many short series
As a result of a local comic bookstore sale %50 off. I checked these series and stocked up others (Nana - but I haven't started yet - saving the best for last :) )
14b. 1 volume of Love Master A (ラブマスターA).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Kyoko Hashimoto
from Go! Comi website:
Reading. 'Riting. 'Rithmitic. Romance.
Aria has transferred to a new school in hopes of a calm and quiet new life -- only to find that her reputation has preceded her! Ironically nicknamed "The Love Master" because of her incredibly bad luck with romance, Aria decides to turn over a new leaf -- helping other couples overcome their problems, whether they like it or not!
Some points:
- It's kind of funny - and only 2 volumes so it's not a huge investment by any means.
- The girl is trying so hard to resist but ...
- I had to go to Go! Comi and order #2 right away. They are having buying 2 get a 3rd one free and free shipping if you go book rate. So I'll check out The Devil within and Song of the Hanging Sky from this review on ann
Bottom line, not really stand out but short, so low investment.
14c. 1 volume of Sugar princess (シュガープリンセス).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Hisaya Nakajo
from Viz website:
When Maya Kurinoki takes her little brother to the local ice-skating rink for the first time, she's got her hands full just trying to get him to let go of the bar. To inspire a bit of bravery in him, she attempts a double axel--and lands it! Maya never imagined that this jump would change her life...or that a coach named Eishi Todo would vow to make her a figure skating "princess"! Now all Maya has to do is convince famous skater Shun Kano to become her partner. Too bad Shun doesn't want to have anything to do with her!
Some points:
- pure fluff
- Maya has 2 girl friends that take care of her.
- Shun looks a bit between Sano and Kayashima.
- I enjoy her drawing of the famous ice skaters.
Bottom line, again low investment and short read.
14d. Voices of a Distant Star (ほしのこえ, Hoshi no Koe, lit. "Voices of a Star").
wiki
Manga updates
written by Makoto Shinkai and illustrated by Mizu Sahara
from manga udpates:
To what distance would you go for your one true love? In the midst of an alien invasion, Mikako joins the resistance, leaving behind the one young man she loves. As she goes deeper into space, Mikako's only connection with her boyfriend is through cell-phone text messages. The war rages on and years pass, but Mikako barely ages in the timelessness of space while Noboru grows old. How can the love of two people, torn apart by war, survive?
Some points:
- very touching love story - shed tears a couple of times
- the question is: "Is out of sight really out of mind?"
Bottom line, I'd definitely check out the anime.
15. 4 volumes of Pearl Pink (天然パールピンク - Tennen Pearl Pink).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Meca Tanaka
from CMX website:
Follow the bumpy and funny romance between bubbly Tamoko and the serious Kanji. With Kanji's father running an idol agency, and Tamoko being the daughter of their top-selling idol, Shinju, things get complicated. Tamako must hide the fact she is Shinju's daughter to save public face, but at the same time, is determined to be his ideal wife (a was promised when they were little kids). It doesn't help that Tamako's pretty clumsy and poor of domestic chores, but no matter what comes down the road, she's not about to give up!
Some points:
- Tamako is a strong girl character, but I feel that her obsession with Kanji seems a bit unhealthy. I'm sure eventually she'll make him fall for her, but ...
- It's funny how Kanji is very good in supporting roles, making bentos, taking care of his *clients* :)
Bottom line, it's a nice and short series.
16. 5 volumes of My Heavenly Hockey Club (極楽青春ホッケー部, Gokuraku Seishun Hockey Bu).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Morinaga Ai
from Del Rey website:
Vol 1: WHERE THE BOYS ARE!
Hana Suzuki loves only two things in life: eating and sleeping. So when handsome classmate Izumi Oda asks Hana-his major crush-to join the school hockey club, persuading her proves to be a difficult task. True, the Grand Hockey Club is full of boys-and all the boys are super-cute-but given a choice, Hana prefers a sizzling steak to a hot date. Then Izumi mentions the field trips to fancy resorts. Now Hana can’t wait for the first away game, with its promise of delicious food and luxurious linens. Of course there’s also the getting up early, working hard, and playing well with others. How will Hana survive?
Vol 2: KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE!
Hana Suzuki has it good: she’s the only girl in the Grand Hockey Club, and all the other members are super-hot guys. But the dream may be over. If the Hockey Club doesn’t win its next match, the school will disband it! Hana and the boys are pretty much the worst hockey players ever. Can they get their act together in time to save the club?
Vol 3: HUNT FOR LOVE!
