Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Land of the Lustrous, Vol. 2

Today's manga post is on Land of the Lustrous, Vol. 2 by Haruko Ichikawa. It is 192 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Phos and friends on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes stories with deep plots with lots of philosophy. There is no foul language, no sex, and action violence. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Phos. There Be Spoilers Ahead

From the back of the manga- UNDER THE SEA
Phosphophyllite is determined to find a job more suited Cinnabar's many talents, but with no easy answers to be found on land, the quest turns seaward. Ventricosus the sea snail suggests that the creatures who live there may have the clue Phos is looking for. But the sea is hardly the optimal environment for a gemstone—will Phos make it back to shore in one piece?

Review- Phos has the sea creature with her and is listening to what it has to say. So Phos takes it back to the sea, against the orders of sensei. She learns about the past of the planet and how the Lustrous come into being and what the Lunarians are, maybe even what they want. But the sea creature has plans for Phos and almost kills her. But Phos survives and is not afraid of continuing her quest. The philosophy in this series is starting to come into focus. Questions about humans and humanity are starting to be asked of the characters and the readers. I am very curious about where the series is going and what Phos is going to learn. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Monday, November 3, 2025

Waiting for Spring, Vol. 10

Today's manga post is on Waiting for Spring, Vol. 10 by Anashin, It is 176 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Mitsuki and Ryuji on it. As it is the tenth in the series, you need to have read the nine previous volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes coming of age stories, high school love stories and sports stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- IN HOT WATER
With Aya's leg injured, Mitsuki wants nothing more than to see him fully recovered. And to everyone's surprise, Towa wants to help! He uses his grandfather's connections to arrange a group trip to a hot spring that will help Aya heal. Aya is reluctant to go at first, but Mitsuki manages to change his mind. Can Hо̄jо̄'s star player really become friends with the rest of the guys...?

Review- Towa and Mitsuki have some good moments in this volume but the important thing in this volume is more understanding between Aya and Towa. They are both passionate players and have strong feelings for Mitsuki. Mitsuki has some important conversations with both and she gets more understanding of both boys. This series is very sweet without getting too sappy or too serious, just a nice story about young love, growing up and how sports brings people together. I look forward to the next volume. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Monday, October 20, 2025

Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 10

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 10 by Yuu Watase. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Takiko Uruki, and Filka on it. As it is the tenth volume in the series, you need to have read the first nine volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, and action violence in this volume. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga, tragic love stories, and intense plots. The story is told from third person close of the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the manga- Takiko has returned to the Universe of the Four Gods! As the Celestial Warriors search for the scroll of the Four Gods, Takiko uncovers the truth about the prophecy that turned Uruki and his father into bitter enemies. But while they begin a new chapter in their adventures, Takiko struggles to conceal a terrible secret about herself from the Celestial Warriors...

Review- Takiko has returned and Uruki wants to marry her. But that would mean that Takiko cannot fulfill her destiny as the priestess. Because that would mean innocent people would continue to suffer, she refuses. Plus Takiko is hiding that she is dying from the Warriors, so the fate of the priestess doesn't brother her. Lots of plot happen in this volume as the story only has two more volumes after this one. Takiko finally meets Uruki's father and learns about this prophecy told upon his birth and the truth behind it. All the main actors are coming together and time is running out for the Warriors and Takiko, I look forward to seeing this all the way to the end. 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Monday, October 6, 2025

Spell of Desire, Vol. 3

Today's post is on Spell of Desire, Vol. 3 by Tomu Ohmi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The has Kaotuko and Kanam on it in an embrace. As it is the third in the series,  you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes josei, urban fantasy manga. There is no foul language, mild sexuality, no violence. The story is told from third person close mostly following Kaoruko. There be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- When it becomes known that Kaoruko has received the power of the Witch Queen, the Black Witxhes Coven commands Kaoruko to become a Black Witch in to control her rampaging powers. But that means an incubus will take her! Will Kaname be able to help Kaoruko and placate the coven?

Review- This volume is more focused on the relationship between Kaoruko and Kaname. To be a real Black Witch, Kaoruko can't be a virgin but she doesn't want an incubus for her first time and neither does Kaname. So Kaname does what they both want and he goes to her. So now they are lovers and that causes backlash for both. Also Kaoruko thinks like a White Witch and that makes the Black Witches very uncomfortable with her. But she is a natural with magic, so she learns how to act like a Black Witch, even if she still thinks like a White one. More drama has been hinted at and I look forward to seeing it. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 26

Today's manga post is on Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 26 by Mizuho Kusanagi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Yona and Princess Kouren on it. As it is the twenty-ninth in the series, you need to have read the first twenty-eight volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes epic, political shojo stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoiler Ahead.

From the back of the manga- After unleashing their powers to save Yona, the Four Dragons lose consciousness and collapse! Su-won and the Kohka army arrive to participate in a summit with Xing, but Priest Gobi’s anti-war faction members attack Princess Kouren! Can the nation of Xing achieve peace with all this infighting threatening its foundation?

Review- The priest Gobi is making his move and is trying to kill Princess Kouren and take the Dragon Warriors hostage. Because they are so far from the castle in Kohka, they are not healing. Yona and Hak are having to balance protection and pushing for peace. Su-Won does come and things are handled peaceful to some of his advisors displeasure. The advisors also want to kill Yona and destroy or control the Dragon Warriors. The big thing in this volume is that Hak admits his feelings to Yona and in front of everyone. I like all the plot and character movement in this volume and I am hope that this continues in the future. I am looking forward to the next volume and seeing the fallout of everything from this one. 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Monday, September 22, 2025

Spy x Family, Vol. 8

Today's manga post is on Spy x Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo. It is 216 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Franky with the tools of his trade under him. As it is the eighth in the series, you need to have read the first seven volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes spy, family comedies. There is no foul language, no sex, and action violence in this series. The story is told from third person close. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Yor is assigned to be a bodyguard for a mafia family on a cruise ship by the secret organization Garden. But with Lloyd and Anya also on board thanks to a giveaway they won, Yor is starting to have doubts about her secret life as an assassin…

Review- This volume has two main stories, Yor protecting a mother and child, and Loid and Anya trying to have a 'normal' vacation. Loid is really trying to be a father on this trip not a spy but he is not doing well. Anya wants to have more adventures and knows that Yor is having them. One big thing that happens in this volume, is that we learn why Yor does this job. She wants to protect the innocent lives around her, so she pushes herself harder for the greater good. The last third of the volume is an action scene with Yor and it is fun to see what she can really do. I look forward to the next volume and seeing what is going to happen next!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Monday, September 15, 2025

Takane & Hana, Vol. 10

Today's manga post is on Takane & Hana, Vol. 10 by Yuki Shiwasu. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Hana jumping into Takane and pushed him back. As it is the tenth in the series, you need to have read the first nine volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes comedy, shojo manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close mostly of Hana. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- When Hana’s childhood friend Okamon confesses that he’s in love with her, Hana goes into a total panic! Can she possibly return his feelings? And once Takane finds out, all bets are off on how he’ll react to the news!

Review- Okamon's confession throws everything out of balance for Hana and Takane. She had no idea about how he felt and she has to process what she thinks and feels about him too. Takane has to think about those feelings too, as Okamon tells him too. But they fight it out and decide to continue with their relationship as it is. This volume has some serious moments but the comedy is still main focus. Hana continues to be the main force of change in this series, and she moves everything along with her. Takane is becoming more adult-like in his thinking and actions, he really considers what having this odd relationship with Hana could do to her future and he doesn't want to harm her in anyway. Good volume and I look forward to more. 

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.