Book Description

When Keitaro Urashima fails his entrance exams to get into Tokyo University for the second time, he’s officially an unemployed and uneducated slacker. To make things worse, his parents have kicked him out of his house.Fortunately, his grandmother owns the fabulous Hinata Lodge and has agreed to take Keitaro in as caretaker.What he doesn’t know is that the lodge is actually a girl’s dorm and he’s the only guy around!Most guys would kill to live with five sexy ladies, but if Keitaro’s not careful, this job will kill him. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

this is cool buy it
i love this comic book it, is a great buy for kids and anyone else who likes comics

Excellent!
Contrary to what Keitaro originally thought, Naru may not be the girl he made the promise to at all! In fact it is more likely that he made the promise to Mutsumi! But he already has feelings for Naru but he might have made the promise to Mutsumi. Should he break the promise to Mutsumi or break naru's heart? Is there another way out? Keitaro's brilliant idea is to go on a date with both of them at the same time but things don't exactly go his way when Naru gives him a deadline of only a few hours to decide. Which way will he turn? Find out in this exciting volume of Love Hina!

The Turning Point--A Revelation
The seventh volume of the Love Hina series contains the 52nd to 60th installments of the manga. The story takes place from the cliffhanger ending of the 6th book and provides an entertaining story line to the end even with the plot twist. The book provides hours of entertainment if read in installments as intended. I enjoyed it so much, I can't wait to read the next volume. ... Read more

Book Description

Akane is a charming young girl with two separate identities. Growing up as a princess in the Dainagon family, she befriends Aogi, who later takes a position with the Inner Guards at the Imperial Palace - thus becoming unavailable to the outside world. When their separation becomes unbearable, Akane disguises herself as a maid of her mother, who works for the emperor! But entering the gates of the castle doesn't get her any closer to Aogi, and soon these star-crossed lovers are breaking all the rules for that sweet reunion they both crave. ... Read more

Book Description

Lunches are disappearing and clothes are being torn to shreds in the halls of Jindai High! Sosuke decides to take the investigation into his own hands, but he gets sidetracked by the discovery of his own hidden talent - synchronized swimming! This underwater soldier can impress everyone in his swimming trunks, but how will he measure up to Kaname's grandfather, an ex-military man with twice the experience of his granddaughter's protector? Sosuke might be acing it as an undercover student, but the jury's still out on his military performance in Full Metal Panic! Volume 7. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Full Metal... wait... where's the metal?
Volume #7 of FMP would probably be served by the subtitle "Fumoffu" as reference to the second season of the television series which was more about the school-yard antics and budding relationship of Sosuke and Kaname than the Whispered and giant mechs. If you're interested in full blown ArmSlave action, I'm afraid that all you'll get is a lovely "collectable toy wrapped in chocolate" chapter.

That being said, I loved it. FMP mainly appealed to me for it's high-school comedy/combat angle which was similar to Ranma (just more mature)... the idea of throwing a battle-hardened combat vet into a warzone of a different nature tickled my funny-bone.

There's plenty of fan-service with the occasional bursts of violence as the book is a series of small episodes in the daily lives of it's two main characters. The aformentioned chocolate covered mechs, an old warrior's quest to find his granddaughter, and a lovely little cosplay adventure are all included (much to my enjoyment). Try not to get creeped out by the flamboyant syncronized swimming coach, just think of it as another chance to catch Kaname in a swimsuit.

To be honest, this book felt like it'd be more at home in the "Maniac Road" universe (another fine otaku manga), but I'm happy with the end result. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It's a chaos
I would say book 11 and 12 are like a cheap action movie and totally illogical. The humorous and low-paced romantic style of past books are gone. The fight between Keitairo's sister, Naru and all other girls are particularly absurd.

Great!
Keitaro arrives home in midst of the battle at Hinata Inn! He's totally confused! He isn't sure why Kanako's acting so strange. Until he is finally informed that she's his adopted sister! She thinks that since they aren't blood related that it is ok to marry him! Will anything change her mind? Fianlly Keitaro asks Naru to an abandoned part of Hinata House and proclaims his love to her. But he hits a major road bump. Kanako is impersonating Naru at the time of the confession. Just as he finishes this confession and gives her the ring the real Naru arrives! The magical place has already cast a spell over Keitaro and Kanako so they will be bound to be together forever! Naru can't even get close to them! Hurting inside Naru decides to leave town and put all this behind her. Will Keitaro ever get her back? Will the spell ever be broken? Can Kanako ever accept the fact that spell or no spell Keitaro and her will cease to exist? This I'd have to say is the second best in the series.

