A school with a very special class made up of an assortment of seven crème de la crème students. These special class “A

Mikan, a clueless middle school girl of ten years old, is in a huge town looking for her friend. She finds herself suddenly inside a strange school, where people have special powers and this special genius power that is magically born within these special people are known as “Alice”. Will Mikan, a normal girl without powers, be allowed to be in this exclusive school where only geniuses are allowed entry?

Alice Gakuen awaits for all who have the ability to come in.

Story synopsis

Alice Gakuen (学院爱丽

This volume of Arakure begins with a story involving a women’s most intimate inner wear. As Sachie is the only female in the Irakuza household predominantly occupied by men, chaos erupts when a piece of lingerie was discovered strewn across the hallway.

Story Synopsis

The situation worsens when grandfather Raizou announces the presence of an active lingerie thief committing thefts around the estate and Sachie discovered some missing underwear from her wardrobe. Just what sort of investigation plans will they come up with?

Putting aside the hilarious arc that happened at home, Sachie won a trip for 2 to the hot springs by chance at a local store. Eager to accompany their missy and spend their time together at the hot springs, the entire family tags along despite the additional expenses.. Apart from spending quality time with one another, Rakuto meets Sachie’s deceased mother’s “Protector

A life was lost a very time ago. As Momo quietly looked from the far distance, a man who used to be a boy, met up with a young girl to the amusement park. The girl was quiet, not speaking a single word as both of them feel the coldness in the air. Surrounding them are beautiful lights that sparkle in the night sky, yet their hearts are as mellow as the peaceful silence within.

Three different stories of death are brought to you and will leave you with a feeling of beauty and uplifting spirits.

For the review on Vol 1, please click here.

Story synopsis

This second volume has three different stories. The first story and the fourth story are linked, talking about a teacher, Cheng Kang, who had brought one of his students out to the amusement and reminiscing about his relationship with his past and only girlfriend who died in the hospital. The student’s parents has died in a car accident and is depending on her relatives for support, causing her to be withdrawn and quiet, except with this strange teacher who asked his students to address him by name. These two stories combined to give a beautiful story of how death can be sad, yet bringing a memory of hope.

The second story deals with a boy with magical power, and he showed it accidentally to a girl who then broke her camera as it fell into the pond. It then chronicles their relationship as the girl, seeing the beautiful magical power, forced the good looking sempai (senior) to pay back. The second story is about the fear of a memory and the realization that a miracle can save a life from certain death, if they will believe. The third and last story deals with a family coping with the loss of the mother, with the young daughter still kept in a lie about her mother. It symbolized acknowledgment of death and the bonds of a family.

Why you should continue to read this

1. More heartwarming stories. The teacher story, especially the one that ends, is a very beautiful story that touches me to the core with its heartfelt story telling and the bittersweet ending brings about a tear in my eye by the time I finished it. In a way, it can be a bad point if you are of the sentimental type, because the third story is also pretty touching.

2. A much better character development for the mini stories. Unlike the first episode, the characters are much more realistic and it does make me feel a lot for the teacher after seeing him in different stages of his life, be it when he was young and currently. His mentality is really interesting. I also like the different aspects of the boy with the magical power, which I feel to be quite liberating.

3. Comedy, Cuteness, Common. The girl in the third story is drawn very cutely, and it is definitely a draw for those who wants a a cute character in the mix. The second book is also a bit stronger in terms of comedy. Even though it does not go down slapstick style, it is definitely funny, forming a eclectic mix of comedy, heart warming and dramatic storytelling.

Afterthoughts

I must say that the second volume carries on the excellent writing that is done in the first volume of Shinigami no Ballad. Shinigami no Ballad can be an acquired taste, since it’s generally stories that are not really related other than themes of death and the onlooker of Momo and Daniel. However, the stories are very touching and it is definitely will leave you with a warm feeling after the whole viewing. I also enjoy the realistic and small event-like things that happened to the main characters within each story, and you feel for them and their plight. Yet, even with the scent of death surrounding them, they continue to live hard and happily.

If only real life can be that simple. A manga that will bring you the sombre and kind message that death is not the end, but the beginning for those who survived.

Chuang Yi Publishing has released this volume in February and is available at your rather friendly comic store.

Grandfather Raizou received a letter coupled with an invitation from an old friend who runs a hostel near the beach. Upon hearing about the invitation Sachie jumps at the golden opportunity she has dreamed about for so long – a trip to the beach. What exactly will happen when the entire clan and their following decided to take a short holiday to the beach together?

For the review on Vol 1, please click here

Story synopsis

At the beach, both Sachie and Rakuto came into contact with Azuma, the grandson of Raizou’s old friend. Little do they know that he would be the latest addition to their growing family back home after their trip from the beach. Newly transferred over, Azuma joined both Sachie and Rakuto for their school’s activities – the camp and the school festival.

This volume carries two very basic arcs, namely the beach and the school festival arc.In the school festival arc, apart from juggling school with club activities, we witness a struggling Rakuto handle a hounding video club president who was bent on making a video out of him. Trouble arose when the president accidentally filmed Sachie’s yakuza side at the train station and aired the clip during the school festival. Just what sort of interaction will we witness between Sachie and Rakuto in this volume?

Never ever make Sachie angry.

3 Reasons why you should continue reading this series

1) The introduction of an all-new male character (Azuma) proves for more competition with Rakuto and the onset of an exciting story plot line.
2) We see more happenings between Rakuto and Sachie. What’s not to love of this duo? As usual, Rakuto’s deep and immeasurable understanding of Sachie amazes not only the female protagonist but me as well, it’s almost as if he’s telepathic.
3) Littered sparsely across this volume are little flashbacks and introduction of Sachie’s mother. The story delves deeper into the plotline and I’m sure more would be uncovered from the next volume.

Afterthoughts

I liked how this volume was devoted to progressing and developing the relationship between both Sachie and Rakuto. Although the relationship between Sachie and Rakuto remains largely ambiguous and unspoken as a “Protector – Missy

“What a beautiful girl!” The men in Kazami Dormitory remarked.

Kazami Dormitory. It seems to be a really peaceful place, with silence filling in the dormitory until the arrival of a new student, Takaaki Asakura, also known as Taiyou as Taiyou is naturally an enthusiastic character and has an energetic personality. As Taiyou woke up at the grass field outside the dormitory, Taiyou is surrounded by the men-only dormitory.

“Where is Kazami Dormitory? I am one of the new residents.” Taiyou said.

“HE’S A MALE, NOT A FEMALE?” All of them chorused as they spasmed out in total shock.

Story synopsis

Zig Zag is a manga drawn by Yuki Nakaji and it is released in Chinese by ChuangYi publishing late last year. The series revolves around a very cute looking guy called Takaaki Asakura, also known as Taiyou. It talks about the experiences of the students staying in this dormitory called Kazami and houses many students of various personalities. Crushes, romance and love revolves around this place, as relationships started to form and hurt with continuous interaction. At the backdrop is the flower arrangement interest of the many members, giving a very different aspect of flower arrangement that is often considered to be more of a feminine interest with beautiful guys.

Characters

Asakura (called as Taiyou by most characters) is the main character of this manga and I must admit that I had the same initial response as the other guys in the dormitory because he looks pretty girlish by all means. He is an extremely energetic and cheerful guy that has a rather sensitive side toward everyone who needs his help. He lives with a very cold and mysterious person called Sono, who often has this “I am annoyed” right stuck in his face.

Sono is annoyed at anything and everything, particularly with Taiyou’s incessant cheerful personality which he considered to be extremely noisy. Also staying in the dormitory is Tatsuki, a very good friend of Taiyou when they were in grade one of school and is very loud. I do mean that he is loud, and with many things including his love for Mei. He is sadly fended off by the athletic Saho whenever he becomes a bit zealous with his approaches. Mei, on the other hand has a crush on Sono, who is generally oblivious to her subtle hints of love.

Why you should read this manga

1. Unique artwork. This is the first time that I have found an artwork so confusing (as I got confused who’s male and who’s female) and yet so delicate at the same time. The first read for me is not a good one and it’s only after the second read that I fully appreciated the artwork and found it beautiful. I have heard from many that it’s a style that the mangaka adopted, which is similar to Love Innocent.

2. The interaction between Mei, Tatsuki and Saho. I found it very hilarious for the few times that these three meet. Tatsuki is always trying so hard to confess his love to Mei and blatantly says it, only to be slapped by a very annoyed Saho. I also find the interaction for Sono with anyone hilarious, since his “I am annoyed” face just asks for a laugh, particularly with all the crazy and noisy hostel mates he has to content with. I found myself totally laughing at the antics of Tatsuki. He either lacks the ability to think, or someone who enjoys chasing someone that does not like him.

3. Very simple love is a very refreshing change from all the complicated love triangles. If anything, the most amazing thing is that romance for the male character is hardly explored, with the only girl getting his attention being Jasmine, his cousin. That, to me, provides an interesting backdrop since the main character is always mistook as a girl, being the butt of jokes quite a few times in the series. The main character makes for interesting plot twists next time. A trap, anyone?

Afterthoughts

Zig Zag is an entertaining piece of work with a very delicate artwork that will please all shoujo fans. The story is cute, with the androgynous-looking Taiyou being the gender confused guy in this series. I also realize that the hint of romance between Taiyou and the various girls will become the focus at the end, even though I will not want any unwanted yaoi vibes going into this series. In all, I found the soft artwork to be of my liking after a second re-read of the manga. I will definitely recommend this for the purist shoujo fan, who will be extremely excited for this manga.

Chuangyi Publishing has released this volume and is available at your rather friendly comic store.

A dragon flies majestically in the air, causing mayhem in the town. Attempts to hold this huge dragon down proves unsuccessful as it haunts the surrounding area. While one man stood with a sword at hand, he charges courageously at the dragon with his blade held with the sharp tip in reverse. He was clearly not going to hurt the dragon, yet it makes no sense why he is doing this.

Yet, in the vicinity, there is a man with a eye patch on his left eye, looking quite dispassionately at the man and having a fierce pride and protection over the dragon. He looks on with his sword held tight in his hand as he looks worried.

What is this dragon and what has the two vastly different men got to do with the dragon?

Story gist

Ryu no Hanawazurai (龙

100100 is her registered number. Her name is Momo, the girl god of death.

Death is always painful. When you think of death in the form of an image, it is often of a reaper, one that wears a dark cloak with a heavy shroud around his head. Yet, death is not always taking you away. Sometimes, it is one that makes you realize how much you want to be alive.

Momo, the girl god of death, is a death god (shinigami). She wears white, with a pet familiar called Daniel. She goes around to some people, appearing to them and eventually bringing them happiness and joy. A different type of shinigami. Who is she and what does she do?

Story synopsis

Shinigami no Ballad (死神的歌谣） is a manga drawn by Asuka Izumi and it is released in Chinese by ChuangYi publishing in January. It talks about a white haired shinigami called Momo. Unlike the terrifying shinigami that we used to know, she often goes out of her way to protect, to guide and to do favors for the living and the dead. In this volume, it is separated into three different stories. One talks about a boy who can see shinigami roaming around him all the time, as he feels the moment of death upon him. A girl suddenly appeared, one that made him realize that he had found someone important. However, the haunting of his sister dying for him still goes on within him.

Yet another story came with another guy who was waiting to die but a girl loved him. He realized that he never wanted to die and he now wanted to survive. However, will he escape his predicament? The last story is a sweet little event of two childhood friends finally meeting each other. However, the girl waiting for the man of her dreams found that he was nothing like how she imagined after seven years.

