Tag: Manga

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Manga

REVIEW: Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace Vol. 1 by Saito Tatsuo

Posted on by elishasbookreview

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*No major spoilers*

Marika Kato is your average third-year student at Hakuoh Academy, busy with homework, leading the school’s yacht club, and working part-time at the Lamp House café. But that’s not all to Marika’s life—she’s also a space pirate! As the captain of Bentenmaru, a privateer pirate space-ship bearing a letter of marque, Marika takes on a job involving a staged attack on a luxury cruiser, where she finds a mysterious young boy on the run and a new task for the crew of the Bentenmaru.

Along with the trend of manga with funny titles. I thought I’d read this just for giggles. I was sadly disappointed, this was a very loose story and lacked much of a real plot. One of the reasons being is you don’t see Marika at school very often, and you only see her with the Yacht Club one time throughout the story.

Even though I have some more negatives, I want to touch on something positive with this story. I did like the idea that the characters’ jobs were to stage attacks on luxury cruiser class spaceships, while the concept was good and there were at least a couple of attacks staged I found the story to be lackluster overall.

To conclude this one, I might read the second one in the series to see if the pace does pick up and actually manage to hold my interest more than this book did. Although I would recommend this book to manga readers that are a fan of the sci-fi genre and consumers of the manga art style. Overall it’s not a terrible book, but it’s not the best manga I’ve come across.

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Manga

REVIEW: Baccano! Vol. 1 by Ryohgo Narita

Posted on by elishasbookreview

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*No Major Spoilers*

New York, 1927.

In a corrupt city where crime rules the streets, Firo Prochainezo is Camorra, an Italian criminal syndicate distinct from the mafia. A member of the relatively small Martillo family, Firo nevertheless got big ambitions and is determined to make his mark. But while the Martillos may not be the biggest bad guys on the block, they’ve got some distinct advantages working in their favor. Does Firo have what it takes to become a made man?

Let the crazy ruckus begin!

I was really excited about this manga when I saw this at my library. I enjoy 1920’s era stories as well as Mafia/the Mob stories. Sadly, this one disappointed me.

The characters were generic, I had a difficult time telling them apart. Generic mobsters all fighting for control. For example Similar hairstyles and hair colors between each one it was a bit of a headache trying to distinguish them apart

The storyline only got interesting when I was more than half-way into it. At that point I had lost my enthusiasm for the rest of the story. I did finish the story though. When I finished it things started finally making sense, but up until that point, it was like going to a family reunion and seeing most of the people you’ve never met.  Kind of like when Aunt May comes up to you and squeezes your cheeks and says “OH I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU WERE JUST A BABY!!” And you’re standing there like “Mom, why is this strange woman pinching my cheeks?”

I did like when the plot fully came together and started to make more sense. I would be willing to read the next book in the series to give it a second chance.

I would recommend this to people who are more into 1920’s era New York and a bit of the Noir theme.

Buy it here on Amazon!

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Manga

REVIEW: Delicious in Dungeon Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui

Posted on by elishasbookreview

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*No Major Spoilers*

When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions…and a member! They’re eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they’re sure to starve on the way! But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: “Let’s eat the monsters!” Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons…none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!

This manga caught my eye by the odd-sounding title. The theme of eating the monsters that are found in the dungeon is a unique idea. Most dungeon-crawlers are dependant on “standard” foods. Eating the monsters is unorthodox to most dungeon-crawler type scenarios.

My favorite character is Senshi, the dwarf. He joins the team at the beginning and teaches the group how to cook the monsters and how their diets affect their abilities to fight and travel. His unique perspective on the adventure is admirable and humorous.

My least favorite character is Marcille, the mage. She is against the whole idea of eating monsters and complains every step of the way. Even after Senshi proved to her time, and time again that eating monsters wasn’t a bad thing, she continued to complain throughout.

A unique touch I found in the story was whenever they cooked a dish, they would show the recipe and nutrition facts. I thought that was funny and added a nice touch to the story overall.

I would recommend this manga to lovers of dungeon-crawlers, monster lovers, and aspiring cooks alike. This is a unique take on the rehashed story of “going through the dungeon to save/do x,y, and z.

Buy on Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Manga

REVIEW: Little Hero Vol. 1 by Wakasa

Posted on by elishasbookreview
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*No Major Spoilers*

One day after school, fifth-grader Sawa is suddenly enveloped by a bright light, and moments later an unfamiliar landscape straight from a fantasy novel stretches out before her. With no way to return to Earth, she’s forced to accept the role of the “Dawn Hero” and save the world from being devoured by the Witch’s mist.

Sawa quickly learns no one goes by their name in this new world–only by their role in life. From then onward, she is known only as Hero. She is accompanied by Servant, Dagger, and Lady Knight on her adventure to fulfill her role as the hero who will save the world! Will this little hero be able to live up to the role forced upon her? Will she ever return home?

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. A fifth-grader sent to save an unfamiliar world? This book definitely delivered. With dangerous turns at every corner, how can Hero defend herself?

I liked the character development in this manga. Each character has depth and their own personal reason for doing what they do. For example, Hero begins as a shy person questioning the things around her only to grow and become better to protect her friends as the story progresses.

My favorite character, besides Hero, was Dagger. He starts off as a pickpocketing street urchin and becomes part of something greater, he’s one of those pretender types where he plays as a punk, but in reality, he’s just a big softy.

I really liked this book and I’m sure if you’re into Fantasy manga with a unique take on a story, then this is a great book for you!