Animania

Mini-group review as I catch up on Loveless, with two volumes to review.

Volume 4

Summary: Soubi unexpectedly meets two new Zero warriors, Koya and Yamato, who then battle him and leaves him badly wounded. A concerned Ritsuki asks Natsuo and Yoji to teach Soubi about the relationship between a Fighter Unit and the Sacrifice. Later, Koya and Yamato battle Soubi a second time, but this time for a 2 on 2 battle with Ritsuka as Soubi's partner...

Review: This volume finally moves past where the anime stopped, though I'm glad I read the first three volumes since there are some differences between it and the anime as well. This volume opens up with Soubi once again doing things on his own and fighting another set of Zero warriors, the tragic lesbian duo of Koya and Yamato. Ritsuka finally seems ready to deal with the fact that, like it or not, Soubi is his fighter unit and they will have more battles, so he better learn how to be a better sacrifice to keep Soubi from getting hurt. This volume also gives more peeks into the behind the scenes activities going on Septimal Moon.

I love that we get to know the first Zero much better than in the anime, and that this volume finally explains more about the whole battle system (cause it can be rather confusing). The interesting question of where the Loveless fighter is was a good on to be raised at this point and one I hope will continue to be in the background and eventually come to light somewhere in a future volume, especially considering Ritsuka's reaction to the whole "destined" pair thing. Koya and Yamato are one of my favorite enemy pairs. I'm not into shojo-ai, but I couldn't help but feel for them as their story was revealed.

Rating: B+

Volume 5

Summary: Ritsuka skips school so he can rest up and stay up late talking to Nana through Wisdom Resurrection. Ritsu-sensei and Nagisa-sensei join the conversation as observers, and Soubi and the Zeros boys watch from Ritsuka's side as a shocking truth is revealed about Seimei. Ritsuka still has faith in his brother and his love for him, but evidence is building that Seimei's fate might not have been what Ritsuka believed it to be...

Review: Poor Ritsuka is missing sleep from being on Wisdom Resurrection and ends up sleeping at Soubi's during the day instead of going to school. He spends another night up chatting with some interesting revelations, particularly about Seimei. The memories that Rituska has of his brother seem odd, and slightly disturbing, while the shocking declaration by Septimal Moon that they didn't kill Seimei because someone beat them too it throws Ritsuka into even further confusion. Meanwhile, things get much worse at home thanks to someone else's prodding Ritsuka's already pyscho mother. Another fighter team, Fearless, also appears.

I gotta admit, this volume had the potential to be boring because it is mostly spent with the back and forth chatting on Wisdom Resurrection, yet it manages to stay interesting in large part because of all the revelations that happen. Some questions are answered but a lot more are added to the already growing list and helps to highlight the subtle change in Ritsuka and Soubi's relationship. The thing with Ritsuka's mother is both pathetic and scary for the potential effects it will have on Ritsuka. How can no one have noticed all this damn time and why does no one do anything already? Grrr.. Fearless is an interesting team, with its cute little fighter unit. I did have to laugh a bit though. Just how many more one name teams that end in "-less" can they come up with? :P

Rating: A-

So far, I'm really enjoying the direction Loveless is going. It is an interesting mix of possible love story between Ritsuka and Soubi, friendship, drama, and, of course, the intrigue behind the whole fighter thing, Seimei, and Septimal Moon. I'm look forward to future volumes. So far, there are seven volumes all together, but it is still on-going in Japan, which is good because I think there is plenty left for some more volumes.

Another group review, this time covering the last three volumes of Crossroad, which I purchased in July. Since this one includes the last volume, I'll blend in some elements from my usual "final volume" review, starting with links to reviews of volumes 1-4. After the individual volume reviews, I discuss the whole series, so don't read the last bit if you don't want spoilers.

(other available reviews from this series: volume 1, volume 2, volume 3, volume 4)

Volume 5

Summary: The Toda household is rocked to its foundations as Kajitsu struggles with her affection for her step-brother and her passion for her seductive teacher. Natsu, meanwhile, has more than one girl on his mind when he finds himself caught between the little sister who can't let go and the seductive classmate who would do anything to have him for herself.

