Archive for the Series Category


Yuri Manga: Hayate x Blade, Volume 4 (English)

October 22nd, 2009

If you follow *one* series it should be this one. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Hayate x Blade, Volume 4 is a non-stop, fast-paced, slam-dunk, action-filled crazy-fest from the very first page to the very last. And it’s funny as hell. As I’ve come to say on Twitter, it’s a 4 SLOL (Snort Laugh Out Loud) book.

The book begins with the end of Ayana and Jun’s match and OMG, I cannot believe you can read this in ENGLISH. I remember reviewing it in Japanese and wishing I could share it with you all, because it’s so excellent.

Because *so* much happens in this volume, I want to talk about the translation. Yes, Jun does curse. It seems uncharacteristic in this series, but that’s only ’cause you haven’t met Sid yet. :-D (Sid! How I want you to meet Sid and Nancy! OMG, they are so awesomely hysterical. /Fangirly squeal/) And no, Hayate’s comments about her and Ayana being Jon and Ponch and Cagney and Lacey are *not* weird attempts are localization – they are actually what she says.

Once again, I want to thank, worship, akogare the team of translator and adapter on this book for making it feel so right. I feel as if every voice has been kept intact. Adrienne, Ed, you make this series a real pleasure to work on as a professional, and to read as a fan.

Also, I really, really, want to thank Tor and Seven Seas for 1) giving me the opportunity to work on this series and; 2) fixing that one mistake I kept pointing out. You know the one. Thank you. :-)

Jun fights Ayana, Yuho fights Hayate, Jun and Yuho have a tender moment, Hitsugi and Shizuku prepare for their first fight in a while, Hayate gets close to Akira despite dire warnings, and Momoka and Isuzu (Isuzu! OMG, I just love her. I hope you do too.) have a *major* crisis that introduces Michi and Otoha, who are a pair of utter freaks. ^_^ There is action, comedy, blood, guts, affection, desire and banana peels.

Isuzu=Yuri, and if you are like me and most of the Japanese doujinshi artists, you see Michi and Otoha as a couple, too. Because…duh.

If you are not buying this manga, you are utterly fail. Don’t bother trying to explain yourself.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters – 9
Yuri – 3
Service – 2

Overall – 9

I want you to know that a contact (not my editor, but another editor) at Tor offered to send me copies, but I refused. I like it better that my Heroes get the credit. Today I thank once again, ever more fervently, Okazu Superhero Eric P. for sponsoring today’s review and giving me the chance to sings paeans of joy about the BEST MANGA EVER. IN ENGLISH!





Drama CD: Maria-sama ga Miteru Rosario no Shizuku/Kibara Chuuihou

October 14th, 2009

I gotta admit, when I received my package from Amazon JP and it included the Drama CD Maria-sama ga Miteru Rosario no Shizuku/Kibara Chuuihou ( マリア様がみてる ロザリオの滴/黄薔薇注意報) and Rainy Blue, I thought, “Well geez guys, this is unfair. I have the misery all bundled together and, yet, Parosol o Sashite remains yet unrealized.” But I bravely waded into the rain to listen the stories of White and Yellow Rose sisters.

Shimako is unduly torturing herself because she does not want to burden Noriko with a weight of responsibility by giving her her rosary. Luckily, Noriko is stronger than that and ultimately makes the decision easier for her beloved Shimako-san. This Drama is about 35 minutes long – nothing major is left out. It is told from Shimako’s point of view.

The second disk is also about 35 minutes long. It follows Yoshino and Rei as they fight to carve out new territory between them, now that Yoshino is hale and hearty. In the first Yellow Rose Revolution, Yoshino has our whole-hearted support, as she pushes the envelope for Rei’s sake. This time, we (and she) are blaming her more and rightfully so. In a real sign that she *does* accept that Yoshino is healthy, Rei fights back. I feel like the end of this DCD version of the story was rewritten and not, IMHO, for the better. I felt a little unsatisfied with the way it was handled, but that could be me retconning. One day when I have time, I’ll check the novel and see if I’m just imagining things. In any case, they too reconcile and until nearly a year later will have no more disagreements. Phew.

Which leaves us with just one more rainy season story for me to deal with…and every time I have to face it, I feel less and less happy about it. How I very much wish that Parasol o Sashite was already out! T_T

Ratings:

Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 3
Service – 0

Overall – 7

I’ll be better once we get past this arc. I promise. /sniff/





Yuri Manga: Sasamekikoto, Volume 5 (ささめきこと)

October 6th, 2009

In Volume 4, we left Ushio and Sumika not actually saying anything important to one another. Now, in Volume 5 of Sasamekikoto (ささめきこと), the walls between them are not getting any easier to get past.

In fact, it’s safe to say that this entire volume follows two young women who have something *incredibly* important to say to one another, who both find a myriad of ways to not say anything at all.

They smile at one another, and pretend that there’s nothing wrong, but they both hate it. They hate what it’s doing to them. Even more – they hate what it is doing to the other. They can *see* that the other one is suffering, but they are completely paralyzed and unable to say anything that needs to be said. They each hate the fake smiles and brave face the other wears. Most importantly, they each blame themselves for the other’s unhappiness.

