Cocoon Entwined volume 4 (manga review)

It takes freaking forever between releases of "Cocoon Entwined" volumes. Volume 4 finally came out and I have to admit, just like with each prior volume, I could not remember almost anything of what happened before. Add to that that the overall writing style is so oblique and obfuscated that it is nearly impossible to know what's really going on. That's also not helped by art that is quite variable in quality from panel to panel and that has trouble distinguishing certain characters (I must note that I clinically struggle with remembering faces, so this is double tough for me).

All that sounds like a resounding dislike of this series, which is actually not true at all. I am fascinated by it because it is quite a dark take on the "class s" sub-genre of yuri. Long-story short, there is an all-girls school where the girls never cut their hair, and as they graduate it is cut and then turned into the uniforms for the incoming students (creepy!). Mix that with a troubled and mysterious girl who Hana is in love with, and the more typical moral-center/shoujo-herioine/average girl Youko who is in love with Hana, and we have the recipe for an interesting yuri. 

The biggest thing is I can't keep track of the other character's stories. The art is also so ambiguous (or poorly drawn?) at times that I can't tell exactly what is going on (was that a kiss on the neck or did we just introduce vampires? I think it was just a kiss). However, despite the inconsistency with anatomy and indistinctness of some panels, the overall art is unique and sometimes really arresting.

The story itself though, while having great promise on the surface, has taken so long to move forward (or maybe not because it's only 4 volumes - it's just taken forever for them to come out that maybe it feels slow) that it doesn't have the momentum I would like. We also don't have much actual depth on the characters. They pretty much exist in the here and now, and when we do get their inner voices, they are so abstractly written as to not reveal much. It's hard to have real sympathies and connectedness with the way the characters are handled. From the art, to the writing, to the overall creepy vibes, the series feels like it's holding us at arms length. It's not really letting us into their hearts. 

As for volume 4, why we are here, there are long portions without Hana or Youko that are unclear to me as to what is actually going on. But the portions with Hana and Youko are definitely the best, and most grounded, parts of the volume. Just like the prior volumes, the art is inconsistent. I mentioned before that the anatomy is often wildly wrong with awkwardness or musculature/structural issues that show a lack of advanced draftsmanship (draft-person-ship?). That takes me out of the story a bit. However, giving credit where credit is due, at least it's daring art. Lots of black, lots of contrast, lots of textures and movement and flow. At least it's not boring (see my prior review of the art in "If I Could Reach You" volume 6).

I'm going to keep reading it, and honestly, when it's all done, I will re-read it all to see if it improves without the loooooooong wait time between volumes. I bet it will. 

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Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

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If I Could Reach You Volume 6 (Manga Review)

There has been so much time between volumes of "If I Could Reach You" but I was glad to get this next one. What made me most excited was that this volume focused almost exclusively on Kaoru's present, past, inner-life, etc... It fleshed her out in a way that is likely to create greater plausibility and acceptability for what will come next in the series. But I am jumping ahead.

"If I Could Reach You" is a story about Uta, a high-school girl whose older brother dated and now married a woman named Kaoru. They dated all through high-school and she was like an older sister to Uta. But Uta comes to realize that her feelings for Kaoru aren't sisterly, they are romantic love. As the series has gone through it's first five volumes, it because clear to Uta that she can't keep living with her brother and Kaoru any longer (I can't remember where the parents are - like most shoujo manga they are either overseas working or dead, doesn't really matter for this purpose though). By the end of Volume 5, Uta has moved out into a small student apartment to be away from Kaoru and reclaim her life.

And that is why volume 6 is so refreshing. We actually get to learn about Kaoru. No longer is she just the stock character our main character has feelings for, but she has an inner life, she has complexities, and there are plenty of hints dropped that reveal more substance (and thus more potential) that maybe something could actually happen between her and Uta. I don't want to give spoilers, but it was refreshing for a series like this to actually flesh out the love interest.

That being said, here is my normal disclaimer that I am opposed to adults dating high-schoolers and I have no idea if this series will ever bring that relationship to consummation in any way, or if this will be more the melancholy longing and ultimate growing up and growing apart (which was done so masterfully in series like After the Rain). So I'm sticking with this series so far because it hasn't crossed any lines or made any overtly icky situations. That said, these things can turn on a dime, so just be aware that it's about a high school student with feelings for an adult. Let's hope the adults act like adults.

However, I can't deny that one of the things I love in manga (and god, I can't believe I'm admitting this publicly), is the step-siblings who fall in love with each other (see Citrus or Love Me Love Me Not or literally like half of all shoujo). And so while not step-siblings here (actually siblings-in-law), there is that forbidden love thing here too (I just wish it wasn't child/adult, but as I said, so far it's just feelings in Uta's head, which isn't necessarily abnormal for a high-schooler to have a crush on someone a bit older, I guess).

