Manga Reviews
Unlike my Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry Review Pages, which I organized by year read, I've organized my Manga Reviews by series and then suborganized them by individual volume (or in Yu-Gi-Oh!'s case, by 3-in-1/2-in-1 volumes).
DO NOTE, THESE REVIEWS ARE LIKELY TO CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Major WIP. Last updated with Demon Slayer Volumes 1 & 2, Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame, and the Way of the Househusband Volume 9 on 8/18/2024.
Empty sections to be updated next: To Your Eternity Volumes 1 & 2, Delicious in Dungeon Volume 1.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Manga
Volumes 1-2-3
TBA.
Volumes 4-5-6
TBA.
Volumes 7-8-9
TBA.
Volumes 10-11-12
TBA.
Volumes 13-14-15
TBA.
Volumes 16-17-18
TBA.
Volumes 19-20-21
TBA.
Volumes 22-23-24
TBA.
Volumes 25-26-27
TBA.
Volumes 28-29-30
TBA.
Volumes 31-32-33
TBA.
Volumes 34-35-36
TBA.
Volumes 37-38
TBA.
Demon Slayer
The first manga I've tried reading in the original Japanese, though my comprehension levels at the moment lead me to having to use lots of dictionaries and handwritten kanji searches to be able to understand what's going on. Otherwise, I've watched two or three seasons of this dubbed with the long distance significant other when we've visited each other, and found the anime engaging enough to give the English translation of the manga a try.
Demon Slayer's a series about a brother trying to turn his sister human again after the slaughter of his family left her, the only survivor of the attack, turned into a demon. Tanjirou enters the Demon Slayer Corps in search of a way to turn Nezuko back.
I personally find the ensemble cast engaging so far. Demon Slayer is a huge hit from what I understand, though I have yet to try and engage with any online fandom for it (I havent finished or caught up enough with any version of it to feel like I'd be able to properly enter the fandom space for it).
Demon Slayer Volume 1
Demon Slayer Volume 1 by Gotouge Koyoharu, 4/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 13, 2022.
I like the art of this. There’s some goofy panels and then some really well done panels—Giyuu has some very nice poses and expressions, as does Nezuko. I like the way hair is done with white lines in it too; it’s a nice touch in a style that’s so blocky and flats this is probably the third time I’ve gone through this arc (I’ve watched these eps in the anime twice) and I’m still decently engaged with it anyway. The paving is good and not a chore to read through. I wish the volumes were longer, actually! But kind of surprisingly, I realized I don’t quite like the “shounen you-have-to-tough-it-out” message of the trainers, even if it’s what must be done in a situation like this. Perhaps the truth is just too harsh for me.
Demon Slayer Volume 2
Demon Slayer by Gotouge Koyoharu Volume 2, 4/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 25, 2022.
This is about the point I left off with the anime, so it’s interesting to see new content for the series now, including Tamayo and Yushiro. They’re not what I expected to find in the series, actually—compared to what I’ve seen fans online focus on, you wouldn’t even expect them to exist (I didn’t). I’m still not quite sure how I’m feeling, since the fights are very “monster of the week” still right now, and most of what I know of the plot must be a ways off still if the progression is around this pace. The funny expressions are fun to see on Tanjirou. I really do like Nezuko. I have the feeling she may not turn back human though…
Stories of Water and Flame
Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame by Hirano Ryoji, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed on February 21, 2023.
I enjoyed this! I liked both the storylines here—Rengoku’s felt more compelling even if I like Tomioka Giyuu more, but that’s how it is, sometimes. I can tell why people like Rengoku a lot. Kanroji was interesting too—I never really knew a lot about her, and she was nice to see in here. As was Kochou. The inbetween 4-comas were cute too. A good refresher for the series (parts that I’ve already seen, anyway). Overall it was a good book—never would’ve realized it was done by a different person if it didn’t say so in the book! LOL.
2024 note: I don’t remember how much of the anime I had watched by this point, but given my lack of familiarity with Rengoku and Kanroji’s characters, it must’ve been a season or less.
The Way of the Househusband
The Way of the Househusband asks the question: what if a member of the yakuza turned over a new leaf and dedicated himself to the art of being a homemaker? We explore this concept with an entertaining cast of characters and beautiful slice of life scenarios. A delightful and refreshing read overall, though I need to catch up on Volumes 9-11 (so I can be ready for Volumes 12-14 releasing in English).
The Way of the Househusband Volume 1
The Way of the Househusband Volume 1 by Oono Kousuke, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed Jul 12, 2022.
The art is incredibly good—I was smiling at it the whole way through. Some of what I've seen in passing was in the first volume and I enjoyed it enough to want to read the next volume. I was curious for a while to try reading this in Japanese, and may try it via buying volumes of it sometime… It’s a simple story with low stakes and I think that’s what’s refreshing about it. I haven’t truly read any slice of life for years, maybe almost a decade, IDK, really. To think like that makes me feel old, but what can you do. This manga is a peaceful thing.
2024 note: I think I’ll need some more practice comprehending Japanese before I’m able to read this comfortably in Japanese. Reading this while slogging through dictionaries and online resources for context though? I could probably do that just fine LOL.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 2
The Way of the Househusband Volume 2 by Oono Kousuke, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 15, 2022.
This volume is more peaceful and has a few chapters I really liked the gags in—including the “my wife’s smile is the real first place!” (punch) + the father-in-law wanting to play catch and relate to Tatsu so bad. The yakuza who couldn’t stop his shaking knees was also enjoyable. The world is really fleshing out the more we see of it, in a way that really is meant to not put importance on Tatsu’s past. He’s here where he is now, and what tidbits we get either fuel the narrative (comedically) or serve to show how he’s presently now, compared to what we can suppose of before. The comedy does not depend on knowing who he was in the past.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 3
The Way of The Househusband Volume 3 by Oono Kousuke, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 15, 2022.
This volume is probably my favorite so far, sheerly for introducing Torii—this serious yakuza matriarch working in a grocery store! Taking it just as seriously as Tatsu does being a house husband. She’s rough and menacing and regal and got some sort of air to her that I can’t quite touch on with words? I love her, anyway. I liked the policure scene where Mr. Tatsu Immortal Dragon of all people gets the anime cartoon fighters to resolve their conflict in a peace ceremony, like it’s some sort of yakuza fued! Plus, the twist at the end that Tatsu’s odl boss decided to let Tatsu stay ignorant of the recruitment opportunity is telling—it shows the vibe of the manga in true and poignant form.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 4
The Way of the Househusband Volume 4 by Oono Kousuke, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 17, 2022.
This volume feels like it had more to focus on with Miku and Tatsu as a couple, which I liked, and yet looking back on it, maybe 3 or so chapters fully focused on them. Quality over quantity, I suppose! I was quite endeared by them in this volume—it goes forward with how their relationship is being built up in a way that’s funny but meaningful, here, like with the amusement park chapter at the farm. The last chapter was hella funny too with the miscommunication about Tatsu meaning his old boss and not Miku lolllll. The japanophile guy was interesting, though the lips vaguely set off warning bells in me? I’m not sure if I’m overthinking it or not. An entertaining volume otherwise.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 5
The Way of the Househusband Volume 5 by Oono Kousuke, 4/5 stars.
Read and Reviewed July 17-18, 2022.
I actually visibly noticed the art style shifting in this volume—I don’t know if it’s just me, or if the lines are becoming rougher or not. It really hit when Torii showed up in the Halloween costume chapter, and I kept noticing it until I couldn’t read it any more that day. I read the rest today, and it was fine. The jokes weren’t as memorable this time around, but that may just be me? The focus on the family was even more somehow than last volume—a lot more Miku & Tatsu interaction, like the virus chapter. That and the rap bonus manga may have been a bit too nonsensical for me—perhaps the author was trying some new comedy, and it fell flat?
The Way of the Househusband Volume 6
The Way of the Househusband Volume 6 by Oono Kousuke, 4/5 stars.
Read and reviewed July 22, 2022.
The art seems to have settled into something I like again—or maybe I’m just used to/not noticing the change as much anymore LOL! The manga tried a two parter this time—a fresh take I think, but most of this volume hasn’t spoken to me as much as the rest of the volumes have. I did like the dog chapter and the cat bonus manga (his dazed city face is cute + funny LOL!) + got my interest piqued by the glimpse, once again, into how Tatsu and Miku met. I’d like to see more of it, but I’m still not sure if it’s the Manga’s place to show that about Tatsu—or if the manga is simply functioning on delaying the reveal, at this point.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 7
The Way of the Househusband Volume 7 by Oono Kousuke, 4.5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed December 18, 2022.
The art seems to be settling back down again; I like how expressive it is physically in the scenes where Tatsu gets hit by things. I also like some of the twists here a fair amount, like the yakuza paying by breaking a larger bill and the doc “only” giving him a week of compresses (and not a single one more!). It feels like the manga’s getting back on its feet, or else I’ve been away from it long enough to enjoy the simple pleasure that it is again. I find the pattern of “ending on a note about their shared past & first meeting” an interesting choice too—will they ever actually show the moment?
The Way of the Househusband Volume 8
The Way of the Househusband Volume 8 by Oono Kousuke, 4.5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed January 14, 2023.
I feel like the stories are getting more and more contrived as the manga goes on, possibly because the easy stuff’s been used up and they have to “raise the comedic stakes.” It feels less laugh-out-loud funny and more “maybe a grin if it’s good” funny now. More complicated scenarios and set ups. The punchlines depend on the set ups more and try to extrapolate more, if that makes sense? I did find the policure segment cute in an endearing way! I’m wondering if they’ll continue down that road too in future volumes. Maybe spice up the series a bit again.
2024 note: these are, again, the opinions of someone without too much first hand immersion in Japanese literary and manga traditions outside of what works I find that are translated into English. I don’t know if I’m reading this with the expectations of American English storytelling styles, is what I mean.
The Way of the Househusband Volume 9
The Way of the Househusband Vol 9 by Oono Kousuke, 5/5 stars.
Read and reviewed Aug 17-18, 2024.
Maybe I have been away from it enough for me to find the pure joy in this series again—I had two wheezy laugh moments really early on into reading this (by the end of chapter two), and find myself tickled by the scenarios again. The picky eater daughter was incredibly amusing—felt very true to form for the series. The “there was some sketchy stuff mixed in there” also got me chuckling. This volume feels like a return to the series I was loving when reading in 2022. Perhaps some distance did do me some good, or perhaps the mangaka has found a good stride to take joke- and story-wise again.
To Your Eternity
Though I think I discovered the manga before I discovered the anime (I cannot remember the order of events, as I did not write anything down about them), I've watched more of the anime (seasons 1 & 2) than I have read the translated manga (Volumes 1 & 2, aka the only volumes I own). I'd heard a little about it by the time I encountered it at an anime convention manga library, where I gobbled the first two volumes up while a friend sat patiently beside me (hi Len LMAO).
I then bought and reread the first two volumes on two separate special occassion trips, with the first volume being purchased with some friends at a touristy bookshop and the second being purchased at either a separate anime convention or on a trip with the long distance significant other.
Something about the writing of this series is staggeringly impactful. I feel like if I go through it again, Fushi might make it to blorbo tier. Hoping to read this one through my local library. If not, I'll purchase copies of it slowly, haha.
To Your Eternity Volume 1
To Your Eternity Volume 1 by Oima Yoshitoki, 5/5 stars.
Read for a third time and reviewed Aug 20-21, 2024.
I've read this volume three times now, and that should tell you something. The first time I watched this part of the story in the anime was incredibly emotionally impactful anyway. That I do remember. Rereading it, I feel fond and nostalgic. As far as first volumes of manga go, this one does not suffer from any sort of lack of planning or direction. It has a strong presense and sense of where it is going. Everything feels cohesive, has a point being there, has a richness and steadiness to it. It doesn't suffer from exposition worldbuilding overdumping either despite its use of exposition to introduce and to continue developing story elements. I could go on and on about what this volume doesn't suffer from, but I want to sing praises for this series too: the world feels rich and vibrant from the get go. The settings serve a purpose storywise. The characters are heartfelt and real, and I want to cradle each of them in my own little pal hands. I have nothing I would change about this first volume. Even the "Woah! Fushi talked!" ending felt like a great way to start off the rest of the series. The Nameless Boy tugs at my heartstrings every time. He really is remembered forever.
Also, I adore the art so frickin' much. I would definitely eat it if I could. Everything is 5/5 stars in this volume. Can't wait to reread the second one also for a third frickin' time, yahoo. Fushi my beloved, I'm coming back for you!!
To Your Eternity Volume 2
To Your Eternity Volume 2 by Oima Yoshitoki, 5/5 stars.
Read for a second or third time and reviewed Aug 22, 2024.
I could write so much about this volume. It's nice, first and foremost, to see Fushi's growth and forming coherence as the volume goes on. The ending chapters especially with Fushi firmly rooted in learning to communicate were grand. The stakes continued to raise in a way that clearly served the story and Fushi's character development well, and did not waste a single bit of space. Once again I could eat the art. It feels stunning, plusmakes the impactful scenes hit even harder. The panels are paced beautifully. The technical skills on display in this volume are 100% wonderful.
Parona and March were good characters to follow while we were waiting for Fushi to develop into himself more. Their relationship and history was a rich one, as was the progression up to us leaving them. The ending of the volume on this new question shtick serves the story and its pacing well. I like that new elements are introduced like that each volume so far. It really leaves your appetite whetted in my opinion. The story is really, really well planned. I can see so many seeds of things on rereads that are innocuous but develop later into fuller story elements.
Once again 5/5 stars from me. Now I just gotta nab myself the third volume and beyond, ah...
Delicious in Dungeon
Delicious in Dungeon Volume 1
TBA.
Spy x Family
Spy x Family Volume 1
TBA.
Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days Volume 1
TBA.