random manga talk: Bokura no Kiseki, Orange Chocolate, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo
I caught up with Bokura no Kiseki and Orange Chocolate, two series I've been buying but haven't read very far. Also continued reading Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo and Usotsuki Lily. The connection between these four series? Genderbenders. XD;
Bokura no Kiseki (read up to volume 7)
Reincarnation series. Protagonist was a princess named Veronica in the past. He has always remembered his past life and was bullied for thinking that everyone remembers their past lives. He learns to be less obvious about it, though he also questions if his memories are real until one day, he performs magic, receiving proof about what he remembers. Although he hasn't wished for it, an event triggers the memories of his classmates. Several of his old companions who were with him on the day the castle was attacked have reincarnated among his classmates, but not all. Slowly, they try to unravel what happened during that fated day that caused everyone to die.
I didn't think this series would be a mystery, but it's quite a mystery! We're not told who everyone's past selves were right from the start, and some characters lie about who they were. I believe there are three different factions working against each other. I'm deadly curious about who Zeze was in the past because I'm sure he is definitely important to the plot. He's the only one who claims he doesn't remember who he was. I'm not quite capable of keeping everyone straight -- there are a lot of characters, and I feel a lot of the characters look alike -- but the character map at the beginning of each volume does help. I quite like the magic in this series. It's activated with hair or blood, the fresher the better, so the first time Minami tries magic, he uses a strand of hair that's already a day old because he's afraid the magic spell might be too powerful. This series reminds me a lot of NG Life in that both series focus on finding out what happened in the past that caused their deaths, but the characters in NG Life are more distinct, and more time passes. I think only a few days have passed in Bokura no Kiseki... Everything's happening all at once!
Orange Chocolate (read up to volume 11)
Two childhood friends end up swapping bodies because of a wish. After 1000 shrine visits, the shrine god grants your wish... Unfortunately, Chiro's wish is misinterpreted. She doesn't want to actually become Ritsu. Thankfully, their switch isn't permanent, but they keep getting switched at random times, such as when Ritsu is just about to go on stage, so Chiro would end up having to mimic him during his job. However, the amount of time they stay stuck as each other seems to get longer and longer.
I actually wish they'd get swapped more. XD;; It happens more frequently in the beginning when they haven't figured out what triggers the swap. Later on, they sort of figure it out (and they also have help). What I like about this series is that Chiro and Ritsu are super close to each other, and they're really comfortable in each other's presence. This swapping has brought them even closer. They're just really cute with each other. :) I'm enjoying the heck out of the events in volume 11. Can't wait for volume 12~
Usotsuki Lily (read up to volume 11)
Hinata is asked out by En, who is a very hot guy, but she later finds out that he crossdresses all the time because he hates guys so much that he doesn't even want to see one in the mirror. This is just a very silly series that never fails to make me laugh. XD; There are a ton of scenarios where crossdressing happens (characters other than En also crossdress. Hinata makes a gorgeous guy). And so many times when the 4th wall is broken. Nothing much seems to happen, but I adore all of these characters. <3333 In the latest volume... I guess there's some progression in the plot. En doesn't seem to fare as badly with guys anymore. XD;;
Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (read up to chapter 63)
Yamada accidentally switches bodies with Shiraishi Urara. By kissing, they can switch bodies, and it's not just limited to each other. He later discovers that there are seven witches at his school, each with a different power.
I thought this story was just about body-swapping, but nope, other powers come into play too. Body-swapping is my favorite though! I find it amusing that there is a ton of kissing going on in this story since the powers work by kissing. Yamada has kissed a ton of girls and a ton of guys. XD; Yamada-kun is by Yoshikawa Miki, who drew Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (which I sitll need to finish reading. I have 3 volumes left!), so the humor is quite similar.
Bokura no Kiseki (read up to volume 7)
Reincarnation series. Protagonist was a princess named Veronica in the past. He has always remembered his past life and was bullied for thinking that everyone remembers their past lives. He learns to be less obvious about it, though he also questions if his memories are real until one day, he performs magic, receiving proof about what he remembers. Although he hasn't wished for it, an event triggers the memories of his classmates. Several of his old companions who were with him on the day the castle was attacked have reincarnated among his classmates, but not all. Slowly, they try to unravel what happened during that fated day that caused everyone to die.
I didn't think this series would be a mystery, but it's quite a mystery! We're not told who everyone's past selves were right from the start, and some characters lie about who they were. I believe there are three different factions working against each other. I'm deadly curious about who Zeze was in the past because I'm sure he is definitely important to the plot. He's the only one who claims he doesn't remember who he was. I'm not quite capable of keeping everyone straight -- there are a lot of characters, and I feel a lot of the characters look alike -- but the character map at the beginning of each volume does help. I quite like the magic in this series. It's activated with hair or blood, the fresher the better, so the first time Minami tries magic, he uses a strand of hair that's already a day old because he's afraid the magic spell might be too powerful. This series reminds me a lot of NG Life in that both series focus on finding out what happened in the past that caused their deaths, but the characters in NG Life are more distinct, and more time passes. I think only a few days have passed in Bokura no Kiseki... Everything's happening all at once!
Orange Chocolate (read up to volume 11)
Two childhood friends end up swapping bodies because of a wish. After 1000 shrine visits, the shrine god grants your wish... Unfortunately, Chiro's wish is misinterpreted. She doesn't want to actually become Ritsu. Thankfully, their switch isn't permanent, but they keep getting switched at random times, such as when Ritsu is just about to go on stage, so Chiro would end up having to mimic him during his job. However, the amount of time they stay stuck as each other seems to get longer and longer.
I actually wish they'd get swapped more. XD;; It happens more frequently in the beginning when they haven't figured out what triggers the swap. Later on, they sort of figure it out (and they also have help). What I like about this series is that Chiro and Ritsu are super close to each other, and they're really comfortable in each other's presence. This swapping has brought them even closer. They're just really cute with each other. :) I'm enjoying the heck out of the events in volume 11. Can't wait for volume 12~
Usotsuki Lily (read up to volume 11)
Hinata is asked out by En, who is a very hot guy, but she later finds out that he crossdresses all the time because he hates guys so much that he doesn't even want to see one in the mirror. This is just a very silly series that never fails to make me laugh. XD; There are a ton of scenarios where crossdressing happens (characters other than En also crossdress. Hinata makes a gorgeous guy). And so many times when the 4th wall is broken. Nothing much seems to happen, but I adore all of these characters. <3333 In the latest volume... I guess there's some progression in the plot. En doesn't seem to fare as badly with guys anymore. XD;;
Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (read up to chapter 63)
Yamada accidentally switches bodies with Shiraishi Urara. By kissing, they can switch bodies, and it's not just limited to each other. He later discovers that there are seven witches at his school, each with a different power.
I thought this story was just about body-swapping, but nope, other powers come into play too. Body-swapping is my favorite though! I find it amusing that there is a ton of kissing going on in this story since the powers work by kissing. Yamada has kissed a ton of girls and a ton of guys. XD; Yamada-kun is by Yoshikawa Miki, who drew Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (which I sitll need to finish reading. I have 3 volumes left!), so the humor is quite similar.