The Lion and the Bride #1 by Mika Sakurano

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I've requested a reading copy of this manga from the publisher, I knew that the plot might be a just like some romcom TV series. But I what I didn't expect is that even though that it's like that, reading has taken me by surprised me because of how entertained I was on reading the banters between Yua and her stepson/classmate Subaru.

As for me, I think Yua's hasty decision of accepting Ryo's marriage proposal is a big no-no. And I bet that there's no love involved when Yua decided to get married. Meanwhile, Subaru mentioned that Ryo, his father, only pity Yua because she's already an orphan and that no one's there to take care of her. A bit harsh but I think I agree with Subaru's opinion.

In addition, it's quite predictable that there would be a love triangle in Ryo, Yua, and Subaru's setup. But what's not foreseeable is whether Yua and Ryo will divorce in the end because Yua chose Subaru, or Yua will stay with Ryo. And I reckon that is what readers are anticipating in the succeeding volumes to be released in this manga series.

In general, if you like reading the romantic-comedy genre, The Lion and the Bride is a great manga and good for light-reading.

SOTA'S KNIFE Vol. 1 by Kei Honjo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This first volume of Sota's Knife compiles the first 11 chapters of the manga and it is about the 20-year old Sota Kitaoka from Hokkaido who became a kitchen-helper in Tomikyu, a fine dining restaurant in Tokyo. He was hired by Kyu Goro Tomita, one of the top 5 chefs in Tokyo and now he works for six months already in the said restaurant. Sota is eager to learn a lot so he trains alone after the store closed at night. His only dream is to get his family-owned restaurant back on track.

Kei Honjo beautifully illustrated each comic panel because how detailed his drawings are. So far, I consider this as the best-illustrated manga I've seen because I saw how elaborate and how much time Kei Honjo spent in drawing this — there are texture, shadows, and highlights and that shows how skillful he is in his craft. He didn't draw the illustrations hastily because anyone can see the huge effort he did especially in drawing those settings, and of the images of food.

I also learned a lot from how much the Japanese chefs exert a lot in order to prepare each dish — giving the best quality of food to the customers. Sota's humility and passion to learn is admirable also, and the camaraderie in Tomikyu will touch anyone. There are a lot of Japanese manga that turns into either anime or real live film or TV adaptation, and I wonder if there would future plans for this. Hopefully, producers would give this an opportunity but hopefully, Kei Honjo would still be part of the illustrators if it would be an anime adaptation.

Perfect World, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The hardships of being handicapped were also noted in this manga and I like how the love story between Tsugumi and Itsuki was not rush, which might start in the second volume. The story recounts how the main characters were met during their high school years and on how fate pulled them to meet again after several years. If you are just like me who enjoyed and is a fan of Jojo Moyes' best-selling novel, Me Before You, I highly recommend that you should check out this spectacular graphic novel of Rie Aruga.

Moteki, 1: Love Strikes! by Mitsurou Kubo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Moteki is a decade old manga series written by Mitsurou Kubo. It tells the story of Yukiyo Fujimoto who is no-girlfriend since birth and is in his late 20's already. Readers could see how frustrated Yukiyo is about his zero love life and how his life started to transform one day that got him entangled to several ladies.


The first volume is 438-pages but reading this will not bore readers because of how funny and how fast the story progress. If I have the chance to watch either the film adaptation or the TV series of this manga, I will try to check them out and see if they are as good as the manga version. I can't wait for the second volume of this amusing manga and hope that there will be ARC also available.

Again!! Volume 1 by Mitsurou Kubo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've never expected that I would love this first volume of this manga. I was really curious about how come the Kinichiro's high school was reset and I'm happy that I was given the chance to read this quite unexpected marvelous manga series. I hope I stumble to find the second installment because I'm really eager to know what happened.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 1 by CLAMP

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was familiar with Cardcaptor Sakura because it has a TV adaptation that was released in the 90's. I used to watch the said anime when I was a kid but I wasn't able to watch the whole series. This new season in the famous Japanese manga is a treat for fans of the said manga and anime. Although the story and the characters could be a bit childish, it is just some of the reasons why there are a lot of people who like it.

Astra Lost in Space, Vol. 1 by Kenta Shinohara

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't expect that I will like the story of this graphic novel because I found the first several pages a little bit childish for my taste. However, the story became enjoyable to read once Kanata Hoshijima was introduced. I can't wait for the second volume because I already want to know who the culprit is among them.

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice

SYNOPSIS:

Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I confess that I still haven't read the novel Pride and Prejudice, but I've already watched the movie version of it. Just like the other classic books, Pride and Prejudice is quite long to read and I must devote a lot of time to be able to finish it. But thanks to this graphic novel because I felt like that I was able to read the novel through this. Thank you Udon Entertainment for making it possible to published a graphic novel of this classic.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Les Misérables

SYNOPSIS:

Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo's classic novel of love and tragedy set in 19th century France is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition!

Gorgeous and expressive art brigns to life the unforgettable stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the tragic Fantine in this epic adaptation of Les Misérables!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ This is one of the best classic stories I've read so far. and thanks to this graphic novel that I was able to read the entire story of Les Miserables. I watched the movie, and have read the story; and now, I'm looking forward to be able to see in person the musical in the future. I may also add that while reading the part of Eponine's unrequited love, I can't help myself from singing On My Own – my favorite song in the musical – especially on the part where she always see Cosette and Marius together. Just like me, I think a lot of readers would be able to sympathized with her because once or twice in their life, they have experienced Eponine's predicament.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Great Expectations

SYNOPSIS:

Great Expectations has it all: romance, mystery, comedy, and unforgettable characters woven through a gripping rags-to-riches tale. Naive Pip, creepy Miss Haversham, beautifully cold Estella, terrifying Abel Magwitch, and the rest of Dicken’s fantastic cast are perfectly envisioned in this new adaptation in this 300-plus page volume featuring artwork by artist Nokman Poon. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Whenever I visit a bookstore, I always check the classics book corner and the story of Great Expectations always catch my eye. I want to purchase a copy but what's holding me is that aside that it's thick – the size of the font is quite small – which made it hard to read. Thanks to this graphic novel, I've finally read the beautiful and poignant story of this classic.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility

SYNOPSIS:

Impulsive Marianne Dashwood and cautious Elinor are as different as two sisters could be, yet both are shattered by their father's sudden Death. Elinor's attachment to the reserved Edward Ferrars is torn asunder by family opposition and his own dark secret, while Marianne's brilliant romance with the dashing John Willoughby comes to a tumultuous end in a devastating public betrayal. Can the two sisters overcome these trials to find true, lasting happiness?

Jane Austen's beloved first novel, filled with romance, redemption and social critique, is brought to life for a modern audience in this gorgeous manga-style adaptation!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I'm giving this 5 stars not because of the story; but because of how the illustrations done by Po Tse, and on how good Stacy King was able to squeezed into 300 pages the entire tale of this classic story. The story of Sense & Sensibility is a typical romance story, which we could still read on some pocketbook novels nowadays. If I could the story alone, I would only give it 4 stars. I neither like it nor hate it; but I admit that I like some characters in the story especially Elinor and Colonel Brandon. I was even rooting for them but in the end, Austen still paired Colonel Brandon with Marianne.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Scarlet Letter

SYNOPSIS:

A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne's tragic saga of Puritan America. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ How odd that they keep on mentioning the Man in Black and how peculiar Pearl's personality is; not to mention that Chillingworth is really creepy. I still haven't read the novel of Scarlet Letter, and thanks to this graphic novel, I became aware that there's a sect or religion of Puritan that practices purity and simplicity. I gave this 5 stars because while reading the story - particularly the characterization - I was able to guess that there is some kind of magic or witchcraft going on; and I even suspect that Illuminati or the New World Order is involved. Moreover, the bittersweet conclusion to the love story of Arthur and Hester is a little heart-wrenching. Lastly, it also shows us some moral lessons such as no one's perfect, being honest, practice empathy, and always be forgiving.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon: