Easily my worst trait. So, keep that in mind as you read this.
I didn’t need any more convincing to check out Saint Seiya: Dark Wing, it’s already Saint Seiya, it’s going to be great.
As an aging anime nerd, I watched the original DIC dub of Saint Seiya when it came to the United States… about 20 years after the original production concluded. The aesthetic is immediately recognizable as an anime from the mid to late eighties. I found it fascinating to watch as a kid, and I was so surprised that this franchise is actually still going. Maybe not in a regulated production kind of way, but every few years, something new contributing to the universe shows up, like the awful movie adaptation from 2023.
I say this to give the series some context; it is very difficult to summarize this universe because it is so long-lived. The most concise way I can put it is this: the Saints are 5 chosen ones – boys who wear sacred armor that are based on constellations, sworn to defend the earth from being taken over by competing gods.
It’s… a lot. And if you’re also into Greek and Roman mythology… uh, you’ll recognize a lot of names, but this series is not based on any of those stories, it is not a re-telling of those legends; it’s more along the lines of appropriation than anything else. Personally, I enjoy the surrealism of it all.
Set in high school, students’ fates are revealed as chosen ones, sworn enemies, divine figures, and all in the service of the battle of the gods. Our protagonist, Soichiro, goes on a school trip to the Mediterranean, but the ship is attacked and sinks into the sea as he tries to save his crush. But Soichiro is revived as one of the dreaded Judges of the Underworld, under the command of Hades. He is pitted against his twin brother, Sojiro, who is reincarnated as the Gold Saint of Gemini.
Dark Wing consists of 4 volumes in total. It is not-quite-linear, relies on dream logic, and honestly, I appreciate its updated setting of the modern world. The linework is clean and detail-oriented when it is called for—these pages have some very elaborate backgrounds when the backgrounds actually show up. It is delightfully nostalgic to look at; fans of the old Gundam Wing manga will recognize these 90s pattern and texture overlays. And maybe the best part of it all is the re-working of popular 80s design elements into a more modern aesthetic (those feathered up-do’s, I mean…).
I do want to be clear: I loved this next installment of the series, but I am fairly certain that a newcomer to this franchise is not going to know what’s going on if this is the first Saint Seiya book they pick up. It’s a good read if you’re willing to just let the story happen, wash over you as the reader. The mythic themes of destiny and fate and rising to challenges never get old for me.
It pains me to say it, but I don’t think this spin-off makes for a great addition to your library collection. If you can link it to some of the more foundational works in the franchise, I think that would be best. But, on its own, even with all four volumes, I’m not sure this is the way to go.
Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol. 1 By Masami Kurumada and Kenji Saito Art by Shinshu Ueda Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787747180
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Amu Hinamora sometimes feels like an anxious mess, but seen from the outside, she’s popular and cool. It helps that she’s one of the Guardians: rare kids who have tiny magical companions called Guardian Characters, which grant special powers. In fact, where most Guardians have a single Guardian Character each, Amu has four. Perhaps it’s no surprise that she is chosen for a special mission: unraveling a mystery at a prestigious but strange middle school called Arcana Academy.
In the world of Shugo Chara!, every child has an egg in their heart that represents an ideal version of themselves that they want to be. Most children never discover their eggs, but some rare eggs hatch into tiny chibi people called Guardian Characters. Guardian Characters mostly hang around offering commentary, but they can also help their Guardians transform into powered-up versions of themselves.
Arcana Academy has a problem: students are losing confidence in themselves, which can turn their eggs into X Eggs. These hatch into not heroic and helpful Guardian Characters but mischievous and dangerous X Characters. As a Guardian, Amu specializes in restoring X Eggs. That’s her main mission at Arcana Academy, but she also has a secret assignment: to learn about the Academy’s powerful treasures, the Arcana Jewels.
This is a cute adventure with lots of humor. Amu is an entertaining protagonist: since readers can see her thought bubbles, we know when, beneath her Cool Girl exterior, she’s confused or panicking or paying less attention to her mission than to her crush’s cute school uniform. Her four Guardian Characters can also see her thoughts, and they have lots to say about them, which is often funny.
