Monster, Song, SOS, Flower, H3, and Princess and Hound
41a. 1 volume of Gogo Monster (GOGOモンスター).
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Written and illustrated by Taiyo Matsumoto
From Viz Media:
Third grader Yuki Tachibana lives in two worlds. In one world, he is a loner ridiculed by his classmates and reprimanded by his teachers for telling stories of supernatural beings that only he can see. In the other world, the supernatural beings vie for power with malevolent spirits who bring chaos into the school, the students' lives, and nature itself.
Some points:
- borrowed from interlib loan.
- Pretty interesting and page turner.
- I'm glad I was able to read it. It's not something that I'm interested in rereading, so being able to borrow it from the library is awesome. I'm glad I've waited and had a chance to read it.
Bottom line, it's a good and very interesting story.
41b. 1 volume of Songs to Make You Smile (僕が唄うと君は笑うから, lit. Because You Smile When I Sing).
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Written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya
from TokyoPop
In these touching and unforgettable stories from Natsuki Takaya, young men and women search for the things that mean the most to them, from the love of a deceased father to the perfect, uplifting melody. And finally, a side story from Tsubasa: Those with Wings.
Some points:
- I have the japanese volume. I prefer the japanese cover, though. I really don't like changes ;)
- I like the first story: a spacey boy and a shy girl. Takashi is a nice version of Shigure, methinks.
- The other short stories don't leave much impression. They are nice story but lack something I don't know what.
- Princess Dark Black amuses me no ends. I can tell where the Cinderella story came from in FB.
Bottom line, it's an interesting collection of one-shots. I'd borrow from the library. On the other hand, it's only 1 volume, so ...
41c. 1 volume of SOS.
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Written and illustrated by Hinako Ashihara
From Viz Media:
Will anyone answer love's distress call? Find out in this funny and poignant collection of short stories!
SOS: When Raku, Nono, and Yû start a secret dating agency at their school, none of them realize the trouble they're in for! One of their clients needs rescuing from a date gone dangerously wrong, and when a teacher finds out about the matchmaking service, these junior Cupids are in very hot water!
That Sweet Organ Song: In 1920s Japan, bookstore clerk and aspiring poet Setsu encourages her customer Shotaro to follow his dream of becoming an organist and composer. But will class differences and the vagaries of fate conspire to extinguish their artistic ambitions along with their budding romance?
The Easy Life: Spoiled chauvinist Yohei takes his sweet girlfriend Mami for granted, but when she begins to tire of letting him walk all over her, will she turn to nice-guy Horie, or will she try to get Yohei to change his ways?
Some points:
- borrowed from interlib loan.
- From the author of The Sand Chronicles.
- Interesting one-shots.
- I kind of like the first one the best.
Bottom line, fast read, cute, and somewhat sad!
41d. 1 volume of Flower in a Storm (花にアラシ - Hana ni Arashi).
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Written and illustrated by Shigeyoshi Takagi
From Viz Media:
Riko Kunimi is trying to lead a normal high school life when Ran Tachibana bursts into her classroom carrying a gun and tells her that her life is now his. Ran, the richest, most powerful 17-year-old in Japan wants her as his wife, and he's not taking no for an answer!
If Ran can't capture her by five o'clock the next day, he'll give up on her, but he has all that money can buy at his disposal. However, Riko has one trick up her sleeve--she has superpowers!
Some points:
- Pretty funny.
- Ran's antic is hilarious. He looks like Kyoya Ootori from Ouran High and acts like Tamaki Suoh :)
- I'm laughing the whole time and can't help but root for Ran :)
Bottom line, it's fun and nothing deep. Can't wait for #2.
41e. 5 volumes of Happy Hustle High (H3スクール!, H3 School!).
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Written and illustrated by Rie Takada
From Viz:
Vol 1: Hanabi Ozora is a rambunctious 16-year-old tomboy who comes to the rescue of her less assertive friends--sometimes in exchange for food. So what does she do when, all of a sudden, her all-girls school is integrated with an all-boys school?
