Cuter than I expected. The heroine is a "gutsy" (willing to go against the grain/stand up to people) highschooler who'd like to fall in love. ENot bad
Cuter than I expected. The heroine is a "gutsy" (willing to go against the grain/stand up to people) highschooler who'd like to fall in love. Enter the male lead who's a 21 former delinquent classmate with bad rumors, a scary appearance, a troubled past, but is a soft good boy inside.
There's pretty much no flirting or sexual tension and it's the girl setting the pace which makes the age gap less gross. I wasn't particularly interested in the characters, but it avoided most of my shojo squicks.
Merged review:
Not bad
Cuter than I expected. The heroine is a "gutsy" (willing to go against the grain/stand up to people) highschooler who'd like to fall in love. Enter the male lead who's a 21 former delinquent classmate with bad rumors, a scary appearance, a troubled past, but is a soft good boy inside.
There's pretty much no flirting or sexual tension and it's the girl setting the pace which makes the age gap less gross. I wasn't particularly interested in the characters, but it avoided most of my shojo squicks....more
I've only ever played the games a little, so I'm primarily judging it in a vacuum, though knowing characters and zombie types helps. It's a decent zomI've only ever played the games a little, so I'm primarily judging it in a vacuum, though knowing characters and zombie types helps. It's a decent zombie apocalypse read, the ragtag crew find themselves "saved" by the military, and if you know the genre, it doesn't go as hoped. It at least avoids the "people are the real moster" tropes post-apocalyptic horror frequently visits and instead is hard choices made in hard times.
Each chapter has a bit of the individual crew's backstory of where they were when it all went sour. As the title implies, there will be somber drama and pathos alongside the action and banter....more
This series mostly focuses on Harry debating running or staying, weighing the risks compared to the roots he's put downShould he stay or should he go?
This series mostly focuses on Harry debating running or staying, weighing the risks compared to the roots he's put down. The small-town wholesome dramedy merged with the crime/murder mystery is such a weird vibe and I am there for it....more
Viv takes action on Picture Day to be an individual (as long as it gets her attention). I remember the desire for simultaneous non-conformity and sociViv takes action on Picture Day to be an individual (as long as it gets her attention). I remember the desire for simultaneous non-conformity and social approval of adolescence, but maybe it was the combination of influencers (which I've never been into) and how try-hard she was going about it. Her efforts took up most of the story until the last third where introspection and neglected friends finally hit and wrapped up rather simply. Maybe it dug up some past trauma of youthful attempts at asserting individuality almost cloyingly, but I didn't really find it an enjoyable read. I liked the characters well enough, but the plot was kind of a miss for me....more
1.75/5 A spin-off series following the events of Barbaric Vol. 3: Hell to Pay. Serra the witch is the primary character whose backstory ties into Saren1.75/5 A spin-off series following the events of Barbaric Vol. 3: Hell to Pay. Serra the witch is the primary character whose backstory ties into Saren's childhood and magical development. This got a lower rating than the other volumes of the main series as it felt a lot more brooding and angsty with a lot of infighting and interpersonal drama. I'm down for an adventuring sisterhood, but it was just lacking in much of the fun of the other books, aside from some minor scenes with Deadheart, and the infighting and general tone dragged it down....more
Set in 1600s Europe during the Thirty Years' War, the story follows Issak, a Japanese samurai and skilled marksman serving as a mercenary to track dowSet in 1600s Europe during the Thirty Years' War, the story follows Issak, a Japanese samurai and skilled marksman serving as a mercenary to track down the man that killed his master. Plenty of bloody combat between warring armies and roving bandits and the art is solid. It's the stoic wandering warrior trope, but it didn't feel like it had much of a hook other than well drawn battles and the time period/setting. The "man shooting with a strange gun over long distances" made me think of Quigley Down Under of all things, but with religious conflict instead of racial....more
A failed highschool prodigy becomes the "zatsuki" (writer/producer) for a prickly strong-willed girl aiming to be an actress. This wasIdol maker drama
A failed highschool prodigy becomes the "zatsuki" (writer/producer) for a prickly strong-willed girl aiming to be an actress. This was pretty weak for an opening hook. Mostly unpleasant side characters and it didn't really set any expectations. The heroine is skilled at performing Shakespeare and the plan is to have her be an idol in order to become an actress. It feels like it'll be a mix of dramedy and (idol) industry-themed manga, but neither the characters nor entersplainment were particularly compelling....more
A diverse oddball traveling sales team with troubled pasts pick up a hitchhiker who reveals herself to be a monster hunter. SooAmateur monster hunters
A diverse oddball traveling sales team with troubled pasts pick up a hitchhiker who reveals herself to be a monster hunter. Soon after the group stumbles onto more strange happenings as they try to bumble their way through them.