Awesome
Coming from the perspective of the tv show, this manga just keeps getting better and better. Much more intrincate and, there I say, articulated than the show. A blast to read and the 12th volume just flys past, enthralling to the end. Good buy for anyone who likes silly love relationships/slapstick comedy/escape reading.

One of the best so far
Keitaro's back and it seems like nothing has changed in the Hinata household- other than maybe a new love triangle, new twists and some old fashioned battling for Keitaro's heart! Had a blast reading this book, it's reccomended to all those that have read up until this point. If you havent, go back and start reading from the beginning! ... Read more

Book Description

Do you know that cute little girl with the glasses? The shy one who always seems to be blushing? Well, it looks like her time in the spotlight is about to come. The rough-and-ready crew at the Nakomi Tech motor club needs a new director, and meek-and-mild Sora Hasegawa's drawn the winning lot, a tall order in the midst of such macho machine-heads for someone who can barely drive a car! And she'll have to prove her mettle on the racecourse to remain director - or to have the right to opt out! Luckily, she has the expert advice of top club racer Keiichi Morisato and the supernatural assistance of his dyed-in-the-wool goddess girlfriend, Belldandy, to help her over the rough spots to prepare for the race. Too bad she'll have to race against Keiichi, who's honor-bound and determined to take the checkered flag! ... Read more

Book Description

Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches.And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her but problems already lurk on the horizon.Vicious upperclassman Harumi has had her sights set on Rei for a long time, and is not about to let go now.One of the most popular teen girl manga series in Japan, Mars is a drama that will meet the demand of the growing female comic-reading market. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

the best shoujo manga out there so far
I knew about Mars a long time ago, but back then it was only available in Japanese book stores. I wanted it so bad but sadly, I can't read Japanese (not yet anyways). But then I went on tokyopop.com and I was so excited because they're releasing it here in the United States. This series is so heart-warming. Well you probably already have an idea what the story is basically about from reading the editorial review. It revolves around Rei and Kira, the two people who are from totally different worlds. Kira is an artist who doesn't talk much, not because she was shy or guy-phobic, it's just she thinks the world is a strange place and somehow she doesn't belong here. However, Rei has the totally opposite personality from Kira. She's a motorcycle rider, who puts his life at risk for a thrill. Rei is very good at speaking his mind and he's a friendly, funny, and happy person (or he appears to be happy and smiley all the time) But it is so magical how these two are drawn to each other. This series is not the typical she-has-a-crush-on-him-and-they-fell-in-love sort of manga. It's lot deeper than that. You just simply can't put it down. I'm so anxious to find out when the next volume will come out! If you're into shoujo manga then this is a must have. This is even better than Peach Girl. It's a more mature shoujo manga and it's definitely worth your time and money.

simply incredible...
This is my favorite manga to date. With clean and simple lines, the artwork is very appealing. Soryo conveys the gamut of emotions... her facial expressions are the best I've ever seen. The story, too, has a rare depth. There's a hint of Romeo and Juliet here for main characters Rei and Kira, drawn to each other despite being polar opposites. With a refreshing approach, they are never broken up by trivial events (such as jealous rivals). Each has a layered, troubled past, and Soryo lets you see one bit at a time through the 15 volumes. She handles serious issues with a grace that makes them real, sometimes heartachingly real, but that realism never degenerates into an obsessive gloom: it is what makes the characters who they are, and they react appropriately to that history. And when they have each other, Rei and Kira can surmount the odds.

In this first book, Rei and Kira meet, become friends, and start to develop an unrealized attraction as rivals try to push them apart: the delinquent playboy who has always had a thing for older, sexier women and the withdrawn artist who fears men. The awkward couple...

MARS ROCKS!!!
This manga is the best romance manga! I have read every single one of them and they are funny, sad, and romantic! I can read them over and over!! If your looking for a great read I suggest you buy all fifteen volumes.

Not Just A Story
Really a good story! It does start out a little slow at first but by the end of the first book the reader is left wanting to know what happens next. It also deals with real situations and not just a regular "they meet and live happily ever after" type of story. It deals with lifes challenges as well as its joys. At the end of the series, you almost have become part of the story.

THE BEST ROMANCE MANGA!!
I thought this book was nothing special but once i started reading it, i was totally obsessed. I can't desribe what a great book this is!! If you like manga and lots of romance, this book is for you. Rei and Kira are an amazing couple. Your money is well spent if you buy this book, so get it!! ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone's favorite gang of high schoolers is back for their final year. This time, the gang takes a trip to sunny Okinawa, where Osaka plays with sea cucumbers and looks for something to eat. Yomi announces her intention to join InterPol, and Sakaki gets a cat that will (gasp!) let her pet it! When the gang gets together for a camping trip, Mr. Kimura makes his big confession to one of the students! Meanwhile, Chiyo-chan seems to be disappearing under a horde of pigeons... It's all the zaniness and tongue-in-cheek comedy you've come to expect from this popular series, culminating in the bittersweet graduation ceremony where everyone goes their separate ways. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Chinsuko! Ukoncha!
ADV's manga translation team is to be commended. Their cultural notes section is without flaw - except in two cases. I'll get to that.

By now, Osaka has dropped most of her Osak... Italian accent. (why did they make her a mobster in the manga and a hick in the anime?) Chiyo's changed her hair. Sakaki is able to touch a cat without being mamed. A wind of change comes through the world of Azumanga Daioh.

This final volume crams in more funny than the previous three. Along with a good dose of comedy, you learn more about the characters and their lives.

The highlights of this book lie in the shiisaa, the sata andagi, Yamapikaryaa, Osaka's good luck charm, and the final summer vacation... Where, unfortunately, Yukari is awake already.

However there are two problems with the translation. When Tomo buys souveniers, she picks up two notable things: "Chinsuko" and "ukoncha." The cultural notes didn't tell us this, but Tomo was being dirty - thus Yomi's flustered reaction. "Chinsuko," when pronounced a certain way, kinda sounds like one of the terms for the male.. Y'know. "Ukoncha" kind of sounds like "poop tea." I am not making this up. I suppose I can understand why ADV Manga didn't translate this (or maybe they didn't get it), but with the 13+ rating you'd think they would.

Despite the two errors (yay only two!) this fourth volume is a great end to a great story. It makes me cry every time I read the end, and I've read/seen Azumanga a bajillion times.

HAHA!
This was such a wonderful purchase. I would recomend this book to any Anime or Manga fan.

A wonderful ending to a wonderful classic.
I have had the awesome pleasure of reading the last volume of Azumanga Daioh (the manga version). By now, everyone who follows this series (that should be a reasonable majority of those with a good taste for manga) will have been familiar with all of the characters in the story. However, the third year, and in effect, the series, begins to come to an end.

Some highlights that I want to point out to all include:

* The story of Maya, in which Sakaki finds the young Iriomote cat, and relishes in having someone to play with.
* Nyamo at the study session in Chiyo's home, where she begins to literally unravel.
* Chopsticks: Osaka seems to have been a bit clairvoyant in corrolating chopsticks with Center exam success.
* Graduation. A wonderful ending to this volume.

With all the manga volumes out for sale, I encourage everybody (you know who you are) to purchase these four treasures, or at least browse through them at your local store if you can. Azumanga is a classic, and if you though the manga was good, wait till you see the anime!

A hilarious happy ending to a great Manga
I recently borrowed this volume from a friend and it is possibly the funniest ending to a manga I have read.In this one, The girls go on there senior trip to Onikawa(where Chiyo and Osaka try to speak the local language&Sakaki actually has a sucessful encounter with a cat),graduate from high school, and deal with good luck charms for there college entrance exams(especially Osaka's chopsticks.You'll see what I mean).The first few pages are in color,which is really cool.I was really sad when I finished it because it won't profile what happens to them when they start college.All and all,this series has been a good breather from the typical manga.I can't wait for the anime! ... Read more

Book Description

When Keitaro Urashima fails his entrance exams to get into Tokyo University for the second time, he’s officially an unemployed and uneducated slacker. To make things worse, his parents have kicked him out of his house.Fortunately, his grandmother owns the fabulous Hinata Lodge and has agreed to take Keitaro in as caretaker.What he doesn’t know is that the lodge is actually a girl’s dorm and he’s the only guy around!Most guys would kill to live with five sexy ladies, but if Keitaro’s not careful, this job will kill him. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The fun in the sun has begun
Book 4 of the Love Hina series ended with Naru realizing that her former crush, Keitaro's boss Seta, has returned to Japan. Now in book 5, Naru struggles to sort out her feelings for Keitaro and Seta as the gang hits the beach for the summer.

The first half of this book works the best, as the gang goes to a summer festival, works at Haruka's seaside cafe, and does their own screwy rendition of Saiyuki, a famous Oriental myth/legend. Some classic bits include Motoko's martial arts battle with Seta, Naru's role as Goku the monkey, and Shinobu accidentally kicking Keitaro in his "delicate place."

While I wouldn't say the second half of the book was bad, it definitely comes off as disappointing after the gang returns from the beach. Motoko gets a good story about her kendo training, but the rest feels unusually pointless. Shinobu's story about her first kiss comes off as embarassing, while Kitsune's prank in the last story only sets back the progress of Keitaro and Naru's relationship. This is also the first time Su transforms into an adult, and it's something I wish Ken Akamatsu had never included, as it doesn't get much developement throughout the series. The anime highlights this part of Su much better, and I would've been completely lost if I hadn't watched it first. All in all, while I don't mind stand-alone, "day-in-the-life" filler stories, at this point they should be much better and maybe even have a running theme.

Speaking of the anime, there's one scene that I feel it does much better than the manga, and that is the kiss under the fireworks. Naru's misunderstanding here (which results in Keitaro being punched yet again) just doesn't work for me, and it feels like a cheap trick to prolong the series instead of letting the characters get their feelings out. While the mood is also spoiled in the anime version, it's due to a third character's interference, and even without the kiss, you know that Naru and Keitaro shared a meaningful moment. Here, the moment is completely spoiled.

Book 5 starts out with a five-star adventure on the beach, but drops to a three after the characters get back, so it ends up with four stars.

Excellent!
In this volume it's time for the Hinata house residents to have some fun! They work at the Hinata House cafe run by Keitaro's aunt, Haruka. Soon the girls start to wonder about kissing and that's when Su breaks out her kissing invention that pretty much sucks your face off and then a play that goes terribly wrong! Not to mention the fact that Naru's old tutor and love interest comes back and this could ruin what little has built up between Naru and Keitaro! Sarah the American girl who is the daughter of the absent minded scientist Seta, who just happens to be Naru's love interest adds a little spice to the plot. But this little girl isn't sweet. Keitaro gets stuck watching her while trying to make a little cash by working for her father. Since her father can't properly care for her, just when Keitaro thinks he's rid of the brat, he sends her to live at Hinata House! Keitaro also see's Su's transformation and is quite stunned by the magic that surrounds this wild girl!

Excellently excellent and brilliantly brilliant!!!!!
The perfect summer read, Love Hina #5 finds the Hinata household living in up on holiday at the beach! (Perfect to read when its July in England and rain just keeps coming down!) I LOVED: the scene at the beach when Shinobu is-(almost!)-kissed-by-Sempai!, The play of Goku and her funtastic friends, Naru and Keitaro's first kiss, (together, anyway!) Su's big secret and poor Motoko nearly having a breakdown! Find all this and more in Love Hina #5, where anything, and I mean ANYTHING could happen!

Wonderful!
I got the first three books from my friend for Christmas, and they are great! After reading the first three, I went out and bought four more - up till volume 7 (the other volumes have not yet been released). They are really funny with a bit of romance...

Awesome!
I am completely in love with this book. I just piced it up to check it out and was completely blown away by it. It is about a boy named Keitaro who moves into an all girls dorm. That's all I have to say, It is funny and romantic. You should read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Intense and full of psychotic action, Hellsing continues its fevered pitch into a dark chaos that defies human logic. Human? Well, there are only a few left in the storyline as the emerging Millennium Project, an army of Nazi undead, is unleashed upon the world. What will surely ensue is a war of blood and nostalgia, with a cool gothic style and increasingly frenetic pace. Envision the Hindenburg, old sharpshooter rifles, and throwback uniforms, mixed with new jet technology and incredibly bold vampires. Hellsing is packed to the gills with radical mysticism and scary apocalypse ... and it's fun as Hell! ... Read more

Book Description

This volume introduces characters appearing in historical manga, anime, etc. in a fun format, to help out struggling artists who need historical references for ninjas and samurai. At the end of the book, characters designed for anime or manga use appear. ... Read more

Book Description

Talk about dysfunctional! Miki is horrified to learn that her parents have swapped with another couple, and that all four now plan to live under one roof. But when her new stepbrother, Yuu, shows up, he appears to be just the one to ease her mental anguish... that is, until she sees the bitterness beneath his cool exterior. The strange romance that follows would make any love triangle seem ordinary by comparison. ... Read more

Book Description

Nausicaä, a gentle but strong-willed, young princess, has an empathic bond with the giant insects that evolved as a result of the ecosystem's destruction. Growing up in the Valley of the Wind, she learned to read the soul of the wind and navigates the skies in her glider. Nausicaä and her allies struggle to create peace between kingdoms torn apart by war, battling over the last of the world's precious natural resources. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An opinion from a Japanese reader
Well, I have only read Japanese edition of the Nausicaa and don't know whether the English version is the same. But I would suppose they are the same since the cover drawing shown on AMAZON is identical to that of the Japanese edition.

While most Japanese anime are produced based on an original manga that was published, successfully, in a manga journal, the animes produced by Miyazaki Hayao are usually original and not based on a precedent manga. Miyazaki himself wrote somewhere that he gave up the career as a manga writer and focused on anime production. He is recognized in Japan as a great anime producer, of course, but not as a manga writer. Nausicaa is the only exception, with a good reason.

