A LOT OF MANGA

I read manga when I don't want to read, which is very often, and it's difficult to stop once I start gorging. I picked up mangas I dropped, discovered new gems, and am trudging through many for closure.

1. Killing My Sensei Softly (Sensei no Yasashii Koroshikata) by HANTEN Sharou

After school, Sensei tutors me in secret. My classmates think we have some sort of relationship, but they've got it all wrong. Sensei is a serial killer, and I am his apprentice. "Sensei, please teach me how to murder." A dark love unfolds between a serial killer Sensei and his devoted apprentice!

Starting this list off on a weird start. I don't remember how I found this manga, but it's refreshing because I read a lot of fantasy, fluff, romance, and shoujo. Almost every chapter is about finding a serial killer and murdering them. Some arcs are longer than others. The art is relatively simple/bland, and despite revolving around killing, it's not all the gory. DINER by KAWAI Takanori is still the goriest and most messed up mangas I've encountered. There is an age gap romance subplot, but it's not the romance where you're cheering them on to end up together. It's more so hoping the Sensei character reveals their past with the FL, their MO for killing, etc.

I HAVE A TYPE | OOF, THIS MANHWA WAS GREAT

 

A Business Proposal 

Illustrator: Narak

Author: Perilla &p Haehwa

    Ha-ri made a deal—go on one blind date for her BFF and pretend to be a super-vixen to end all of her unwanted marriage set-ups! Unfortunately, instead of easy money, Ha-ri’s got a headache. Her date is Taemu, her company’s hot new CEO, and he’s got his own plans to get his family to back off by marrying whoever shows up on the date. Should Ha-ri accept his proposal to keep playing pretend? Nothing could go wrong with lying about your real identity while dating the boss... right??

NAMAIKIZAKARI + ANONYMOUS NOISE REVIEW

I know I'm late to this review train because Namaikizakari ended in December 2021. I stopped reading the series around chapter 80 because it got annoying and repetitive, but I recently saw that the author had some new stuff and felt the urge to finish it.

This series ran from 2013-2021! I remember following it and reading it in high school. I thought Naruse was so cute. Then, I found his moodiness annoying. Yuki is one-dimensional, frustrating, and quite boring. They're both childish. A great reflection of who I was and still am... 

REREADING BLACK BIRD MANGA TO NOT FINISH KOKORO

The title says it all. I'm currently reading Kokoro by Natsume Soseki, don't know what provoked me, but I am slightly regretting it. I'm also taking Japanese over the summer to finish up my degree; part of the class is talking to students in Japan, which is nerve-racking and an absolute shit-show on my part. During one of the sessions, I learned that Kokoro is one is the books students read during Middle School or High School (I don't remember which one,) which made me think of a fantastic challenge: reading the language curriculum of other countries!

ABSOLUTELY DOMINATING MY READING CHALLENGE | JANUARY WRAP-UP

I need to thank Viz's online Jump subscription service, the New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library. I devoured this challenge, but then again, I have very low expectations (45 books). I'm keeping things realistic and managing expectations. 

READING AND WATCHING NANA + "SPOILER"

When I ask for Shoujo recommendations, the internet always recommends Nana. I have been avoiding it like the plague because it's been on hiatus for years, and I am someone who likes to read completed mangas/stories. I decided to bite the bullet, and I have so many regrets. 

ADDICTIVE HORROR MANGA

Diner

Written by Hirayama Yumeaki

Illustrated by Kawai Takanori

I am a scaredy-cat, so I rarely ever delve into anything horror-related. I forgot how I came across this messed-up and grotesque manga, but I don't have any regrets. I only finished 6 volumes, but it took me three times to get here.

I READ THE OURAN MANGA

Every shoujo-loving person has encountered Ouran Highschool Host Club in their career. I first came across the series, the dubbed version, on the Funimation channel. I still can't believe they were on cable, and I was heart-broken when they left because there are little to no animes on TV in America, especially ones that play throughout the day. I was drawn to the bright colors and flashy characters. Tamaki is ridiculous, and everyone has stilts for legs! I loved the crazy antics they got into, and the elaborate costumes for every club meeting. This comedy about wealthy elites' children and their free time was quality entertainment. 

SOUL EATER MANGA REVIEW

Soul Eater is one of my favorite animes, and one of the few that I prefer to watch in dub version. I wanted to rewatch the anime series, but I've already done that, twice, and the ending is vastly different from the manga. When I starting reading, I was shocked...

GETTING Y'ALL IN YOUR FEELINGS

Taiyou No Ie (House of the Sun) by Taamo

Manga: 13 completed volumes

Run: May 2010 - January 2015

This series is an emotional roller-coaster that has you teary-eyed page one. As a little girl, Mao was always home alone because her estranged parents were working 24/7. Fortunately, her neighbors, the Nakamuras, had a loving household, who welcomed her with open arms. She becomes part of their family and a fixture in their lives: Hiro (the older brother,) Daiki (the middle brother,) and Hina (the youngest sister.) One day, tragedy hits, killing the Nakamura parents, leaving the three siblings orphaned. Since Hiro is unable to take care of his family, as he is underage, he is separated from his siblings, who will live with other relatives, and lives in their childhood home alone. During this time period, Mao's parents have a divorce; she decides to stay with her father so she can stay close to Hiro. Throughout the years, Mao checks on Hiro, so he isn't lonely; but, her home situation is not that great either - her father is very cold and distant; she feels that she is unwanted by her step-family. Hiro, upon discovering this, invites Mao to live with him. Naturally, when you live in close quarters with someone, you develop feelings. Mao also gives Hiro the strength to bring his family back together. Since it's a Shoujo, Slice of Life manga, expect love triangles, friendship, heartbreak, and drama.