Guardian Characters are a fun element: each one represents an aspirational version of their Guardian, often in an over-the-top way. For instance, Amu’s crush has a princely, chivalrous personality; his Guardian Character is an actual king who gives him the ability to transform into a monarch in full regalia and use a defensive power called Holy Crown. Amu’s four Guardian Characters have personas ranging from artistic to athletic, and enable her to transform into four different superpowered versions of herself.
The supporting cast adds to the fun. There’s Amu’s crush, whose sweet personality contrasts humorously with his tyrannical Guardian Character. Another Arcana student, Niya, is a video streamer with a pair of cat ears (thanks to his Guardian Character being an anthropomorphic cat), lots of silly energy, and a crush on Amu. Amu’s new roommate is so shy and quiet that for awhile Amu doesn’t realize there is another person in her room at all.
The Guardians’ transformations and magical powers have major magical girl vibes, complete with elaborate outfits. The art throughout the manga is rich with detail, from the gothic architecture of Arcana Academy to the flowers, stars, bubbles, and sparkles sprinkled through the backgrounds. Playing card suits are a major theme: Arcana Academy’s four dorms are Heart Tower, Diamond Tower, Spade Tower, and Clover Tower, and are decorated with the corresponding symbols (“clover” being clubs). The four suits also appear on Amu’s four Guardian Characters and seem to be connected to the Arcana Jewels.
At the end of this volume is a collection of translation notes to clarify elements of the story that are otherwise hard to translate. For instance, the headmaster of Arcana Academy uses a Japanese counting word that implies that Guardian Characters are objects, while everyone else counts them using the word that is used for people. The notes offer a fascinating glimpse into the differences between Japanese and English and the ways translators try to bridge them.
There is a brief introduction to the main cast and the concept of Guardian Characters at the beginning of the book—a helpful reference, especially for readers new to Shugo Chara! With a new setting and largely new cast, this volume can stand alone or serve as an entry point to the series, though new readers may get a sense they are missing a little bit of context. Still, the story holds up well on its own as a light, fun magical-girl-style adventure.
Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker By Peach-Pit Kodansha, 2026 ISBN: 9798888777107
Baki Hanma has just upset the annual karate championship and sent shockwaves through the world of martial arts. This wide-eyed, 17 year old white belt newbie shouldn’t have been able to face off against more seasoned fighters, yet somehow he toppled them all to win first place. What’s going on with this kid?
Originally serialized for the magazine Weekly Shonen Champion in 1991, Baki the Grappler is among the best selling manga in Japan, however the still-ongoing manga has never been officially translated for English readers until now. A Netflix anime adaptation was released in 2020, but that series covers a later arc in the overall story. This is truly the first time the earliest part of Baki’s tale has been readily available to English speaking fans.
Coming fresh to the series, I expected this to be a one dimensional story about fighting and relentlessly beating opponents, and at first at first glance, that seemed true. Baki initially appears to just be an oblivious wunderkind with a lucky streak and a heart of gold. When asked directly, he can’t quite articulate his training goals, other than to say he’d like to become the strongest man on the planet. But there are hints that there’s more beneath the surface. Readers see him meticulously mark off photos of defeated opponents. His typically kind demeanor cools significantly when dealing with bullies, and betrays a cold and calculating side. There are also mysterious scars all over his body that strangely allow him to withstand even the most intense punches. He may even have ties to dangerous underground fighting rings. Clearly there’s much more going on with this seemingly happy-go-lucky kid. You don’t get all the answers in this volume, but I immediately wanted to crack open the second volume to see what makes Baki tick.
Almost every page is filled with action and the art is crisp and easy to follow. The manga style in this volume is a bit dated with rounder and softer lines than more recent iterations of the character, but it contributes to the classic feel of this manga. In terms of theme I’m reminded of other popular manga and anime series of the 1980s and 90s, such as Naruto and Dragon Ball, with their stories of (mostly) young men pushing themselves to be the strongest fighters in their community. There are no magical powers or fantastical elements for Baki, even if everyone’s muscles bulge just as unrealistically as Goku and Vegeta’s. Machismo practically drips off each page.
Other than the fighting that occurs in almost every panel, there are only a few content warnings. Some of the fighting turns more violent, with visibly broken bones and blood. There is a panel with teenage nudity and somewhat crude mentions of male anatomy. There is one awkward scene between 17 year old Baki and his attractive older landlady, where she is a little too eager to put her hands on him and he is visibly uncomfortable. The landlady and her teenage daughter are the only women in the first volume, and both are in supporting roles to the men.
