honey and clover Vol. 9 by Chica Umino (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

April 28, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

The next-to-last volume of the “Honey and Clover” manga series answers one major question involving a character but shocks us with a near tragedy to one of the main members of the group. An emotional volume definitely preparing us for the final tenth volume of the popular manga series. Definitely recommended!

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 9

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

The mystery behind Morita’s obsession with money is finally revealed – he and his brother Kaoru need all the cash they can get their hands on to bankroll their revenge against the man who destroyed their father. Now they’re finally close to their goal, but what will they do once their purpose for living is gone?

“Honey and Clover”, the popular young adult manga series by Chica Umino that has generated an anime series and also a live action movie (all available now from Viz Media) and earned her a Kodansha Manga Award. With a total of ten mangas published in Japan, the ninth volume has now been released by Shojo Beat Manga and continues on the life of five young adults.

From their beginning years as art students, to graduating and finding careers and now the two youngest members of the group: Yuta Takemoto and Hagumi now preparing for their graduation and life after school.

The ninth volume of “Honey and Clover” focuses on Yuta Takemoto’s indecisiveness of whether to focus on his career or stay in the city to be close to a girl that he loves (and not sure if she cares about him the same way). Also, answers to why Morita is constantly leaving school to do high paying odd jobs and a near tragic accident strikes one of the members of the group and may change this person’s life forever.

Here is a brief summary of each character of “honey and clover”:

Yuta Takemoto: One of the primary characters, Takemoto is the youngest of the guys and majoring in architectural design. He is the normal guy of the group and trying to find himself. He has fallen for Hagu but is not the type to share his emotions or act upon them. It’s his moment to find a career and is very unsure of what he wants to do. But since his hiatus, he has found himself to have more courage and express himself much better emotionally.

Shinobu Morita: A carefree, does whatever he wants type of guy. Very cool but very strange. A gifted sculptor who has attended the University for years, has not graduated but tends to make money doing freelance work and constantly on the move. With everyone going through major life changes, it’s starting to have its effect on Morita.

Takumi Mayama: Mayama is the only one among the friends who have graduated and working his career job as a graphic designer. His love is for his boss named Rika but she doesn’t see him that way, especially since she lost her husband in an accident not too long ago. Meanwhile, he knows that Ayumi has loved him for a long time but he doesn’t share the same feelings for her.

The two female characters are:

Hagumi: A shy, gifted sculptor who is graduating and has a lot of pressure to perform. But now she’s starting to discover that being world renown for her paintings may not be her thing.

Ayumi Yamada: Yamada aka “Iron Man” has graduated from college but still tends to help out at the art college and assist her family’s business. She is so much in love with Mayama even though she knows he loves Rika.

And two characters that is not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Professor Hanamoto: Just like one of the guys, Hanamoto is the guardian of Hagumi and more or less like an adviser to the students. He has observed his students and tries to assist them and point them in the right direction. But he is reminded by Takemoto that he’s very much like him when he graduated from school.

Rika: A former classmate and a close friend of Professor Hanamoto and is running a graphic design business by herself after the death of her partner and husband. She has been distant and depressed since the death of her husband and knows that Mayama is trying to help her.

Mayama’s co-workers at Fujiwara Architects also play a role in the series:

Miwako – The boss of Fujiwara Architects and likes to make fun of her employees and make them feel uncomfortable at times. And very close to her dog.

Nomiya – The suave and calm architect that knows Yamada is trying to get Mayama jealous and goes with it. But at the same time, can’t understand why she’s head over heels in love with Mayama. But now he finds himself falling deeply in love with Hagumi.

Yamazaki - An employee at Fujiwara Architects that has a crush on Miwako but Miwako tends to look at him as an employee she can try to take advantage and make fun of.

Here is what to expect from volume 9 (summaries only, no spoilers):

Chapter 54 – Takemoto and Hagumi know that they are near graduation and it is starting to hit them that their friendships and their closeness as a group will be ending.

Chapter 55 – We learn about the past of Morita and his older brother and Kaoru and how their father was betrayed by a close friend.

Chapter 56 – Morita and Kaoru plan to make their move for revenge.

Chapter 57 – Near tragedy hits one of the main characters and now it is not known if the person will ever be able to use their hands.

Chapter 58 – Morita re-evaluates his life and standing by his brother’s side. Meanwhile, the group worries about the injuries of their dear friend and if that friend will ever be able to work again.

Chapter 59 – As the friends worry about the future of their other injured friend, Takemoto must make a decision of whether to pursue the job offer he has received or to stay and support his friend.

Chapter 60 – Morita finds out about the injuries to the friend and returns to be with that person.

Also, included is a chapter of “Umino and Her Friends” in which Umino talks about having her manga published in two publications but due to the economy, those publications folding. Also, included is a Honey and Clover Study Guide featuring explanations on various words used in this latest volume.

Here we are, over a year later and with the ninth volume of “Honey and Clover”, the next to last volume in the manga series.

For those of us who have read this manga series since the beginning, have seen the anime series or even the live film. In many ways, it’s sad to say goodbye to this series because Chica Umino has done such a fantastic job in character development and making this series so genuine and real, that you actually care for each of these characters.

This latest volume does answer questions in regards to Morita and possibly why he hasn’t graduated college but now it introduces us a big question to what will happen to one of the members of the group after the accident. I have to admit that I was not expecting this accident to happen, especially to the character that is now hospitalized. Each of these characters are talented in what they do and the fact that each of them are close to each other, like family, you can sympathize in what the characters are feeling, when something near tragic happens to a loved one.

This storyline will definitely set things up for the final volume which I look forward to but in many ways, I think anyone who has graduated from high school, college and had a great group of friends knows how things go after everyone graduates. And these are the emotions that Hagumi and Takemoto feel in this volume. But what happens next? I suppose we’ll find out in the final tenth volume.

Overall, “Honey and Clover” has been nothing but an enjoyable, dramatic manga series. It has been great to get away from the supernatural or extremely dark manga series and to find one that deals with genuine characters and their emotions of young adult life, finding a career, finding love and life after graduation. Volume nine definitely answers some questions but also adds a major question mark on one of the main members of the group.

