(Fuji, Shiki, Ann, and Daigo.)
Manga Name: Sand Chronicles
Number of Volumes: 10
Author and Artist: Hinako Ashihara
Age Scale: 13+ (suggestive theme.)
Summery:
After her parents get divorced, Ann Uekusa and her mother move from Tokyo to rural Shimane. Used to the anonymity of city living, Ann can't get used to the almost overbearing kindness of the people in her mother's hometown. But when personal tragedy strikes, Ann discovers how much she needs that kindness.
Personal Opinion: Just go and read it now, no need to listen to me ramble. Oh. My. God. From the first volume, it grabbed me and I was totally lost in the manga right away. The happiness and sadness of this manga. The pace is a pretty good pace, though you might think it slacks at points, it still will lead from one thing to another. Really. When you think you finally have it (I think you'll understand what/who I mean if you read it.) ANOTHER plot twist! Each of the characters are unique in their own way. Each personality is awesome too as well as the back stories! Ah, yes, back stories.. Like I said in Kitchen Princess, I thought it was really nice that even those characters that didn't get too much attention might just show up again and have their own little chapter to say "Hay! We're still here and important! :'D"
I think the thing I loved the most about this manga was first how it starts and from there, continues to her past, Winter age 12. Everything that goes through this manga is just a piece of awesomesauce! It's also rare that I read the manga where it follows the character so far in their life. Like I mean, for example, yes in Naruto he starts out *blank* and later in Shippuden he's *blank*, but in Sand Chronicles it doesn't just randomly skip like that, but when it does, it makes sense.
End of Manga Spoiler: To be honest, while I was reading the manga, i ALWAYS thought Ann was going to end up with Fuji. I mean, it was pretty easy to tell that Ann and Daigo were having problems, but now that I reflect, I see what Ann did was the right thing. Though it hurt, I think some times you just need a little time for yourself.
All in All?: This was a great manga and totally deserves the 5/5 score~ And this truly is something that I would love everyone to read. For me, it was pretty inspiring. Though I don't have as big of things going on as Ann did, it made me realize that yes, shit happens. Even so, you need to pick yourself up, hold your head high, smile and eventually move on.
1-5 Scale: 5 (You know it's good when it gets a 5/5 rating! Even my favs Fairy Tail and Doubt and After School Nightmare didn't get that high!
Where You Can Read: I need to keep looking ;a; I can't find a site that has the whole manga up... (Try your library?)
Manga Name: Kitchen Princess
Number of Volumes: 10
Author and Artist: The awesome story written by Miyuki Kobayashi and drawn by Natsumi Andō who did a fabulous job with the cute shojo style.
Age Scale: 1+ *shot* Seriously, I can't find anything..
Summery:
Najika Kazami, an orphan of two famous pastry chefs from Hokkaidō with a talent for cooking, transfers to Seika Academy over director's recommendation to chase her dream of being a great chef, and to find her "Flan Prince", a boy that saved her from falling into a river and gave her a cup of flan with a silver spoon with the school's emblem on it. At the time, she promised him she would make the most delicious dessert in the world when they met again.
Personal Opinion: Shojo again! Mwa hahaha! *cough* Why yes, I have been reading shojo quite a bit lately :D Anyway, although the plot seems simple, like just a normal cute shojo, it takes a pretty dramatic turn and even though it's not my usual kind of "mystery" it was fun guessing who the "Flan Prince" was ^^ I loved how Najika's personality too and how positive and friendly she was x3 *sigh* If only everyone was like her! I was actually pretty content with the ending too, I really good way to end a great series!
The art style it's self was great! And yay! It wasn't the creepy shojo style! The creepy shojo style, in my opinion, is when things are REALLY out of proportion (guys hands scare me in shojo sometimes q-q) And the best part, they included recipes at the end XD Sure, I only tried one (It didn't turn out well 'oTZ) but still, I think it's pretty funny and cool that they did that~ Another thing that I liked that they don't do in some mangas is how in-depth they went with characters, even those who were considered side characters. Like, I loved Akane's back story.. *is trying not to spoil*
1-5 Scale: 4
Where You Can Read: Read it here!
PS. Sorry I can't find a better picture q-q It's not too popular, so the only pictures I could find were manga covers 'oTZ But this was one of my favs, Najika looks so cute!
Manga Name: Absolute Boyfriend
Number of Volumes: 6
Author and Artist: Yuu Watase
Age Scale: 13+ (suggestive theme.)
Summery:
Rejected way too many times by good-looking (and unattainable) guys, shy Riiko Izawa goes online and signs up for a free trial of a mysterious Nightly Lover "figure". The very next day, a cute naked guy is delivered to her door, and he wants to be her boyfriend!
Has Riiko died and gone to heaven? The guy guy turns out to be sweet, smart, a great cook, and lots more. And he looks like a million bucks, which is what he's going to cost Riiko if she doesn't return him in time...
Personal Opinion: A pretty cute shojo! (Note: Sorry if I start reviewing shojo more.. I loves it..) The drawings I thought were great, and I loved how they shaded and textured the pages. The story line was fairly interesting and takes a pretty big twist towards the end. But above all, it's HILARIOUS! Even though it may sound slightly perverted (EX. *opens box* wtf! He's naked! *falls out on to Riiko* 0///////0 GHA!!!<-not really how it goes, but pretty dang close.) it really isn't well, like over the top or anything. (spoiler: like how to have Night only be Riiko's boyfriend, she has to have sex with him. A kiss will make him recognize her, but if he's kissed by someone else, he becomes their girlfriend.)
1-5 Scale: 3 1/2
Where You Can Read: Read it here!
Manga Name: Fairy Tail
Number of Volumes:
28 and on going?
Author and Artist: Hiro Mashima
Age Scale: As long as you're human *shot* Well.. It's not bad but I guess like... 10+?
Summery:
A 17-year-old celestial wizard named Lucy Heartfilia runs away from home to join Fairy Tail, a rambunctious wizards' guild whose members are infamous for their overly destructive antics. Along the way, she meets Natsu Dragneel, a boy who is traveling the land of Fiore together with his partner Happy, a talking cat, in search of his foster parent, a dragon named Igneel who had disappeared without a trace seven years prior.
Personal Opinion:
I love this manga ^^ It's so funny and yet it can have great comic relief in places you wouldn't expect! This manga just has so many characters (seriously, a lot...) and they're all so easy to fall in love with! They each have their own magic and quirks that make me love them so much. Not only that, I love the art work Mashima dose and also the story line(s) are good! Yes, it kind of starts with a lot of smaller missions and Lucy, Natsu, Gray, and Erza are all kind of running around, but that's the charm of it. I don't like mangas where they're constantly fighting, but I don't like mangas either that go fighting to pointless filler. Now, some of the stories might be seen as fillers, but I think it really adds to their characters and lets you get a better feel. Like, the one that comes to mind right now is when they all have to go to help with a play production, and some how they end up being IN the play instead of just helping. You may read that and think it sounds stupid and why the heck would you read this manga, but I don't know, I personally love it and can't wait to read the next volume!
1-5 Scale: 4? 4 1/2.. Yeah, it's pretty good in my opinion~
Where You Can Read: Here
Anything anyone want me to review? XD; I have a little time and since I formatted the intro, it doesn't look like I've reviewed much owo *has been slacking* So.. Yup, if you have something and would want to recommend it to me to read or watch or play etc I shall (try)!
~Poochy
