Sa-Dou

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Sa-Dou

A manga that introduces different ways to enjoy sauna life.

This is such an interesting manga and yet another example of how subculture booms in Japan are directly represented in media. Currently in Japan, there is a surge of focus on how great saunas are. This manga follows a few characters as they introduce different saunas and stories related to the sauna-lifestyle and its benefits. Katsuki Tanaka‘s lighthearted art style works well with conveying the heat of saunas, the chill cooling of water baths, and the relaxation you get from resting in between on lounge chairs. This is good entertainment that effectively makes you want to try out a sauna and they’ve even adapted it into a Japanese drama.

~dakazu

Ousama Ranking

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Ousama Ranking

A manga about young prince Boji who despite being born weak and deaf, wants to become a king to enter into the world ranking of kings.

We’ve discussed this on a previous episode.

I absolutely love this manga. Sousuke Touno originally wanted to be a storybook artist and it shows. There’s such a simple design for the characters and the world that is very familiar to a fairy tale. I also love how so many characters are the exact opposite of what you would find in a fairy tale. One of the sweetest relationships is between prince Boji and his stepmother Healing. The anime will be starting fall 2021 and I’m really excited to see it!

Available in Japanese on Manga Back.

~dakazu

361 – One Shot 43 – Captivated, by You

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361 – One Shot 43 – Captivated, by You

Morgana is out on vacation but she left the guys a reading list for some Yen Press books! We’re checking out Yama Wayama‘s pleasant collection of high school slice-of-life stories, Captivated, by You! Also, Seamus spoils Land of the Lustrous volume 11 and dakazu talks about humans turned into plants with Fool Night!!!

Save 20% off Manscaped products by using our discount code: MANGAMAC

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Welcome Back, Alice

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Welcome Back, Alice

A manga about three childhood friends who’s relationship changes when one of them suddenly leaves town and returns years later as a transperson.

Oof. Where do I even begin with this manga.

If anyone thinks this is going to be Shuzo Oshimi‘s well thought out transgender narrative I would check your expectations at the door. The entire reason we have the trans character Kei is to present them as a sexual object of desire for the other male childhood friend Yohei. Yohei is in love with the female friend Yui but when Kei comes and starts aggressively coming on to Yohei, he finds himself confused with his own desires.

Since this series is still fairly new it isn’t clear if this will lead to Yohei to question his sexuality or lead to a queer relationship between him and Kei. But just based on what Oshimi has presented so far I doubt we’ll get that. Yui ends up dating Yohei but this seems retaliatory against Kei, which makes her motivations almost seem homophobic. Also Kei is presented as almost a seductress leading Yohei away from a heterosexual relationship with Yui.

I get the feeling that Oshimi is far more interested in drawing a story about messy teenage feelings similar to The Flowers of Evil. I don’t get the feeling he’s considering how Kei represents a less than flattering portrayal of a transperson. Like I said, this series is still new and on going. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping I’m wrong.

This series will be available in English from Kodansha in Spring 2022.

~dakazu

My Broken Mariko

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My Broken Mariko

A manga about a woman who is blindsided by the death of her friend Mariko and ends up stealing her ashes to fulfill their promise of taking a trip together.

We’ve discussed this on a previous episode.

This is a powerful story about abuse, loss, friendship, and regret. Waka Hirako debut is so strong it’s almost surprising she hasn’t been discovered yet. The way she draws character expressions and emotions felt very reminiscent of Jiro Matsumoto. I really appreciated how the story didn’t moralize against Mariko’s suicide or her past actions. Everything is simply presented as such for you to experience and see. If anything, the ending is a bit dramatic and emotional but that’s barely a criticism for this series. I high recommend this if you’re looking for a serious dramatic adult story by a wonderful new manga artist. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more Waka Hirako‘s future work.

Available in English from Yen Press.

~dakazu

Isekai Yankee Hachiouji

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Isekai Yankee Hachiouji

A manga about a group of delinquents who’s vocational high school is teleported to a fantasy realm. Now they must use their construction skills to defeat the evil lord and fulfilling the prophecy of the eight legendary princes.

Here’s a fun isekai story I can get behind. I enjoy Hiromasa Okujima‘s other works like Itadaki! Nariagari Meshi and Nyuuyoku Yankees. Delinquents getting into delinquent hijinks while fighting monsters is great. I appreciate that Okujima keeps things silly and lighthearted.

~dakazu

Bakubaku! Bakuchi Gohan

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Bakubaku! Bakuchi Gohan

A manga about a new idol who secretly loves enjoying B-tier foods found at different gambling locations.

Pretty decent food manga. I like the focus on more Japanese street food you find at various gambling places. I wasn’t that interested in the main character being an idol trying to hide her identity. She felt like a cheap gimmick to attract readers. Unfortunately this series didn’t last.

~dakazu

Children of Mu-Town

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Children of Mu-Town

A manga about a small time hoodlum trying to balance his town’s renovation project with pressures from local crime boss alongside his unstable and violent best friend.

We’ve discussed this on a previous episode.

Fantastic manga. I’ve rarely seen themes of gentrification covered in manga but Masumura Jushichi makes it works so well here. This book takes total advantage of the fact that it isn’t a commercial manga release from a major publisher. There’s just something so unique to the mood of independent manga and you get it in spades with this work. Highly recommended for manga fans looking for something different than their usual series.

Pick up a copy from Glacier Bay Books.

~dakazu

Hi Score Girl DASH

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Hi Score Girl DASH

Sequel to Hi Score Girl that follows Koharu Hidaka who is teaching at her old middle school.

We’ve discussed this on a previous episode.

The original Hi Score Girl was an early favorite for our podcast. Rensuke Oshikiri combined eccentric information about 1980-1990 Japanese arcade culture into a wacky romantic comedy. The original series had a miraculous return after a lawsuit and even went on to have a fun anime adaptation.

This sequel that focuses on Hidaka is such a slow burn. Hidaka hides her fighting game skills to her students for such a long time. There are some comedic bits with the character Doi, who is now also a teacher alongside Hidaka, but Oshikiri focuses on the next generation of characters and I just don’t find them interesting. This isn’t a bad manga by any standards but as a sequel to a series I really enjoy, I’m not fully convinced that this needed to exist. Hopefully it will get better soon.

~dakazu

360 – 7 Year Anniversary Guest Gaiden 9 – The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend with Mieri Hiranishi

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360 – 7 Year Anniversary Guest Gaiden 9 – The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend with Mieri Hiranishi

It’s time to celebrate 7 years of Manga Machinations with a super special guest! Manga artist Mieri Hiranishi joins us for a special interview about making manga while working on a full time job! She answers our questions about her viral hit The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend, her YouTube videos, and more, all while only speaking Japanese!!!

Support Mieri Hiranishi on Patreon! Buy her merch!
Read her manga! Watch her YouTube!

Save 20% off Manscaped products by using our discount code: MANGAMAC

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