She meets and falls in love--naturally--with one of the three most popular boys in the Student Council, Yasuaki Garaku! Unfortunately, Yasuaki doesn't care for girls...but when the girls' Student Council clashes head-on with the boys' Student Council, Hanabi steps in to become a member--hoping she'll change Yasuaki's mind!
Vol 2: Hanabi Ozora never expected she'd fall for a guy, least of all Yasuaki, the Vice President of the Student Council. Now that she and the dreamy V.P. have spent some quality time together, will Hanabi finally admit to herself--and everyone else--that she has a thing for this popular member of the student body?
In typical high school fashion, the rumor mill has been working overtime trying to pinpoint the exact target of Hanabi's affection. And now that the Student Council's shrewd President Yoshitomo is aware of Hanabi and Yasuaki's fledgling romance, life is about to get even messier. What's a roughneck girl to do?
Vol 3: Hanabi wants to discover the origin of hunky Student Council V.P. Yasuaki's dislike of women, but lately, he has been anything but forthcoming. Her solution--the ancient art of hypnosis! Through her prestigious powers of prestidigitation (and with the help of a five-yen coin), Hanabi successfully lulls Yasuaki into a deep slumber, but will this voyage into his murky, male subconscious yield proof-positive that Yasuaki's aversion is unfounded, or further drive a wedge between the dashing V.P. and all of womankind?
Vol 4: Just when Hanabi thinks that she and the dreamy Yasuaki have reached the pinnacle of romantic bliss, the cruel hand of fate throws her a wicked curveball--her childhood friend Takeru (now a marvelous specimen of teenage studliness) is back in town and wants to reminisce about the good old days. Takeru's designs on Hanabi seem more than friendly, especially when he asks her to choose between Yasuaki and himself. Who'll get kissed? Who'll get punched? Who'll get kissed and punched?! Later, Hanabi finds herself in trouble with the school administration (for, like, the gazillionth time), and now must ace her finals and become the best student in her class...or else face the horrifically hair-raising consequences!
Vol 5: Since Meibi High went co-ed, super-shy Yasuaki has steered clear of all females...except Hanabi. Then a strange thing happens. After Yasu and Hanabi finally, um, you know-his "girl allergy" magically disappears!
Now Yasu chats up any chick he sees, which brings out the green-eyed monster in his messy-haired girlfriend. Hanabi's jealousy reaches its peak during the student council's Alice in Wonderland festival. Will Hanabi and Yasuaki hook up again--or will she lose him through the looking glass?
Some points:
- borrowed from interlibrary loan.
- I like this series better than Punch.
- It's quite funny and the heroine is punky. She's worried a bit too much about her hair, though! I like her - and I'm glad she's not waffled.
- Yoshimoto reminds me of Azuma Yunoki from La Corda d'Oro, long hair, both from family of flower arrangement - what's up with the long hair? They are both mysterious and scheming! It's too bad that his character wasn't really expanded why he did what he did. I wanted to know his motive.
- One draw back on borrowed manga from libraries is sometimes pages gone missing.
Bottom line, it's fun fast read and entertaining.
42. The Princess and the Hound. First sentence: "A hundred yeas ago and more, before our current line of kings was founded, long before King Davit or his grandfather or his, the animal magic was thought of as no more or less than a gift of growing corn higher than others or having a way with a needle to make a fine dress."
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Written by Mette Ivie Harrison
Some points:
- I read review of Princess and the Bear, sequel of this book, and thought it was interesting, so I borrowed this one from interlib loan. I can't remember where I read the review though!
- It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a twist!
- The story is told from the point of view of the prince.
- It started slow for me. I always have problems starting any book, though. I'm lack patience for setting up.
- I really like it. I've reserved the next book Princess and the Bear.
- There is a extra chapter at the end from the point of view of the princess.
Bottom line, I like the way the story was told and the author's interview at the end of the volume.
- Continuing series: Manga
- Full Moon O Sagashite 1, 5-7 - The end - spoilers