During the hockey club’s camping trip, Hana and Takashi find themselves lost in the jungle. Being alone in the wilderness with a hot guy should be a good thing, but this handsome boy is Hana’s worst enemy! Can the two of them stop fighting long enough to survive?
Vol 4: STUDY BUDDIES
Hana doesn’t really care that she’s flunking out of school, but her friends in the hockey club do. If Hana can’t improve her grades, she’ll be barred from playing on the team. Luckily, the cute boys of the Grand Hockey Club will do anything to help a teammate in distress!
Vol 6: HURRICANE MARTIN
The Grand Hockey Club is already the most fabulous club in the school: That’s because the players are all super-hot guys (plus their sidekick Hana). But now the club is even more glam. Enter Yukio Francois de Saint-Martin, the club’s new faculty advisor. This tall, blond Frenchman is sexy, passionate . . . and totally out of his mind. Can the hockey club survive his crazy plans?
Some points:
- a lot of gags
- no plots
- Not sure how Izumi feels about Hana and why he's attached to her but she's definitely not interested.
- not exactly a reserved harem like Ouran high. The twins don't do much here as those in Ouran High.
- Hana is opposite of Haruhi.
- since there is virtually no plot - I just skip #5 for now and read 6 :)
- I don't think Izumi is as kind as Tamaki. He's more the spoiled, selfish type.
Bottom line, I'm kind of hooked but I prefer Ouran High.
17. 3 volumes of Penguin Revolution (ペンギン 革命, Pengin Kakumei).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Sakura Tsukuba
from CMX website:
Vol 1: High school student Yukari Fujimaru knows a potential star when she sees one…because she sees the special "aura" they give off, in the form of angelic wings. Yukari's fellow student, the beautiful Ryoko Katsuragi, has a small pair of wings herself, and is one of these aspiring talents. She's so talented, in fact, that no one even knows that "she" is actually a boy in disguise. Now, to make her own down-to-earth dream come true, Yukari must help her new friend become a star.
Vol 2: Ryo's making his big debut on stage - in the lead role! Yukari is doing her best to support him, but she's been pretty busy trying to pull off her own performance as a guy. Her "role" might not be as convincing as she had hoped, but Ryo seems to be bringing down the house. In fact, the lines between acting and real life might be getting a little blurry.
Vol 3: Yukari - in the guise of male agent Yutaka - is now managing her friend Ryo's career for the Peacock agency. Ryo's minor role in a show has unexpected consequences when a bump on the head turns him into an improvisational wizard. Suddenly, his star may be on the rise, leading the agency's President to want to turn over his career management to someone else's care!
Some points:
- the premise is a little over the top, but I can't help but want to know how the characters fair in the future.
- Yukari appears to be strong but she's not without her own baggage.
- At first I don't really like Narazaki, but he's growing on me.
Bottom line, 4 volumes more to go.
18. 3 volumes of Teru teru x shonen (てるてる×少年 - 害羞忍者少年).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Shigeru Takao
from CMX website:
Vol 1: Before she left her rural village to go to school in the big city, 6-year-old Shinobu told her friend Saizou to grow up strong so he could someday come and protect her. Now 16, Shinobu's enjoying life at the Tokyo Private Imperial Academy. But when a male exchange student comes to the school, it turns out to be none other than Saizou! Although his appearance hasn't changed much, he is now a skilled ninja. And his arrival couldn't be more timely: Someone is out to get Shinobu, but no one knows who or why. Saizou wants to be more than a protector to his old friend - but he may have a rival.
Vol 2: When Saizo was orphaned, a caring family took him in. His new brother and best friend Sasuke still sees it as his duty to protect Saizo, even as Saizo protects Shinobu. But Sasuke isn't too crazy about Shinobu, who he sees as a stuck-up, spoiled brat. Things only get worse when her mother comes for a visit. To complicate matters, there's another attempt on Shinobu's life!
Vol 3: As if things weren't crazy enough, Chiyo, a female ninja from Saizo's village, arrives in Tokyo to challenge Shinobu at the school's upcoming athletics festival. Chiyo's got a thing for Saizo and if she wins, she's going to take him back home with her. Saizo may not feel the same towards Chiyo, but his adopted brother Sasuke sure does, making this whole situation even more complicated
Some points:
- I like book 3 the best so far.
Bottom line, may continue, may not depending on budget.
Continuing series:
eta: Yotsuba&! is back, it will be released by Yen press in Sept this year. The best news ever.
