I know many people out there will rejoice at this post. Please make sure you quote this next line out of context for maximum effect:

I admit it, I’m an idiot.

Despite the fact that I lecture about manga, I write about it, I provide my beloved readers with insight and insider information about the industry, I am absolutely, utterly, fail when it comes to Lucky Star. Lucky Star, Volume 8 has brought me to my knees.

I cannot figure out what the heck anyone sees in Lucky Star.

I watched the anime, I watched the OVA (because I was assured I would totally “get” it after that). I’ve read 8 volumes of the manga and I just don’t get it. What are people seeing in this horribly dull, barely comprehensible series? I just have absolutely no idea whatsoever. I’ve stopped halfway in this volume because I cannot tell the characters apart – still – and the jokes don’t make any sense at all.

I get the whole “Wow, teen girls who play bishoujo games! Schwing!” thing or “Wow, teen girls making stupid old-man puns! Schwing!” I mean, Yuru Yuri does it too. At least the jokes in that series make some kind of sense, even if they are mostly teen girls making old-man puns, (which is apparently the height of hilarity for some percentage of Japanese otaku.)  I “get” stupid 4-koma jokes. I “get” stupid otaku jokes… But… This… I… I don’t even know what to say….

I’m especially puzzled by the fanaticism with which Japanese fans have latched onto this series.

Well, it’s moot. Bandai has pulled the plug on this series in English and I feel nothing.

Bye, Lucky Star! You were one of the most boring, incomprehensible things I’ve ever tried to care about for my fandom…. (^_^)/

No ratings.

Thanks very much to brand new Okazu Hero, Andreas L, who sent this to me! You taught me that I do have limits. Who knew? ^_^

The basic plot of Sunshine Sketch, Volume 5 is the same as always – a number of young women attending school are neighbors in a local apartment building. The story, such as it is, revolves around activities in school and out, events, outings and daily life.

Because the series is now 5 Volumes along, there’s less hyperactive “Hahahah!” type humor. It’s generally elicits more of a “heh” and a soft smile. If you adore the characters, you’ll adore this volume.

I’m reviewing it today not because I adore the characters, but because I find two of them rather problematic on the whole.

Sae and Hiro, the Mom and Dad of the group, as everyone points out, are just like an old married couple. Sae relies on Hiro, Hiro seems to get great pleasure out of being Sae’s helpmeet. To me, it is terribly, desperately, obvious that Hiro has feelings for Sae, and that Sae, while she cares for Hiro is working really hard at making sure they are friends, you know, just friends. And, I can’t but feel, sad, I guess, for Hiro.

I realize that any connection between the two of them is purposefully being kept on this uneven like/love line but, I’ll be honest, it frustrates me. Every time I read a volume of this series, I want to sit Sae down have a talk with her, and about a week later, have a talk with Hiro. And then see if they can be more honest with each other.

If they could just work that out, I’d like this series so much better. Sigh….

Ratings:

Art – Ummm…I guess some people like it, but the giant heads being squished down really does not do it for me – 4
Story – 6
Characters – 6
Yuri – 2
Service – 2

Overall – 6

I don’t hate this series by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel there’s so much that could be happening, and instead we’re just seeing the same jokes over and over….

Many thanks to Okazu Superhero Amanda M for sponsoring today’s review and giving me the chance to think over what I really want from a series!

ALC Publishing and JManga are pleased to offer Volume 2 of Kimino Tamenara Shineru, a bonus essay on Heian Imperial life to kick off JManga’s new blog, JManga Poi Poi AND a contest! Check out the details on Yuricon.

Jormungand, Volume 9 is no more “Yuri” than any of the preceding volumes, but there is something of note for all of us Yuri fans. I’ll get to that in a sec.

First, and way more important, Volume 9 is a more in-depth look at the past and inner life of Wiley, Koko’s demolitions expert. Wiley is ex-military, extremely smart and, like all of Koko’s team, just ever so slightly broken. His past is, for me at least, not nearly as interesting as his present.

Volume 9 ends with Koko contacting Karen, Mildo, Schokolade and Dr. Miami. Koko seems to be planning something far, far larger than just another arms sale…something that will change the game here permanently. Or so it seems, but in reality, it’s probably just the author creating a reason for all the chicks in the series to team up… ^_^ I’m not complaining.

What might make some of our ears prick up is this:  Now that Valmet has finished putting her past behind her, she’s much more open about her desire for Koko (not that she was particularly closeted about it…but now she’s totally overt.) And, for the first time, Koko seems perfectly comfortable throwing some tinder on that fire. It’s not like the two of them will go anywhere, but, I dunno, I kind of like looking at Valment blushing when Koko complements her on something butchy. It warmed the cockles of my heart.

Because this is Jormungand, there’s lots of presentiments of important things afoot without any actual information and some people die. A perfect way to end my week this week. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7
Characters – 8
Story – 7
Yuri – 3
Service – 4

Overall – 7

(No, I never did review Volume 8. There really wasn’t even the teeniest grain of Yuri to hold on to in that volume. This time we got groping instead.)