Twin Spica and From Eroica with Love
45. 1 volume of Twin Spica (ふたつのスピカ, Futatsu no Supika).
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Written and illustrated by Kou Yaginuma
From Vertical:
In a Tokyo of the not-too-distant future a young girl looks up to the stars with melancholy in her heart and hope in her eyes. Thirteen-year-old Asumi Kamogawa’s life has been tied to those stars; her future may very well be among them. And she is not alone… Asumi is one of many young people with ambitions to some day head off to space for Japan’s first manned mission.
Before liftoff, like any true astronaut she must show the right stuff and overcome odds to pass numerous physical and mental trials if she even wants to be considered in the running for a rare spot in the elite Tokyo Space School.
Some points:
- I look forward to reading this series and book 1 sat in my tbr pile for a month!
- It's slice of life story.
- I like the heroine and the supporting cast so far. Am I ahead of myself to think about love triangle in the future :)
- The heroine has a goal. And she seems to be typically dense :) or maybe just her age.
- I've pre-ordered #2.
- The art is simple and not overly flowery as a typical shojo. It reminds me of Translucent - wonder when we'll see #4 of that series. I guess another series on hiatus.
- The good news is it's published every other month, and 16 volumes. I hope it does well for Vertical. Another series I'm following is Chi's sweet home even though I have 7 vols in Japanese - I do like Chi.
Bottom line, it's an interesting series and I'd probably follow.
46. 12 volumes of From Eroica With Love (エロイカより愛をこめて, Eroika yori Ai wo Komete).
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Written and illustrated by Yasuko Aoike
From back of book 4 about vol 1-3.
Vol 1: The devastatingly beautiful Earl Dorian Red Gloria is not-so-secretly a master thief who signs every note left at the scene of his crimes "From Eroica ... with love"! His nemesis: Majour Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach, famously terrifying, and famously determined to prevent the dashing Eroica from getting in the way of his missions in this tale of international intrigue.
Vol 2: Eroica loves all beautiful things - like the priceless jade Buddha in the collection of a Greek shipping magnate, Yanis Phaerikis! No matter that his nemesis Major von dem Eberbach is in the midst of an assignment to protect the heir and arrest an alluring Russian spy. Eroica wants that Buddha ... and what Eroica wants, Eroica gets!
Vol 3: It's the height of Islamic revolution and the new partners Eroica and Klaus must sneak into the fray. Tensions mount and tempers explode as Klaus' determination to find the Shah of Iran's military secret inevitably clashes with Eroica's desire to take all of the Shah's lovely treasure for himself...
from vol 6 on blurb about next volume.
Vol 7: Guarding the British Crown was maddening enough for the Major. Now he has to protect the Queen of England herself. The KGB, terrorists and other unwelcoming guests aggravate the difficulties of an already frustrating mission. But we know whom Iron Klaus is most concerned about. With the whole world watching, will Eroica get to wear the Crown?
Vol 8: Klaus and Eroica square off in the sky! The Major is delivering a secret KGB document to NATO when his flight is hijacked. The plane also carries the famous painting that Eroica lusts after. Do you think something as trivial as a hijacking will stop the world most flamboyant art thief? Worse for Klaus, he may just have to join force with Eroica to stop the terrorist.
Vol 9: To find Eroica, Klaus joins forces with a mutual enemy. "Seven days in September" continues as the Major and his KGB nemesis square off in Spanish tavern, each hoping to walk away with the crucial "Lubyanka Report." The report somehow lands in the hand of Eroica, who later hopes to trade it with the Major for "The Man in Purple." To capture the Earl, Klaus finds himself a reluctant ally to Saleem, a Kuwaiti oil magnate who Eroica swindled once before.
Vol 10: The race for the Lubyanka report reaches its thrilling finish. On the grounds of an Egyptian ruin, the Earl has a climatic showdown with a vengeance-seeking Saleem. Later, the Major faces off against the KGB with the fate of the report in the balance. Then in a special bonus story, find out what happens when Eroica gets involved in a surprise party for Iron Klaus.
Vol 11: Has Eroica found religion? When he discovers the owner of a large supermarket chain has purchased a Swiss Abbey and plans to demolish it. Eroica concocts an elaborate hoax to save it. Of course, his motives are less than holy; he's learned the abbey is filled with priceless medieval art that he covets for himself. And as their always-intertwined fates would have it. Eroica's rival "Iron Klaus" ends up at the same abbey in pursuit of some hidden microfilm.
Vol 12: Are Klaus's men finally going to Alaska? "The Laughing Cardinals" concludes with Eroica having to rescue a captured Iron Klaus from the clutches of the KGB while trying to regain control of his newly purchased monastery. Klaus always threatens to send his underlings to Alaska or some other cold climate as punishment for incompetence. Find out what happens when he finally makes good on his threat - it's no laughing matter.
Vol 13: Eroica crashes the Major's party. In "the seven seal," Iron Klaus must stop an aggressive attempt by the Russians to close the West's lead in computer technology by stealing a top-secret item known only as The Black Box. His mission takes him to Liechtenstein to infiltrate a KGB front company. Into the middle of this operation inevitably waltzes Eroica, crashing a private even in a Liechteinstein castle, in disguise as an enchanting countess.
Some points:
- borrowed from interlib loan.
- I didn't think I would like this series for many reasons, so I've been dragging my feet until recent CMX's development made me check out the series before it's gone for good.
- Reasons: the series in 30+ vols still on going in Japan, the art is a bit dated - normally I wouldn't mind but when I prefer my heros with short hair instead of flowery 80's hairstyles (it's just a personal preference!), thief and spy (not my cup of tea obviously!).
- I enjoyed the first 4 volumes too much, especially #4. All the Earl's antics and James' miser! I don't care much for Ceasar Gabriel.
- The Earl teased the Major a tad too much - and I enjoyed reading it.
- This is the product of the 70's so the stereotype could be offensive to some. But if those can be overlooked, it's really funny.
- I like both the Major and the Earl. They couldn't have been more different from each other. The Major's pompous ass and attitudes are so entertaining, but he's not one-dimension. He doesn't discriminate whom he calls names :) He does have a heart and there is one time he lets his guard down so far at the beginning of vol 9. The Earl is like a slippery eel, he's smooth, charming, and a crook. I can't tell if he's filthy rich or on verge of bankruptcy. Even though he seems to wear his heart on his sleeve, I don't think that the case.
- I have ordered vol 13 and 14 and will get 15 and the rest of the series. It's fun to reread.
- I'm so grateful for public library and interlib loan that allow me to try out all these series. Public libraries are wonderful resources. The librarians know me by now.
- Original tankōbon Japanese covers and bunkoban covers at the author's website.
- Looks like #14 is already out of print according to amazon. However the price is not as yet insane, it's only $15 now!
- Vol 3-4 (1st half): Rome arc. Enters the KGB.
- Vol 4 (2nd half) -5: Alaska arc (retrieving treasure/secrets from bottom of a frozen lake. The Major is awesome, especially when he wreaked havoc in Siberia and stole a Mic to escape :)
This is only for my benefit so it can be tedious/boring for you to read :)
- Vol 6-7 (1st half): The Major is on vacation! The Major's class reunion and a glimpse to his childhood. The Crown arc, enters Lawrence.
- Vol 7-8 (1st half): A glimpse to the Earl's childhood. The London arc, enters Saleem.
- Vol 8 (2nd half)- 10: The Lubyanka report arc. The KGB is back, Saleem still is here. James' miser reached the new high in this arc. Thanks to him, the Major's life is hell! - A surprised party *for* the Major.
- vol 10-12: "Laughing Cardinals" arc - Switzerland, 2 side stories (Alaska and Siberia), beginning of "the seven seal" arc
- Some of my favorite quotes:
"That painting alone is worth a leopard tank."
"... or it's Alaska for you!"
"Get the hell out of my life, you bloody wanker."
- Poor attempt of a hiku:
"From Ero-i-ca
with love, an awesome series
releases no more"
Bottom line, it's very sad that the series won't be continuing after vol 15.
- Continuing series: Manga
- Natsume's book of friends 2
Rereading Platinum Garden 1-7.