Every story seems like one of its own, but they all have similar themes, love, hope and the backdrop of death.

Characters

This manga really differs from most in which the “main character”, Momo actually does not appear very often in the manga. Do not expect her to be around too much, but she is perhaps the link for all three stories, even though they are not related. All the characters for now have not cross-appeared in any of the stories. In fact, the cat whose name is Daniel, only have like three or four lines of conversation for the whole volume, usually complaining how meddlesome Momo is.

Don’t get me wrong though. All the characters, especially the first story main one-off leads, are really endearing and it will be hard pressed not to feel for them. Since I read this manga on the travels, it becomes quite a tough job to hold myself together because the two characters portrayed in the story on the boy who can see shinigami are so beautiful. It is definitely not a character driven story, but yet the characters are likable enough for you to concentrate on the sweet little stories provided.

Why you should read this

1. Endearing stories. I do not know about you but I know that my eyes are a little wet after reading the first story, because the ending is really sweet and heartwarming. I will not spoil too much but all three stories have this rather soft feel to it. It’s a intangible thing, one that is hard to describe in words. However, if I am forced to throw in one word, it will be “uplifting”. Death shinigami really do not only bring death but they also bring a sense of salvation to those who can see them and those blessed by such angelic beings.

2. Themes of love, hope with the backdrop of death. I have said it earlier in the story synopsis that this recurring theme will appear in every story, at least for Volume 1. With my knowledge of the anime series (Shinigami no Ballad is a 6 parter), it will be likely to be so. However, unlike the average anime series, the manga series is definitely a few notches up. I will say that the artist makes full use of the drawings, as well as the keen words to touch your heart, just like how Momo quietly looks on to the people her blessings are given.

3. Nice art design. As mentioned earlier, I really like the slightly cute clean design that portrays the story very well. It is done in a rather typical shoujo manner, yet not as sketchy compared to manga series like Honey and Clover. It’s perhaps a matter of preference but I personally like it this way.

4. Nice story twists. Every single story had a nice climax in the end, be it sweet, drama or even death. I think that it really holds your heart beat for a few pages when the story comes slowly to a close.

Afterthoughts

When you have an excellent series earlier on to review on, there is always a tendency to compare it. I have known that the anime for Honey and Clover is far more superior than Shinigami no Ballad and did not have much expectations. However, this manga proves me wrong and I found myself very receptive to the manga as the relationships and story line is done much more effectively with the detail given to everything. I really felt very good after reading it, which means that this series has done its part to impress me. It has captured my attention for the next few volumes.

Chuangyi Publishing has released this volume in February and is available at your rather friendly comic store.

Wakamura Sachie is a recently orphaned 15 year old high school student whose mother had just passed on. Her mother’s demise leaves her with no roof over her head and no kin to rely on. To her bewilderment, an old man, Asagi Raizou, turned up on the last day of her mother’s funeral claiming to be her grandfather. With no other alternative, Sachie follows him home warily.

As Sachie entered the walkway of her new home, she was shocked to see rows of men bowing towards her grandfather and her. Only then did she realise the true background of her family, a yakuza family. Due to their almost similar age, Sachie was assigned under the care of Igarashi Rakuto, a handsome lad who seemed to understand Sachie better than she knows herself.

A different and all new chapter of her life awaits Sachie from her arrival into her yakuza-like family. Just what stories and adventures will she create with her mysterious grandfather and the charming Rakuto?

Story Synopsis

Arakure (黑

“Who is she? Is it the change I am waiting for, or will it be the calm before the storm?”

A 18 year old boy, Takemoto, starts off in a old dilapidated house that has already been housing countless art college students for the last 25 years. He lives with a huge group of art students, mostly his seniors as they lived peacefully with each other, amidst all the chaos in the small little place.

Little did he know that his fate will be changed ever so subtlety after the arrival of a child-like art student, one that will slowly change their lives.

Synopsis

Honey and Clover (蜂蜜幸