The publisher rates this volume for older teens and I agree that’s probably where it fits best in a library collection. Adult readers might also enjoy it, and I could see it ticking the nostalgia box for fans of 80s and 90s manga and anime. While definitely aimed at a male audience, any reader that enjoys stories of perseverance, athleticism, and martial arts should give Baki the Grappler a try.
Baki the Grappler By Keisuke Itagaki Kodama Tales, Inc., 2024 ISBN: 9781966523000
Company Age Rating: Older Teen
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Japanese,
A cryptic mystery ensconced in a fairy tale fantasy world permeates Keiichi Hara’s (Colorful, Miss Hokusai) anime adaptation of Mizuki Tsujimura’s Lonely Castle in the Mirror, an enchanting tale about the ties of friendship that bind us together. A story centered on a group of outcast middle grade adolescents who, for various reasons, avoid going to school, find connection with each other in a fantastic world where they band together to unravel a mystery while discovering that they share more in common than they realize.
The story begins when Kokoro wakes up one morning with stomach pains that prevent her from attending school. She has been confined to her home for several weeks now after a bullying incident at school instigated by a gang of mean-spirited girls. The mirror in her bedroom emits a sparkling glow on this morning, casting a light that turns into a magical portal. Upon stepping through the mirror, she beholds a castle straight out of a fairy tale perched on a cliff surrounded by the sea. She is greeted by a young girl wearing a wolf mask who assigns a single task: Kokoro, along with six other students who have somehow also transported to this world, must find a secret room containing a key that will grant its finder a wish, but there is one caveat: This task must be completed by spring time, and they must leave the castle by five o’clock each day or else face a ferocious wolf that prowls about, stalking its prey with a voracious appetite.
Segmented into a series of months, each scenario unpacks the inner stories of each student: Timid Kokoro suffered from bullying classmates at school; headstrong Aki experienced molestation from her father; Masamune the gamer was taunted for his habitual lying; pushover Ureshino was teased for his failed attempts to win affection from girls, and so forth. Despite their imperfections however, these students learn to accept each other and their flaws. What shines are their back stories as they crystalize and sharpen into focus, highlighting deeper secrets that reveal they have more in common than they initially realized. But what unites them all and why can they not find each other in the real world? In this blend between fantasy and reality, the architectural aesthetics of the castle rooms contrast in tone and style with the tawdry mundaneness of their everyday lives, poignant moments unravel through unspoken silences, and an uplifting musical soundtrack reinforces the narrative action, propelling the story to its triumphant climax.
At the heart of Lonely Castle in the Mirror, themes of bullying, acceptance, isolation, trust, and friendship interlock like shifting pieces of a complex yet beautifully rendered mosaic, bridging the disparate lives of each character across time and space. A refuge for the harsh toils of school and life itself, this anime combines elements of magical whimsy, mystery, and fantasy that will appeal to middle grade viewers, illuminating the astonishing connections we hold and cherish within each other.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror Directed by Keiichi Hara GKIDS Films/Shout! Factory, 2023 Run time: 116 minutes minutes Stream this series
NFNT Age Recommendation: Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Many young people know what they want to do with their lives from the very beginning. Ema Asano is one such person. Most of her classmates are focused on fashion and dating. But Ema cannot be bothered with such things. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her parents, who were both police officers before their deaths defending their community. Until such time as she can become a real cop, Ema roams the streets of Tokyo as a vigilante.
Ema’s diligence leads her into the bad part of town one night after her older sister, Yuko, goes missing. To her horror, she discovers that Yuko was lured there by one of her co-workers, Tamaki, who is a vampire in need of a meal. Ema is ready to call the authorities, but is stopped by another of Yuko’s co-workers, Taiga, who also a werewolf.
That encounter marks the night when Ema’s vigil becomes something else entirely. For there are monsters in the shadows besides vampires and werewolves. And Tamaki and Taiga, despite nominally being on opposite sides of an eternal war, find they have more in common with each other than their own kind. Thus forms an unusual team, as the trio work to put down those monsters who cannot control their urges to kill.
