Boss Renoma: Shuujin Riku Gaiden
A prequel to Shuujin Riku that follows the character Renoma as he first arrives at the Gokuraku island super-max prison facility.
I like Shuujin Riku a lot. This prequel is done well but seems like more of the same, and ultimately pretty unnecessary. I always prefer manga artist to try their hand at creating new manga so I’m glad this ended quickly and now Shinobu Seguchi can move on and try something else.
~dakazu
Otokomeshi
Finally caught up on the ending of this series.
I watched the live-action drama earlier and was a little disappointed to see that it followed the same ending. Still think it was a great food manga that had some great simple recipies to make for yourself at home.
ごちそうさまでした。
~dakazu
Chaser
A manga about a fictional manga artist’s one-sided rivalry against the god of manga himself, Osamu Tezuka.
I’m fascinated with the golden age of manga era(1950-1960) when Tezuka was leading the charge to elevate manga as a business and an art form. Love reading series like A Drifting Life and Ai… Shirisomeshi Koro ni… that cover the period.
The fictional artist Kaitoku who bashes Tezuka but is secretly obsessed with him is a wonderful take on following Tezuka’s career. Kaitoku is hilarious as he constantly tries to one rumors about Tezuka’s genius only to fail or succeed after the fact.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this great mix of fact and fiction.
~dakazu
Ekiben Hitoritabi
A food manga about a man who travels all across Japan via train and eats every famous railway box bento along the way.
Although I have zero interest in trains I do love food so I still enjoyed this series a lot. They meticulously review every part of each bento as well. It almost feels like free advertising for these various lunches.
If I ever get back to Japan I’ll make sure to look up some of these famous bentos while traveling.
~dakazu
Black Jack Sousaku Hiwa
A documentary manga filled with interviews and behind-the-scene stories about the god of manga, Osamu Tezuka.
A great non-fiction series. It’s filled with so many interviews and little revelations about who Tezuka was. Whether it’s former assistants, fellow manga artists, his children, or his editors, everyone has a unique take on Tezuka himself.
I also love Kouji Yoshimoto’s art style. It’s cartoony and delightful. Yoshimoto has drawn some story manga but I prefer his non-fiction work. I also recommend the documentary series about Japanese composer Mamoru Samuragochi, Sabishii No Wa Anta Dake Ja Nai.
~dakazu
226 – Manga in Motion 34 – From Up on Poppy Hill
This week we watch Studio Ghibli’s From Up on Poppy Hill to see how Seamus and Darfox fare with their first Goro Miyazaki film.
Continue readingAtarimae no Zehitaku.
A food manga where manga artist Shota Kikuchi introduces gourmet recipes he and his wife cook at home.
Shota Kikuchi is a more of a minor manga artist but I’m a fan of his adorable super deformed characters. This series is all about Kikuchi sharing his favorite things to make and eat.
Kikuchi comes off as a bit of a foodie but he backs it up with these recipes that look great. I tried his version of ginger pork and loved it.
A food manga that’s all about the food. It makes me hungry every time I read it.
~dakazu
ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.
A manga about a special government inspection committee that oversees the affairs within fictional kingdom of Dowa. As agent Jean Otus travels around the 13 territories he gets wrapped up in a plot to over throw the monarchy.
A terrific series. We reviewed it on an episode. This manga made me fall in love with Natsume Ono’s distinctive art style. I love manga artists that are able to craft dense worlds and Ono gets full marks. Each territory has it’s own unique culture and environment that is inspired from real world locations. Yakkara is a tiny but rich gambling district that exists within the larger an poor dessert territory of Pranetta: an obvious reference to Las Vegas in Nevada. There’s even influence on the people living within these places; Residents of Jumõku are taller due to the plentiful agriculture.
It’s available in English from Yen Press and I highly suggest you check it out for yourself. Also the anime has one of the best opening themes.
~dakazu
Meshinuma
A manga about an office worker with an endless appetite.
Man, this series cracks me up because the main character loves to eat and when he does he makes the most erotic expressions ever.
Flushed cheeks, heavy breathing, eyes filled with ecstasy, sweating, slight drool, etc… Everyone that sees him eating becomes attracted to him. The artist, amidamuku, is completely shameless in the way they draw him. I can’t stop laughing about it.
But hey, the food does look pretty good…
~dakazu
KINGDOM
Wow, this series sure has been going for a long time.
I’ve been a huge fan of this for a long time. I’m fan of the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China but less knowledgeable about the Warring States period that this series covers. I’ve heard lots of complaints about how the story glorifies Qin Shi Huang and makes him super noble. Unfortunately Fortunately it doesn’t bother me because I’m willfully ignorant with history.
I’m just here for Yasuhira Hara’s awesome artwork and epic war battles.
~dakazu