S.Q. Eries's Blog, page 40

Manga Review: A Bride’s Story Vol. 7

Kaoru Mori is best known for her work, Emma, an exquisite romance/slice-of-life set in Victorian England. Her latest work to be released in the United States, A Bride’s Story, is also a historical/slice-of-life but is vastly different than Emma. Set in Central Asia in a rural town near the Caspian Sea during the early 19th century, A Bride’s Story revolves around a young woman, Amir, who arrives from a distant village across the mountains to marry Karluk, a boy 8 years her junior. Volume 7 has been released, and you can read on for the review. (For reviews of other volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori’s tale of life on the nineteenth-century Silk Road continues as Mr. Smith extends his journey. This time, he is welcomed into the home of a wealthy tradesman and his wife, Anis. Custom dictates that, as a woman, Anis is not permitted to meet their visitor face-to-face, but even so, she counts herself blessed to live in such a beautiful estate and be married to a man who devotes himself solely to her. Still, one cannot help but long for the companionship of another person when one’s closest friend is a reluctant Persian cat. In her loneliness, Anis visits the public bath house and discovers a place where she feels immediately free among her fellow sisters.

The Review

After the fighting, backstabbing, and chaos of Volume 6, Mori-sensei switches gears. We rejoin Mr. Smith as he enters a new town, where he becomes the guest of a wealthy tradesman. Unlike the previous village where he was constantly interacting with the twins and the other females in the community, the women in this area wear burkas and don’t show their faces to men outside their family. As such, Mr. Smith never actually gets to meet Anis, his host’s wife, who is the focus of this volume.

Anis is a stark contrast to those we’ve met so far. Her movements are limited, but hers is a carefree, privileged existence. She lives in an idyllic estate, loves her adoring husband, and has a healthy baby son. In her world, she’s the woman who has it all. Yet she’s extremely isolated (her main companion is a cat that looks an awful lot like the grumpy cat). Thus, we have a story about a woman seeking female friendship.

Mori-sensei uses Anis’ search to explore two lesser known aspects of Persian culture. The first is the public baths. Although the women in Anis’ community have to cover themselves completely outside their homes, they are not depicted as repressed or abused. Rather, their customs are inconvenient, but they have ways of dealing with it, one of which is the women’s bath. It’s not just a place to get clean. It’s where they relax, socialize, and enjoy themselves. When Smith first passes by the building, he thinks there’s a festival because of the merry racket within. While children and elderly are also patrons, most illustrations of the naked clientele have a sensual quality.

The second aspect is the khwahar khwandagi, the avowed sisters. As described in the manga, it’s a special covenant that binds two married women in a relationship similar to husband and wife. Anis’ encounter with Sherine in the public bath and the course she takes after the two become avowed sisters is somewhat simplistic. However, Anis is a rather simple character, thus the story’s “happily ever after” outcome suits her.

Extras include Mori-sensei’s manga style afterword and a foldout color illustration of the women’s bath. Also, Mori-sensei’s depictions of Anis’ estate are especially gorgeous.

In Summary

From Amir’s active, noisy world, we enter the life of a woman who knows only peace and seclusion. The tradesman’s wife Anis doesn’t have to worry about finances or tribal warfare; she just wants to find a friend. While the customs in Anis’ region are completely foreign to westerners, she is a sweet, likable character, and readers will easily relate to her desire for a peer who understands her.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Are You Alice? Vol. 10

Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland has inspired all sorts of spinoff works, from visual art to movies to manga. However, Ai Ninomiya may have conjured up the most unusual Alice yet.  Are You Alice?, which originally began as a CD series, features a gun-toting male as its Alice! Yen Press has released the tenth volume, and you can read on for the review. (If you’re interested in my reviews for previous volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

When Lewis Carroll took in a little black cat for Alice Liddell, he most likely never imagined that it would be the sole witness to his final throes of madness. Nor could he have fathomed just how much a cynical alley cat could make of his discarded characters. So spins the tale of how the Cheshire Cat came to be–and how he may yet come to be Lewis Carroll’s undoing.