On the surface, there is little to distinguish Outsiders from other urban fantasy series. Indeed, creator Akira Kanou freely admits to having been inspired by the Twilight Saga. And there certainly are innumerable horror series built around the idea of a rivalry between werewolves and vampires. Despite this, Outsiders puts enough unique spins on its mythology to mark it as unique. It also boasts some twisted artwork with a far lighter and sketchier style than one would associate with a horror shojo.
Outsiders defies expectations in other ways as well. Usually, a novel of this sort would inevitably feature a love triangle between the teen heroine and the two dashing older men who barely look older than her. There is no such romance in Outsiders. While Ema does show some casual interest in wondering what dating a vampire or a werewolf would be like, her feelings are not reciprocated by Tamaki or Taiga. In fact, most of the romance in this first volume involves subtle hints of a growing attraction between the vampire and werewolf. All these twists help to make Outsiders into something unique that may appeal to fans of the genre looking for something different.
Outsiders Vol. 1 is rated 12+ by Titan Manga. I consider that to be a fair grade for the content. There is a fair bit of violence and bloodshed, but nothing inappropriate to a T-rated Manga. As noted, there is no sexual content or nudity. Indeed, there is barely any hit of romance and most of that confined to meaningful glances between the two male leads that the heroine presumes mean something more. The closest any of the characters come to impropriety is Tamaki undressing and dressing an unconscious Ema in clean clothes after her own clothing is torn while trying to save her sister. Even then, he is a perfect gentleman, and explains he only did this because he couldn’t well let Ema (who is immune to his hypnosis powers for some reason) run off into the night in a bedraggled state.
Outsiders Vol. 1 By Akira Kanou Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787745711
Company Age Rating: 12+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Horror manga, like most horror subgenres, is a surprisingly deep and disturbing rabbit hole. A reader might read Junji Ito’s Uzumakior Ishida Sui’s Tokyo Ghoul series and then discover multiple authors, along with those authors’ twisted imaginations, who populate this genre. Indeed, one particular joy for a horror-loving librarian is being able to recommend a terrifying book based on the readers’ interests. For those librarians with patrons who are fans of manga and horror, they can suggest the stories lying in wait in Shintaro Kago’s collection Brain Damage.
Kago is no stranger to disturbing readers, having penned works like Dementia 21, and the four stories here, propelled by Shintaro Kago’s singular vision, will burrow their way through the readers’ skin and into their brains. Follow four identical women wake up in a strange room and try to discover why someone’s hunting them. Meet a woman who devotes her life to helping the living dead move on. See a family fights to be remembered to keep from literally disappearing from existence. Discover how used cars carry the deaths of their owners with them.
While this book doesn’t have a wraparound story that ties all these tales together, the stories individually stand on their own and savagely shock readers by way of brutal twists.Those familiar with horror manga from creators like Ito and Sui should find familiar ground as reality unspools around these characters like cheaply woven thread. But in this realm, Kago’s satirical stories and pitch black humor raise societal, ethical, and existential questions, whether it’s questioning the ethical care reserved for flesheaters or the moral quandaries involved in stopping a horde of hungry automobiles. In this way, Kago’s fiction hearkens back to anthology pioneers like Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone, who revealed real-world issues to readers through the lens of the fantastic.
Fans of manga might be familiar with how many books use black and white images to tell their stories, which can seem an odd choice for a graphic novel, particularly among horror graphic novel fans used to seeing red ink all over the page. However, Kago’s decision to use black and white should not be viewed as restraint or self-censorship. This book does indeed have bodies being turned inside out and twisted in all sorts of directions (with black ink substituting for blood). Some of the more disturbing images in this book require no blood; there’s something disconcerting about seeing a hole with no ragged edges or blood spurting simply appearing in a person’s head or torso.
Brain Damage could serve, for many readers of horror graphic novels, as a bridge between manga and story collections and vice versa. For librarians in charge of adult collections looking for content to satiate your gorehounds and manga fans, this book could offer another author for your patrons to digest after they have devoured all of Ito and other manga horror authors in your collection.
Brain Damage By Shintaro Kago Fantagraphics, 2025 ISBN: 9798875000935
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman, Vol. 1: My Hotshot Disciples Are All Grown Up Now, and They Won’t Leave Me Alone may be long winded, but as a title it actually does a great job telling you everything about this book.