If you have been reading the series thus far, it’s a no-brainer that the ninth volume is a must buy. And if you are a person who has never read the manga series, I highly recommend “Honey and Clover”. It’s easy to get into and its a series that is not very long at all. Definitely check it out!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

honey and clover Vol. 8 by Chica Umino (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

March 28, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Volume 8 of ‘honey and clover’ is probably the most emotional volume of the series yet. Featuring an Ayumi-Mayama-Rika-Nomiya driven volume and if you have stayed with this manga for this long, definitely a volume worth reading! Highly recommended!

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 8

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

Ayu still can’t give up on her love for Mayama, even though his relationship with Rika seems to be deepening. Nomiya’s growing interest in Ayu might be a balm to her broken heart, but he’s moving to Tottori for six months! Is Ayu cursed to suffer hopeless love affairs forever?

Six volumes ago, Chica Umino’s “honey and clover” began as a manga series about a group of art students/friends who attended together. You had the young Yuta Takemoto who was just happy to make good friends at the school; the carefree and crazy Shinobu Morita who lived next door to Yuta; Takumi Moriyama who interned for a business and fell in love with his boss (who is a widow still in mourning); Ayumi Yamada, the sculptor who has always loved Mayama but knows he has no interest in her and then the gifted artist who looks like a young girl, Hagumi.

Five students who grew up with each other with the advice of their friend Professor Hanamoto and have weathered challenges in their friendship and also preparing for that next step into adulthood by finding a career for themselves.

“honey and clover Vol. 8″ marks Umino’s fifth year working on the manga and also the fifth year in the lives of these characters. Everyone is grown up, working their own careers while the only college students are Yuta and Shinobu (who seems like he will never graduate since he takes off on a leave of absence to do high paying gigs). But one unresolved storyline is the love triangle storyline between Ayumi, Mayama and Rika. Ayumi loves Mayama who loves his boss Rika. It’s been like this for years and now, things become much more complicates as Mayama’s former co-worker Nomiya-san finds himself falling deeply in love for Ayumi. But with Ayumi still not over Mayama, can she find love elsewhere?

Here is a brief summary of each character of “honey and clover”:

The two female characters are:

Hagumi: A shy, gifted sculptor who is graduating and has a lot of pressure to perform. But now she’s starting to discover that being world renown for her paintings may not be her thing.

And two characters that is not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Mayama’s co-workers at Fujiwara Architects also play a role in the series:

Miwako – The boss of Fujiwara Architects and likes to make fun of her employees and make them feel uncomfortable at times. And very close to her dog.

Yamazaki - An employee at Fujiwara Architects that has a crush on Miwako but Miwako tends to look at him as an employee she can try to take advantage and make fun of.

Here is what to expect from volume 8 (summaries only, no spoilers):

Chapter 47 – As Ayumi now works with Rika and Mayumi, she starts to know how different he is around Rika versus when he is around her.

Chapter 48 – Nomiya starts to learn more about his feelings towards Ayumi.

Chapter 49 – When Nomiya drives ten hours straight to check on Ayumi, he is unaware that Miwako has sent Ayumi to deliver merchandise to him.

Chapter 50 – Nomiya must decide if he wants to let Ayumi know of how he feels about her.

Chapter 51 – Mayama accompanies Rika on a trip to Hokkaido.

Chapter 52 – Miwako takes Ayumi out to Health Land for some R&R.

Chapter 53 – Ayumi must make sense of her feelings, now knowing that Mayama will never love her.

Also, included is a chapter of “Otaku House Call!” in which Chica Umino talks about how she wanted to thank the anime production team for working on the anime series of “honey and clover”. Plus the “honey and clover” study guide.

After a few volume focusing on Takemoto, Chica Umino now brings the story back to the storyline of Ayumi and Mayama. For many years, we have read about how Ayumi loves Mayama, Mayama loves Rika and Ayumi having difficulty of letting go. But with this latest volume, it’s quite evident that she appears to finally have gotten the hint that she and Mayama are never going to happen. And to make things even a bit more complex for her, Nomiya letting her know that he loves her, even though he knows that she is in love with Mayama.

So, I look at this volume as Umino really trying to tie things up with this storyline and letting these young adults now proceed with life. Mayama wanting Rika to know his true feelings and the same with Nomiya wanting Ayumi to know his true feelings for her and suffice to say, Ayumi definitely needs to move forward and hopefully after this volume, she has.

Overall, Chica Umino definitely captures that young adult angst in the seventh volume of “honey and clover” and I look forward in seeing how this series will conclude with three more volumes left in the manga series. If you have stayed with the manga series this long, then volume 8 of “honey and clover” is definitely worth reading! This latest volume is much more emotional than any of the previous volumes of “honey and clover” but Umino does another fine job by tying some loose ends with this volume.

Definitely a young adult manga series worth reading!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

honey and clover Vol. 7 by Chica Umino (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

October 22, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Volume 7 of ‘honey and clover’ is more Takemoto-driven and explores the fears and angst that young adults have when they come close to graduating from college. In Takemoto’s case, that feeling that he must find himself and Chica Umino gives us wonderful insight on the transformation of Takemoto. Another wonderful volume of ‘honey and clover’. Highly recommended!”

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 7

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

Takemoto’s journey across Japan continues, and though he’s sleeping in empty lots and subsisting on convenience store food, he seems to be getting closer to understanding what made him ride away from school and his friends. But with his money running out and his bike on its last legs, will he have to give up on his quest before he finds what he’s looking for?

“honey and clover Vol. 7″ marks Umino’s fifth year working on the manga and also the fifth year in the lives of these characters. This time around, this volume is Yuta Takemoto-driven, as the student has left his friends without saying goodbye and took off to find himself and maybe find out what kind of person he truly is and what kind of career that he wants. And for the other characters, a mere progression in life with Ayumi wanting to be hired by the woman that Mayama is in love with to Hagumi working as an art teacher for children.

Here is a brief summary of each character of “honey and clover”:

The two female characters are:

Hagumi: A shy, gifted sculptor who is graduating and has a lot of pressure to perform. But now she’s starting to discover that being world renown for her paintings may not be her thing.

And two characters that is not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Mayama’s co-workers at Fujiwara Architects also play a role in the series:

Miwako – The boss of Fujiwara Architects and likes to make fun of her employees and make them feel uncomfortable at times. And very close to her dog.

Yamazaki - An employee at Fujiwara Architects that has a crush on Miwako but Miwako tends to look at him as an employee she can try to take advantage and make fun of.

Here is what to expect from volume 7 (summaries only, no spoilers):

Chapter 41 – Takemoto arrives in Matsushima but his bike is having problems and now he’s low on money. Takemoto encounters a group of temple and shrine restorers who take him in as a cook in order for him to make some money.

Chapter 42 – It’s Takemoto’s first day on the job as a cook and for Hagumi, her first day as an art teacher.

Chapter 43 – Takemoto is excelling at his job as a cook but his new friends know that he should continue on his quest to find himself.

Chapter 44 – Takemoto continues on his quest to find himself, while Hagumi learns about herself through her young student.

Chapter 45 – Takemoto has found solace in his long trip and now he must return back home.

Chapter 46 – The return of Takemoto and his friend’s reaction when they find a changed man.

Bonus Chapter – The Legendary Hero * Nyanzaburo – The story about how Nyanzaburo helped the amusement park, Arakawa Land.

Also, included is a chapter of “Otaku House Call!” in which Chica Umino looks back on her five years working on the manga. Also, included is a Honey and Clover Study Guide which explains certain Japanese terminology featured in volume seven.

“honey and clover vol. 7″ was an interesting chapter because it focuses a lot on Yuta Takemoto and his journey of finding himself and what to do with his life. The other characters of the series are also featured but this volume is dominated by Takemoto’s journey and Hagu’s job as a teacher.

I really found this volume to be quite enjoyable because it was different in the fact that it relies heavily on a sole character but also for the fact that these emotions that Takemoto feel are feelings that many young adults make when they graduate from college. Some are easy to transition to their new career but some need to find out more about themselves before proceeding to the next level.

With Takemoto, he’s always been a person that stayed back and let everyone speak up but through this journey, the young naive and shy student that we saw from previous volumes has become a man and no longer is he afraid to speak his mind.

For the women, there is a storyline between Rika wanting to hire Ayumi but she is still hurt in the fact that Mayama will never love her like she has loved him and to make things even more difficult, the woman he loves wants to hire her on projects. Personally, with so many men who fall for Ayumi, you wonder how long can Umino hold Ayumi back. I understand she has harbored these feelings for him for many years but I would love to see her character meet some happiness.

And for Hagu, she’s in a bit of funk right now. With graduation, pressure to do her best since she’s a gifted artist and now having to teach children seems that it’ll take its toll on her. But you often wonder how much of that fear is caused by the fact that Takemoto left her.

Overall, Chica Umino definitely captures that young adult angst in the seventh volume of “honey and clover” and I look forward in seeing how this series will conclude with three more volumes left in the manga series. If you have stayed with the manga series this long, then volume 7 of “honey and clover” is definitely worth reading! Definitely a young adult manga series worth reading!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Honey Hunt – Volume 2 by Miki Aihara (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

August 22, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Entertaining and fun! For those who are interested in Japanese music or entertainment can find ‘Honey Hunt’ highly enjoyable. Another fantastic Miki Aihara manga series!”

MANGA TITLE: Honey Hunt Vol. 2

STORY AND ART BY: Miki Aihara (相原実貴)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat

RATED: T for Older Teen

Life’s not easy when you’re living in the shadow of your famous parents. Can shy Yura, the daughter of an award-winning composer and a world-renowned actress, find the courage to step out on her own now that her super-celebrity parents are getting divorced?

It’s only the first day of Yura’s acting career and things are already getting out of hand. Someone has ruined her costume and there isn’t enough time to find a replacement. With the director ready to roll on a promotional photo shoot without her, Yura had better think fast if she wants to keep her job from going down to the tubes. Can she find a solution to her wardrobe malfunction in time to get in front of the camera?

Having read the “Hot Gimmick!” graphic novel by Miki Aihara, suffice to say, I’ve immediately become a fan of her work. As a fan of Japanese dramas, I tend to enjoy dramatic storylines that revolve around young adult or adult couples. A story that doesn’t always have to incorporate a supernatural or magical element, but a story that is real and dramatic. Aihara does a magnificent job with that and her latest manga series available in America is “Honey Hunt”. And I’m really enjoying it so far!

Yura is the daughter of popular and beautiful actress Yukari Shiraki and popular musician Takayuki Onozuka, the first Japanese to win an Academy Award. Yura is quite normal and despite being the daughter of a popular actress and musician, she does not hone their entertainment skills and there is a lot of pressure and expectation from her teachers and students at school because of her talented parents.

While her father is staying in New York and her mother is always working, Yura confides to her friend/tutor Shin. Her best friend and a guy she thinks she’s attracted to. One time, while both were watching an interview on television with Yura’s mother Yukari, she sees how talented of an actress she is because she is able to lie about being a great mother despite having a busy schedule as an actress.

In the last volume, we see Yura’s life made upside down with her mother’s announcement that she is divorcing her father. To make things even worst, her mother is sleeping with the guy that she likes.

An infuriated Yura promises herself that she will get back at her mother, by being a better actress than her. And under the direction of her father’s manager Keiichi Mizorogi, Yura scores her first major part and that is for a major ramen commercial.

Here is a spoiler-less summary of each chapter:

CHAPTER 6 - It’s the big day for the ramen photo shoot but someone has purposely sabotaged Yura by ruining her dress.
CHAPTER 7 – It’s Yura’s big day as a press conference for “SLURP!” Cup Noodle by Nissen Foods will be her debut appearance to the media. But when a reporter asks if she is daughter of popular actress Yukari Shiraki and popular musician Takayuki Onozuka, Yura suddenly has doubts if she was hired based on her talent or because of her family.
CHAPTER 8 – Infuriated at her manager, Yura runs away and runs into Q-ta.
CHAPTER 9 – Yura and Q-ta have a heart-to-heart talk. Meanwhile, Q-ta’s brother Haruka starts to see Yura in a more positive light.
CHAPTER 10 – Yura has her first reading for a drama based on her ramen character and she reads with major actress Rinko Koizumi (who doesn’t like Yura, because of her mother). Meanwhile, Yura’s manager has a message for Q-ta.

“Honey Hunt Volume 2″ was simply another fantastic volume. I really dig the pop culture that goes behind-the-scenes of the story and also for J-pop fans, they will definitely like the pop culture references such as the banner over 101, the Oricon reference and even the play on Rinko Koizumi. Obviously a play on real-life actress/singer Kyoko Koizumi. And did I mention how cool the artwork and character designs are? I enjoy Miki Aihara’s artwork on her previous manga series “Hot Gimmick!” and “Honey Hunt” is no exception. Also, the way that Miki Aihara draws the characters and incorporates that Tokyo street style into character’s fashion is pretty cool and I dig that!