If you are familar with the modern manga drawings of, say, Otomo Katsuhiro, you cannot fail to recognize that the drawings of Miyazaki lack some strength the serious Japanese manga have achieved, looking rather like rough sketches or something. There is an essay on Nausicaa by Miyazaki himself in the Japanese edition, which I hope the American publisher has retained in the English edition. There, he said that he was urged and urged to publish the manga version of Nausicaa (this book) and finally forced to do that.

Mr. Miyazaki is known as an outspoken person. Then, what is this modesty about? Nothing, except that he does not want to admit that he could not fully express the notion in the Nausicaa in an anime and was forced to publish it in a manga format. OK, it's well done.

Anyone who love Japanese anime, must read!
My favorite Miyazaki movie, "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind"! Many people are saying that Nausicaa is similer to "The Lord of the Rings". I don't agree at all (Hey, I love The Lord of the Rings too by the way! Did everyone like Return of the King? I thought that was the best out of 3 movies). Nausicaa has storonger message for environmental disruption more than fellowship.
For this movie, Nausicaa, I recommend you to see movie first. Then you should read books because books go much deeper than movie. Nausicaa tries to stop other warring nations from destroying themselves and from destroying the only means by which their world can be saved from the spread of polluted wastelands.
Plus please read books over and over again. You won't get message right away. It's pretty complecated.
It might be too complecated for children. However, it does not means they should not read. They will feel diffarent and see more in this story when they grown up.

As an additional info., "My Neighbor Totoro", "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Princess Mononoke" are something which you should consider to just enjoy fantasy world.
I heard from many people didn't like "Spirited Away".
I love Miyazaki movie and normaly, I can get Miyazaki message from the movie easily but for this one, I couldn't get much message right away. So! I personally suggest to watch more than once. I realized later, it had meaning everywhere how much we pollute our planet and make us think there is something we can do for it. You won't realize that if you don't pay attention enough (just like what I did (...).

Children's version of story a little over children's heads
This english-language, hard-bound edition (along with a companion vol. 2) sets cels of Hayao Miyazaki's 1984 movie "Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind" against big-type text to create a children's book of the story. It's a lovely and very rare keepsake, and if you find it, it's something you'll want for your kids if only to give them a striking alternative to the usual Disney industrialisms and spineless child-psychologist-approved piffle.

One snag though: the Nausicaä story is very involved and somewhat difficult to follow, with a huge cast and many changes of scene. It involves a young, supernaturally-aware, pacifist warrior-princess in a feudal, post-environmental-apocalypse future when nature is trying to annihilate mankind in an effort to cleanse itself, and mankind's wars are only accelerating that process. The dust jacket suggests the book is actually meant for children 12-18, which I find problematic -- they're old enough at that age to follow the story, but probably too old to accept the children's-book format. Maybe the ideal reader is a 7- or 8-year-old wise beyond his or her years.

The movie that this book is adapated from has only been shown a few times in its entirety in English. An 80's adaptation by Roger Corman called "Warriors of the Wind" hacked over a half-hour of story and character development and is widely regarded as one of the worst pieces of anime butchery ever. Those who've read the manga will also notice the movie (and thus this book) make radical changes in details and plot, if not in theme -- the original story ran about 1,000 pages was years away from completion when the movie was made.

Tokuma produced similar books for the Miyazaki movies "Laputa Castle in the Sky", "My Neighbor Totoro", and "Kiki's Delivery Service". ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Genius Work
Yes, that's right, genius work! A lot of people would completely disagree with me on this series (specifically friends) but I completely adore it. FAKE is freaking awesome and the fourth book is so cool. It's very touching and sweet and wow, there's a plot, how amazing is that? The action is absolutely amazing and I completely love how Matoh depicts New York city life, although she's way off on the kinds of people who live here and how the buildings look and such, but she completely gets the perfect NY attitude. The fourth book deals with a mad bomber destroying Dee and Ryo's precinct...and the rest, you'll have to find out for yourselves. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone if I could, but I suggest whoever reads it not be offended by boy on boy relationships or cursing. There's a lot of both. There's an OT rating on the book so that means there are certain scenes not suitable for anyone under the age of 16.

Must own!
I kinda stumble onto this series, and man, I fell in love with it! I used to stay away from so-called "boys love" (yes, that's how it's called in Japan) stuff because many times those Japanese men were depicted in such a feminine way. But this series is totally refreshing for they are just "regular" men who are in love with another "regular" men, know what I mean? This is the Must Own series, not to just read at bookstore and leave 'em there. And, just because I am fluent in Japanese, I ordered the original version of the series and am to pick 'em up when I get to Japan, hehehe. I can't wait to read their original dialogues. I wish they make more videos/DVD's based on the stories, not only one :( But, take it! There are some CD's out, too, yay!

