Manga Review: Skip Beat Volume 18 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Book Information
Publisher: Viz Media
Publication Date: May 2009
ISBN-13: 9781421525983
MSRP:$8.99
Format: Trade Paperback
Available from Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Powell's

Kyoko followed her love Sho all the way to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as a J-pop idol. But the second Sho became famous, he cast her aside. Kyoko has vowed revenge and will stop at nothing to make Sho pay for breaking her heart!

In volume 18 of this shojo saga, Kyoko has been given another Love Me Section job. The pink uniform is back! However, Kyoko's newest assignment is intent on making her cry. Koo is a Japanese actor turned Hollywood star who is back in town. Koo played the origianl Katsuki in Dark Moon. He and Tsuraga-san seem to have a dark and murky past. Is Tsuraga really his son Kuon? Something is definitely up as Koo is using Kyoko as bait to get to Tsuraga-san...

I love Skip Beat! Most long running shojo series get bogged down with filler episodes; but, Skip Beat has been nonstop action since volume 1. The characters have depth and Nakamura-sensei has been able to make every chapter fun and exciting. Even the serious moments are broken up with enough comedy and action that the series maintains its dark undercurrents of revenge and its romantic hijinks at the same time.

I don't want to wait 3 months for the next volume to come out!!!

xoxo,

Tissie

Read more!

Manga Review: Flower of Life 4 by Fumi Yoshinaga

Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Publication Date: May 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1-5697-0055-6
MSRP: $12.95
Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Borders

The long anticipated Flower of Life 4 by Fumi Yoshinaga has finally arrived.

You have NO idea how long I've waited for this from DMP.

The first thing I have to mention is the packaging. To be honest, I'm dissapointed in DMP. This manga has NO dustjacket despite it remaining to be $12.95. I actually was surprised that I did like (yes like) the lack of dustjacket as a standalone manga, but when I shelve it with Volume 1 through 3, I can't help but scowl because of the lack of consistency. I mean come on, this is the final volume. Adding the dust jacket would have been a nice gesture for fans. Nevertheless, at least it's out.

This volume turned out to be bittersweet. I read it last night and to be honest, I was unhappy with how it wrapped out initially. As I thought about it the whole day today, I'm actually quite please with how it turned out.

Harutaro and Shota are working hard to become professional manga-ka.

*** Spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own caution. Highlight below to read. ***

Their manga is severely criticized by a manga editor from Shinshokan (the Japanese company that actually publishes Flower of Life). The heroine of their manga lacked depth, but Shota's interpretation was that he wanted her to be enigmatic and mysterious. After having Takeda look at it, she mentions that the character should do something unexpected.

At the same time Harutaro's sister is having a difficult moment in her life and is asking for support from her brother. Unfortunately, Harutaro is focused on his manga to create a better life. When he returns home, he finds his sister distraught and drunk with a stranger. They get in a fight and she reveals to Harutaro that his leukemia could relapse, devastating him.

After this point of time, Harutaro changes. This unexpected event is almost parallel to what they are trying to convey in their manga.

What happens in Harutaro's life is a reflection of the theme in Harutaro and Shota's manga.

Not only that, but the meaning behind the title is revealed.

This final volume is definitely something to be cherished. You will see the joys and hardships of life, and you will witness something unexpected but still wonderful.

Despite its shortcomings in packaging, I highly recommend this manga for any slice-of-life or Yoshinaga fan.

Read more!