While there is certainly more nuance inside the storytelling, the title gives you 80 percent of the book up front. Beryl took over the teaching duties at his father’s dojo out in the country, only to then be badgered about giving him grandkids. After years of training students, one of them comes to bring him out of the country and into the capital to train knights. The only problem is Beryl has no self-confidence and believes that he really is only good enough to train people in sword self defense in a backwoods dojo. To his surprise he learns many of his disciples have become the most powerful knights in the kingdom.
Former disciple Allusia has become commander of the Liberion Order, overseeing the kingdom’s most elite knights. She still carries the sword he gave her when she graduated, and she still carries a torch for him in her heart. Unknown to Beryl she swore long ago to bring him into the light so he would get the credit he was due as the greatest swordsman alive. She rose higher and higher in the ranks until she was able to secure a position for master Beryl as Special Instructor to the Liberion Order. Knowing he wouldn’t accept it as an offer, she constructed a plan to have him specially appointed by Imperial Order so he can’t refuse.
While Beryl might feel like an imposter, he still has a sense of duty and complies. When he arrives at the capital, feeling quite overwhelmed by the size and scope of the city, he is awed by the size of the fighting force and their capabilities. They soon run into another former disciple, Serena, who is a member of the Black Adventurers Guild and also incredibly powerful. Serena and Allusia are rivals and both want Beryl’s attention. At this point we get the first real indication of Beryl’s abilities and throughout the rest of the book there will be moments where the audience learns that his reputation is earned. He’s fast, instinctual and strong. Beryl earns the respect of the city knights and seems to be settling into the idea that he could do some good here. The book closes by introducing a mysterious magic user who is interested in Beryl and may or may not have ties to him as well.
The art in this story is really enjoyable and a highlight of the book. The characters are all distinct and easy to identify. The world is clear and detailed, without any panel ever feeling too busy or muddy. There are hallmarks of fantasy storytelling in the layout of the world, like the characters’ dress and the buildings, but it doesn’t feel like a retread of other story locations. The place and people all feel intentional and distinct, which helps keep the reader invested and intrigued.
Yen Press has this book rated ages 13 and up, which feels about right. There isn’t anything overtly objectionable in this book for younger readers, but they likely wouldn’t keep up with the pace or context. This volume contains only sword fighting as dueling, violence wise, but I imagine that expands in future volumes as the world and conflict around them grows. There are currently two more volumes slated for English translation, so more of this series will be available soon.
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Vol. One By Shigeru Sagazaki, and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima Art by Kazuki Sato Yen Press, 2024 ISBN: 9798855401899
Company Age Rating: Teen
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese,
High in the mountains of Japan, the Tengu still roam free. These monstrous demons prey upon those who travel too far from civilization, feasting upon them. The more humans a Tengu consumes, the larger and smarter they become. Some legends say a Tengu who eats enough humans might become one. Others say that those who are bitten by a Tengu and survive might become one themselves!
21-year-old Mamoru Yamaemori has devoted his life to fighting the Tengu near the Yamae Shrine, like his father before him. He was given no choice in this, being kept out of school and savagely trained in the duties of a Guardian. Mamoru never questioned this, not even after his parents died when he was 12, leaving him to raise his two brothers by himself. The people of the nearby village leave them alone, for the most part, believing the Yamaemori line to be cursed, due to them all dying young, violent deaths. The local authorities know the truth and are thankful for Mamoru’s help, but most are ignorant of the threat Tengu pose in modern times.
Mamoru’s only comfort is that his actions have given his brothers the chance to live normal lives. 17-year-old Kei is a genius and a master chef, holding top marks in all subjects at his school. 15-year-old Yu is a popular athlete, whose football team is heading to the national finals. They have offered to help Mamoru with his duties, but he refuses to allow them to join his vigil. At least, until the night when Yu is attacked by a Tengu and Mamoru nearly killed as the beast devoured him.
Since that night, Mamoru has begun transforming into a Tengu. Under the guidance of an elder Guardian, Kei and Yu begin their training as Guardians themselves. It is their hope that they may cleanse the mountains of Tengu before their brother changes completely or maybe find some way to reverse his transformation. Unfortunately, the urges to attack those he loves most are growing stronger, and another nearby Guardian is ready to kill Mamoru himself at the first sign that he has crossed over completely.
