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.

Queen's Quality, Vol. 8

Today's manga post is on Queen's Quality, Vol. 8 by Kyousuke Motomi. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Kyutaro on it reaching towards the reader. As it is the eighth in the series, you need to have read the first seven volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga with urban fantasy plots. The story is told from third person close. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Ten years ago, the Great Sickness of the Byakko Gate claimed Kyutaro’s parents, and now the ghost of his mother Toko reveals what transpired! What horrifying deal did Toko strike with the White Queen? And will Kyutaro’s love for Fumi change when he hears the truth?

Review- So much happens in this volume. The ghost of Kyutaro's mother explains what happened 10 years ago and why Fumi's memories had to be taken. The great sickness was an old evil spirit and he wants to infect people with his evil. What his other plans are, is still unknown but I'm sure that he has greater plans. But knowing what happened, has freed Fumi and Kyutaro to take action and move towards the future. Also they can finally talk about their feelings for each other. This has been my favorite volume so far and I hope that this energy will continue into the future plot. 

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. 

Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 09

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 09 by Yuu Watase. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Takiko in front of her Warriors. As it is the ninth volumes in the series, you need to have read the first eight volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy, romance, and shojo manga. The story is told from third person close of the different characters. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence. 

From the back of the manga- Determined to live the life of an ordinary girl in Tokyo in 1923, she returns to her father's home and concentrates on being a loyal daughter--and, soon, a dutiful bride. But she can't leave her other life behind. And while Takiko struggles to cool her still-burning heart, the Celestial Warriors battle through a new ice age!

Review- Back in her own world, Takiko tries to be normal but discovers that she has the same disease that killer her mother. So facing the fact that she is going to die either way, Takiko chooses to go back to Uruki and the Warriors. I'm not sure how I feel about that plot twist with Takiko going to die not matter what. I feel that makes her future sacrifice less emotional because there is no other way for the story to end. But I am going to see this story to the end and maybe I will feel differently. 

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

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5

Today's manga post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi (Illustrator). It is 208 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Albert Moriarty on it pouring a glass of wine. As it is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes Sherlock Holmes and re-telling's of classic stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- William James Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes meet again on a train back to London, and a dead body is discovered in a locked passenger cabin. With John Watson named as the prime suspect, Sherlock challenges Moriarty to a contest of who can solve the murder first. Will Sherlock be able to clear Watson’s name? Back in London, a state secret that only the royal family is privy to has been stolen and MI6 is tasked with retrieving it, lest the whole empire fall into ruin! Meanwhile, Sherlock is visited by the king of Bohemia, who asks him to cover up a recent scandal…

Review- The volume starts with a locked room mystery and Watson is the one blamed for the murder. Sherlock and James both know that he is innocent and they make a bet about who can prove it first. Then we jump into the re-telling of Scandal in Bohemia and Irene Alder. She is wonderful and unsettles Sherlock so well. I like spending half time with Moriarty and half with Sherlock. It's fun to see how Moriarty's plans influence what cases Sherlock has and how Sherlock solves the cases, impresses Moriarty. Good manga and I look forward to the next volume. 

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. 

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 4

Today's manga post is on Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 4 by Yū Tomofuji. It is 192 pages long and is published by Yen Press. The cover has Sariphi and the King on the cover. As it is the fourth in the series, you need to have read the first three volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy re-tellings of Beauty and the Beast with politics. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Sariphi. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Confronted with yet another challenge to prove she is worthy to become queen, Sariphi must now entertain the mysterious Duke Galois upon his visit to the palace. But will learning niceties and dance steps be enough to win over the duke, who is rumored to be a fearsome warrior with a burning hatred for all things human? Or has Sariphi been set up to fail her way out of the palace and the beast realm for good?

Review- Sariphi continues to face her challenges head-on. She has to impress a powerful Duke and he is known for his hatred of humans. Sariphi has to learn all about the palace, a special dance solo, and a special partnered dance. The King is not happy about anyone testing her but Sariphi isn't afraid and the King trusts her. Sariphi never changes who she is, even when it would be to be benefit. That's how she is heal the wounds between humans and beasts. Even when she falls, she gets back up with a smile and tries again. That is what saves this interaction and will continue to do so. A very volume and series. 

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. 

A Man and His Cat, Vol. 6

Today's manga post is on A Man and His Cat, Vol. 6 by Umi Sakurai. It is 180 pages long and is published by Square Eniz Manga. The cover has Kanda, Moriyama, and thier two cats on it. As it is the sixth volume in the series, you need to have read the first five volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes slice of life manga about living with pets. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters, including the cats. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Mr. Kanda has come a long way with a little help from his friends—furry and otherwise. So of course he wants to return the favor when Yoshiharu Moriyama, his music school colleague and Fukumaru fanboy, is abandoned by his bandmates onstage! But to help his friend, can Mr. Kanda summon the courage and determination necessary to overcome his own crippling stage fright?!

Review- Moriyama has been set-up by his band, as they don't want to change the direction for the band and he does. But Kanda and the other teachers step in to help him. Kanda is also cat-sitting Fukumaru's sister for his friend, as the friend is traveling. So lots of cute cat playing and sleeping together. It's very sweet. Kanda is growing and changing as he learning to love life and music again. As he regains his love for life, he is helping others handle the hard things in life too. I love this manga, it's just so sweet and moving. I look forward to the next volume. 

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.

Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 9

Today's manga post is on Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 9 by Mika Yamamori. It is 198 pages and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Suzume and Mamura on it. As it is the ninth volume in the series, you need to have read the first eight volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes coming of ages stories and high school drama. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Suzume. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Suzume has moved to Tokyo and is living with her uncle. Spring arrives, and Suzume and her classmates are now second-year students. There’s just one problem—all the first-year girls are obsessed with Mamura. Suzume and her friends come up with a plan to make Suzume his fake girlfriend, but Mamura is conflicted.

Review- Mamura is being chased by new girls and they are really annoying him and Yuyuka. So Yuyuka has the brilliant idea of Suzume being his fake girlfriend, to make them back off. It does work but it also makes Mamura think about having Suzume as his real girlfriend. Suzume is still getting over Mr. Shishio but she is in a different class now so more Mamura and less of Mr. Shishio. I like how Mamura is growing and being more open with his thoughts and feelings. But Suzume still hasn't noticed how he feels about her. That comes to a head and I can't want to see how she is going to react to that. 

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.