The Review

The journey through this Wonderland has been a twisted–and often violent–dive through the rabbit hole. Now Volume 10 backtracks in time to show how that rabbit hole came to be, which is a twisted and violent tale in itself. And our guide though this particular story is the Cheshire Cat.

The Cheshire Cat has been a difficult character to comprehend, but so is everyone else. As such, I assumed he wasn’t anything special. Turns out he is special indeed. Unlike the other Wonderland residents, he is not bound by a rule nor did he receive his name from the White Rabbit. But what makes him truly unusual is that he actually knew the original Alice and Lewis Carroll.

The narrative begins well before the cat meets Alice. As it turns out, Alice is the cat’s third owner. Even so, his life’s beginning provides a pretty good look at the “real” world, where Alice in Wonderland was written. Judging by his series of owners, this place may not be Wonderland, but it has its own kind of crazy, So much so that it’s almost fitting when Carroll loses his sanity. Having the cat as narrator also allows a glimpse into Alice and Carroll’s relationship through the eyes of a third party who can neither interfere in the tragedy that unfolds nor say anything about it. And as graphic as the volume’s images are, one of the most disturbing parts is the unillustrated text, “The Correct Way to Kill off Alice.”

Once the setting shifts away from the “real” world, however, that cat is doing plenty. Turns out the 89th Alice owes the Cheshire Cat a great deal for his existence In addition, the more we learn about Wonderland, the more it takes on a Toy Story-ish kind of feel. Carroll created Wonderland, but, like the toys in Toy Story, the scraps of words he discarded take on a life of their own. The Cheshire Cat might not have been able to do much for Alice as an ordinary cat, but he’s doing plenty in Wonderland, manipulating bits of writing for her sake.

Extras include closing remarks from the creator (although the background illustration is extremely dark), the short bonus manga “Are You Mack?” and the title page and table of contents printed in color.

In Summary

The story delves into the past, in particular, the Cheshire’s Cat’s past in the world of the original Alice and Lewis Carroll. These chapters fill a lot of gaps, plus they unveil surprising information about where the 89th Alice came from. The ultimate fate of Wonderland remains to be seen, but you will come away with a better understanding of the Cheshire Cat’s part in this story of discards.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: My Little Monster Vol. 10

There’s the type of shojo manga where a girl really can envision herself as the heroine. And then there are those where the characters are constantly going off the deep end. My Little Monster falls into the latter category, and if your taste in high school romance leans toward the improbable and wacky, this title might be up your alley. Kodansha  has released Volume 10 of the English translation, and you can read on for the review. (For my review of previous volumes, click here.)

The Review

In previous volumes, we’ve had the opportunity to see things from Haru’s friends’ point of view. Now, in Volume 10, Haru’s brother gets a chance to narrate. Haru’s made clear that he hates his family, but Yuzan’s stance towards his brother is more complicated. Between Ando’s comment about Haru being “special” in the previous volume and Yuzan’s memories in Volume 10, Yuzan’s treatment of Haru makes much more sense even as Yuzan racks up sympathy points.

Their dad, on the other hand, earns negative points. Until now, we’ve only heard about him, and when we finally see him in person, he’s actually worse than his sons make him out to be. Yoshida Senior can be best described as the worst of womanizing politicians. He’s pretty flat as a character, and the best he is good for is shocking readers with whom he makes a pass on.

Thus, we get a clear picture of Yoshida family dynamics right before all three of them converge at the same event: Yuzan’s coming-of-age party. In addition to seeing the world in which the Yoshidas live, Shizuku gets her Cinderella moment. Every shojo manga with a poor, frumpy heroine and uber rich boy has an instant where she gets made over, and Shizuku gets her chance at Yuzan’s party. She actually cleans up really well (amazing what getting rid of pigtails will do) and so does Haru, for that matter.

The party draws an interesting mix of guests (I especially liked the reference to Shizuku’s mom). Shojo manga often turn this into the setting where mean girls embarrass the heroine. Nothing like that happens here, but the event does trigger a different kind of drama between Shizuku and Haru. As it turns out, Shizuku and Yuzan are more alike than anyone might guess, and I look forward to seeing how our heroine approaches their common dilemma.

Extras include bonus four-panel comics, short bonus manga about Yamaken’s past with the Yoshida brothers, and translation notes.

In Summary

Finally, a look at the Yoshida family’s glorious dysfunction. Flashbacks and a chapter from Yuzan’s perspective provide a comprehensive look at the brothers’ upbringing and the circumstances that brought about their constant fighting. Their father is just a garden-variety slimy politician, but Yuzan’s dealings with a “special” brother has surprising parallels with Shizuku’s relationship with Haru, which makes for a interesting read.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Yukarism Vol. 4

Geishas are an icon of Japanese culture that, although their heyday is long post, continues to fascinate Westerners to this day. If you’ve wondered about the lives of these flowers of Japan’s bygone pleasure districts, you may want to consider Chika Shiomi’s historical/time slip manga, Yukarism. Read on for my review of Volume 4. (For my review of other volumes, click here.)

Back cover Blurb

Seemingly afflicted by Yumurasaki’s fatal illness of the past, Yukari begins to get very sick in the present day… Meanwhile, Mahoro vows to kill Satomi before he can kill Yukari (as she believes he killed Yumurasaki in the past)! Are these three fated to repeat their tragic connection?

The Review

I was surprised to learn Volume 4 is the final installment of the series. I thought Shiomi-sensei would draw out to the overlapping of Yukari’s current and former self a bit longer. However, Volume 4 wraps everything up, explaining the circumstances surrounding Yumurasaki’s death and Yukari’s strong connection to his past self before concluding with a concise epilogue for our characters.

While the reason for the muddling of past and present makes sense, the manga does go a bit overboard when classmates and even random bystanders start seeing Yumurasaki and Mahoro as their former selves and in their former pleasure district settings. Also, Mahoro’s merger with Takamura’s consciousness is awfully abrupt. Up to now, Yukari was the one most aware of what was happening, recognizing who was who as he bounced from past to present. Mahoro, on the other hand, seemed least in control, especially when she faced off against Satomi in Yukari’s house in Volume 2. If anyone seemed possessed by an evil spirit, it was her, and it is a bit jarring to have her suddenly in control of the situation and Satomi/Kazuma playing the crazed maniac instead.

However, if these plot changes don’t faze you and you’re more interested in watching an Edo period tsundere give all for the woman he loves, Yumurasaki’s death scene won’t disappoint. In addition to the poignancy of the moment, Shiomi-sensei’s accompanying artwork is gorgeous. The final pages of the manga are also sweet. By the story’s end, the POV shifts from Yukari to Mahoro, with only Mahoro/Takamura aware of the events that transpired, but that makes the conclusion no less romantic.

Extras include cast of characters, story thus far summary, a bonus one-page manga, translation notes, and author bio.

In Summary

The emotions of the past invade the present! The enmity between Mahoro/Takamura and Satomi/Kazuma explode into a final confrontation that’s occasionally  heavy on the melodrama, but the enduring connection between Yumurasaki and Takamura brilliantly tugs the heartstrings. Yukari’s forays to old Edo turned into a different journey through time than Volume 1 led me to anticipate, but this tale of three misunderstood souls hasn’t been a bad one, especially with Shiomi-sensei’s beautiful illustrations.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Light Novel Review: Spice and Wolf Vol. #15

Spice and Wolf is a wildly popular light novel series that has spawned off an anime, an Internet radio show, and a manga series. While its European medieval setting is typical of high fantasy, this series has a unique bent. Rather than swordfights and magic, the plot focuses on economics, trade, and peddling in a way that skillfully blends adventure and romance.

Yen Press has released Volume 15 of this series, and you can read on for the review. (You can also click here for my reviews of previous Spice and Wolf releases).

Back Cover Blurb

The Myuri mercenary band–a troop named for one of Holo’s old comrades. In order to find them, Lawrence and Holo make for Lesko, a town dominated by the copper-trading Debau Company. Rumors of the Debau Company’s schemes to both open more mines and seize control of the northern lands swirl, along with rumors that they’re concentrating military power in the town in preparation. But when Lawrence and Holo arrive in Lesko, they discover a surprisingly cheerful and peaceful place. What is really happening? Find out as the final act of Holo the Wisewolf and Lawrence the traveling merchant’s long journey draws close to its end!

The Review

The Coin of the Sun is the final arc in Lawrence and Holo’s journey, and Hasekura-sensei pulls out all the stops. As wonderful as this series is, some parts have dragged, others have been confusing, and some installments have been weak on the economic front. However, Volume 15, which is the first of two parts, comes up strong all around, from the emotional tension between Holo and Lawrence to the sea change about to hit the Northlands.

Hasekura-sensei has set us up for certain expectations, and he uses those expectations to take his readers by surprise. For instance, over the last few volumes, our travelers have been hearing rumors that paint the Debau Company as the worst of organizations, ready to war and ruin the Northlands. So Holo and Lawrence head to Lesko as if it’s a march into enemy territory. But instead of a military stronghold, they find an unwalled trading center. Then there’s the tantalizing thread of a mercenary company with Holo’s packmate’s name. I’d expected it to lead to one of two scenarios, but Hasekura sensei delivers a third outcome, which has a profound effect on Holo and offers Lawrence the opportunity to be her emotional support.

The blossoming of Lawrence and Holo’s relationship is the best part of this volume for me. Over the journey, Lawrence has matured and his affections for Holo grown. Holo, on the other hand, invariably teases or scolds the poor merchant. In this volume, however, the circumstances in Lesko make her unusually vulnerable, and all the emotional walls come crashing down. Given past Lawrence’s frustrations with his companion (especially the recent slap in Lenos), this new level of intimacy between the two made my heart skip a beat, and Holo/Lawrence fans will be thrilled to see the two dreaming of a future together.

That dream, however, is not mere fantasy but actual stone and timber reality. This is one of the big surprises of this volume. The contrast between the diabolical rumors swirling around the Debau company and the commercial paradise that is Lesko is an engaging mystery, and Hasekura-sensei manages to connect the mining company’s scheme to Lawrence’s personal dream of going into business for himself. So when Lawrence uncovers Debau’s ultimate motive, it’s a doubly sweet moment for the traveling merchant. While the explanation is somewhat lengthy, it’s not difficult to understand, unlike the narwhal episode in Kerube.

This light novel includes the first four pages of illustrations printed in color, world map, and seven black-and-white illustrations. There are, as usual, lines of dialogue where it is unclear who is speaking as well as a number of misspellings and punctuation errors in the text.

In Summary

With Yoitsu drawing near, Spice and Wolf has a lot of loose ends that need to be addressed, from the Debau Company’s rumored aggression in the north to the mercenary band bearing the name of one of Holo’s comrades. Hasekura-sensei handles it masterfully, captivating our attention with Debau’s outrageous maneuvers and tugging our heartstrings with yet another reminder of Holo’s lost world and the future Lawrence holds out to her. After skillfully wrapping everything up, he concludes with a bomb that leads in to the second part of this arc. This volume of Spice and Wolf is the best I’ve read yet, and I look forward to Part 2 with great anticipation.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: My Love Story!! Vol. 6

Takeo Goda, the male lead for Viz Media’s  My Love Story!!  is quite unusual. Bishonen tend to dominate the cast of shojo manga, but Takeo’s looks are about as far from a stereotypical pretty boy as you can get. Still, he possesses tremendous appeal in this hilarious romantic comedy. Viz Media has released Volume 6, and you can read on for the review. (For my review of other volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Now that they’ve been dating for just over six months, Takeo and Yamato finally have their first kiss! Meanwhile, Takeo’s mom goes into labor, and something happens that makes her realize how much Takeo’s grown… There’s also a hint that love might be in Sunakawa’s future…

The Review

I’ve been looking forward to the new baby arc ever since Takeo’s mom mentioned that he was going to become a big brother. The birth of a sibling is kind of unusual for a high school manga. Parents generally don’t get a lot of attention either, but Takeo’s mom dominates the first half of the volume in a big way. While her pregnancy gives Takeo something to anticipate and worry about, she also gets one-on-one time with Yamato, and we learn a bit about her relationship with Takeo’s dad.

