Manga Review: Frau Faust Series (Kore Yamazaki)

Series Title: Frau Faust
Author: Kore Yamazaki
Volumes Reviewed: 5 (complete)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
US Release Date: September 2017 - November 2018
Genre: Alternate Historical Fantasy
Content Rating: Older Teen (strong violence, human experimentation, child possession, murder, a few words of language)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

From the creator of The Ancient Magus' Bride comes a supernatural action manga in the vein of Fullmetal Alchemist! With electrifying art and a gripping story, Frau Faust reimagines the protagonist of the classic tale who makes a deal with the devil as a tenacious female scholar.

More than a century after an eccentric scholar made an infamous deal with a devil, the story of Faust has passed into legend. However, the true Faust is not the stuffy, professorial man known in fairy tales, but a charismatic, bespectacled woman named Johanna Faust, who happens to still be alive. Searching for pieces of her long-lost demon, Johanna passes through a provincial town, where she saves a young boy named Marion from a criminal’s fate. In exchange, she asks a simple favor of Marion, but Marion soon finds himself intrigued by the peculiar Doctor Faust and joins her on her journey. Thus begins the strange and wonderful adventures of Frau Faust!

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Series: This is a five-volume manga series, all released and available.

Frau Faust is a brief but entertaining five-volume series about following your heart and doing things your own way with the time you have. Set in an alternate historical world of alchemy and religion that we barely scratch the surface of, it tells the story of the immortal Faust as she hunts for the hidden pieces of her formerly contracted demon, Mephisto, in an attempt to finally achieve death after over a century. Along the way she makes new friends, reconnects with old ones, reminisces past accomplishments and failures, weaves a little magic, and loses a bit more of herself in every violent confrontation with those who would try to capture or kill her. There's a lot of pain, and as typically happens when dealing with demons things can get pretty creepy at times, but despite a more melancholy finish there's a little humor and a lot of hope for all concerned by the end. Although the artwork is not afraid to be occasionally grotesque with unusual creatures and violence that doesn't shy away from blood and gore, it's generally rather simple and handsome with backdrop settings and expressive, emotionally-charged characters.

Bonus Stories: Volume 1 boasts the bonus short story, The Invisible Museum. Not only does it offer a fascinating location in the mysterious museum of invisible exhibits along with a fun cat-and-mouse chase story, but the intriguing theme of desiring to disappear proved both a dark and hopeful one. And the butterfly really was quite beautiful. 4.5 Scribbles.

Conclusion: A short but engaging alternate historical fantasy with lots of thrills, chills, and onion-layered characters. Especially recommend if you already enjoy Yamazaki's other series, The Ancient Magus' Bride.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Nightschool: The Weirn Books by Svetlana Chmakova

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Time Killers by Kazue Kato

Paragraph Manga Review: Love in Focus Series (Yoko Nogiri)

Series Title: Love in Focus
Author: Yoko Nogiri
Volumes Reviewed: 3 (complete)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
US Release Date: March 2019 - July 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Content Rating: Teen (kissing, brief minor stalker issues)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

Mako's always had a passion for photography. When she loses someone dear to her, she clings to her art as a relic of the close relationship she once had... Luckily, her childhood best friend Kei encourages her to come to his high school and join their prestigious photo club. With nothing to lose, Mako grabs her camera and moves into the dorm where Kei and his classmates live. Soon, a fresh take on life, along with a mysterious new muse, begin to come into focus!

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Series: There are 3 volumes in the series. All are released and available.

Love in Focus is a short three-volume teen contemporary romance about first loves and photography. Set in a high school boarding house, it features a love triangle between an oblivious young photographer girl, her childhood best friend, and the moody housemate who catches her photographic attention. As they discover each other's secrets and confess their feelings, they help one another face their fears and embrace more hopeful futures with love, honesty, and lots of pictures. Despite the inevitable heartbreak that comes with love triangles, it's a sweet if brief story with cute characters, soft artwork, and gentle emotions that made for a pleasant if slightly melancholy afternoon read. Recommend for readers who enjoy their romances with right angles, secretly gorgeous boys, and just a touch of photography.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

That Wolf-Boy is Mine! by Yoko Nogiri
Strobe Edge by Io Sakisaka
Me & My Brothers by Hari Tokeino

Manga Review: Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai Series (CLAMP)

Series Title: Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai
Author: CLAMP
Volumes Reviewed: 3 (complete series)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
US Release Date: December 2015 - November 2016
Genre: Isekai Fantasy
Content Rating: Teen (violence, death)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

BRAVELY FACING THE DARKNESS TOGETHER

Syaoran and his friends were successful in collecting Sakura’s memories and defeating Fei Wang. However, in order to release Fei Wang’s last spell, Syaoran had to pay the price of “continuing his journey.” He parted with Sakura and once more, accompanied by Kurogane, Fai, and Mokona, traveled to a parallel universe!

The group has arrived at a seemingly peaceful paradise, but a cloud of darkness approaches…

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Series: This is the 3-volume sequel series to the 28-volume Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series (you can read my review here). All volumes are released and available.

Series Crossover Note: This series crosses with another by CLAMP called xxxHOLiC Rei. Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai picks up right after xxxHOLiC Rei Volume 3 and takes place during the events of Rei Volume 4.

Taking possession of the unusual items Watanuki collected in the first three volumes of xxxHOLiC Rei, Syaoran chooses to do what he can to fix the mysterious anomaly at the group's current location, the land of Nirai Kanai. Traveling to the "inward" world where the dead reside, he shockingly discovers what he has long been searching for, but to change the anomaly and save Nirai Kanai he must make a devastating personal choice.

Unlike the original 28-volume Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series, this 3-volume story is a brief, single-world adventure that can be binged in a single afternoon. While packed with the usual action, mystery and danger that Tsubasa is known for, the series is so short and focused that the heavy emotional end didn't pack the punch the longer original delivered. It also leans heavily on the original series and does not stand alone, so as I didn't quite recall all of the original Tsubasa: RC references - especially where the multiple Syaorans were concerned - the climactic impact was diminished even more for me. Still, I enjoyed revisiting the close and comical foursome to save yet another world from ultimate peril, and will always be interested in more adventures with them if CLAMP ever feels so compelled.

CLAMP Universe: As typical of CLAMP manga set in their Universe, there are a few familiar faces among the secondary and background characters. Fans of the Gate 7 and RG Veda series will be especially interested.

Conclusion: While the characters were pleasantly familiar and the action engaging, this single-world trilogy was unfortunately too short to land the heavy emotional end it was aiming for. Still, if you enjoyed the original Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series then you will probably enjoy revisiting the world-hopping group in this sequel story. Definitely recommend reading it after the first three volumes of xxxHOLiC Rei to see where the magical items used in this story originated.

For Fans Of: the CLAMP Universe

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE by CLAMP
Kobato by CLAMP
Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki
Nightschool: The Weirn Books by Svetlana Chmakova

Manga Review: Yukarism Series (Chika Shiomi)

Series Title: Yukarism
Author: Chika Shiomi
Volumes Reviewed: 4 (complete)
Publisher: VIZ Media
US Release Date: December 2014 - November 2015
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Content Rating: Older Teen (sensuality, violence, quasi-nudity) [see Note below*]
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

Yukari Kobayakawa, an accomplished author at the age of 17, writes with amazingly accurate details about historical Japan. It turns out he has the ability to travel back in time...to his past life as a renowned courtesan in the Edo period! As he goes back and forth between the past and present, he unravels the karmic relationship he has with his beautiful classmate Mahoro Tachibana... 

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Series Notes: This is a 4-volume series. All volumes are released and available.

Yukarism is an odd but engrossing contemporary fantasy of reincarnation and romance. At only 4 volumes, it tells the brief story of teen male Yukari's sudden ability to travel back into the body of his former incarnation - that of female oiran (courtesan) Yumurasaki - and his pursuit to discover how she was murdered. Along the way he is drawn to several other reincarnated souls, including a former frequent customer witch doctor and a favored bodyguard, and when their previous selves start manifesting in the present Yukari must figure out why they are all connected and how to free their overlapping minds - before their past deaths kill their future selves.

The art was somewhat simple but also striking with lush Edo period fashion and settings and compelling scenes of violence and magic. All the characters were unique and engaging, especially when alternate personalities manifested in inappropriate bodies, and although their emotions could become intense there was also a lot of humor and gentleness in the way they handled each other (when the old boys weren't trying to kill one another, anyway). The relationships, romantic and familial, were a tangled mess of obligations and desires that wound up causing more harm than affection, but through the exploration of their pasts the characters are able to be reborn into a hopeful future for a sweet and uplifting end. Recommend for historical fiction, contemporary fantasy, and romance readers, especially those who enjoy historical Japan and reincarnation love stories.

*A Note About Content: Although the publisher rated this series TEEN, I'm more inclined to recommend it for OLDER teens due to the heavier emotional content, time spent in the pleasure district, quasi-nudity, and the fact that Yukari typically visits Yumurasaki's body when she's in the middle of a "session" with Takamura.

For Fans Of: Natsuki Takaya (Fruits Basket, Twinkle Stars)

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Twinkle Stars Series by Natsuki Takaya
Fruits Basket Series by Natsuki Takaya
Backstage Prince Series by Kanoko Sakurakouji
Pandora Hearts Series by Jun Mochizuki

Manga Review: One Fine Day Series (Sirial)

Series Title: One Fine Day
Author: Sirial
Volumes Reviewed: 3 (complete)
Publisher: Yen Press
US Release Date: January 2010 - September 2010
Genre: Slice-of-Life Contemporary Fantasy
Content Rating: All Ages
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

Take one fussy dog, a rain-loving cat, and a little mouse with a big sweet tooth, mix in a sprinkle of sunshine and a dash of magic, and you've got a recipe for adventure! Whether they're baking cookies, cleaning up, or helping out a friend, this trio always manages to stir up a healthy helping of mischief and fun. Tumbling straight from the pages of YEN PLUS, see how every day can be a fine day indeed.

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Series Notes: This is a 3 volume series. All volumes are released and available.


One Fine Day is a three-volume slice-of-life contemporary fantasy that follows the everyday adventures of an unconventional (some of them are animals) and magical (animals that sometimes look like human children) found family, and it is the sweetest, fluffiest, most adorable manga I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

Despite minimal dialogue it is a story best savored at a slow, leisurely pace to enjoy the detailed illustrations, sentient inanimate objects, and all the little surprises tucked into the background. There are three animal-human children (a dog, a cat, and a mouse) and three adult humans (one novice magician, one mischievous magician, and a young lady border in the last volume), all of which reside in a magical old house in a quaint little town. Through the volumes they bake cookies, play in the snow, practice magic, clean the house, run errands, and go on treasure hunts, all the while making many new friends such as a street cat and his minions, the fallen moon and its starry companion, and the fairies of the attic furniture. Although the last volume gets a little thoughtful and melancholy as it looks back on pre-family pasts, sunshine ponderings, and childhood memories, overall One Fine Day is a collection of lighthearted stories about three adorable animals, three amusing adults, and their sweet and magical life together. Highly recommend if you need a heavy dose of wholesome fluff, perhaps on a lazy afternoon to accompany a favorite tea and pastry.

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Me & My Brothers by Hari Tokeino
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Kobato by CLAMP

Manga Review: Kobato Series (CLAMP)

Series Title: Kobato
Author: CLAMP
Volumes Reviewed: 6 (complete)
Publisher: Yen Press
US Release Date: May 2010 - June 2012
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, comical-ish abuse, bullying, adult situations)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase:  Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary (of Volume 1):

Meet Kobato Hanato, a sweet and rather simple young girl on a quest to have her single, dearest wish granted. But first, she must learn the ways of the world from Ioryogi-san, a gruff blue dog whose bark is just as bad as his bite! Under his "tutelage" (read: constant verbal abuse), Kobato puts her efforts into passing various trials of common sense so that she may obtain the key to getting her wish-a magic bottle which must be filled with the suffering of wounded hearts that Kobato herself has healed. But with Kobato's common sense sorely lacking, she keeps flunking Ioryogi-san's trials left and right! It looks like the road that lies ahead of Kobato will be a long one indeed!

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Series Notes: There are six volumes in the series, and all are released and available. This series takes place in the CLAMP Universe.

Kobato is a strange contemporary fantasy romance about the mysterious but energetic and naive Kobato, her abusive stuffed animal Ioryogi, and Kobato's quest to fill a bottle with "wounded hearts" so she can go where she wants to be.

Yes, the plot is that weird and vague.

While Volume 1 is mainly chapter stories of Kobato learning a little common sense and earning the bottle, the rest of the 6-volume series encompasses her time volunteering at Yomogi Kindergarten, which is struggling under the threats of a loan shark. There she grows to care for her fellow workers and strives to help them with their situation - in an effort to heal their wounded hearts, of course. As her time runs out we learn the fantastical story of how she and Ioryogi wound up on their quest, and the short series ends with a few tears, a lot of love, and ultimately a happy ending thanks to a few well-placed wishes. The artwork is an unsettling study in opposites as Kobato is adorable and playful in cute outfits and soft lines while Ioryogi, a plain stuffed animal dog when still, is grotesque and vicious when animated, warping the otherwise fluffy feel of the manga. The rest of the cast are rather plain but varied with interesting quirks and characteristics, all moving through simplistic stock settings that have the look of two-dimensional stage backdrops. But despite its artistic and dramatic oddities, Kobato is ultimately a sweet love story about several couples conquering adversity to find their place in the world together.

CLAMP Universe: For fans of the CLAMP Universe, there are a lot of familiar places to revisit and familiar faces to catch up with as many locations and characters from other CLAMP series make cameos to assist Kobato and cast with advice, work, and umbrellas. Fans of the four-book Wish series will especially be interested as this story also deals a lot with the Heavenly World, and Wish's main character Kohaku plays a minor role.

Conclusion: If you enjoy weird but sweet romances that transcend time, worlds, and physical forms featuring abusive stuffed animals and air-headed but big-hearted girls, maybe give this one a try. And if you're a CLAMP fan, it really can't be missed for the cameos.

For Fans Of: the CLAMP Universe

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle Series by CLAMP
That Wolf-Boy is Mine! Series by Yoko Nogiri
Meteor Prince Series by Meca Tanaka
MeruPuri Series by Matsuri Hino

Manga Review: Nightschool: The Weirn Books (Svetlana Chmakova)

Series Title: Nightschool: The Weirn Books
Author: Svetlana Chmakova
Volumes Reviewed: 4 (complete)
Publisher: Yen Press
US Release Date: April 2009 - October 2010
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Paranormal Fantasy
Content Rating: Teen (violence, scary situations)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase*: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

Schools may lock up for the night, but class is in session for an entirely different set of students. In the Nightschool, vampires, werewolves, and weirns (a particular breed of witches) learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus to spell casting. Alex is a young weirn whose education has always been handled through homeschooling, but circumstances seem to be drawing her closer to the Nightschool. Will Alex manage to weather the dark forces gathering?

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Series Notes: This is a 4-volume series, and all volumes have been released. There will also be a spinoff series for younger readers set in the same world, similarly titled The Weirn Books, the first of which releases May 2020.

An original American manga first published in the now defunct monthly manga magazine Yen Plus, Nightschool: The Weirn Books is a quick and engrossing 4-book series set in the Night World of witches (called weirns), paranormal creatures (vampires, werewolves, demons, mermaids, etc.), and the people who hunt them. When three cursed young girls start exhibiting unusual powers just as people mysteriously vanish from Nightschool memory, the Night World guardians and their students scramble to find answers and save the world from ancient evils. Packed with unique magic, violent action, and intriguing mystery with a thrilling climax, you'll want to have all the books on hand for an afternoon binge thanks to the volume cliffhangers.

Chmakova's art is bold but playful with dynamic, diverse characters that exhibit a wide variety of intense and comical expressions. Although the story is rather dark with a lot of pain and violence and deadly curses, there is also a lot of snarky humor to lighten the mood. Both blood and found family relationships play a large part in all the characters' decisions, especially pushing the three girls to step out of their comfort zones to find and protect the ones they love. My only complaint about Nightschool is, at only four volumes, it is too short and fast a read - I would've loved more time to get to know the characters, explore the world, and expand the plot. Luckily an upcoming companion series, although catering to a younger audience, will finally do just that starting May 2020.

Conclusion: A violent but also playful story with magically unique characters, intense action, great snark, and intriguing depth. With its witches, hunters, and paranormal creatures I highly recommend it for fans of shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

*Purchase Notes: The single volumes of this series are currently out of print but as of March 2020 some volumes are still available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble Marketplace, and RightStuf - links at top. However, two 2-in-1 Collector's Editions will become available May 19, 2020, and are currently available for pre-order (again, see links).

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

MeruPuri by Matsuri Hino
That Wolf-Boy is Mine! by Yoko Nogiri
Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki