Emma by Kaoru Mori

Hey guys,

Another busy week is almost finished. As much as I love school and no matter how amazing the idea of continuing in a college setting is, I look forward to the weekend like a five year old does Christmas. Imagine that kind of anticipation every week... :( But, perhaps that's just a typical teenage rant. Onwards... This week, I've planned to review a series I'm not entirely finished with, but already love. It's the same type of romance that I usually review, but with a timeless twist you'll love.

Emma by Kaoru Mori is romance manga set in the late 19th century. The story follows the blossoming romance between a maid, Emma, and a wealthy gentry man, William. Emma first meets William when he comes back in town and decides to visit his old teacher, who is Emma's mistress. Emma is a practical, but beautiful maid with many suitors she usually denies, but with William, she finds herself blushing and enjoying her time with him. William is instantly drawn to her because of her beauty, but also her intelligent demeanor. The story continues with conflicts because of William's status in society versus Emma's lack of one as a maid. The two are pushed apart as William's family does not approve of his marrying a commoner. The story is also intercepted by William's friend, Hakim, who came from India riding on elephants and surrounded by dancing girls (he's definitely my favorite character), who at first decides he wants Emma for himself, until he realizes that William is head over heels for her.

Unlike other romance manga series I've read, this manga isn't fast paced into a physical relationship between Emma and William, which shows the accuracy of Mori's 19th century remake, where propriety was of utmost importance. Though, for some reason it's in the mature section of the site I'm reading it from, so perhaps it steps out of that for a while... I can't really say because I'm only on chapter eighteen out of the 52 chapters.

It really is very creative and unique twist from the usual romance manga I've read. I love the art, which is not overflowing with detail, but instead very simple and crisp. However, as a Jane Austen fan, I love the time period most of all! A great series that I highly recommend! There is also a highly rated anime for this series, which I'm going to start as soon as I finish the manga. I might make a comment review of the anime when I'm finished! :3
Read it here: http://manga.animea.net/emma.html

Sorry to post late again!
~Pseudonymous Jayne

Captive Hearts by Matsuri Hino

Ahoy,

So much has happened this week! I can't say I'm glad it's almost over though... I'm absolutely exhausted from the extraneous homework and extracurriculars I've committed myself to this month. Anyway, in commemoration of Valentines Day (aka 'Singles Awareness Day') we're going to review a shoujo manga. Big surprise, right? I always review shoujo manga :3 It's my favorite genre, so I really can't help it! ^ ^  I'm not exactly a hopeless romantic, but I do enjoy seeing perfect couples fall in love under strange circumstances! And, that's just what 'Captive Hearts' is all about!

'Captive Hearts' is a shoujo manga by Matsuri Hino, who is famous for the popular series 'Vampire Knight'. 'Captive Hearts' is about the Kuroishi and Kogami families, who have had a strange curse for generations. The Kuroishi family members have been cursed to serve the Kogami clan in both mind and heart. Lucky for the young and oblivious Megumi, the entire Kogami family disappeared years ago. This changes when Suzuka Kogami resurfaces in China and lives with Megumi and his dad, who are compelled to serve her. By meeting Suzuka, Megumi learns the full extent of the curse his family is under, as he overwhelms himself and Suzuka with compliments and servitude constantly. Little does Megumi realize, he is also succumbing to Suzuka with his heart, as their relationship grows into a romance. Suzuka is determined to remove Megumi's curse, but also feels conflicted when realizing that Megumi's feelings may only be a part of his curse and not true love. The series progresses with a familiar servant and master relationship, except reversed with a female master and obedient manservant.

As usual, I have picked a shoujo manga with slight supernatural elements, as the family is cursed by a strange curse. The story progresses as Megumi and Suzuka work to break the curse, involving magic and many hilarious adventures. I have really enjoyed all of Matsuri Hino's work, so it was no surprise that I loved this series. Hino draws beautiful characters that are just so much fun to look at. It's also refreshing to see a refreshing reversal of roles with Suzuka in charge of Megumi.
A great/cute story and great art = thumbs up from me! ^ ^
Read it at: http://www.mangareader.net/1264/toraware-no-minoue.html

Once again, Happy Belated Valentines Day!
Best,
Pseudonymous Jayne

Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji

Dear Cyberspace,

I've just discovered the stats section of my dashboard for this blog, and I found out that people are looking at my blog. XD Hurray for internet popularity increase! *sigh* Alright, I'm feeling a little sluggish today. I've had so much on my plate this week and using myanimelist.net (MAL) has become such a distraction to my daily life. Let's just say my homework productivity in the last two weeks has begun to decrease. :P Plus, I've been reading so much manga! Though, I haven't been watching enough anime to keep up with the MAL users! I've officially been coined a "newb". Yes, it's true. I am in fact, a newbie at watching anime. But, I've been reading manga for almost seven years. I just don't have the time to watch as many anime shows as I'd like. :( Perhaps that will change with college next year.

Alright, enough of my usual moping and such. I've decided to review one of my favorite manga series out right now: 'Black Bird' by Kanoko Sakurakoji. 'Black Bird' was released in 2007, and the series now has seven volumes out in english, and an eighth is soon to come. The seventh volume came out February 2nd this year, and I just finished it this weekend! So, I felt it was necessary to review the series and the new volume! :3

'Black Bird' is a series about Misao Harada, a girl who has been able to see monsters and demons ever since she was born. Because of this, her only friend was a boy named Kyo, who left her when she was child. The story begins with Misao's reintroduction to her childhood friend, who rescues her from a demon attack, which has become a frequent occurrence now that Misao is older and susceptible to a legendary demon prophecy. Kyo's rescue reminds Misao of her old friend, who she then learns is demon as well. Misao learns that Kyo also wishes to fulfill the demon prophecy, except by making her his bride. Most demons would choose to eat Misao to gain long life, but Kyo's marriage to Misao would bring his demon tribe, Tengu, prosperity. From this, the story begins with Kyo's seducing of Misao and their love affair, which evolves into a passionate romance with demons, violence, and betrayal.

'Black Bird' is widely popular for its beautiful art and mature content. It's reception has been muddled as many consider it to be an overdone concept. Critics even dislike Kyo's character for being too manipulative and demanding, and Misao's character for being too submissive. I personally have loved the series for its combination of romance and supernatural themes. I found the series by scanning the manga section of a nearby bookstore and was immediately drawn by it's alluring cover art. I'm glad I picked it up, because it's one of my favorite new series! :3 I definitely recommend this manga for shoujo fans and for an older audience. ;) Check it out here: http://www.mangareader.net/1003/black-bird.html Readers can look forward to an english version of the eight volume in May of 2011.

Enjoy,
Pseudonymous Jayne

Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase by Keitaro Arima

Ahoy,
Before I start this week's review I want to tell about the most amazing website known to manga/anime fans: myanimelist.net. The website, known through users as MAL, can easily be considered the anime fan's facebook equivalent. I know it's definitely old news to most, but it's new and amazing to me! The site allows you to keep track of all your current manga and anime, get recommendations and reviews, while also socializing with other fans. I just joined, and absolutely love it. Unlike most forum sites, MAL is frequently trafficked and in addition to that, MAL has an incredibly friendly network of users. My first week and I had numerous welcome comments and friend requests. :3

Okay, I'm done raving about MAL. This week, I want to review an anime series called 'Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase', which was released in 2004, though the style is reminiscent of older anime styles. I haven't read the manga, but I've skimmed the first volume, which has beautiful art! 'Moon Phase' is about a young vampire girl named Hazuki, and her failed slave, Kohei. Kohei is an aspiring photographer, who can't help but attract spirits and supernatural presences. One night on a commission to photograph a German castle, he spots a beautiful girl in the moonlight. In order to further investigate the castle, he meets Hazuki, who only desires him to be her slave and rescue her from the prison of the castle. Unfortunately, both Hazuki and Kohei get off to a bad start when Hazuki doesn't show up in Kohei's pictures and Kohei proves to be resistant to her vampire's "kiss," which would usually turn human's into slaves for vampires. Kohei unexpectedly helps Hazuki escape from the castle and takes her home with him, where they begin their friendship of convenience. With Hazuki in Kohei's home, results in a lot of trouble for Kohei and his grandfather, who happens to be a spiritual medium. The series progresses with more vampires, action, drama, and even a bit of romance. The series also surprises you with both Hazuki and Kohei's character growth in both supernatural abilities and personality as Hazuki develops special vampire traits and Kohei becomes a prized 'vampire's lover'.

Like, I've said before, I'm not a huge fan of vampire themed manga/anime series, but I was drawn to 'Moon Phase' because of its combination of humor and action. Hazuki plays a perfect spoiled vampire princess, which Kohei plays a resistant vampire slave, which already is pretty hilarious. The series also has a dark undertone, which drives a more complex plot line as Hazuki and Kohei share an unexpected romance.At times it's just too cutesy, and others it just prides itself in being too dramatic and action packed.  'Moon Phase' is a fairly unknown anime series, probably because it's getting old, but I definitely recommend it, though sometimes I'm embarrassed to say I like it more than I should. :3

Another thing I should mention about 'Moon Phase' is that it has some very random motifs, like washpans dropping on the character's heads... I still don't understand why those are included so much towards the end of the series.

See ya next week (as you can see, I'm late again and writing on Thursday... I blame school XP)
Best,
~Pseudonymous Jayne