If you love the series...
If you love the series, you'll love this book. The story flows right along, and in this volume you'll love the "explosive" scene right before the middle. Can you say "KAAABOOOOOOOM!!!" But it get's touching right after that, Ryo-style. *tear* But JJ sure is a character that'll lift the mood right back up... and cause it to errupt in humor of course!!! Now before I ruin it, Later. Oh and pick up the book, you'll love it. ^_^

FAKE rules!
I bought this a while back and am anxiously waiting for book five to come out. I fell in love with this series actually a little while after reading the books at the store, now I just love it and don't care wat anybody thinks! This series isn't for people who don;t like yaoi pairings because in the manga there are plenty of sections where the pairing of the series is made quite obvious.
Perhaps it's the lovely artwork in the manga or the flowing, interesting plot that hooked me and many others, but FAKE is definitely a must have for yaoi fans. Sanami Matoh-san did an excellent job and FAKE is godsend to yaoi fans. I myself have only read FAKE as my one and only yaoi series but it's one that I feel is an excellent series and something all kinds of people would like.
This series is not for people who find yaoi pairings offensive. Or for people who are young and are not of a suitable age to veiw such scenes as presented in the manga.

So Good!
I love this story. There are spots in it that are ultra sweet, not just with Ryo and Dee, but with Carol and Bikky too.

The one thing I don't like is that some of the guys other than Dee and Ryo are kind of hard to tell apart.

This book is still a must have. ... Read more

Book Description

When Sara¹s classmate, Ruri, received a computer disk from a strange man, Setsuna shows up to whisk her away from him. After lecturing Ruri about talking to weirdos, Setsuna comments she¹s much cuter without glasses, which she dropped in the confusion. Unfortunately, neither of them have been watching the news which reports of mysterious deaths occurring in connection with the CD-ROM "Digital Angels." The disk Ruri received is this same "Digital Angels" disk, and without knowing the danger, Setsuna lets her keep it. As soon as Ruri uses the program, her personality starts to change, and strange things begin to happen as Evils and angels seek the Setsuna¹s soul for their own mysterious motives.... ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Stunning
Yes, this book is for mature audiences (incest, sex, death) but it is without question one of the best manga that I have ever read. No joke.

Words are not enough.
Kaori Yuki is the greatest storyteller in the world.

My friend once exclaimed, 'She's like Shakespeare with pictures!'

Angel Sanctuary is arguably her masterwork. There are so many fine points of its beauty that I cannot possibly expound on them here. Every nuance, every symbol, every character in it serves a purpose. The opening and ending of every existing arc is run through with a thread of incalculable poetry.

That said, the delicate-minded and morally-bound should stay far away. Kaori is not afraid of anything - themes explored in her stories include incest, pedophilia, necrophilia, rape, ressurection, multiple personalities, child abuse, suicide, forbidden love, prostitution, serial murders, the nature of sin, the nature of God, and the nature of humanity. Angel Sanctuary boasts lustful angels, androgynous demons, a psychotic God, and an aborted baby with tentacles who resides in a stuffed bunny rabbit. [No, I am not kidding.] And yet, somehow, it all works.

As for everyone with an open mind - run, do not walk, to the closest bookstore and stuff your pockets with volumes of this comic. You can thank me later.

THE most meaningful manga I've read to date
I remember being completely awstruck and speechless after finishing the end of this series at volume 20. No detail is irrelevant to kaori yuki as she manages to draw on all the loose strings to tie together a well supported argument which isn't completely unveiled until volume 20. Following in her trend of using biblical references (her previous work Count Cain revolved around many interesting biblical images), Angel Sanctuary takes it another step to actually make a statement on not only our current society, but the modern (or perhaps not so modern) take on morality as well. If you're in search for manga that's actually intellectually stimulating, I would definitely recommend Angel Sanctuary. It reads like a well-written novel with the additional plus of gorgeous artwork/character design (although necessarily bloody at parts <--- no, it's not just random gore, those scenes do exist for certain reasons that go towards her overall purpose) I would even recommend it if you're simply looking for a interesting storyline. After volume 4 or so, I found myself completely addicted to the complexity of the storyline to the point of being completely stunned. Although I didn't feel a particularly strong attachment to either main character, I did grow to love most of the side characters (kira is quite a bish ^_-). Also, many parts of the storyline made me emotional to the point of tears due to the poignant method in which she reveals certain plot sequences. There is no manga I would recomment more than Angel Sanctuary!!