14b. 1 volume of Love Master A (ラブマスターA).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Kyoko Hashimoto
from Go! Comi website:
Reading. 'Riting. 'Rithmitic. Romance.
Aria has transferred to a new school in hopes of a calm and quiet new life -- only to find that her reputation has preceded her! Ironically nicknamed "The Love Master" because of her incredibly bad luck with romance, Aria decides to turn over a new leaf -- helping other couples overcome their problems, whether they like it or not!
Some points:
- It's kind of funny - and only 2 volumes so it's not a huge investment by any means.
- The girl is trying so hard to resist but ...
- I had to go to Go! Comi and order #2 right away. They are having buying 2 get a 3rd one free and free shipping if you go book rate. So I'll check out The Devil within and Song of the Hanging Sky from this review on ann
Bottom line, not really stand out but short, so low investment.
14c. 1 volume of Sugar princess (シュガープリンセス).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Hisaya Nakajo
from Viz website:
When Maya Kurinoki takes her little brother to the local ice-skating rink for the first time, she's got her hands full just trying to get him to let go of the bar. To inspire a bit of bravery in him, she attempts a double axel--and lands it! Maya never imagined that this jump would change her life...or that a coach named Eishi Todo would vow to make her a figure skating "princess"! Now all Maya has to do is convince famous skater Shun Kano to become her partner. Too bad Shun doesn't want to have anything to do with her!
Some points:
- pure fluff
- Maya has 2 girl friends that take care of her.
- Shun looks a bit between Sano and Kayashima.
- I enjoy her drawing of the famous ice skaters.
Bottom line, again low investment and short read.
14d. Voices of a Distant Star (ほしのこえ, Hoshi no Koe, lit. "Voices of a Star").
wiki
Manga updates
written by Makoto Shinkai and illustrated by Mizu Sahara
from manga udpates:
To what distance would you go for your one true love? In the midst of an alien invasion, Mikako joins the resistance, leaving behind the one young man she loves. As she goes deeper into space, Mikako's only connection with her boyfriend is through cell-phone text messages. The war rages on and years pass, but Mikako barely ages in the timelessness of space while Noboru grows old. How can the love of two people, torn apart by war, survive?
Some points:
- very touching love story - shed tears a couple of times
- the question is: "Is out of sight really out of mind?"
Bottom line, I'd definitely check out the anime.
15. 4 volumes of Pearl Pink (天然パールピンク - Tennen Pearl Pink).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Meca Tanaka
from CMX website:
Follow the bumpy and funny romance between bubbly Tamoko and the serious Kanji. With Kanji's father running an idol agency, and Tamoko being the daughter of their top-selling idol, Shinju, things get complicated. Tamako must hide the fact she is Shinju's daughter to save public face, but at the same time, is determined to be his ideal wife (a was promised when they were little kids). It doesn't help that Tamako's pretty clumsy and poor of domestic chores, but no matter what comes down the road, she's not about to give up!
Some points:
- Tamako is a strong girl character, but I feel that her obsession with Kanji seems a bit unhealthy. I'm sure eventually she'll make him fall for her, but ...
- It's funny how Kanji is very good in supporting roles, making bentos, taking care of his *clients* :)
Bottom line, it's a nice and short series.
16. 5 volumes of My Heavenly Hockey Club (極楽青春ホッケー部, Gokuraku Seishun Hockey Bu).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Morinaga Ai
from Del Rey website:
Vol 1: WHERE THE BOYS ARE!
Hana Suzuki loves only two things in life: eating and sleeping. So when handsome classmate Izumi Oda asks Hana-his major crush-to join the school hockey club, persuading her proves to be a difficult task. True, the Grand Hockey Club is full of boys-and all the boys are super-cute-but given a choice, Hana prefers a sizzling steak to a hot date. Then Izumi mentions the field trips to fancy resorts. Now Hana can’t wait for the first away game, with its promise of delicious food and luxurious linens. Of course there’s also the getting up early, working hard, and playing well with others. How will Hana survive?
Vol 2: KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE!
Hana Suzuki has it good: she’s the only girl in the Grand Hockey Club, and all the other members are super-hot guys. But the dream may be over. If the Hockey Club doesn’t win its next match, the school will disband it! Hana and the boys are pretty much the worst hockey players ever. Can they get their act together in time to save the club?
Vol 3: HUNT FOR LOVE!
During the hockey club’s camping trip, Hana and Takashi find themselves lost in the jungle. Being alone in the wilderness with a hot guy should be a good thing, but this handsome boy is Hana’s worst enemy! Can the two of them stop fighting long enough to survive?
