Title: 藍より青し (Ai yori Aoshi) Vol. 15
Artist/Author: 文月晃 (Kou Fumizuki)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 187pp., w/o furigana
Original Serialization: Young Animal Vol. 14, '04 - Vol. 22, '04, Young Animal Island Vol. 2
First Printing: 3/5/04
Rating: 4/4

One of my long standing issues with Ai yori has been answer in this volume when Aoi finally meets the guy who has taken over the Hanabishi estate. That's pretty much all that this volume covers, but it's good to see that the author didn't forget about the other Kaoru that he introduced several volumes ago.

Bonus comes with a character intro and summary page as well as the bonus chapter that appeared in Young Animal Island Vol. 2 with the Chika-rins.

Title: まぶらほ (Maburaho) The Greatest Hits
Original Creator: 築地俊彦 (Toshihiko Tsukiji)
Vocals: 生天目仁美 (Hitomi Nabatame), 松岡由貴 (Yuki Matsuoka), 猪口有佳 (Yuka Inoguchi), and ICHIKO
Release Date: 11/17/04
Catalog No.: SCDC-00382
Rating: 3/4

This CD contains all of the vocals used in the show. It contains the intro, ending, as well as the vocal from the three character singles. So right off the bat, I have 5 duplicate songs. Discounting those, it comes with 4 new songs, two Christmas songs, a song with the trio singing, and the ending sung by the main cast (used in episode 24 ending).

Despite the Engrish, I find the Maburaho cast singing Bing Crosby as awfully cute. Their rendition of the ending song is charming although they're pretty off key. The CD as a whole is pleasant to listen to with the only standouts being the original intro and ending.

Title: ながされて藍蘭島 (Washed Away, Airan Island) Vol. 5 LE
Artist/Author: 藤代健 (Takeshi Fujishiro)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 180pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly GANGAN Wing 6/04-11/04
First Printing: 2/22/04
Rating: 3/4

Things just aren't as funny when Ayane isn't being abused. My favorite chapter is chapter 29 with Suzu and Ayane fighting each other, but beside that, most of the stories were entertaining but not as hilarious as stuff in the previous volumes.

Limited edition comes with a Machi figurine as well as a Suzu pictured card. The book has a couple of bonus chapters, an omake comic, and a sketch of MeiMei.

Title: まぶらほ (Maburaho) Vol. 12 LE
Volume: 12/12
Catalog No.: BIBA-4212
Release Date: 12/21/04
Rating: 4/4

I actually liked how the series ended, minus the extra part at the end thrown in for the readers of the novels. I didn't think that they could have made the ending any better than the one they presented in episode 24 right before the ending credits.

Chihaya is still my favorite girl in the series, but it was a rollercoaster for these two episodes. I didn't like her stubbornness during the last episode, but she eventually came to her senses at the end.

Now time to hit the books and start reading the 10+ volume novel series. Ugh. But at least that's cheaper than 12 DVDs @ ~$70 each. Yikes.

Limited edition comes with a box for the last 4 DVDs, a Chihaya keyholder, picture cards, and calendars. Video bonuses include the non-text version of the two special endings for episode 23 and 24.

Title: 彼氏彼女の事情 (His and Her Circumstances) Vol. 20
Artist/Author: 津田雅美 (Masami Tsuda)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 187pp., w/furigana
Volume: 20/21
Original Serialization: Monthly LALA 9/04-2/05
First Printing: 3/10/05
Rating: 4/4

I made the mistake last time of thinking it was a 23 volume series. Rather, vol. 19 was her 23rd comic. Karekano will finish with 21 volumes with last chapter in the June issue (if I remember correctly).

Finally, Arima's parental issues are resolved and the story goes back to the him and her. Personally, I disagree about where the story is going as I believe the two of them have messed up their lives pretty badly given the choices that they are making, but I'm not writing it. I'm just a reader hoping that whatever ending will come next volume will be something that concludes this saga.

No bonuses.

Title: フルーツバスケット (Fruits Basket) Vol. 16
Artist/Author: 高屋奈月 (Natsuki Takaya)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 189pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Hana to Yume Vol 9, '04 - Vol 15, '04
First Printing: 1/25/05
Rating: 3/4

I really loved the story that Tohru's mother told Kyo as a child about her life, how she ran away from home, got her life turned around by a teacher who she later married, gave birth to Tohru, and her feelings after her husband died. As much as I love it though, I feel like her mom's story has been told before in previous volumes. Nothing happens with the characters in present day (the remaining chapters were pretty dull). For something that's already in the 16th volume, I had hoped for more progress rather than reflection.

Bonus is just a summary/character intro page.

Title: 恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 4
Original Creator: 吉田基己 (Motoi Yoshida)
Volume: 4/5
Catalog No.: GNBA-1044
Release Date: 10/22/04
Rating: 4/4

Being the penultimate DVD, the story is quickly coming to a close. I'm very impressed that they were able to add so much story into just three chapters. The first focuses on Nanoka and Koshiro's past with the next two having the siblings coming to realize their own feelings for each other and the taboo that comes with it. I wonder how the last episode will differ from the manga.

First edition comes with a postcard of Nanoka and friend and some stickers. Video bonus has a collection of commercials for the DVD.

Title: かみちゃまかりん (Mini-Goddess Karin) Vol. 5
Artist/Author: コゲどんぼ (Koge-Donbo)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 180pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Nakayoshi 8/04-12/04
First Printing: 12/6/04
Rating: 2/4

The summary provided at the beginning of the book helped as I had forgotten most of what has happened in the story so far. This volume doesn't add too much to the overall story. There's a revelation that might link Karin and Kazune, but it's drowned out by the bickering the two have during the play in the latter half of the book. It ends on a happy note though.

Bonus comes with a postcard. It has the translucent cover like previous issues and an short omake comic.