Morita’s no-holds-barred writing and Obata’s realistic artwork offer a pretty bleak look into the oft-romanticized yakuza lifestyle. Sure, things might look good from the top of the pyramid, but for the little guys at the bottom, life is hell.
Hot Gimmick is a Hot Mess
Convoluted romances and dangerous relationships can be entertaining—when handled well. But Hot Gimmick left much to be desired.
Reading Blush-DC for the Plot [NSFW]
Reading Blush-DC is like watching a train wreck: you just can’t look away. If you’ve got a hankering for some good ‘ole schadenfreude, then this is the manga for you.
Exploring Russian History through Harukaze no Snegurochka
Harukaze no Snegurochka is a single-volume manga that highlights the tempestuous atmosphere of the 1930s Soviet Union. It follows the story of a young woman named Belka and her servant, Shchenok, as they evade the OGPU, the Soviet secret police.
My Manga Wishlist: Kyou no Kira-kun
At face value, Kyou no Kira-kun looks like just another shoujo manga, with staples like the unpopular girl, a charismatic boy, a cute animal sidekick, and endless high school drama. But this manga’s charm lies in how it handles all these cliches.
What Went Wrong With Usagi Drop
Usagi Drop could have been a fantastic josei manga that dealt with real-world issues in a lighthearted, fun way. But its ending had many readers, myself included, asking some uncomfortable questions and wondering just where things took a controversial turn.
On Chobits: From Technophobes to Technophiles
At first blush, Chobits seems like your run-of-the-mill ecchi manga. But beyond the provocative illustrations and suggestive dialog lies a poignant story that taps into a classic sci-fi conundrum: can man love machine?
We All Start Somewhere: Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode
Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode follows the formulaic pattern of most magical girl narratives: ordinary schoolgirl gains extraordinary powers, fights a slew of bad guys, and falls in love.