Vol 4: STUDY BUDDIES
Hana doesn’t really care that she’s flunking out of school, but her friends in the hockey club do. If Hana can’t improve her grades, she’ll be barred from playing on the team. Luckily, the cute boys of the Grand Hockey Club will do anything to help a teammate in distress!
Vol 6: HURRICANE MARTIN
The Grand Hockey Club is already the most fabulous club in the school: That’s because the players are all super-hot guys (plus their sidekick Hana). But now the club is even more glam. Enter Yukio Francois de Saint-Martin, the club’s new faculty advisor. This tall, blond Frenchman is sexy, passionate . . . and totally out of his mind. Can the hockey club survive his crazy plans?
Some points:
- a lot of gags
- no plots
- Not sure how Izumi feels about Hana and why he's attached to her but she's definitely not interested.
- not exactly a reserved harem like Ouran high. The twins don't do much here as those in Ouran High.
- Hana is opposite of Haruhi.
- since there is virtually no plot - I just skip #5 for now and read 6 :)
- I don't think Izumi is as kind as Tamaki. He's more the spoiled, selfish type.
Bottom line, I'm kind of hooked but I prefer Ouran High.
17. 3 volumes of Penguin Revolution (ペンギン 革命, Pengin Kakumei).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Sakura Tsukuba
from CMX website:
Vol 1: High school student Yukari Fujimaru knows a potential star when she sees one…because she sees the special "aura" they give off, in the form of angelic wings. Yukari's fellow student, the beautiful Ryoko Katsuragi, has a small pair of wings herself, and is one of these aspiring talents. She's so talented, in fact, that no one even knows that "she" is actually a boy in disguise. Now, to make her own down-to-earth dream come true, Yukari must help her new friend become a star.
Vol 2: Ryo's making his big debut on stage - in the lead role! Yukari is doing her best to support him, but she's been pretty busy trying to pull off her own performance as a guy. Her "role" might not be as convincing as she had hoped, but Ryo seems to be bringing down the house. In fact, the lines between acting and real life might be getting a little blurry.
Vol 3: Yukari - in the guise of male agent Yutaka - is now managing her friend Ryo's career for the Peacock agency. Ryo's minor role in a show has unexpected consequences when a bump on the head turns him into an improvisational wizard. Suddenly, his star may be on the rise, leading the agency's President to want to turn over his career management to someone else's care!
Some points:
- the premise is a little over the top, but I can't help but want to know how the characters fair in the future.
- Yukari appears to be strong but she's not without her own baggage.
- At first I don't really like Narazaki, but he's growing on me.
Bottom line, 4 volumes more to go.
18. 3 volumes of Teru teru x shonen (てるてる×少年 - 害羞忍者少年).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Shigeru Takao
from CMX website:
Vol 1: Before she left her rural village to go to school in the big city, 6-year-old Shinobu told her friend Saizou to grow up strong so he could someday come and protect her. Now 16, Shinobu's enjoying life at the Tokyo Private Imperial Academy. But when a male exchange student comes to the school, it turns out to be none other than Saizou! Although his appearance hasn't changed much, he is now a skilled ninja. And his arrival couldn't be more timely: Someone is out to get Shinobu, but no one knows who or why. Saizou wants to be more than a protector to his old friend - but he may have a rival.
Vol 2: When Saizo was orphaned, a caring family took him in. His new brother and best friend Sasuke still sees it as his duty to protect Saizo, even as Saizo protects Shinobu. But Sasuke isn't too crazy about Shinobu, who he sees as a stuck-up, spoiled brat. Things only get worse when her mother comes for a visit. To complicate matters, there's another attempt on Shinobu's life!
Vol 3: As if things weren't crazy enough, Chiyo, a female ninja from Saizo's village, arrives in Tokyo to challenge Shinobu at the school's upcoming athletics festival. Chiyo's got a thing for Saizo and if she wins, she's going to take him back home with her. Saizo may not feel the same towards Chiyo, but his adopted brother Sasuke sure does, making this whole situation even more complicated
Some points:
- I like book 3 the best so far.
Bottom line, may continue, may not depending on budget.
Continuing series:
- Anime: Saiunkoku part 3 of 3 - The End of 1st seaon
- Mangas:
- Tail of the moon 14-15 - The End
- Hikaru no go 14
eta: Yotsuba&! is back, it will be released by Yen press in Sept this year. The best news ever.