When the baby finally arrives, Takeo acts more like an anxious new father than a big brother. For those familiar with the TV series, his panic is funny but doesn’t quite achieve the level of hilarity that the anime does. However, the manga includes a slower paced scene not in the anime, and it gives the birth of baby Goda an added bit of cute comedy.

Speaking of cute and comedic, the subsequent arc is Valentine’s Day, which, like Christmas, ends up a group affair rather than romantic time alone for Takeo and Yamato. The creators once more remind us of the disparity between Takeo’s and Suna’s popularity through the measure of Valentine’s chocolates. However,  this time it’s to emphasize Takeo’s eagerness for his very first true-love chocolate, and his emotional ups and downs are fun to watch. Oddly though, when the long-awaited moment arrives, Yamato’s gift doesn’t even get its own panel.

Then it’s on to White Day for the last chapter. Not surprisingly, Takeo’s all fired up to return the favor to Yamato. The actual making of his White Day gift was not included in the anime, and I’m surprised it wasn’t. Takeo’s unfamiliarity with the kitchen is good for a number of laughs, but it also creates an opportunity for Takeo and Suna to talk about relationships, which makes a great segue as the focus switches from Takeo’s love life to Suna’s.

Extras include story thus far and notes from the creators.

In Summary

It’s a little unusual to have a high schooler freaking out about a baby on the way. However, the role fits Takeo pretty well, and in the midst of him overreacting to every little thing, we learn more about his mom, who is a pretty interesting character herself. Then it’s on to more standard high school stuff: Valentine’s Day and White Day. For Takeo, though, this is brand-new territory, and his giddy enthusiasm makes it a fresh experience for readers as well.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Barakamon Vol. 7

The contrast between city and rural life has been a source of entertainment since the time of Aesop’s fables. It remains a popular subject in manga and anime today, and joining the ranks of Silver Nina, Non Non Biyori, and Silver Spoon is Yen Press’ series Barakamon. Read on for my review of Volume 7! (For my reviews of previous volumes, click here.)

Back cover blurb

With the exhibition behind him, handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa returns safely from Tokyo. Between a full-moon night spent with the islanders, a grade-school recital, and a discussion of Hiroshi’s career plans, life is plenty hectic as autumn arrives at the island! The evening sun warms straight to the heart in Volume 7 of this super-popular hot ‘n’ hearty island comedy!

The Review

Now that Handa’s gotten things settled in Tokyo, it’s back to the village and Barakamon’s usual format of stand-alone chapters. Yoshino-sensei also reverts to standard formulas for several scenes. Act 53 has Handa at his most city-boy-in-the-country hapless/helpless as he settles back into his home. In Act 54, the instant Handa’s window shows up in the story, it’s pretty obvious glass will break by the end. And Act 55 is a series of four-panel comics capitalizing on Handa’s unfortunate attraction to cats.

However, the volume manages to branch out beyond the clueless sensei humor even as Handa humiliates himself time and again. When the kids practice their school play, it’s a given that they will cause grief for Handa, but the big surprise is Hiroshi’s mom. Stage mothers aren’t just limited to the city, and her particular passion for drama is an unexpected source of hilarity. The other person who gets a lot of attention in this volume is Hiroshi. He might not be a character out of his element, but as the villager who carries the label “ordinary” like it’s a curse, he suffers plenty of mortification in the name of comedy. By the end of the chapter, he winds up with a new hairstyle and new nickname that just gives the others more ammunition to tease him with.

Still, it’s not all silliness. Hiroshi’s concerns about his future career reflect the quandary many small-town young people face. Amid the rambunctiousness of the village’s version of Halloween is a touching portrait of the respect and affection the youngsters have for their elders. And as the elementary school students conclude their school recital, Handa once again wonders about Naru’s family circumstances.

Extras include a bonus four-page manga, translation notes, and pictures of a Barakamon limited-edition figure (which is sadly only available in Japan).

In Summary

I would have thought that Handa would have a clear picture of Naru’s family circumstances by now, but Yoshino-sensei only drops another tiny hint and sticks mainly to comic episodes. The Handa/village kids interactions are getting predictable, and Yoshino-sensei changes things up by giving some of the villagers a little more panel time. Hiroshi in particular winds up the butt of a lot of jokes, but his  “ordinary” complex starts to get a bit stale by the end of the volume.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Spice and Wolf Vol. #11

Spice and Wolf is a wildly popular light novel series that has spawned off an anime, an Internet radio show, and a manga series. While its European medieval setting is typical of high fantasy, this series has  a unique bent to it. Rather than swordfights and magic, the plot focuses on economics, trade, and peddling in a way that skillfully blends adventure and romance.

Yen Press has released the eleventh volume of the Spice and Wolf manga, and you can read on for the review. (For my reviews of previous Spice and Wolf releases, click here.)

Back cover blurb

Scheming abounds in Kerube, and the fate of the entire town hangs in the balance! Lawrence has gotten swept up in machinations–again–and this time he’s not even sure which side he’s on. With Holo’s help, he’s going to have to see through the lies to discover the truth of the plans surrounding the narwhal, and if he fails, not only will crucial information about Holo’s homeland slip through his fingers, but the merchant woman Eve could pay the ultimate price!

The Review

The balance of power and money in Kerube is complicated, so much so that Koume-sensei’s diagrams really are necessary to understand what’s going on and who is involved. And of the players, the one whose true intentions are least clear is Eve. However, in Volume 11, Ted Reynolds of the seemingly impoverished Jean Company drops a deal on the table that throws everyone for a loop. Unfortunately, we don’t get a diagram that outlines its full effects, but what is clear is that Kieman holds Eve responsible. As a result, the woman who had been a wolf in the negotiations winds up a damsel in distress.

Lawrence has been on the receiving end of Holo’s help for much of their journey, but this situation gives him the chance to play hero. His goal quickly simplifies to proving Eve’s noninvolvement with Reynolds’s source of funds. It’s then that the coin packing scheme that Col discovered earlier in the arc truly comes into play. What started as a geometric puzzle winds up the key to accounting fraud although I had to read Lawrence’s reasoning twice before I understood it. What is much more straightforward is when he gallantly charges in to take out Eve’s captors.

In the end, Lawrence gets out of a tricky situation unscathed and with both Eve and Kieman indebted to him. The tone of the manga implies that the narwhal negotiations also end happily, but even with a final diagram, it’s unclear whether the transaction changes the balance of power in the Kerube marketplace. Lawrence and Holo, however, obtain the lead on the book they’re investigating and set off for their next destination.

For those familiar with the light novels, Fran and Hughes get the briefest of cameos before the setting shifts to Lenos. To be honest, they don’t have much to do with the manga version, and their appearance seems rather forced. That’s also the case with a rather lengthy scene at the Beast and Fish Tail. As such, the volume closes before the next arc can begin in earnest. However, the creators do leave readers with a tantalizing hook, an unexpected encounter with Elsa from Tereo.

One other thing I noticed about this volume is that the women seem to be a lot more…er, curvier. Holo’s one thing, but when Eve collapses on Lawrence’s bed without her cloak, her chest is so big it seems impossible she could have hidden her gender. And their visit at the Beast and Fish Tail seems more about showing off the barkeep’s ample bosom than anything else.

Extras include the title page in color and closing remarks from the creators.

In Summary

The Kerube arc finally concludes! It’s been a difficult story to follow with so many players and backroom deals. Although Col’s coin mystery fits neatly into the wheelings and dealings, I can’t tell whether the northerners or southerners get ahead at the end. Lawrence and company, however, definitely profit, and they move on to the next arc, which apparently will lead to the manga’s final conflict.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Souvenirs from Asia: Sanrio Bonanza Part 4

If my husband’s November trip was the Haikyu!! bonanza, his December trip was the Sanrio bonanza. The variety of Hello Kitty goods never ceases to amaze me. Nor does my husband’s appetite for them. As with the Haikyu!! bonanza, I’ll be splitting this batch of souvenirs into a few posts.

Last in our Sanrio bonanza are several pieces of Hello Kitty themed print fabric. Cute as they are, they’re actually a consolation purchase. See, my husband has been wanting a piece of Japanese clothing, either a yukata, haori, or happi coat. However, he wants one with a Godzilla pattern, more specifically a chibi Godzilla pattern. Everything we found remotely resembling this was always for very small children. So we figured we’d make one on our own.

Unfortunately, finding the appropriate fabric has been a challenge. Searches on eBay and Amazon have turned up nothing, and local fabric stores don’t carry anything of the sort. We hoped to find something during our 2012 trip to Japan, but Akihabara’s goods don’t include bolts of cloth, and forays to Tokyu Hands and department store fabric sections also turned up nothing.

Then last fall, I got a new lead from-of all places-manga. I was reading Higashimura’s Princess Jellyfish, and in one chapter, the characters need fabric so one gets dispatched to the Nippori district.  I’d never heard of it before, but a quick Internet search revealed that it is Tokyo’s Fabric Town.

As such, my husband took the train to Nippori Station with high hopes of finally getting his hands on the elusive Godzilla fabric. What he found were stores with shelves packed floor to ceiling with bolts and bolts of a mind blowing variety of cloth. Unfortunately, everything was in Japanese, he had no idea how things were organized, and his Japanese speaking skills are rough. So if Godzilla really was there, my husband couldn’t locate him.

However, he did spot a pile of Sanrio fabric. Ergo my textile souvenirs.

Now I just have to learn how to use the sewing machine…

Manga Review: Barakamon Vol. 6

The contrast between city and rural life has been a source of entertainment since the time of Aesop’s fables. It remains a popular subject in manga and anime today, and joining the ranks of Silver Nina, Non Non Biyori, and Silver Spoon is Yen Press’ series Barakamon. Read on for my review of Volume 6! (For my reviews of previous volumes, click here.)

Back cover blurb

Handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa has returned to Tokyo for a calligraphy competition. But being away from the island is preventing him from perfecting his work?! Meanwhile, Sensei’s sudden absence is causing turmoil for his island neighbors!

The Review

The interesting thing about Volume 6 is that our main character and the islander cast spend nearly the entire volume apart. Thus, we get an extended look at Handa in his native environment. Yet the craziness that characterizes this series is not limited to the country and continues in the city. This is partly thanks to Handa’s own high strung temperament and delicate ego. The rest can mostly be attributed to his mother. Unlike Handa’s stone-faced dad, his mom looks young and acts even younger. She’s kind of a cross between Hina’s ultra sensitivity and the island nurse’s ill temper. Between her and Kousuke serving as a kind of Naru substitute, it’s as if Handa never left the island.

However, Handa has gone home for a purpose, and the impact of his time on the island is evident as he accomplishes his goal and more. Not only does he reconcile with the Director and grow as an artist, he matures as a human being. And in the midst of an intense Handa family discussion, we get an unexpected look at Handa Senior’s past with the island and another snippet of information connected to Naru.

Meanwhile, back at the island, the kids are feeling Handa’s absence. He may be gone, but he dominates Volume 6′s three island arcs. Act 45 is packed with the kids’ mini-anecdotes about Handa so it’s like he’s never left. Act 48 shows the fruits of the calligraphy lessons he’s given Miwa and Tama, and it’s a fun change of pace to watch the girls, who usually gang up on their sensei, turn on each other. And in Act 51, we get a variation on Handa’s house getting messed up with Hiroshi subbing in as the adult figure trying to get everyone to clean the place up. In short, our highbrow calligrapher may have rubbed off on them some, but some things won’t ever change.

Extras include a bonus four-page manga, translation notes, and pictures of a Barakamon limited-edition figure (which is sadly only available in Japan).

In Summary

Volume 6 is both pivotal and revealing. Not only does Handa return home to apologize for the incident that resulted in his island exile, he also makes decisions that will determine the trajectory of his life and career. On top of that, Handa’s parents bring out a whole new aspect of our genius calligrapher. For those who favor Barakamon’s boisterous style of humor, fear not. Handa may not have the villagers driving him nuts, but his mom does a fine job on her own, and it’s a nice change from the usual clueless-city-boy-in-the-country fare.

First published at The Fandom Post.