Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40 by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps the spirits of the dead move on to the afterlife. But he is partially human, so his powers are relatively weak and he often has to resort to special devices that cost money. Between that and… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40

Manga Review: Marionette Generation Vol. 1 & 2

Manga Review: Marionette Generation Vol. 1 & 2 by Haruhiko Mikimoto Each generation of anime fans has that one show that created a new flood of fandom. For my generation, it was Robotech, and in particular the first section, better known in Japan as Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The character designer for Macross was Haruhiko… Continue reading Manga Review: Marionette Generation Vol. 1 & 2

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The Bennet family is somewhat well off at their small estate of Longbourn–for now. But since the estate can only be inherited in the male line, and the family has five daughters with no sons, if Mr. Bennet kicks the bucket, the rest of the family will… Continue reading Book Review: Pride and Prejudice

Manga Review: Fly Me to the Moon #1

Manga Review: Fly Me to the Moon #1 by Kenjiro Hata The Yuzakis named their son Nasa (“Starry Sky”) in hope of giving him a bright future. The constant teasing about it he got in his childhood gave Nasa the determination to excel in mind and body so that he could achieve greatness to the… Continue reading Manga Review: Fly Me to the Moon #1

Movie Review: Mamma Mia! The Movie

Bachelor party chorus line

Movie Review: Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008) directed by Phyllida Lloyd Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) has long wondered who her father was. Her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has always been evasive on the question, having made a life for herself running a tourist villa on the small Greek island they call home. But while Sophie is preparing… Continue reading Movie Review: Mamma Mia! The Movie

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03 by Akiko Higashimura Quick recap: The all-women apartment building Amamizu-kan, home to jellyfish-obsessed artist Tsukimi and her nerdy friends, is threatened by gentrification. They have a champion in the person of Kuranosuke, a prominent politician’s black sheep son who likes to dress in women’s clothing (and looks really good doing… Continue reading Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Urusei Yatsura Vol. 1

Manga Review: Urusei Yatsura Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi Have you ever had a day when a pint-sized Buddhist monk looks you in the face and tells you you have terrible luck? Ataru Moroboshi has. Repeatedly. While he’s had poor luck all his life, the young lecher’s problems really kicked into high gear when aliens… Continue reading Manga Review: Urusei Yatsura Vol. 1

Manga Review: Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun 1

Manga Review: Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun 1 by Izumi Tsubaki Confessing your love to your high-school crush is always a nerve-wracking experience. It’s possible that your beloved returns your affections, but more likely you will receive a flat “not interested”, or “buzz off” or perhaps she will laugh in your face and tell you you are… Continue reading Manga Review: Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun 1

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02 by Akiko Higashimura Quick recap:  Amamizu-kan is a women-only apartment building inhabited by the Amars, a group of socially awkward women who fear socially-skilled people, who they call “the stylish.”  Jellyfish-obsessed artist Tsukimi accidentally befriends the “princess” Kuranosuke, who turns out to be a young man with a penchant… Continue reading Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish Volume 02

Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2

Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2 by Kenjiro Hata Nagi Sanzenin, for all her wealth, is a lonely 13-year-old girl who must constantly be on guard against those who would harm her to gain some of her money, even her own relatives.   On Christmas Eve, Nagi is saved from kidnappers by an outstandingly athletic… Continue reading Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2