But what I enjoy is the drama aspect of the series, I can easily see such a storyline becoming a Japanese drama in Japan. An actress with no acting experience at all, who is able to transform into her character and just catch the eyes of the people around her. And of course, you get an idea that there will be some sort of love triangle between Yura, Q-ta and his brother/rival Haruka.

Overall, another captivating and highly enjoyable volume of “Honey Hunt”. Definitely recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Hot Gimmick vol. 1 (VIZBIG Edition) by Miki Aihara (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

March 21, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“This is not your usual teenage love triangle, it’s much more! Well-written, cool artwork with a storyline that is highly addictive, ‘Hot Gimmick’ is highly recommended!”

MANGA TITLE: Hot Gimmick

STORY AND ART BY: Miki Aihara (相原実貴)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

Miki Aihara turned the manga world upside down with her salacious, outrageous and funny hit series. If you think being a teenager in America is hard, wait until you read Hot Gimmick. These Tokyo boys and girls are really messed up!

Manga artist Miki Aihara breakthrough and thought provoking manga series “Hot Gimmick” gets released and it’s a shojo manga that is probably the most dysfunctional but yet highly entertaining storyline that I have ever read. This Shojo Beat Manga is a “VIZBIG Edition” that features the first three volumes and 552 pages of a storyline that revolves around family, reputation, complex love triangles, friendships and betrayal.

The first volume serves as the introduction of the characters and the living situation of the characters who who live in company housing and revolving around several key families and focuses on a teenage high school girl named Hatsumi Narita.

NARITA FAMILY:

Hatsumi: A bubbly second year student at Takazono High School. She doesn’t do well in school, gullible but has a wonderful heart but she’s quite insecure. She feels her younger sister Akane is the attractive one and because of these insecurities, Hatsumi tends to put herself down quite a bit and feels that she is weak and unable to vocalize her emotions.

Akane: A pretty and popular junior high teenager that gets around with guys. Unfortunately because of her sexual promiscuity, she gets Hatsumi in a bit of trouble.

Shinogu: The oldest son and a college freshman who works many jobs. Hatsumi adores her older brother.

Hikaru: Hatsumi’s younger brother and is kindergarten.

Shihoko: Hatsumi’s mother who is afraid of the company housing complex queen Mrs. Tachibana and does what she can to make her happy.

Toru: Hatsumi’s father who is always working but plays a major part in the storyline in upcoming volumes.

Hatsumi is the main character of the series. And the first chapter helps introduce the “Company Housing” situation in Japan of how strict it is for a family and their children to behave. How certain families where the parents who have better positions are looked at as the people who call the shots and in this storyline, the Tachibana family is most important. Especially Natsue Tachibana, the queen of the housing complex.

One day, Hatsumi’s promiscuous sister Akane fears that she may be pregnant, so she has Hatsumi buy her a pregnancy test. Hatsumi really doesn’t want to but she does it because of her sister. The only problem is that Ryoki Tachibana, the son of the VP of the company that Hatsumi’s father works for catches her buying the pregnancy test.

So, in fear that rumors will spread in the company housing and fear of the repercussions that her parents may receive of their children buying a pregnancy test, she asks Ryoki to not tell anyone.

TACHIBANA FAMILY:

Ryoki: Emotionless, cold-hearted and very intelligent. Becomes a main character as he makes Hatsumi his slave.

Natsue: The “Queen” of the housing complex. She knows she has power in the complex and uses it to her advantage to make everyone feel powerless.

Shuichiro: Always busy with work and never home.

We learn that Ryoki and Hatsumi never got a long in grade school. Ryoki who is the star student has always looked at Hatsumi like a lower person in life because she’s not that smart. In fact, an incident happened when they were younger that makes Hatsumi really dislike Ryoki but Ryoki makes a deal with Hatsumi. He will not tell his mother about Hatsumi buying the pregnancy test for her sister if she becomes his slave.

Realizing that this is the only thing she can do to preserve her family’s reputation, she agrees.

And Ryoki doesn’t hesitate. Being a virgin, he wants Hatsumi to be his plaything and use her to make people think he’s getting laid. Hatsumi doesn’t like how Ryoki is taking this “slave” thing to far and next thing you know, a childhood friend named Azusa Odagiri has come to save her.

ODAGIRI FAMILY:

Azusa: Childhood friend of Hatsumi, now a supermodel but has his reasons why he came back to town and why he’s getting close to Hatsumi.

Minoru: Azusa’s father. Works overseas and always busy.

Miho: Azusa’s mother who Minoru divorced.

Azusa is currently a popular model in Japan but when he was younger, he would defend Hatsumi from Ryoki and very much was Ryoki’s rival. This begins a special friendship between Hatsumi and Azusa and they grow closer together.

Of course, Ryoki still has the information about the pregnancy test, so he could care less about Azusa. If Hatsumi doesn’t want her secret to be revealed, she will have to be his slave.

Thus the first chapter focuses on what appears to be a love triangle between Hatsumi and Ryoki who wants her as his slave and Azusa who seems to like her company and wants to protect Hatsumi from Ryoki.

Volume 2:

In the second volume of “Hot Gimmick”, the rivalry between Ryoki and Azusa increase as both men want Hatsumi’s attention. Azusa finds out that Ryoki has something on the family and thus makes Hatsumi his girlfriend. Hatsumi just falls head over heels for Azusa but Ryoki is not going to give up, Hatsumi is his slave and doesn’t care if she’s with Azusa. He’s determined to make sure that Hatsumi fulfills her obligation as his slave.

Throughout the chapter, you have seen Azusa as this knight of shining armor for Hatsumi. Always coming to her protection. Without revealing so much about this volume, you realize that Azusa is not the Knight in Shining Armor. He’s much worse. Much worse than even Ryoki.

VOLUME 3:

In the third volume of “Hot Gimmick”, Hatsumi is nearly gang raped as she goes to meet Azusa (in which Ryoki came along to tell him that he’s not giving up his “slave”). All is revealed of why Azusa has came back and why he wanted a relationship with Hatsumi. Ryoki who has suddenly become this unexpected hero wants to further his plans of Hatsumi being his slave by having sex with her.

Meanwhile, Hatsumi’s sister Akane wants Ryoki to be her boyfriend and can’t stand her sister getting close to him. So much that Akane tells Mrs. Tachibana that Hatsumi is getting close to her son. Also, you learn that Shinogu, Hatsumi’s older brother, has some sort of past with Azusa and he does all he can to make sure his sister doesn’t get close to him.

The third volume of “Hot Gimmick” is quite explosive and what happens in the chapter is so unbelievable messed up that you realize that “Hot Gimmick” is not your typical shoujo manga. It’s not all about happy teenage life, there are some dark undertones in this drama that will surprise people.

But Miki Aihara does a great job of making sure people are hooked into the storyline and the pacing of the introduction of the many characters are overall well-done. In fact, I really dig the artwork and how it compliments the story.

If anything, I’m just shocked of the direction that the storyline went in volume 3. The storyline gets quite serious and “Hot Gimmick” is definitely not your standard teenage love triangle. It’s more than that.

It’s going to be quite interesting to see how this storyline progresses because it’s an enjoyable, fun, vibrant but at the same time, dark storyline and overall, it’s a graphic novel that will appeal to both to guys and girls.

Overall, I really enjoyed volume 1 and despite its many characters and its complexity. “Hot Gimmick” is well-drawn, well paced, well-written and overall, highly addictive.

Highly recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

honey and clover Vol. 3 (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

January 26, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Volume 3 goes much deeper with the storyline and focusing on the emotions of each character and their friendships. Well-written and beautiful artwork from the award-winning manga artist Chica Umino.”

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 3

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

Professor Hanamoto is off in Mongolia on a research trip and Hagu is having a hard time coping. The gang do their best to help her out, especially Takemoto. But as graduation threatens to alter their friendships forever, Hagu begins to turn toward Morita…

A fantastic manga series thus far. There are definitely a lot of positive things you can say about the Kodansha Award winning manga series “honey and clover” by Chika Umino.

Having spawned an anime series, a live drama and film, it’s no surprise that many men and women have enjoyed “honey and clover” and now available from Viz Media via their Shojo Beat imprint is “honey and clover”.

The third volume of “honey and clover” still manages to keep the humor of the storyline about three guys and two young women, friends who attend an art school. Some have since graduated and started their own careers and some that are now in their Senior Year and thus knowing that once everyone graduates, this close friendship that they have, these parties they celebrate each year, it may be over.

The series does get a bit more serious as this volume focuses on the friendships of each of the five characters but also trying to figure out where each of their lives are headed.

In the manga series, the story revolves around three guys who live in an apartment complex and attend an art school. They are:

Yuta Takemoto: One of the primary characters, Takemoto is the youngest of the guys and majoring in architectural design. He seems to have a ho-hum life but is the normal guy of the group who has taken a liking to the gifted artist Hagumi. In this volume, he is starting his senior year.

Shinobu Morita: A carefree, does whatever he wants type of guy. Very cool but very strange. A gifted sculptor who has attended the University for years, has not graduated but tends to make money doing freelance work and constantly on the move. He is drawn to Hagumi because she reminds him of a Koropokkur (a leprechaun or fairy) that he actually takes pictures of her in situations and puts it on the Internet and promoting her as one.

Takumi Mayama: Mayama is the quiet type. A senpai for Takemoto and works at a design firm in which he likes the owner Rika. Although he knows that he’ll never get that close to Rika, he somewhat does what he can for her. He is also the guy that Morita turned to when he needed help but now Mayama has passed the duty on to Takemoto. He has graduated and a salaryman now.

The two female characters are:

Hagumi: A shy, gifted sculptor who is being taken care of by her uncle, Professor Hanamoto. She is not very talkative and very, very short. She is almost like a little girl but she’s actually 18 and her cuteness makes everyone in a good mood. She does have a hard time knowing that so many people expect a lot of things from her because of her talent but also knows that because of dedicating her life to that talent, she doesn’t live a normal life like the other girls in school.

Ayumi Yamada: Yamada aka “Iron Man” is another gifted student at the art school who is madly in love with Mayama. She knows that he is not interested in her but she takes it hard and sometimes can’t tolerate his attitude but she does because she’s so in love with him. She’s very blunt, very beautiful, very athletic but also can get very violent (ala her karate moves).

And a character that is not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Professor Hanamoto: Just like one of the guys, Hanamoto is the guardian of Hagumi and more or less like an advisor to the students. He attended the same art school with best friend and roommate Harada who dated a woman named Rika. The three were inseparable and both Harada and Rika got married. But after Harada’s death, he continued to help care for Rika who is now the boss at a design firm that Mayama works at.

What I find charming about “honey and clover” is the realism of the storylines. It’s more or less a drama, a romantic comedy and each of the characters are enjoyable and many people can relate to.

Chapter 16 revolves Hagu and Morita. Yuta starts to notice that Morita likes Hagu and he likes her as well but is not good at expressing his emotions.

Chapter 17 takes place around Christmas time and Ayumi’s parents shop is not really doing so well. So, the friends decide to help Ayumi with Hagu actually becoming a temporary employee and uses her talented art skills to create something that would attract people to the shop.

Chapter 18 features the friends going on a mini-cruise via the waterbus. Meanwhile, Mayama confronts Takemoto regarding his feeling about Hagu and why he doesn’t fight for her if he really loves her.

Chapter 19 marks the return of Professor Hanamoto and everyone learns how badly Hanamoto has missed Hagu in Mongolia.

Chapter 20 takes place in the Spring. Hanamoto talks to Morita about completing his final project so he can graduate, meanwhile Hagu looks saddened. Morita sees her and he decides to take the first step in how he feels about her.

Chapter 21 continues from the last storyline. Hanamoto and Takemoto feel that something must have happened between Morita and Hagu. Hagu is just in bad shape and hasn’t put any effort into her work and appears to be depressed. Meanwhile Takemoto encounters Morita’s brother and learns that Morita has left to Los Angeles and may not be back for months or longer. Takemoto is not sure if he wants Morita to come back.

Also, included is a side story featuring Hagu and Ayumi in a “pukkun and milky tea” storyline. The two sew their own pukkun (a cover for hot water kettles) and give them to their parents. The other storyline is the final “Otaku House Call” and how Umino and staff will change the name to “Umino and Her Friends” and concluding the manga is a “Honey and Clover Study Guide” featuring an explanation of certain location, talent and words such as “Shiso”, talent such as Nae Yuki and “Coming of Age Day”.