The art continues to be okay. It's in that slightly comic-booky/modern shoujo manga lightness that is only okay to me, but in no way memorable. If you've been reading this blog, you know I love 90's and early 2000's shoujo manga with the super disproportionately long limbs, sharp angles, and lots and lots of screentones. This has none of that. It's fine, but it's just not anything special. Even among contemporary manga, it's nothing like the art of Io Sakisaka who blends the best of contemporary figure proportions with exceptional draftsmanship, detail, and yes...screentones! tMnR, the mangaka behind this, is competent as an artist, just not memorable. Compare:

See the dynamic blacks, and long angular lines in Clamp's work, and the complex screen tones, and rich textures in Io Sakisaka's work, then look at the simplicity in "If I Could Reach You" by tMnR. You're mileage may vary as to your preferred style. (Right click and open to view larger)

Anyway, volume 6 is one of the better ones in the series because it fleshes out Kaoru's character. We do lose some momentum, but I think that is worth it for having a more fully realized person, not just a stock love interest. We also get hints that this series could resolve any number of ways, which makes me want to keep reading. The art is just average for modern shoujo/yuri manga, which is to say, nothing special at all, sort of perfunctory. But the writing is a bit above average and I'm interested to see where it goes and how it handles the complexity. So I'll keep reading and let you know what I think.

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Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

All comments are moderated by a real person who only checks them once a day. Therefore, comments may take a while before they show up. Thanks for understanding. It's how we keep this a community of lovingkindness.

Bloom into You Anthology Volume 2 (Manga Review)

Bloom Into You was one of those manga series that got better each time I've reread it (finding more nuance) and each time I've rewatched the anime (which only covers about 1/2 the story, but still ends in a satisfying place, FYI). So of course I bought the first anthology volume which was a collection of short side-stories written and drawn by colleagues of the original creator, Nakatani Nio. It was light fluff. Doesn't mean it was bad, but basically, it was a way to get just a little more time with our two main characters. So, knowing full well what volume 2 of the anthology would be like, I happily purchased it.

Bloom Into You anthology volume 2 is more of the same, 13 more very short short side stories with our favorite characters. One nice touch is a side story by Nakatani Nio herself. As a collection, anthology volume 2 is mixed, which was no surprise. Some of the mangaka really seemed to try to emulate Nio-sensei's style (or just naturally had styles close to hers) while others reinterpreted the characters in their own style, while still having enough in common to be recognizable. Sometimes the different art styles works (it was fun to see Canno) but sometimes it doesn't (see SheepD). 

The stories themselves are mostly insubstantial. A few of them, however, feel like they didn't quite get the essence of the original character's personalities. Other stories seem pretty on-the-nose. There is at least some romance, although most of this is just light humor. We get a little bit of a glimpse into some side characters. But on the whole, nothing is really added, which makes sense as this is probably considered non-cannon, but at the same time, there is nothing in it that really is significant enough to disturb the cannon either.

Hard to say much more. Did you really like Bloom into You? Do you want more time with those characters? Do you not mind if it's a bit uneven and insubstantial? Then you've probably already bought this volume. If you were just a casual reader of Bloom Into You, then just know this is fun fluff and nothing more. I wasn't disappointed because I knew exactly what it would be, and I DID just want more time with Yuu and Touko. 

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Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

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Final volume of Love Me, Love Me Not (volume 12) more or less satisfies

Wow, been a long time since I've done a post. Lots has happened in my life, and a lot has happened in the world. But, I'm glad to be posting again. Can't say how often it will be, as my budget has reduced me to purchasing about 4 or 5 volumes a month instead of 10+, but hopefully I'll still do a few posts a month.

Anyway, on to a review of the final volume of Io Sakisaka's "Love Me, Love Me Not" (volume 12, Shojo Beat).

For those who haven't read the series, here's a quick synopsis: Yuna is shy, Akari has a somewhat troubled past with boys. Yuna is friends with Kazuomi.  Akari and Rio have become step siblings. Akari and Rio had crushes on each other, but when they became step-siblings they put that aside. 

Quick series spoilers, skip if you don't want them:

- By volume 12, Rio and Yuna have become a super cute couple, and Kazuomi and Akari look like they have finally figured out their feelings for each other. But the problem remains, Akari and Rio's father is going to have to leave the country for work. What will the kids do?

SPOILERS OVER

In volume 12, we get the resolution to the story of the four high-school seniors. I don't want to spoil too much, but here's what works and what I wasn't totally sold on:

Works:

- Amazing kiss between Yuna and Rio

- We see just how much Yuna has grown over the course of the series

- It's a basically satisfactory ending

- the art is amazing, as always, but maybe even a bit better than her norm. Sakisaka-sensei is just an incredible artist.

Wishing for a bit more:

- The wrap-up to the series felt a bit rushed; Iwould have liked more time with Akari and Kazuomi to see their relationship develop before the final hurdle of the plot.

- While Yuna had really nice growth in the series, they only hint at Akari's changes, but her past wasn't really fleshed out enough to see the contrast. The boys were pretty much nice, but stock figures. Compared to the depth of characterization in the leads in her last series, Ao Haru Ride, this series just didn't have the character depth.

- The ending climax issue (a father being transferred overseas, will the kids have to separate????) is a bit tropey. Tropes are okay, they are tropes for a reason after all, and the resolution was a bit novel, but it all was done so fast as to not have the power I think it could have.

So there you have it, a romantic drama with four likable characters, one of whom actually gets some decent growth, beautiful art, and a basically nice story. It doesn't come close to the power and depth of Ao Haru Ride (but what could?!), but it's more than a solid shoujo series, definitely a cut above the average and worth a read.

I certainly recommend this series to anyone who likes shoujo romance. It may not be your all-time favorite, but it really is better than most. The art alone is worth it! And that final kiss with Yuna and Rio...soooooo goooooood!!!!! 

Volume 12: (scale of 1-10): 7 (resolved too quick)

Series (scale of 1-10): 7.5 (much better than the average shoujo series)

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Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

All comments are moderated by a real person who only checks them once a day. Therefore, comments may take a while before they show up. Thanks for understanding. It's how we keep this a community of lovingkindness.

Finished uploading my original Yuri comic scripts

All the chapters of my original yuri story are now online! You can read it under the "original Yuri" heading above or by clicking this link: "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello"

It's the story of a high school girl with no memories and another girl with no voice. Something draws them together, but something in their past might tear them apart. 

I hope you enjoy!

✩🚺

Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

All comments are moderated by a real person who only checks them once a day. Therefore, comments may take a while before they show up. Thanks for understanding. It's how we keep this a community of lovingkindness.

Still on Hiatus - still posting my yuri comic scripts - and a word about the world

Hi everyone. I'm still on hiatus, but my life is slowly being pulled back together. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm continuing to post new chapters of "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello" on the "original yuri" page. It goes to chapter 82 and the whole thing is written, so it's just me remembering to post weekly! So keep checking.

On other matters, I want to express my most heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been impacted by COVID-19 and our federal government's absolutely horrific lack of leadership and undermining of science and health. 

I also want to take a moment, and no words can truly express how I feel, to send every ounce of my being out into the world in support of the #BLM movement, in support of all black, latino/latina/latinx, POC, indigenous peoples, and all other historically and/or currently marginalized peoples in the US and around the world. 

The fact that the US cannot, with all its privilege and wealth, with all its history of moral crusading, come to grips with its own history of, and current, colonization, marginalization, and dehumanizing individual and collective actions and take firm grip of being a leader in human rights first and foremost here at home makes me sick. 

I will never stop pushing until all human beings enjoy the protections, freedoms, dignity, rights, security, health, education, self-direction, and more that all people are inalienably imbued with and owed from their fellow humans and governments. I also will never stop pushing until we as a society make true amends, recognizing the inter-generational trauma that lives in the very blood and DNA of our fellow people as a result of our actions (and furthered by the actions our own government, hate-filled people, and police continue to take), and finding a way to secure a truly equitable, self-directed, future for each and every soul on this planet, starting first in our very own country, and which must include active repair of the harms perpetuated psychically, physically, intellectually, culturally, socially, and financially on those we have oppressed and on whose oppression white people have profited. 

For no matter how challenging any individual white person's life might be, and many surely do and have lived challenging lives, the fact of their whiteness has not doubled, tripled, infinitely made-worse their pain, suffering, and hardship the way the false conceits of race have been levied individually, systematically, and structurally as weapons of oppression against blacks, indigenous people, and other POC. We have committed genocide after genocide in this country, starting with the indigenous people, and then with the way we have built our society on the very oppression of blacks and POC and then maintained and furthered that oppression at every turn. I can never express all of what is in my heart, but please know that my heart and my actions are fully committed to ending oppression and marginalization. 

I cry with pain over what has occurred, with embarrassment over our current government, but with hope that so many more white people are recognizing what POC have always known about the world. Let this awakening of awareness be the first waves of a never ending tide of action and repair that sweeps through our society, cleaning it in the fresh waters of true freedom and liberation.

 . 

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Please legitimately purchase or borrow manga and anime. Never read scanlations or watch fansubs. Those rob the creators of the income they need to survive and reduce the chance of manga and anime being legitimately released in English.

All comments are moderated by a real person who only checks them once a day. Therefore, comments may take a while before they show up. Thanks for understanding. It's how we keep this a community of lovingkindness.

Continuing my Yuri Comic

I'm still on hiatus from my regular review blog posts, but I'm going to continue posting chapters of the scripts for the yuri comic I wrote: "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello." I just posted three more today!

I can't draw, but I wrote the series as a love letter to the types of yuri manga I love. I'm still trying to find an artist and/or publisher, but until that happens I want to put it out into the world. So with that in mind, I'll keep posting the scripts. You can find them here: "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello" or by clicking on the "original yuri" link in the bar above.

Hope you enjoy!

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All comments are moderated by a real person who only checks them once a day. Therefore, comments may take a while before they show up. Thanks for understanding. It's how we keep this a community of lovingkindness.