Let’s talk 4-koma.

They are all basically the same.

Regardless of the setup, the punchlines all start to feel repetitive after a while. Every once in a blue moon you get something a little standout, but mostly 4-koma are about average protagonist girl, ambiguously gay girl and relaxed (or slow) girl reacting to hyper/crazy girl’s antics. In some cases the *only* thing that distinguishes the oh-so-average protagonist girl is that she is the protagonist. If she dropped out of the story altogether, it wouldn’t change much.

Soutennenshoku-iro Otome-gumi (Completely Naturally-colored Girl Group) is notable for having no notable characters whatsoever. The only thing that distinguishes them at all is that all of them (indeed, almost all the named characters) are named after a color. In no other way does any of the story differ from any other 4-koma. This manga is so generic that you could use it as a blank template upon which to dub your own ideas. Name them after fruit and make the setting an agricultural school; name the characters after well-known voice actresses and actors and pretend it’s at a voice acting school. Ignore the clothes and write a story that takes place anywhere, anytime, with anyone. Trust me, it’ll work.

(As an aside, I also noticed yesterday that the words for “O Fortuna” work perfectly well if you sing it about your wireless connection. “Oh, wireless connection, changeable as the moon, ever increasing and deteriorating.” It’s been that kind of week. ^_^)

Oh, so, yeah, Soutennenshoku-iro Otome-gumi. There’s this girl with red hair named Akane who gets lost trying to find her way around the huge school and runs into two other girls – green-haired Midori and ambiguously gay, blue-haired Aoi. Aoi is very otokoyaku-like and naturally wows all the girls with her masculine charm. But she’s not *trying* to, honest and always seems puzzled and annoyed by her skills at picking up girls. Evil ojou-sama Beniko (look it up, and you’ll be able to tell what color her hair is) hates how close Akane gets to Aoi, because she is nose-bleedingly desirous of her.

Add in the typical school scenarios, and give Akane a really fabulous, sensitive, nice older brother we only ever see in bear and magician costumes for his part-time jobs, and there you have it. The most unoriginal 4-koma ever. On the other hand, it’s not hurting anyone either. It’s pleasant, has Yuri-inspired nosebleeds and an older brother that, despite his sartorial choices, doesn’t suck and is not an object of incestuous desire.

If you are a fan of 4-koma, I say, go for it~! Read it, yay! In fact, I’ll lend you my copy. Feel free to forget to return it. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 5
Character – 6
Yuri – 3
Service – 1

Overall – 6

Thematically named characters does not a great manga make.

It’s great pleasure to thank Komatsu-san for sponsoring today’s review! This is the first of several volumes of manga that he sent me and I hope you’ll all enjoy the reviews as much as I enjoyed the manga!

Kokonoka no Majyo takes place in a fantasy setting, at a girls school. In this original situation, the story starts with several of the students at the school discussing the witch who lives in the surrounding forest. Sarami, an amiable girl who is a recent transfer into the school, does not know the legend. So when the wind begins to blow and all of a sudden a girl who looks exactly like Sarami appears, needless to say, she’s a little surprised.

The forest witch, who takes the name Nanoka, is a nice kid, much like Sarami. The book continues with chapter after chapter of pleasant, day to day happy school and life situations, in which Sarami gets to pass her enjoyment of all things on to Nanoka. Of course there is some drama, there are some happy moments, some sad moments, a magical creature sidekick thing and an annoying little sister-type character. Everything is in its place.

The truth behind Nanoka is not entirely unpredictable, but again, it’s a comfortable fit. The whole book is one formulaic, agreeable romp through stereotypical situations and clichéd characters. The art is moe but almost completely without fanservice so, if you prefer your cute and sweet to remain unerotized, you will find this story appealing.

Yuri comes in the form of tall, classic beauty Kanon and her wavy-haired girlfriend Aretta. They have a chapter all to themselves, so we are in no doubt whatsoever as to whether they are together. And for the entirety of the story, they are a happy couple, seen doing very normal things together, like shopping and playing in a stream. An altogether refreshingly happy Yuri couple, doing completely average things. One could easily imagine them shopping for furniture together. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – I’d say 5, but should you like moe 7 seems reasonable
Story – 7
Characters – 7
Yuri – 6
Service – .5

Overall – 7

While there’s nothing shockingly original about Kokonoka no Majyo, time spent reading it is time spent pleasantly. Thank you Komatsu-san!

This gives me an opportunity to mention that I have created “Okazu superhero” and “Okazu hero” badges for the sponsors of reviews. If you have ever sponsored a review, please email me at the address on the top of the sidebar there, and I’ll email you your badge image, which you can proudly display on website, blog, email or just keep to yourself. It’s up to you. ^_^ Thanks to all the Okazu heroes out there!

This is a message to my US readers. I won’t be the only blogger asking you to go out today and vote.

For years I have been saying that Yuri doesn’t really equal G/L/B/T/I, and many fans of Yuri and Yaoi are not actually supporters of gay rights. But many of you are, and if *you* don’t get out there and make your voice heard, then we are in for another 4 years of repression, fear and crushing economic and social policies.