There's a dark comedy tone with their clumsy and awkward attempts at monster hunting, but also some melancholy drama as each team member seems a little broken with the occasional brief flashback panel hinting at their trauma. I was mildly amused by some of the dark comedy, but the drama and otherwise somber tone pulled it down from ever being fun....more
The previous volume wrapped up the material covered by the anime and began the three year jump with the kids now starting high school. I do enjoy notiThe previous volume wrapped up the material covered by the anime and began the three year jump with the kids now starting high school. I do enjoy noting the subtle changes in character designs when a series covers age progression. The characters are still themselves, although Hina's probably changed the most and has gotten more expressive. She's still a lazy, food-obsessed bum, but she doesn't have that robotic Rei Ayanami-style emotional distance and now seems to have a "normal" nonchalant apathy.
This time jump also seemed a bit lacking somehow. Maybe it's because the characters feel like they've settled into their roles and don't feel quite as eccentric. The new yankee/delinquent/hooligan characters aren't as amusing as others and it feels like characters are starting to face more "serious" events....more
Two main arcs: a Freaky Friday bodyswap with parent drama and a sniper terrorist demanding the Batgirls' arrest. There's a fair bit of draLot of heart
Two main arcs: a Freaky Friday bodyswap with parent drama and a sniper terrorist demanding the Batgirls' arrest. There's a fair bit of drama in the first part as well as a little romance, but the amount of friendship made up for both. Lots of bestie found-family galentine sisterhood to it....more
The art was probably the best thing about this--and it was good-- but the story was very unsatisfying. Without any spoilers, Batman fights Pretty weak
The art was probably the best thing about this--and it was good-- but the story was very unsatisfying. Without any spoilers, Batman fights the monster from The Thing but with a zombie motif and a bit of The Crow. It was gritty and violent with a rather impotent feeling Batman. The "science" hurt my brain really bad, even by normal superhero comic standards, and the twists felt sloppy and lazy. Sure, it was fun seeing Joker&Harley again, but I was otherwise disappointed....more
Set in the same continuity as the 90s cartoon series, this is a collection of various shorts. The early very short stories that were only a hMixed bag
Set in the same continuity as the 90s cartoon series, this is a collection of various shorts. The early very short stories that were only a handful of pages long were not great. They had an "lesson learned" vibe that made it feel more juvenile. The longer stories were better, but on the whole it suffered from the overly expository dialog that plagued older comics and a lot of plots/writing that were just okay....more
Romantic friendship is my jam, even when it can be toxic, but this got kind of too dark/melodramatic for me. A falling out between close friends 2.5/5
Romantic friendship is my jam, even when it can be toxic, but this got kind of too dark/melodramatic for me. A falling out between close friends leads to a downward spiral of depression and self harm. And then it got darker... I'd write it off entirely, but I've seen mentions that it gets more uplifting later. If that's the case I'd just need to worry how bad the romance might be....more
I suppose it's unique in that I don't often see a cooking manga that specializes in a style of cooking. It was cute, I guess. I eMixed feelings, 2.5/5
I suppose it's unique in that I don't often see a cooking manga that specializes in a style of cooking. It was cute, I guess. I eyerolled over the instant devoted dere waifu male fantasy. As cliché as it might have been, making them childhood friends or an arranged marriage would have made the insta-love more convincing. It could have been worse, but that wish fulfillment vibe dragged it down for me....more
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