Three Exorcism Siblings is an interesting take on the old warning that one should not battle monsters, lest they become one themselves. Unfortunately, this idea has been done before and done better in other supernatural shonen. While Mamoru’s plight is gripping and the drama around it well-played, the rest of the cast are strictly stock characters.
The artwork of Three Exorcism Siblings is a bigger issue. Shinta Harekawa’s style becomes muddy to the point of being incomprehensible during the fights with the Tengu. Given that this is an action manga centered around fighting Tengu, that is something of a problem.
Titan Manga rates this volume for readers 15 and up. I believe that to be a fair assessment. There is no sexual content or nudity. Indeed, there are barely any female characters apart from a few nameless classmates of the younger brothers, one delivery girl, and a young woman Mamoru saves in the opening action sequence. There is considerable bloodshed, however, but none of it is all that interesting. All in all, while this might appeal to fans of Tokyo Ghoul and Attack on Titan, there is nothing to make it essential reading for a library manga collection.
Three Exorcism Siblings, Vol. 1 By Shinta Harekawa Titan, 2024 ISBN: 9781787741379
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
The seven children of the wealthy Shiunji family are the talk of their town. Numbering five girls and two boys, with two sets of twins in the middle, they are unmistakable when they go out. All the Shiunji siblings are good-looking and gifted, with the majority of them being talented scholar athletes. The girls all have their own fan clubs and students from other schools travel out of their way to watch them from afar.
All of this is an annoyance to Arata, the oldest of the two Shiunji boys. While many boys are jealous of him for being surrounded by such grace and beauty, the reality of living with five girls your own age is a far cry from the sister fetish stories other boys obsess over. His older sisters bully him. His younger sisters tease him. And worst of all is his twin, Ouka. Given that, and his fears of introducing his crush into the mix, it is no wonder the 16-year-old Arata has never had a girlfriend, despite being the most eligible young man at their school.
That changes on the night of the youngest Shiunji sibling, quiet Kotono, turning 15. It is then that their father confesses to a secret that he kept hidden from his children all their lives. Namely, that all of them are adopted and that apart from the younger set of twins, Minami and Sion, none of them are blood relatives.
This changes nothing for Arata, who is determined to protect the girls as a big brother should. Unfortunately, the girls he thinks of as his sisters all start showing signs that they might be viewing him in a different light. Even Ouka!
In the afterword of The Shiunji Family Children Vol. 1, creator Reiji Miyajima says they were inspired to write a story about sibling relationships because they had no chance to do so in their earlier series, Rent-A-Girlfriend. Because Siblings can be your best friends and your worst enemies. It is a fascinating dichotomy which they wanted to explore.
Your enjoyment of The Shiunji Family Children will likely depend upon how much you enjoy that dichotomy and harem manga. Because make no mistake, that is what The Shiunji Family Children is, despite Arata’s frequent protests that his life is NOT a light novel. Even as his youngest sister hugs him while naked, his second oldest sister mounts him in her bed clothes, his second youngest sister calls him sempai, and his older sister jokes about having a date with him.
Reiji Miyajima’s artwork remains excellent, however, with each of the siblings having a distinctive appearance. They also have unique personalities, moving beyond the usual stereotypes of “smart science girl” and “sporty tomboy” as the first issue goes on. This helps distinguish the book from other harem manga that are only concerned with the sexy bits.
On that note, Yen Press has rated The Shiunji Family Children as OT for Older Teens, 16 and up. I consider that a fair assessment. There is full nudity from the side of the 15-year-old Kotono and a lot of discussion of sexual content. There is no actual sex, however, but given the subject matter this book is rightly aimed at older audiences who can appreciate the emotional issues involved. Amazingly, these issues are treated seriously even as most of the comedy is born of Arata’s discomfort with the conflicting feelings that he and his sisters are dealing with.
The Shiunji Family Children, Vol. 1 By Reiji Miyajima Yen Press, 2023 ISBN: 9781975371418
Company Age Rating: OT
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Miyuu Seno had dreams of becoming an artist. Those dreams were shattered when her application to art school was rejected. With no other plan for her life after high school, she submitted to her mother’s plan for a safe and secure life.
Five years later, Miyuu is completely miserable. She’s working the safe office job her mother always dreamed of, wearing the clothes and makeup her mother picks out, and trying to attract the handsome young accountant her mother pegged as prime husband material. Ironically, that plan goes south when Miyuu gets him alone and he says that he likes her… because she is “a pale, pitiful imitation.”
Incensed and outraged, Miyuu leaves her mother’s house with nothing but the clothes on her back and a blank canvas—the last one she had from her teenage years. Now, homeless but hopeful, Miyuu hopes to make her dreams come true at last, becoming a real artist, getting accepted to art school, and finding a boyfriend who appreciates her true self.
The Essence of Being a Muse is a perfect opening to what promises to be a wonderful slice-of-life series. Aya Fumino does a fantastic job of establishing the setting. More importantly, she firmly sets Miyuu up as a protagonist we want to root for and see succeed.
Miyuu is immediately sympathetic, trying her best to succeed at being a dutiful daughter and competent office worker. When she seemingly fails at that, she questions everything in her life and concludes that she’d rather fail being happy and authentic than endure another day aspiring to mediocrity. Granting that this is standard RomCom fodder, Fumino largely avoids the usual tropes… at least until the last chapter.
It is here that the narrative shifts to Kairi Nabeshima, the accountant whose harsh words inspired Miyuu to abandon her life. We see the earlier scenes play out from his perspective and learn of his own shattered dreams of becoming a male model. Far from being sympathetic, however, he views Miyuu as being like him—a wannabe who never will be, which makes him like her.
In a lesser series, this would set up an immediate romantic subplot. Instead, Kairi’s half-hearted efforts to ask Miyuu out after she starts to find success in her new life are rightly shot down. This is a welcome change from the romance manga where the heroine can’t move on from her old flame and starts to see something decent in him.
The artwork is of similarly high quality to the scripting. For the most part, Aya Fumino’s art fits the standard Shojo aesthetic. There are novel touches, however, such as the perspective and pencils becoming jittery whenever Miyuu is upset. This is most apparent during the fight with her mother but comes up for a few panels later when she is trying to sketch something for the first time in years and starts crying. It is almost as if Miyuu is drawing the comic herself but cannot steady her hand or see clearly through her tears.
This volume is rated T for Teen, meaning audiences 13 and up only. I believe that to be a fair rating. There is no violence or bloodshed, beyond some vivid shouting matches and Miyuu cutting her feet after leaving her home barefoot. There is no nudity, though Miyuu does go home with Kairi and he opens her blouse before she tells him she seriously just wanted to talk before their all too honest conversation. All in all, there is nothing inappropriate for a teenage audience, who will benefit from the book’s themes of following your dreams, being true to yourself, and not entering into a relationship just to be with someone.
The Essence of Being a Muse, Vol. 1 By Aya Fumino Yen Press, 2023 ISBN: 9781975360979
Company Age Rating: T Related media:
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Guardians: rare kids who have tiny magical companions called Guardian Characters, which grant special powers. In fact, where most Guardians have a single Guardian Character each, Amu has four. Perhaps it’s no surprise that she is chosen for a special mission: unraveling a mystery at a prestigious but strange middle school called Arcana Academy.
Baki Hanma has just upset the annual karate championship and sent shockwaves through the world of martial arts. This wide-eyed, 17 year old white belt newbie shouldn’t have been able to face off against more seasoned fighters, yet somehow he toppled them all to win first place. What’s going on with this kid?
Tsujimura’s Lonely Castle in the Mirror, an enchanting tale about the ties of friendship that bind us together. A story centered on a group of outcast middle grade adolescents who, for various reasons, avoid going to school, find connection with each other in a fantastic world where they band together to unravel a mystery while discovering that they share more in common than they realize.
classmates are focused on fashion and dating. But Ema cannot be bothered with such things. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her parents, who were both police officers before their deaths defending their community. Until such time as she can become a real cop, Ema roams the streets of Tokyo as a vigilante.
Alone may be long winded, but as a title it actually does a great job telling you everything about this book.
civilization, feasting upon them. The more humans a Tengu consumes, the larger and smarter they become. Some legends say a Tengu who eats enough humans might become one. Others say that those who are bitten by a Tengu and survive might become one themselves!
the middle, they are unmistakable when they go out. All the Shiunji siblings are good-looking and gifted, with the majority of them being talented scholar athletes. The girls all have their own fan clubs and students from other schools travel out of their way to watch them from afar.
other plan for her life after high school, she submitted to her mother’s plan for a safe and secure life.