The third volume of “honey and clover” again manages to win people over because of it’s fun and enjoyable storyline. Of course, things are getting much more serious now as Mayama is now a salary man, Takemoto is graduating soon and everyone has their fun together but there is a little sadness that their circle of friends is winding down as soon, each of them will go their own way in their personal lives and careers.

For Takemoto, he’s been such a shy guy but he realizes how Hagu has made him happy and how much he cares for her but yet doesn’t have the guts to communicate those feelings. If anything, just making Hagu happy is enough. As for Hanamoto, his relationship with Hagu at first seemed like father and daughter like relationship but when you realize how much the two missed each other each day, it makes you wonder. But things change this time around. Morita has made the first step in declaring his emotions for Hagu but at the same time, bailing out and leaving Japan while Hagu, is confused and depressed.

It will be interesting to see what happens within that love triangle and with Morita gone, will Takemoto become a man who will tell Hagu how he feels about her or will he continue like he always has.

It’s definitely setting things up between Takemoto-Hagu-Morita for the fourth volume which I find quite exciting.

Although “honey and clover” is a “Shojo Beat” title, this is not a manga strictly for females. The story involves men and women and the complexity they face in their lives. May it be graduation, what to do after graduation or the emotions that they feel inside but somehow, finding difficulty to express them.

“honey and clover” is a well-told drama ala manga series and it’s no surprise whey this manga series has had a live drama, anime series and film adaption. The storyline is enjoyable and there is an innocence to the storyline that we all can relate to. Also, it’s a fun manga series that is well written and well drawn and I’m impressed with how much Umino is able to include with each and every chapter.

Volume 3 continues that fun and beautiful storyline, a bit more serious this time around. But still quite enjoyable! Another recommended volume in the “honey and clover” manga series!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

BLANK SLATE Vol. 2 ( a J!-ENT Manga Review)

January 18, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“The conclusion of the Aya Kanno’s intense, dark, violent, stylish and highly entertaining manga series.”

MANGA TITLE: BLANK SLATE vol. 2 (Akusaga)

STORY AND ART BY: Aya Kanno (菅野文)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: By Hakusensha, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

What does it take to find your true inner self? Zen’s memory has been wiped, and he can’t remember if he’s a killer or a hero. And a lot of people will do anything they can to keep it that way.

ANSWERS

At an abandoned military base. Zen finally finds the truth about his identity. Now that he knows who he is, doe sthat mean his destiny is written in stone? Conspiracies, espionage and attempted coups d’etat all tie into the conclusion of Aya Kanno’s intense tale of lost identity.

The story ends here.

The conclusion of the dark and violent manga series “BLANK SLATE” by Aya Kanno is finally here!

With the last volume, we were introduced to a killer named Zen. A man who cares about no one and all he cares about is simply killing. But Zen has an interesting history. He doesn’t know much about his past. In fact, he just woke up one day with urges to destroy and kill. The only two words that had consumed him since he had woken and he has only done just that.

So in essence, the story’s main character is a villain. But things change as someone seems to have beat him and maybe even come across his own personal nemesis who has the ability to control him.

Chapter 5: In this chapter, Zen and Hakka visit the village where Zen was found. They run into Zen’s “Big Sis”, the woman responsible for finding him and nursing him back to health. She gives him a little bit of details about what she discovered the day she found him. His ability to quickly heal and how he became part of their group. Meanwhile, Major Kyrie leaves the army with Miss rian to find Zen.

Chapter 6: Zen feels that the General’s summer house where met Rian may have some answers to his past. He remembers that the tombstones made him remember something but the only way to find out is by returning to that cemetary. Major Kyrie and Zen return to that same area. Zen and Hakka try to piece together the information they learn from the tombstones and that Zen may have been part of a secret army unit as part of the Galay military. Major Kyrie overhears their conversation and can not believe anythign Zen and Hakka are talking about. But the question remains, why are all these soldiers dead?

Chapter 7: The colonel arrives and Zen remembers that he is the one that tried to kill him. But the Colonel reveals everything to Zen. That his name was not Zen, it’s Zero and that he was part of the special forces twenty years ago. Approved by Rian’s father, Colonel Gia. Babies he knew no love but were grown to be a killing machine with no families, no loving emotions, just to fight and kill. And the secret to who killed the special force unit was revealed.

Chapter 8: Zen was trying to find out the person who controlled him and everthing is revealed. Conspiracies in the government and more. A surprising chapter on who has been pulling Zen’s strings.

Definitely an entertaining conclusion to the overall storyline and the artwork by Aya Kanno was just beautiful to look at. The men are drawn in bishounen, cool style and overall, the artwork was done quite well. In fact, the character designs for Zen and various pages featuring him in sinister mode or a withdrawn, everything is well captured. Especially in the eyes.

I have to admit that I was hoping that “BLANK SLATE” would be a longer manga series but overall, it started off with a bang (no pun intended) and ended with a bang! The whole series was quite entertaining from beginning to end and in the first volume, you really got a sense of how dark Zen was because he was a killing machine but by the second volume, it was a volume about a man trying to find himself. Despite being created for the sole purpose of being controlled by the military to be used to kill the opposition, Zen wanted to become his own person. Not Zero as he was known by but as Zen.

But I could have seen the series definitely going longer and I can definitely see a potential sequel but the conclusion of the “BLANK SLATE” manga series definitely ended in a tragic way for some of the key characters in the series but some opening for a sequel if Kanno decided to go that way.

Overall, Aya Kanno did a wonderful job in creating this dark and stylish world full of war (or post-war) and the violence and basing this series entirely on a bad guy. And where other series would have the bad guy eventually finding some compassion, because of the way Zen was raised, his life is just about destruction and survival. A fresh and unique storyline and Kanno is definitely a mangaka to keep your eyes on.

“BLANK SLATE” is a fantastic two-volume series that fans of darker tone series like “DEATH NOTE” can probably get into and enjoy! It’s not a happy storyline by any means. It’s dark, gritty but yet it’s written well and the artwork manages to capture the storyline very well. Definitely check this manga out!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

honey and clover Vol. 2 (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

January 18, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

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“Volume 2 continues the fun, hilarious storyline from the last volume. This volume features more dramatic undertones with the characters but still managing to capture the fun and enjoyablity that the first volumew as known for. Well-written and beautiful artwork from the award-winning manga artist Chica Umino.”

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 2

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

Love is never easy for our heroes. Takamoto is forced to confront his resentment of his stepfather and his own feelings of being cast adrift, while Mayama and Ayu flounder in their unrequited loves and Morita faces the prospect of being held back another year.

Beautiful, fun… Definitely a lot of positive things you can say about this Kodansha Award winning manga series by Chika Umino.

The second volume of “honey and clover” continues that fun, enjoyable atmosphere that came from that first volume but now getting into more of the dramatic stories of each character.

In the manga series, the story revolves around three guys who live in an apartment complex and attend an art school. They are:

Shinobu Morita: A carefree, does whatever he wants type of guy. Very cool but very strange. A gifted sculptor who has attended the University for years, has not graduated but tends to make money doing freelance work and constantly on the move. He is drawn to Hagumi because she reminds him of a Koropokkur (a leprechaun or fairy) that he actually takes pictures of her in situations and puts it on the Internet and promoting her as one.

The female characters featured are:

And characters that are not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Rika: She’s a friend of Hanamoto that runs a design firm that Mayama works for. She knows that Mayama loves her but because of the pain she suffers from that accident that killed her boyfriend (and Professor Hanamoto’s best friend), she likes to inflict pain onto herself.

What I found quite charming about this storyline is that it’s life of a college student. Trying to do your best at school, not knowing your own future after school, not having enough money and just the fun that people have amongst friends.

Chapter 10 revolves around Yuta Takemoto. Yuta returns home to visit his mother. He hasn’t really visited his home mainly because he resents his stepfather and really hasn’t accepted him into the family in since the death of his father. His stepfather tries to get closer to Yuta and letting him know that despite being his stepfather, he will never replace his real father. But more or less a storyline focusing on Yuta and his own personal family life.

Chapter 11 features the group going on a trip. Ayu still loves Mayama but Mayama thinks only of Rika. Morita sees how people are down and tries to get everyone to have fun (or get drunk) but have a good time.

Chapter 12 features a trip to the zoo. But the major part of this storyline is learning about Hanamoto’s relationship with Rika and Hanamoto and Mayama having a long talk about Rika and why he was offered to work at her office.

Chapter 13 features Yuta and Morita vying for Hagumi’s affections. Meanwhile, Morita must finish his project to finally graduate but will he complete it or will he need to retake the course again. The most important part of this chapter is Ayu finally revealing her feelings to Mayama. No holding back.

Chapter 14 features Hanamoto taking a sabbatical to do research in another country. That means he will have to leave Hagumi. Hagumi wants to find a four leaf clover to give to Hanamoto for good luck and the gang tries to help her find one. This chapter introduces how Hanamoto became Hagumi’s guardian.

Chapter 15 features Yutaka’s birthday party with Hagumi cooking her specialty “Chocolate Mintkin”, a pumpkin popped in the microwave and topped with chocolate mint ice cream afterwards. Meanwhile it is revealed how Hanamoto is doing in the other country and how Hagumi is doing without Hanamoto. Whether their relationship is like father and daughter or more than that, you don’t know. Also, Yutaka starting to have more feelings towards Hagumi.

Also, included is a side story which includes “Honey & Clover: The Story So Far” with the perspective from Midori-chan (a dog that lives in the same building where Hagumi is staying), “Otaku House Call” which is a segment featuring cute character animal drawing designs of Umino and the people who work with her and a story of behind-the-scenes as they work together. And the third part is a study guide of key locations featured in the manga that people can check out if they visit Japan.

The second volume was very good. Where the last volume featured mostly the fun and games between the characters, volume 2 focused more on the dramatic situations in their lives and possible upcoming love triangles that may pose problems for the friends in upcoming chapters.

Volume 2 continues that fun and beautiful storyline and designs that I loved with the first volume and I look forward to volume 3. Another recommended volume in the “honey and clover” manga series!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

honey and clover Vol. 1 (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

December 29, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

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“A fun manga about five college students attending art school. They have parties, they have fun, they find love and everything in between. A lot of humor, beautiful artwork and an all out fun, award-winning manga by Chica Umino.”

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 1

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

Takemoto, a sophmore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like his, life is never going to be that tame.

Beautiful, fun… Definitely a lot of positive things you can say about this Kodansha Award winning manga series by Chika Umino.

Part of my interest in wanting to read the manga is that I enjoyed the film but I felt that there were much back story of the characters that I figured, if I really want to enjoy this series, start with the manga. And so, after reading volume 1, I was surprised how different the manga series and the live film were.

In the manga series, the story revolves around three guys who live in an apartment complex and attend an art school. They are:

Shinobu Morita: A carefree, does whatever he wants type of guy. Very cool but very strange. A gifted sculptor who has attended the University for years, has not graduated but tends to make money doing freelance work and constantly on the move. He is drawn to Hagumi because she reminds him of a Koropokkur (a leprechaun or fairy) that he actually takes pictures of her in situations and puts it on the Internet and promoting her as one.

Characters also featured are:

Chapter 1 is more like an introduction to the characters but you can’t help but laugh when you see Morita making Hagu pose as a Koropokkur.

Chapter 2 features a guy coming to the University to see if the Koropokkur is real and the guys learn that Morita is making money off his popular website but Hagu is not to thrilled about what Morita is doing that he does something nice for her.

Chapter 3 is how the guys can’t understand why all the girls give him so much attention. Especially since he’s lazy, oversleeps and uses the public faucet to shower and you get an idea of how far out Morita really is. In one point, Morita needs clothes, so he grabs the curtains from Professor Hanamoto’s class and wears the clothes like Moses from the “Ten Commandments” with no shame.

Chapter 4 features the guys really hungry and haven’t eaten any meat for a long while because they are broke. They survive by the noodles brought home by one of the guys who live in the apartment but things change when Lohmeyer-san returns back on campus from the family farm and brings so much ham, sausage and vegetables for the guys that Takemoto learns why everyone loves him.

Chapter 5 features the guys and Hagu going out for some fun and light some fireworks and Takemoto gets to see a kind side of Hagu.

Chapter 6 features Mayama getting a phone call from someone and Takemoto suspects that he may have a girlfriend. Meanwhile, Morita is contacted to do a high paying job and Takemoto tries to make himself look great in front of Hagu and tells her that he’ll create something for her, since he is an architectural major.

Chapter 7 introduces Ayumi Yamada and how she is in love with Mayama. Meanwhile, Takemoto finds out who the girl that called Mayama is. Her name is Rika, a colleague of Professor Hanamoto and Mayama’s boss and that Mayama was just doing a lot of work for her. But Mayama does like her and Yamada takes it very hard.

Chapter 8 focuses on Hagu and how the pressures of being a talented sculptor and not having a normal life like the other young women on campus starts to make her depressed. The pressures of life start to drain her emotionally.

Chapter 9 is about Christmas and Morita invites everyone to Hanamoto-san’s office for a Christmas party.

The final pages feature a bonus manga diary titled “Life of Umino” and a glossary of terms used in the manga such as words like what is “Koropokkur” or what is a “system 6″ operating system.

I really enjoyed this first volume. Similar to young novels or manga (or even dramas) such as “Asunaro Hakusho”, “Wakamono no Subete” or “Hakusen Nagashi”, I really enjoy stories that cover young adult life. From the parties to just hanging out with friends, meeting new people, career choices to finding love (or not finding love), “honey and clover” is one of those series that is realistic in the sense that many people can related to these characters. So, you really take an interest towards the characters and I really liked the overall development of the characters through the course of the nine chapters.

Umino’s artwork and her storytelling is enjoyable, beautiful and has a good balance of entertainment through humor and that occasional love triangle drama that pulls you in.

So, I was very surprised of the differences between the life film and the manga. With the film, there’s so much that can’t be done in a film under two hours from a manga series that has many chapters of storyline and character development. I can see why so many people were entertained by this manga series. It’s very entertaining and artwork that is just beautiful look at.

This is one of those stories that appeals appeals to both men and women and overall, the first volume is quite entertaining thus far. Definitely check it out!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

BLANK SLATE Vol. 1 (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

December 10, 2008 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“If you thought that ‘DEATH NOTE’ was dark and full of suspense, definitely give ‘BLANK SLATE’ a try. Involving, dark, twisted but yet manages to keep the reader interested and entertained.”

BUY THIS MANGA

MANGA TITLE: BLANK SLATE (Akusaga)

STORY AND ART BY: Aya Kanno (菅野文)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: By Hakusensha, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

What does it take to find your true inner self? Zen’s memory has been wiped, and he can’t remember if he’s a killer or a hero. And a lot of people will do anything they can to keep it that way.

QUESTIONS

Zen’s unearthly charm attracts a veritable rogues gallery. A bounty hunter becomes obsessed enough to become his new partner, while the daughter of a general treats him like some sort of guru. But when he meets a mysterious doctor who may know him from the past, Zen learns that the secret of his lost memory is definitely more sinister than saintly.

A story about a twisted killer.

I have to admit that when I started reading “BLANK SLATE”, I was surprised the manga was under the imprint “Shojo Beat”. So, far from the first manga graphic novel by mangaka Aya Kanno, this is definitely not a serious about romantic relationships, love triangles or happy times.

This is actually a pretty unique storyline that almost reminds me of a “DEATH NOTE” style of manga. Not that the series has any comparisons but I compare “BLANK SLATE” in the fact that the villains are stylish and despite their dark nature, somehow the charm of the main character (Zen), a killer bent on destruction has a quick wit and manages to find trouble but yet alludes the authorities who are on the manhunt to stop him.

“BLANK SLATE” is definitely a refreshing and unique storyline from Aya Kanno, a mangaka who started her career as an assistant to “Psychometrer Eiji” mangaka Masashi Asaki and began her own career in 2001 with the manga “Soul Rescue”.

Her fifth manga “BLANK SLATE” known in Japan as “Akusaga” is just an interesting storyline that revolves around a person named Zen. A charismatic man but also the worst criminal in history, the most sought out villain for his role in killing people.

Zen has an interesting history. He doesn’t know much about his past. In fact, he just woke up one day with urges to destroy and kill. The only two words that has consumed him since he had woken and has done just that.

Before I scare anyone off and thinking this is a manga about some sadistic individual, fortunately the story doesn’t focus on psychopathic murders but features how people who come across Zen, change. How his evil ways, end up changing people and he enjoys seeing people who were once good being corrupted by evil.

In one chapter, a bounty hunter who is hired to kill Zen ends up somehow siding with him.

In another chapter, Zen who robs a bank ends up in a middle of a terrorist plot and while escaping, ends up kidnapping a daughter of a general. The daughter who is blind and is literally stuck in her home and only able to wander in her back yard feels as if Zen is the person who can free her and destroy her world (ie. her life imprisonment).

This is just an example of Zen. His ability to use people for his own purpose and literally watch them crossover from purity to their way towards becoming evil or helping evil.

But at the end of the chapter, it seems that Zen has met his nemesis and as a person who likes to be in control now knowing he can be controlled by someone doesn’t set well with him and now he wants to know why it happened.

Definitely an exciting first volume and the storyline and the artwork by Aya Kanno are just beautiful to look at. The men are drawn in bishounen, cool style and overall, the artwork was done quite well. In fact, the character designs for Zen and various pages featuring him in sinister mode or a withdrawn, everything is well captured. Especially in the eyes. Kanno does well in making Zen a handsome man but showing that those eyes can not only be beauty, it can also be death.

“BLANK SLATE” definitely has a lot going for it. A very cool storyline and well-done artwork from Aya Kanno. And the fact that she was an assitant to Masashi Asaki who created one of my favorite series “Psychometrer Eiji”, it definitely makes me excited to see what she has planned for this series.

As for why “BLANK SLATE” is under the Shojo Beat imprint. I’m not entirely sure but perhaps its because the men are bishonen and even the first chapter had some yaoi vibe going on.

But the suspenseful storyline definitely draws you in. You have a good balance of action and suspense but most of all, a refreshing story that focuses on a killer who has enjoyed destroying and murdering but now finds himself in a disadvantage because someone has one upped him.

“BLANK SLATE” is a fantastic title that fans of “DEATH NOTE” can probably get into and enjoy! It’s not a happy storyline by no means. It’s dark, gritty but yet it’s written well and the artwork manages to capture the storyline very well. Definitely check this manga out!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews