Admittedly, The IDOLM@STER is not my usual fare. Clearly otaku-bait, I normally would avoid a show like this like the plague. However, ANN’s Zac gave the first episode a surprisingly positive review in the summer preview guide, so I decided to take the plunge. After all, if I had stuck with my gut and continued avoiding Toradora based on its plot summary, I wouldn’t have experienced its familiar and yet surprisingly refreshing take on the romantic-comedy genre. Perhaps The IDOLM@STER could do the same.
{January 14, 2012}
The IDOLM@STER
{December 10, 2011}
Pure Trance
For those who are not familiar with Junko Mizuno, she is a manga artist with certainly a unique artistic approach. She uses bold lines and a great deal of black and white without many lighter shading between (unless the manga is in color as it sometimes is–then the whole spectrum is available). It also has a slightly more Western comic strip look to it, with a cutesy element to it. At least until you throw in the grotesque parts. In sum, her style is cute-grotesque and while reading one of her non-colored volumes, I personally have to fight the urge to pull out a box of crayons and start coloring.
{September 25, 2011}
Kitchen Princess
As a child, Najika nearly drowned. She was rescued by a boy who gave her a treat to eat. Najika is determined to find that boy again and make him the best snack he’s ever tasted. But the thing is, the only clue she has to his identity is the spoon he gave to her, which belongs to a prestigious school.
{July 23, 2011}
Monokuro Kinderbook
Short story anthology manga are a favorite of mine, particularly when they interweave characters of the stories, but also when they don’t. All My Darling Daughters and Erica Sakurazawa’s collections are among my favorites, and I had high hopes that Monokuro Kinderbook would be quickly joining those ranks.
{July 2, 2011}
Wandering Son v. 1
Sometimes we’re born into bodies that don’t quite fit our hearts and minds. Sometimes it’s the athletic soul in a weakened body, a shy girl ending up with a voluptuous figure, or a the soul of a girl born into the body of a boy. Of course, not everyone will agree with the validity of the last portion of that statement, but it’s not up for debate here. Not when discussing a manga that tackles precisely that issue.
{May 2, 2011}
Bunny Drop v. 1-3
When Daikichi’s grandfather passes away, the family is in for a big surprise when they find 6-year-old Rin waiting at his home, his lovechild with a woman who does not appear to be in the picture. Daikichi takes it upon himself to raise the little girl, and thus starting a heartwarming story of what makes a family.
{May 1, 2011}
The Quest for the Missing Girl
Whenever Fanfare/Ponent Mon releases a manga, high quality is expected. When it’s a manga from Taniguchi Jiro, the bar is raised even higher. Unfortunately, this can sometimes set expectations a bit too high, as is the case with The Quest for the Missing Girl.
{April 30, 2011}
Video Girl Ai v. 1-3
Yota “Dateless” Moteuchi has a problem. He likes Moemi, but she’s smitten with Yota’s best friend. Burying his sorrows in a idol video, Yota suddenly finds himself with the video girl, Ai, in his arms. And of course, mayhem ensues.
{April 29, 2011}
Going Rouge
Going Rouge: Sarah Palin – American Nightmare is a mixed bag. Composed of various essays, many of which were not written for the book, some are good, some are bad; some are constructively critical while others are just mindless vitriol. Because of this odd assortment, the overall feel of the book is hashed together and lacks much cohesiveness–except when it’s busy being completely redundant, that is.
{February 25, 2011}
Andromeda Stories
Life was good on Astria. Royal weddings were occurring, peace reigned supreme, and God was content. But the unknown star first seen on the day of the Ayodoyan princess and Cosmoralian prince’s wedding would spell doom for all that was loved on the planet.