Meanwhile, the "adults" of the family, Taro and Rumiko, find themselves so wrapped up in their own problems that they can't even see the trouble Kajitsu and Natsu are heading for...

Review: One thing I really love about Crossroad is how Natsu and Kajitsu didn't just end up together in volume 1 or 2, but are genuinely struggling with their feelings for one another and the outside influences of others. Natsu, in particular, is quite willing to deny any possible feelings for Kajitsu to keep the family together again, and makes a serious effort to be a true boyfriend to Erica. The most interesting dynamic, though, is really between Kajitsu's relationship with Akai-sensei, especially deciphering his own rather confused feelings about his student. In this volume, though, she ends up moving in with him for awhile and it ends up taking their relationship in a new direction, one I must say I'm not sure I liked. Still, Kajitsu really had some good moments and went through quite a bit of self-discovery, which was good. So I enjoyed the volume as a whole, and was glad I had the last two already ready to read.

Rating: A-

Volume 6

Summary: With summer under full swing, it's hot outside... and inside too. Kajitsu must make the most important decision in her life so far about where she and Akai-sensei are headed. Meanwhile, Erica and Natsu's relationship takes an unexpected turn - that could mean an advancement in Natsu's and Kajitsu's own forbidden feelings.

Review: Kajitsu finally sorts out her feelings for Akai and Natsu, and she decides to go back home, walking all the way. Alas, we get no real idea as to WHY she decided to walk instead of having Akai drive her, but her homecoming is worth it. Kajitsu's clearing up her own confusions seem to help Natsu clear up his as well, while he also resolves to help someone he feels is broken like he was. Just as things seem to be moving forward, though, Kajitsu still has some resolved issues to take care of. Also a good volume, though I'll admit I was a bit disappointed in some things (see over all series summary below).

Extra points for this volume's extra story, featuring a fake romance that may not be so fake after all.

Rating: B

Volume 7

Summary: The climax is at hand! The emotional storms battering the Toda household come to a head when Rumiko's meddling forces Taro and Natsu into a violent confrontation. Will Taro grant permission for Natsu and Kajitsu to date, or will this mean an end to the Toda family? Distraught, Kajitsu turns to Akai-sensei for comfort - only to be given shocking news!

Review: The final volume of the series and we finally get some resolution in several key areas. Natsu has his rather humorous fight with Taro (talk about your quick knock down), and the family concerns about Natsu and Kajitsu's romance is settled at last. Kajitsu also finally figures out at least part of what she wants to do with the future in terms of her writing. The important focus though is not on her and Natsu, but on some final resolution between her and Akai-sensei, as she struggles to deal with the news that he's living the country. We also get some nice wrap up with everyone and a few glimpses at life with the Todas six years later. It is a nice concluding volume that mostly wraps things up (though the Erica thing is just...odd). This one also has an extra story of two folks who need a little push to help them realize their true feelings.

Rating: A

So now that I've finished Crossroads, I just admit I have mixed feelings about it. On the whole, I enjoyed all seven volumes and the various family dynamics. However, I was also a little disappointed in the way things went with Kajitsu and Akai. I seriously though the manga-ka would take the bold move of having them enter into an actual relationship before things really got settled, but Kajitsu suddenly went from being obviously physically attracted to some strange mix of seeing her as a father figure and someone she cares for. Even at the end, we don't really get a true sense of just what is going on there, after her reaction when he leaves and where they stand six years later. In some ways, its as if things didn't get fully resolved and she's almost emotionally cheating on Natsu, though neither seems to mind.

My second big disappointment is that we never see Kajitsu discuss Akai-sensei with Natsu (or know if she ever told him). He told her the truth about Erica, but she never told him a single thing about Akai, or that he ever even had competition. Maybe that was all left out by the series length, but I wish there had been another volume in between 6 and 7 that dealt with those issues, because it seems rather unfair and dishonest to me that Natsu never know. It also would have kept the story at the higher level I was expecting when I started.

Still, I do recommend it as a nice offering from relative new comer Go! Comi. It is a good romance with some fun twists and great characters.

Overall Series Rating: B

For the sake of my sanity, and to get my back log of manga to be reviewed down to a more manageable size, I decided it would be prudent to do the reviews of manga I bought a bunch of volumes at once all in a single entry. So for these, I'll basically give the image, the summary, some quick comments, and my rating. I also plan to use this format to eventually go back and review some of the complete series I have, like MARS and Marmalade Boy, so feel free to offer feedback on this format. We'll start off with Nana. Since it is no longer in Shojo Beat, I picked up volumes 1-6 to catch up to the GNs. I've already done separate reviews for volumes 1 & 2, so here are 3-6.

Volume 3

Summary: Things are slowly coming together for Nana Osaki. The guitarist and drummer in her old band have joined her in Tokyo and she's finally found a ripping new bass player to replace Ren Honjo. The Black Stones are back and they're ready to kick some ass.

Nana Komatsu, however, can't shake her old nemesis, the Demon Lord. She's stuck in a dead-end job and there's trouble brewing with her boyfriend, Shoji. He's been working late and hasn't exactly been the most attentive lover. Poor Nana. Life in Tokyo is turning out to be a total bummer.

Review: This volume introduces the adorable piercing-loving Shin to the group of the two Nana's friends and Nana O's band, while also bringing her more trouble in the form of the fictional Sachiko coming to life. Nana K really does seem to have the touch of some Demon Lord when she also loses her job and has to find a new way to make the money to pay the bills. In the end, though, I think all this hardship is good for her, because Nana K is a sweet person, but she has some serious growing up to do and some hard life lessons to learn if she is gonna find her own happiness. I still love the dynamics of the two Nanas. In particular its interesting to me how Nana O's life has opened up to include Nana K, including friends, yet we don't really see Nana K's friends joining in the circle (or even being with Nana K much).

Rating: A-

Volume 4

Summary: Nana K.'s perfect Tokyo life is crumbling around her. She can't keep a job, she can't keep any money, and now it looks like she can't even keep her boyfriend! But luckily, a tasty nugget of gossip about Nana O.'s past love life helps Nana K. keep her mind off her own troubles. If she can play the role of cupid for her best friend, can Nana K. get closer to her own happy ending?

Review: The ending of the last volume pretty much sets things up for the events at the start of this one. I felt bad for Nana K, but at the same time it was kinda inevitable and she's better off. Besides, it was so cool having Nana O standing up for her Jun's attitude about things really pissed me off, and makes me wonder just what kind of a friend she really is. Yeah, she's friends with both of them, but still. At least Nana bounces back a little quicker than last time, though the distraction of seeing Nana and gang in concert for the first time helps. Misato shows up for the concert as well, provoking some interesting reactions from Nana K.

Rating: A

Volume 5

Summary: Nana K. is going home - for an awesome Trapnest concert! She drags Nana O. along, convinced that somehow Ren will sense his ex-flame in the audience. But life is never that easy, and Nana O. isn't sure if she even wants Ren back. As for Nana K., is she prepared for Trapnest to come down off the stage and into her life, or will her fan-girl attitude land her in a heap of trouble?

Review: The night of the Trapnest concert brings the much anticipated reunion between Nana O and Ren, with some fun prodding by Yasu. I was really glad, cause they seemed like a great couple in the first volume and I hoped somehow they would work it out. This volume really lets us get a peek at some of Nana O's inner workings. Though she's outgoing, she is also reserved and keeps a lot of herself to herself. Even with Nana K, there is still a wall sometimes, but we get to see over it in this volume! Of course, this brings the world of Trapnest into our two Nanas world, allowing Nana K to meet her favorite member and learn more about her new friends. Alas, it also introduces another relationship for Nana K that I figure will be a bad one, from those little clues we've gotten about the guy so far and her own introspection on things.

Rating: A

Volume 6

Summary: Nana Osaki's band Blast is taking off in a big way - from sold-out club dates to a record label waving a contract at them. But the Trapnest menace still lurks, stealing away everything she cares for. Trapnest took her boyfriend, and even though Ren is back in her life, his band still comes first. And now her trusty sidekick Nana K. is being lured away by Trapnest bassist Takumi. But this time, Nana O. won't give up without a fight!

Review: The tour is over, and the secret comes out about Takumi and Nana K, in not so good ways. I wonder if what she'd think if she'd seen it happen. Takumi is one of those guys that tends to tick me off, and I keep hoping that in later volumes he might end up having some redeemable qualities. Yeah, Nana K should be old enough to know better, but still it sucks all around. At least he kinda makes up for some of his jerkiness, though I still hate seeing her giving herself to a relationship even she seems to know is a bad idea and he seems to be the very possessive type. Why do we women do that to ourselves? Of course, the news also brings other interesting revelations to light, which makes for more fun angst and drama and Shin showing he's far wiser than his 16 years might make you think. The most interesting reaction of all, however, comes from Nana O.

Rating: A+

Almost caught up with where Shojo Beat left off. I think volume 7 will get the rest of the way, though maybe a little of volume 8 too. Seven comes out next month, yay! Maybe I can be through the back log by then

Volume Summary: Sumire goes to Hong Kong to see Hasumi. As she leaves, Momo is persistent - "Pet me." - but Sumire is too preoccupied. Then Momo's sister tells him that his parents are going to get a divorce and that Momo's not helping. Momo decides to grow up as a person. He cuts his hair. "Bye, Bye, Momo..."

Review: Getting so close to the end of this series now! Only two more volumes after this one, and the wait is driving me slightly batty. Especially after a volume like this! Momo is making some major changes in his life, and seems to finally be ready to really and truly grow up, talking over seas schools, actually talking to his father, and...cutting his hair! I'm also very glad to see that Sumire and Hasumi, after more of their usual song and dance, finally have an adult conversation about their relationship. They've only needed to do that like, what, 8 volumes again? :P Sumire also seems to finally be getting a much needed clue about some other things in her life.

There is so much good stuff in this volume, and so many great scenes. The scene with Momo and his dad was painfully sweet, Sumire doing a little butt kicking (always fun to watch), and too many good scenes with Sumire and Momo to mention that I wouldn't want to spoil. Suffice to say, this is a very awesome volume of Tramps Like Us and must be read now now now now! *ahem* Sorry, I'm in fan girl mode and I want my volume 13. Yeah, it was that good!

Rating: A+

Volume Summary: Futaba, a boy that has grown up in an overprotected family, suddenly finds himself on the other side of the world, where he meets Kiara, the Amaranthine. They journey to find Kiara's true master, and along the way they meet a curious cast of characters, including the wizard Belbel and the prince Virid

Once Kiara finds her true master, Futaba hopes that they can open the gate that will allow him to get back to his side of the world!

Review: Normally, I wouldn't have picked up the first volume of a series like this. It has a kid as the main character, which is a turn off for me (with the exception of CCS, of course), and the art is simplistic and reminiscent of kid shows like Pokemon and the like. The main reason I decided to give it a go was a review on AnimeOnDVD that pointed out that it was much better than appearances might lead you to believe. It features Futaba, a 6th grade kid who seems to be height challenged and cursed with an insanely over protective family. Futaba meets Kiara, a girl who claims she is his master, only to realize she is mistaken right around the time someone attacks them both. To help Kiara, Futaba ends up jumping through a gate into a whole other world, where he learns more about Kiara, also called the Amaranthine, and decides to help.

It is hard not to like Futaba. He is a good, honest kid who is surprisingly ordinary. No special powers to speak of, friendly, open, and willing to see the good side of just about anyone. The various folks he meet in this first chapter are also well done with unique situations and personalities even if they do lean towards "stereotypical" characters for the genre. Despite the young hero, this series is rated T as it has some violence and I suspect it will get darker as it goes along. It some ways, it reminds me Rave Master. Not so much for content (though its a similar basic concept), but in the feel of the artwork and tone. Mostly light with some very serious moments that switches to the opposite as the story progresses. Unlike Rave Master, though, Beyond the Beyond doesn't suffer from translation and editing issues.

All in all, this is a decent open to what appears to be a solid journey manga. It isn't over the top awesome, but I think it will be a good addition to any collection. I know I was pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to volume 2, which is available now (along with volumes 3 & 4).

Rating: A-