Please, get out today and vote.

Kujirai Ruka, the lead singer for the band Peat Moth, is living at college with her kouhai Irisu Yumi. They are the typical Odd Couple-style pair, the stars of Nemurubaka. Ruka is vulgar, sloppy, yet obviously talented. Yumi is neat, organized and takes care of Ruka.

Peat Moth is on the rise with their newest tune, “Nemurubaka.” The tune is catchy and the lyrics are strange, but kind of charming. Yumi likes to see Ruka perform at live houses.

And Yumi is very surprised and disconcerted to find that the source of the catchy tune and strange lyrics of “Nemurubaka” is herself. Apparently, she sings in her sleep. Thus, the song’s name, “sleeping idiot.”

The first half of this volume covers a few “day in the life” chapters of Yumi and Ruka’s life and their symbiotic, and affectionate, relationship.

But. (Of course there is a “but.” Without “but” there would be no plot.)

A music producer approaches Ruka and says that he’s interested in her – but only her. She’d have to leave her band behind if she wants the contract.

Surprisingly, Ruka takes the contract. She packs up her stuff and leaves both Yumi and Peat Moth behind. She’s repurposed as “Girl A” and her tagline becomes “Who is Girl A?”

Yumi can’t help but see the advertising barrage and she also wonders who “Girl A” is, since she’s clearly no longer the Ruka she cared about. When a ticket to Ruka’s concert arrives in the mail, she decides to go and see what has become of her sempai. As the concert progresses, Yumi thinks that she liked the old live house shows better. She begins to scream “Sempai” to get Ruka’s attention, but can’t be heard over the crowd noise. But Ruka sees her. She finishes her set and gets ready to do an encore. Leaving band and back up singers behind, Ruka announces that her name is Kujirai Ruka and the writer of the song is Peat Moth and Irisu Yumi, then breaks into a solo version of “Nemurubaka.”

Finally, Yumi’s voice reaches Ruka and they lock eyes. Ruka finishes the song and runs off the stage and out of the theater into the night.

Back in the dorm, Yumi is now a sempai to a new kouhai, who finds the Peat Moth CD in the room. The kouhai asks if she can play it, but Yumi says no.

There is no Yuri in this story, as you can see. But for a deep friendship – the kind that surpasses words – and genuine affection between two women, I haven’t read too much better than this recently.

Ratings:

Art – 6
Characters – 8
Story – 8
Yuri – 1 Shinyuu – 9
Service – 1 (Ruka gets a solid ass grab on Yumi at some point)

Overall – 8

Aria may be nice, but I guess I’m hankering for a bit of realism in my slice-of-life these days. First Octave and now this. Stories of grownup idols…hmm…sounds vaguely familiar. ;-)

I hope today’s review will be a bit of a surprise. I know you’ve all heard of Hayashiya Shizuru. She’s the creator of Hayate x Blade, which has been one of my favorite manga series for the past few years and Yuri fans know her as both the creator of Yuri Hime series Strawberry Shake Sweet and as (frequently Yuri) doujinshi circle Jesus Drug.

What you may not realize is that, along with her monthly chapter of Hayate x Blade, and a quarterly chapter of SSS, she was *also* working on a second quarterly series called Bijine! Beat Punk Generation . Hayashiya has always been a fan of sports manga (as those of us who collect old Jesus Drug doujinshi know.) And in BPG she tries her hand at a boxing story. But, since we are talking Hayashiya Shizuru-sensei, you can be sure there’s a couple of goofy twists to the plot.

Natsuki is bored. Bored with school, with her neighbor Mina who thinks she’s a friend, with the people around her, with life. Everything is such a waste. When Mina drags her to a street-boxing match called the Beat Fight Summer Knuckle, Natsuki opines loudly that this is the most boring thing ever.

Former Beat Fight female champion Shou overhears Natsuki and challenges her to a fight to see how “boring” it is. As she knocks Natsuki out with her first punch, she declares that Natsuki is the one who is the most boring in the world. Natsuki decides that she has to take up boxing to get her reputation back.

While the beginning of this manga is a little on the dark side, Hayashiya’s physical comedy gags begin as Natsuki begins to train. Since she’s always blown off gym, along with everything else, she’s in terrible shape. Beyond terrible. And so she has to climb from the very bottom to reclaim her own self-esteem and, ultimately, her pride.

There is no Yuri in this series. There *is* a classic rivalry in which Natsuki takes on a person with skills that far surpass her own. She will gain respect for her rival and admiration as she gains skills. In return, Shou will inevitably give her grudging respect at first, and ultimately see her as a true rival. You know the deal. ;-)

This is a one-volume series. As much as I’d love to see it continue, I think this is all we’re going to get. (Remember, she changed publishers recently. I imagine that affected everything she was doing.)

For a little blood, sweat and guts with your fighting women, take a look at Beat Punk Generation!

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 0
Service – 1

Overall – 8

What fabulous motivation to do anything – not wanting to be boring. I think that’s awesome. More people should use that as a motivator. “Don’t be boring.” ^_^