Tag Archives: christmas

Coal For Your Manga Stocking

Posted on by
5

When the call went out for a Great Manga Gift Guide, Ed Sizemore, the raison d’être for the entire movement in the first place, asked for bloggers to give out a few lumps of “manga coal,” essentially awarding some Razzie style awards to manga that we’ve read over the past year. I, unfortunately, did not comply with this request, mostly because, well, I was so exhausted. Gift guides are hard work!

(Speaking of gift guides, I did this last year before it got popular. Check out my 2008 Christmas Gift Guide here!)

So, now that the Gift Guide has been published, it’s time to get to the coal. Consider this post a guide of manga you shouldn’t buy your loved ones for the holidays. Or yourself, either.

Again, my opinions, and any release year, not just this one.

For the Bad Girls

Magic Touch
I’ve chronicled my distaste for this manga in a recent MangaVillage review, but this series is beyond bad. The premise is awful, the characters are stagnant, and even the good plot lines are fumbled. The only redeeming quality is the art, and some of the pacing, but for the most part, this is a series to avoid at all costs. Maybe if no-one buys it, Viz will cancel it and spend their capital on better licenses.

07-Ghost
Another stinker, this one for its pandering characters and confusing plot lines. Apparently, this was based off of an anime, so fans of the show apparently get what happens in the first volume. I sure as hell didn’t. What I did get was that this was not a series for me, and moreover, not a series worth reading.

Kieli
I disliked Kieli enough to give it a failing grade, and the reason is pretty obvious – it tries to be cute and cuddly, but then gets all Sixth Sense on your ass. Normally, this would be one of those moments that I’d claim the series was brilliant, but unlike any of the works of Housui Yamazaki, this manga has terrible writing.

For the Bad Boys

Reborn!
While I haven’t reviewed it yet, my review of the first 5 volumes is coming down the pipeline soon, and let me tell you, I was surely unimpressed. The jokes are stale, unimaginative past the first volume, and the plot is non-existent. I know that Gag-manga are a bit scatter-brained at times, but wow, this one really needs some amphetamines so it can sit still for half a second. I hear that it eventually becomes a battle manga, which might be interesting, but I’m really just not a fan of the beginning of the series.

I, Otaku: Struggle in Akihabara
Otaku comedy/slife-of-life can be great reading. Genshiken is a prime example of a great otaku comedy – it has identifiable characters, good jokes, and an interesting storyline. I, Otaku has none of that. One of my first negative reviews, this book still holds a place in my heart. A sour, rotten place (probably that same part where waking up on the wrong side of the bed comes from).

Naruto: Second Season
Okay, I realize I’m about to take some severe flak here, but seriously? When did Naruto get so emo? What’s with the giant frog transformations and all that other crap? I preferred the first season tremendously, and I think the series, just like Bleach, has drifted down into mediocrity in the latest volumes. Hate away, Naruto fan-boys.

Got a series you absolutely despised? Let me know in the comments!

EDIT: It was actually David Welsh that sent out the call,and Erica Friedman who spearheaded the project. Without those two, this wouldn’t have been possible. Thanks to Ed for clearing things up for me.

The Great Manga Gift Guide: Widget Style

Posted on by
7

I don’t really have to reiterate how unfortunate the NY Times Graphic Novel Gift Guide was, or express the manga community’s collective disdain of the A.V. Club’s greatest graphic novels list. This is Thanksgiving Season in the USA, so it’s more appropriate to get ready for the biggest selling weekend all year; Black Friday (or as I like to call it, “Black Sabbath”). To celebrate consumerism and the upcoming celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or whatever else you folks out there want to celebrate, I’ve put together a pick list of some of the great manga that’s available to purchase for your friends with “otaku fever.”

This year, I wanted to try and do a “themes” list. So, there aren’t any suggestions for best shojo or best shonen this year, but rather, suggestions for foodies or horror buffs and other categories.

Please note that my list is inclusive of all series, books, and other media currently in and out of print – I did not want to limit myself to this year’s releases. Also know that this list represents my opinion, and not the golden guide to purchasing this season.

—–

For The Guys and Gals in Tights Fan
You’ve got someone on your list who loves the superhero crowd, but hasn’t gotten into manga yet. Get them jump-started on your favorite breed of comics with these releases.

#1) Akira, Vol. 1; Kodansha Comics: MSRP $24.95 – The comic that turned into the anime that almost literally spawned the anime movement in the US, Akira is a gritty surrealist action manga that has recently been republished by the US wing of Kodansha International, Kodansha Comics.
Akira has enough action and drama to keep you enthralled. This series is a great introduction to the genre for anyone who likes the spandex nation.

#2) Ghost in the Shell, Vol. 1; Kodansha Comics: MSRP $26.99 – The comic that inspired the critically acclaimed, mind-bending anime that blends dystopian future, technology, crime, and politics into a stellar action series.

#3) Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 1; Dark Horse Comics: MSRP $9.95 - Masterfully crafted, this series features a ronin samurai and his child who carries a sign: “Son for Hire, Sword for Hire.” This epic Japanese action history is a great read, and great for someone who likes the superhero business.

#4) Gantz, Vol. 1; Dark Horse Comics: MSRP $12.95 – This dark and hyperviolent manga deals with violence, death, and sexuality, and is a bridge for the spandex crowd to the world of seinen manga.

 

For the Independent Soul
These stories are a bit different from your average manga, and definitely capture that “indie” feel. If you’re looking for something just a bit different than what’s out there right now, then start here.

#1) Solanin; Viz Media Signature Line: MSRP $17.99 – A beautifully illustrated, slice-of-life comic that explores growing up and becoming a part of society, or, rather, what happens when you can’t be a part of society.

#2) A Drifting Life; Drawn & Quarterly: MSRP $29.95 -The manga-style autobiography of one of the most influential manga writers, Yoshihiro Tatsumi. The man revolutionized manga in the 1950s by developing the gekiga style of manga – blunt, sometimes traumatic slice-of-life stories that explored the real lives of Japanese citizens after WWII, and the dark underbelly of the booming industrial power that it would become.

#3) Me and the Devil Blues, Vol. 1; Del Rey: MSRP $19.95 – A folktale that bucks the norms of manga and delivers an excellent take on the life of musician Robert Johnson, who overnight became one of the most profound and talented blues guitarists in the 1930′s. An excellent read for blues fans, and for anyone who wants to see a glimpse into the American South in the Great Depression.

 

Instant Classics
These stories have instantly captured the hearts of the manga community. From prestigious writers and artists like Naoki Urasawa, Jiro Taniguchi, and the supergroup CLAMP, these manga have hit the “must read” list for many manga enthusiasts.

#1) Pluto Vol. 1; Viz Media Sig IKKI: MSRP $12.99 – Naoki Urasawa’s re-envisioning of Astro Boy has made a real splash in the US manga market. Insightful, suspenseful, and dramatic, Pluto is the series of 2009.

#2) A Distant Neighborhood Vol. 1; Ponent Mon: MSRP $23.00 – The story of an everyman who steps back in time to relive his childhood with full knowledge of his future by the amazing Jiro Taniguchi.

#3) Clover Omnibus; Dark Horse Comics: MSRP $19.95 – The manga supergroup CLAMP has done plenty of different series, but Clover is probably their most experimental. Dark Horse made this stunning dystopian retro-mechanical masterpiece available in the early spring of 2009, but now’s a great chance to get a copy.

 

Classic Classics
The last group might have been “instant classics,” but these are the actual classics. Word of caution: some of these titles may be hard to find. All are worth your time.

#1) Ode to Kirihito; Vertical Publishing: MSRP $24.95 – Tezuka is the “God of Manga” for a reason, and Ode to Kirihito is an epic adventure that combines medical drama with a powerful examination of racism, guilt, and forgiveness.

#2) Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President, Vol. 1; Viz Media: When I said some of these might be hard to find, this was the series I had in mind. This political drama is one of Viz Media‘s first projects, and it’s an excellent comic. You can find some of the volumes at places like Robert’s Corner Anime Store, and on eBay.

#3) Apollo’s Song; Vertical Publishing: MSRP $19.95 – Another Tezuka masterwork, Apollo’s Song examines the human condition and the power of love. Excellent production values make this a great bookshelf feature.

#4) To Terra, Vol. 1; Vertical Publishing: MSRP $13.95 – Author Takemiya is one of the original female “49ers” and her work is classic and powerful. Vertical presents one of her greatest series, To Terra in this expertly produced, brilliant ride through the stars.

 

Foodie Manga
Everyone loves food, and manga readers are no exception. Get your foodies these comics about food this holiday season.

#1) Yakitate!! Japan, Vol. 1; Viz Media: MSRP $9.99 – This goofy bread-based manga bakes food trivia and baking tips along with over-the-top humor and zany characters into a loaf of devourable comedy.

#2) Oshinbo: Vegetables a la Carte; Viz Media: MSRP $12.99 – Oshinbo is a foodie’s dream – it features Japanese cuisine and tells a story of a writer and his quest to create the ultimate menu. The original manga has been running since 1983, and these ala carte versions show off some of the many episodes of this amazing food manga.

#3) The Antique Bakery, Vol. 1; Digital Manga Publishing: MSRP $12.95 – Featuring some of the best looking sweets ever illustrated, Fumi Yoshinaga’s Antique Bakery is part (gay) love triangle, part baking manga.

 

Comedy
They’re called the funny pages for a reason, and manga proves time and again that it can be just as funny as, well “The Funnies” with these releases.

#1) Crayon Shin-Chan, Vol. 1; CMX Manga: MSRP $7.99 – Imagine a sort of South Park-infused Dennis the Menace, and you kinda get the feel for Crayon Shin-Chan. Bro-humor abounds in this classic humor series.

#2) Yotsuba&!, Vol. 1; Yen Press: MSRP $10.99 – Rediscover the world with a green-haired, four year old with more energy than the Energizer bunny. Yen Press’ recently rereleased the entire series, with brand new translations. The entire series makes a great gift!

#3) Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1; Viz Media: MSRP $8.99 – When a poor girl gets mistaken for a guy in one of her private school’s super elite clubs, hilarity ensues.

#4) Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei: The Power of Negative Thinking, Vol. 1; Del Rey Manga: MSRP $10.99 – Satire is just as powerful a comedic form as slapstic, and Sayonara has it in spades.

 

Horror
You know the type – fans of The Ring and Saw can like comic books too. Here are a few manga to tide them over until Saw 57.

#1) MPD Psycho, Vol. 1; Dark Horse Manga: MSRP $10.95 – When a serial killer finds “something special” about a seemingly innocent police detective, he is pushed into a chaotic and evil storm. Less shocking than disturbing, MPD Psycho is the Silence of the Lambs of manga.

#2) The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Vol. 1; Dark Horse Manga: MSRP $10.95 – Dark humor abounds as a group of 5 students and a hand-puppet take on the requests of the dead.

#3) Uzumaki, Vol. 1; Viz Media: MSRP $9.99 – One of the most unsettling manga series in print, Uzumaki
 takes a bizarre concept and turns it into the backdrop of a series of increasingly dark vignettes.

 

Sports Fanatics
These comics make excellent gifts for your sports fan who’s in the off-season.

#1) Eyeshield 21, Vol. 1; Viz Media: MSRP $7.99 – Football (the American version) isn’t all that big in Japan, but this manga is what got Japanese youth interested in playing. It’s reached 28 translated volumes already!

#2) My Heavenly Hockey Club, Vol. 1; Del Rey manga: MSRP $10.95 – Hana love eating and sleeping, but somehow gets convinced to join the all-guys hockey team with the promise of hotel resorts and good food. When she can’t play, she gets replaced by a bear? You’ve gotta read it to believe it.

#3) Ninja Baseball Kyuma, Vol. 1; Udon Entertainment: MSRP $7.99 – A comedy of misunderstanding, a young ninja in training is convinced to join the local youth baseball league, but doesn’t understand that baseball isn’t a battlefield! Great for younger kids.

 

Alright, there’s the list. Now get out there and get shopping! Happy Thanksgiving, USA folk. I’ll be back next week with some musings on the SIG IKKI website.

