read in this first volume. I love the intro to the anime. No bonuses except for a few colors pages to being the story and a letter from the author after the first chapter おはなし１ シュガーが街にやってきた。。。 (Story 1, From the Streets Came Sugar): Saga, a punctual and very orderly girl whose mom has died, encounters a Snow Fairy, Sugar, almost passed out on the street. Much to the fairy's surprise, Saga can see her even though she's supposed to be invisible to people. Saga takes her home where Sugar reveals that she's looking for a "Twinkle" so she can be a full-powered Fairy. The two of them get in an argument after Sugar tries to help out one of Saga's friend's experiment. What angers Saga even more is that a plant has sprouted from her musical toy piano. おはなし２ シュガー「きらめき」を探す。。。 (Story 2, Sugar Searching for "Twinkles"): To try and alleviate Saga's anger, Sugar decides to hurry up her search for the "Twinkle." Along with two other fairies, Salt and Pepper. She gets herself trapped by a crow after seeing some twinkles from its nest. Meanwhile, Saga has cooled off a bit, so she comes out just in time to save Sugar. おはなし３ シュガー、家出をする。。。 (Story 3, Sugar Runs Away): Sugar is practicing her magical flute. She's not good at it so it disturbs Saga. On top of that, it beckons the crow back, this time into the music store where Saga's mother's piano resides. Saga gets annoyed again, so Sugar wants to write her an apology letter. Unfortunately, she chooses sheet music that Saga's mom worked on as the paper to write on, which is a big no no. Eventually, she comes to her senses, remembers the words her mother told her when she was writing music and she forgives Sugar. Salt and Pepper also explain the situation. おはなし４ 夢のカタチ。。。 (Story 4, The Shape of the Dream): Phil, Saga's experimenting friend, is trying to make a weather machine that will produce an aurora. Salt mocks this idea as he doesn't respect humans trying to do a fairy's work. However, in the end, he after talking to a fellow fairy who's also an artist, he helps out Phil in his experiment and makes it a huge success. |
Title: ちっちゃな雪使い シュガ〜 (Small Snow Fairy, Sugar) Vol. 1 |
Do not leave open cans around I just performed an act of stupidity. I had a can of Pepsi, half full that has been sitting out here for a week. I just opened up a new can from the fridge and placed it next to the old can that I was too lazy to throw out. Guess which one I drank from? So I went to the eye doctor and he told me that my better eye has gotten worse and that my worse eye has gotten better. My right eye is a terrible -3.00, now a -2.75. My better eye was a -.75, now a -1.25. I hate glasses, but this is a consequence of getting old. Reading books under inadequate lighting also does the job pretty well. Everything is going on pause tonight as I do catch-up work on writing up the books I've read. The plan was to read Kanon and Guardian Hearts, but no, have to write up reviews as I don't allow books to be placed on my bookshelf until I do them, and as it is now, I have a dozen or so books stacked on my desk. |
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