Most fans will find this volume frustrating, but it serves two distinct purposes. The first, and most reality-based, is that it indicates that the series is in for a longer haul. No longer is this the goofy love-comedy of two girls in love but who can’t figure it out. Now it is a longer series, full of do-ra-ma, about two girls who are in love but can’t figure it out. Since we’ve made it to 5 volumes, I’d expect at least a few more tear-soaked volumes before it all gets settled.

The second purpose is that the story has, in effect, to be rewritten. The first three volumes were silly. They set up a bunch of untenable Yuri tropes that, one at a time, have been set aside for the more realistic, more dramatic “real” story line. In this volume “Akemi”s modeling career comes to an end, and all the characters but a few – including the actual lesbian couple, who can see the problem easily enough – seem to shift back slightly to allow room for the full-on misery of Ushio and Sumi simply not talking about what’s on their mind.

In the middle of throngs of people, even standing right next to one another, Ushio and Sumi are lonely. Right now they are struggling to find who they themselves are and if they can do that, then they might be able to find one another. Or, well, that’s what I’d do if I were writing this manga.

This series is becoming better on the one side, because it’s dealing with the real gap between knowing what you want and being able to accept that that is what you want, in a world that does not approve of such things. On the other, it’s really annoying because I hate mopey characters. ^_^;

However, I’m more than willing to give Ushio and Sumi some time to get over themselves. I eagerly look forward to the next volume in which I think a *terrible crisis* will rear it’s ugly head. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7
Characters – 8
Story – 8
Yuri – 7
Service – 1

Overall – 8

More volumes means more teenaged moping.





Sasamekikoto Anime on Crunchyroll

October 6th, 2009

I’m pleased to report that Crunchyroll has obtained the license (limited to US and Oceania this time… don’t blame them, blame stupid country licensing issues) to Yuri anime Sasamekikoto. Here’s hoping that the anime captures the book’s zaniness without losing the solid emotional story in the back and vice versa, that it doesn’t wallow without the comedy to temper it.

In honor of the news, I’ll review Volume 5 later today. :-)

I just love their press release that says this series is “one of the most famed yuri manga of all time in Japan.” LOL I’m thinking not so much, really. But, yay for Yuri fans anyway. :-)

So, what do you think is the “most famed Yuri manga of all time”?





Aria Manga, Volume 4 (English)

October 4th, 2009

Let’s talk akogare.

Akogare is a verb in Japanese that can mean anything from straight out admiration to a full-blown crush. It’s considered normal, even helpful, for a young person to akogare an older role model…an intrinsic part of the mentor/protégé relationship. Akogare means you will do your best to learn and replicate those qualities which make the older and more experienced person so “cool.”

Akogare is a space, like shinyuu, that is very open to misinterpretation by people who like to read into vaguely defined spaces. It is these two words that allow so *much* Yuri-service, precisely because they are not as easy to label for westerners. In reality, we do have these spaces but, because we have no words for them, they still are often instantly turned into slash relationships by fans. Some people simply find it hard to believe that two people of any sex, gender or sexuality, can be close physically and emotionally, but not involved sexually.

In many anime and manga, this gray-space-ness of akogare and of shinyuu is played for service. As much as some fans would prefer labels be solidly applied on anime/manga couples (are they together or not, ARGH!) this will not happen. Ambiguity sells to a larger audience than specificity. The larger the audience, the more possible sales. The producers are not going to alienate the Nanoha x Yuuno ‘shippers by making the “Fate and Nanoha get married” episode, because those people buy stuff too. :-)

In Aria, Volume 4, we have several examples of akogare. First, let’s look at Aika. Her admiration for Alicia borders right on the line of “having a crush on.” This is interesting because it’s damped down from the beginning of the series when it was very crushy. The reason for the change? Al. All akogare is assumed to be a phase. Whether it’s same or opposite sex crush, everyone understands that it is an expression of immaturity, a part of growth. That’s why it’s cute when a teenager likes a pop idol to the point of lining up for goods and appearances…and kind of creepy when an adult does. ;-) Aika clearly admires and kind of sort of desires Alicia. Her growing interest in Al will temper that to a more adult admiration.

Akari’s admiration of Alicia is – in my opinion – totally without desire. She admires Alicia’s skills, her grace, her personality. To the point of idolization. What we *never* see is any sign of Alicia being moody, or in fact, human at all. She remains from beginning to end, a Fairy. (Unlike Akira who is snappy and Athena who is clumsy.)

Volume 4 is a chance for us to watch as the mentors actually force the shift away from them to their protégé’s own skills. It’s an interesting perspective, because the idolized seniors start to push the chicks to venture out of the nest, knowing that this will make them, as role models, less necessary. As well as being perfect at their jobs, they are the perfect sempai.

So, no, no “Yuri” as such in Volume 4, but a chance to watch a similar, but not the same, series of relationships between women develop.

And more time spent in the company of the Undines of Neo-Venezia, which is never a bad thing. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 0
Service – 3 (bathing suits, fine, but seriously, that level of anatomical detail is creepy.)

Overall – 8

It is my sincere pleasure to thank Okazu Hero Frederick D. for sponsoring today’s review! You are our hero. ^_^