A Manga Christmas To All

Posted on by
3

For all of you doing some last-minute shopping for your otaku at home (or perhaps yourself!), I’ve compiled a list. A manga/anime/culture list, if you will, of good otaku gifts. Hopefully these can spark your gift-buying imagination. I’ve linked all the images back to Amazon, so if you’re looking to do some internet shopping, happy buying.

- – - – - – - – - – - -

- – - – - – - – - – - -

THE SHONEN JUNKIE

1. Dragon Ball, Volume #1 (VIZ Big Version)
Let’s take things back to where they started; Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z are probably the beginning of the mainstream popularity growth of manga and anime, and there’s a reason. Dragon Ball is a great shonen manga and Akira Toriyama’s style is legendary. Besides having a great story, it has its own anime, which I vividly remember watching on Toonami back when the programming series wasn’t pushing up daisys. For all the Naruto and Bleach fans who haven’t experienced this classic manga, the VIZ Big version is a great way to start.

2. Naruto Box Set (Vol 1-27, VIZ)

Let’s jump to the present. Naruto is one of the top internet searches, and this ninja’s story is a real page turner. The first storyline arc ends at book # 27, with the newest arc being published hyper-drive style by VIZ. Amazon’s got this for almost 1/3 of the list price, saving you almost $100 dollars (if you were to buy each manga individually). It’s a steal, and it’s an amazing series every shonen fan should have.

3. Death Note: Another Note (VIZ Shonen Jump Advanced)

Death Note is another amazing shonen series about a student who finds a note book that allows him to kill any person he writes in it. Death Note: Another Note is a prequel to the events that take place in the original Death Note series. In this novel, L, the famed detective must take down a serial murderer in Los Angeles who is clearly challenging his prowess as a detective. It’s a nice hardcover, and is sure to add even more enjoyable fiction to the Death Note mythos. Owning all the books, I can attest to how wonderful a series this is, and what an amazing mind-bender it turns out to be. This is the perfect gift for a Death Note fan.

- – - – - – - – - – - -

- – - – - – - – - – - -

THE ALL PURPOSE OTAKU

4. Yen Plus Subscription (Yen Press)

Yen Plus is the new manga anthology produced by Yen Press, and it’s double sized, and normally double priced. Buy your manga-otaku a subscription and have the manga shipped right to your door. With popular titles like Maxiumum Ride, Nightschool, and the upcoming Hero Tales, Yen Plus is only getting better with time, and there’s plenty of variety. (This Link will take you to the subscription site., or you can call their subscription hotline at 1-800-876-7598)

5. FAUST, Volume 1 (Del Rey)

A mix of manga and light fiction, FAUST is a great collection for fans of manga looking to try something new. A series of short prose works based in popular comic settings (like a xxxHolic excerpt called “Outerholic”). Contains manga excerpts, as well as light novel short stories. A lot of reading for not that much cash, FAUST is a mix that has something for everyone.

- – - – - – - – - – - -

- – - – - – - – - – - -

THE SHOJO QUEEN

6. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Limited Edition DVD (Bandai)

A beautiful movie based off of the manga A Girl Who Runs Through Time( now being published by CMX), this film is a mind-provoking, wonderfully animated adventure any shojo fan is sure to enjoy. What would you do if you could change the world by reliving all the same small moments in the day? Would you save lives, or ace that test you screwed up? Whatever you would do, follow along with this wonderful DVD and see the adventures of a girl who travels back in time.

7. Wish (volumes 1-4, TokyoPop)

An amazing short manga series from the amazing ladies of CLAMP about the power of love in a world of opposing forces. When an angel and a human form a friendship and as both come to admire each other, will they be able to live together in harmony, or will divine intervention keep them from true love? Wish will always have a spot in my heart as the first shojo manga I read that I truly enjoyed. This is also a great series for CLAMP fans, or any person who’s never tried a shojo manga before. There’s not too much action, but definitely some food for thought, and a great story. Go buy it!

- – - – - – - – - – - -

- – - – - – - – - – - -

RANDOM FUN

8. The Manga Cookbook ( Japanime Co. Ltd.)

For anyone looking to learn how to cook from a comic book, The Manga Cookbook (much like the new Manga Guide to Statistics) teaches you how to cook with manga. It’s a fun premise, and everyone loves to eat!