Warning: Extremely addicting!
I was just looking for some new manga series to read and I happened to pick up Angel Sanctuary.I was hooked immeditely.Normally, the story line would only be mediocre for me but Kaori Yuki somehow makes this manga impossible to put down.Among some of the characters are:

Setsuna Mundo, our hero, who is not exactly an average teenager.He often picks fights and says whatever is on his mind at the moment.For some reason, the sight of blood makes him drowsy and dizzy as a proctection against killing anyone.He happens to be in love with his younger sister.

Sayuki Kira (personally my favorite character because volumes 2 and 3), a delinquet who acts as an older brother character to Setsuna.There's something very strange about him.

Sara Mundo, Setsuna's younger sister who has a thing for her older brother.

Ruri, Sara's classmate who is pulled into an evil scheme concerning the Setsuna and an angel.

Lord Rosiel, the highest ranking angel in heaven who has gone slightly mad after being locked away for years by his older twin sister after they fought a battle years and years ago.He wishes to awaken his sister to kill her once and for all but he has other motivates which are somewhat unclear at first.

Alexiel, Rosiel's twin sister of whom Setsuna is a reincarnation of.She refuses to be rewoken very easily.

Kurai, a PRINCESS (I thought she was male at first) of hell, who seeks to reawaken Alexiel because Alexiel saved her life many years ago.

Arachne, a transvestite, who is Kurai's cousin and flirty sidekick.(He is another one of my favorite characters.)

The story revolves around Setsuna who is visted by the two evils (Kurai and Arachne) and told that he is Alexiel.He is, of course, more concerned with his sister and trying to stop loving her, but soon events start happening that are out of his control.

I've only read up to number three so far but I can't wait to get the next one.This has already become my favorite manga in a matter of days (it has just beat FAKE).But be warned, once you start reading, you won't be able to stop.

Devils, Angels and humans...
Setsuma is mixed up.He wants to be noble, but he gets into fights, refuses to respect authority, and has incestuous feelings for his sister.Could it be he holds the soul of a Angel who once fought heaven?Will he end up the target of both the Demons and Angels as his past life and his present sins catch up with him?
Good artwork, twisted plot, adult themes.Very much for older teens. ... Read more

Book Description

Old-fashioned role-playing games experience a renaissance on the World Wide Web. Twins Rena and Shugo are two middle school students who enter "The World" as level one game characters. When Shugo's character dies he is transported to another level where he is entrusted to bear the Twilight Bracelet by the mysterious Aura. Shugo must find out who Aura is and why she gave him this powerful weapon to protect his sister from the peculiar characters in "The World." ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This was AWESOME!!!
OK. This manga was incredible. The story line and art work are captivating and amazing. I have never seen the animae but this got me hooked. It is worth every penny that you spend on it. I read many different manga series and this I think could easily be one of the best that I have ever read. It is a little confusing if you have never played an RGP but dont let it stop you from buying it! I can't wait to buy the second volume and for the third to come out. BUY THIS MANGA, you will be very happy with your purchase.

Awsome, if you don't get it i don like you
.Hack is the most awsome manga book I've ever read! They made 4 .Hack games, an anime series and now the manga's finally out in america. It's 100% authentic manga meaning you read it right to left. It has almost 200 pages and it's so good I read it in an hour-and a half. What happens 2, 14-year old twins named Shugo and Rena enter a game called the world where they meet a lot of interesting players and one Shugo already knew. they won the charecters the dot hackers kite and Black Rose [see .Hack Infection.] Anyway it's the best book I've ever read. If you love Anime and vidio games but hate reading this is the book for you. It's rated T [thirteen and up] so it's not appropriate for young readers.

C-O-O-L!!!
I know this book SAYS it's rated T. But that doesn't mean you can't read it! I'm a pre-teen, and I read the whole thing in one day! It didn't even have alot of mature things in it! If your telling me, it should have an E rating. But anyway, the book was awesome!!! Especially the Cerberaus part when they fought him. And I also like the Japenese style of reading right-to-left. Plus I like the concept. It's halairious!!! I was laughing in my head at some parts. Like I said, T rating, E concept.

It doesn't get any worse than this
It doesn't get any worse than this. this is the worst manga I have ever read it is absolutely horrible plus it has no story. Pokemon had a better story than this I rather go read that manga than read this. alls they do is go around and talk and stuff like that want to know something amazing I can do that in my own backyard. this is a terrible manga and no one should buy it unless you buy it just to stomp all over it then throw it into the fireplace. overall this is the worst manga I have ever read.

The absolute worst
.hack//legend of the twighlight is the absolute worst manga I have ever read it can't get any worse than this i rather read pokemon. Their is absolutely no story. except they go into the world and do stuff WOO just want I want to read I can go and do that at my own house. If you like this manga their is something terribly wrong with you. It is so boring. The worst and sickest part is that the main charachter is in love with his sister. Most of the charachters are annoying and have no point. Overall this is horrible no one should read it. If you do buy it buy it just to stomp all over it and then throw it into the fire. You will see how bad it is once you get it. ... Read more

Book Description

Kira is a lonesome waif who cares more about her art than anything else. Rei is an arrogant, rebellious and tough playboy who wears his delinquency like a badge. When these two opposites find each other, the sparks fly, but they also attract some unwanted attention. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

hey! when's the next one come out...
well this is the seventh volume in a 15 volume saga of the 2 main characters kira and rei.... and what mighty fine characters they are. in this volume, the athor (soryo) throws even more undercuts and sucker punches than in the previous volumes. i can't imagine how she comes up with it all! but anyhow, moving on ----> rei is torn apart from the inside when he begins to compare himself w/ the twisted masao (and thinks he's like the major sicko) from the previous manga (the 6th! come one pple keep up!). because of this he agonizes over his current relations and such (i won't go into too much more detail) but let's just say kira also has some issues that most of the followers of this manga will begin suspect (and slap themselves on the head for not realizing it earlier... lol like myself for instance).

well i can't honestly say this manga is for every shoujo lover out there, but i'm certain many would enjoy it. however, interested readers must note that this isn't ur sailormoon or marmalade boy type of manga where it's all fun and spastic (which is cool in it's own right), but this manga is meant for readers looking for very indepth characters and a very convoluted and entangling story plot that looks into the "why's" of people... or some such nonsense. it's very good. really. ah i can see it in ur eyes that u don't agree with me... well wander over to ur manga store and take a gander at the first volume and then u'll see what i mean! this is margi, over and out!

Mars #7
This story is very addictive.....I just can't put it down...If you like shojo(girls manga) then you have to get this serise. It's not the kind of manga that you can just start in the middle, try the first book first. they all connect.

Plus the artwork is fablous......There may not be much backround, but the facial experssions are the best I have seen. ... Read more

Book Description

Kana de Manga, the latest entry in the popular Manga University lineup of books, uses original manga artwork to teach students how to read, write and pronounce the Japanese hiragana and katakana alphabets, also known as "kana." Author Glenn Kardy, editor of several of the English-language volumes in the world-renowned How to Draw Manga series, and artist Chihiro Hattori have teamed up to create this must-have book for manga enthusiasts who are interested in more than just pretty pictures. Includes a foreword by Dr. Ronald A. Morse, professor of Japan Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A good entry point to the kana for the tween-ager set
One kana character per page spread (hirigana on the left side of each spread, katakana on the right); a sample word using the kana on each page; a paragraph putting the word in cultural context; and a manga-style illustration.

It's a simple and effective formula... much the same one as used in Jimi's Book of Japanese, which we purchased last year. However, Kana de Manga appeals to a slightly older kid. My 12-year-old daughter declares herself very pleased with it. "Jimi" is a larger book, much more nicely produced (glossy paper, heavy cover, color) but seems pitched at the younger set. Also, you have to buy separate Jimi books for hirigana and katakana; this one combines both in one volume.

I particularly appreciated the fact that the hirigana words were mostly Japanese words, whereas the katakana examples were typically foreign loan words--reinforcing the fact that this is how the two syllabaries are used in real-life Japanese.

Considering that my kiddo has had the book only two days and is already telling me that "kiku" is chrysanthemum and yon-yon (4th day 4th month, or April 4) is Yo-Yo Day in Japan, I think I can safely say the book was a good investment.

Oh, about the "is it complete or is it not?" debate between previous reviewers--they're both wrong :-)The kana characters, when modified with the dakuten (two little lines) or handakuten (tiny circle), do indeed become different "letters" (really syllables), just as an N (en) and an N-tilde (enye) are two different letters in Spanish. The page-by-page treatment in this book covers only the basic 46 kana characters. However, the introductory material covers the use of the diacritical marks (dakuten changes K->G, S->Z, T->D, and so on; handakuten changes H->P). It also touches on doubled vowels and consonants.

Personally, I'd have liked to see these modified characters get their own pages--it's one thing to say "oh, and apply this rule to get that" but much better would be to show examples of the rule. But it's not a deal-breaker, especially for a book priced under ten bux.

Excellent for learning Japanese!
This is literally the 'ABC's' of Japanese. It is very helpful, and I can actually read Japanese now! (Well almost...) This is a great book to get before Kanji de Manga, because you need to know the Hiragana and Katakana before moving on. So if you're interested in learning how to read and write Japanese, definitely get this book.

I live in Japan, and this book is right
The people who say this book doesn't have all the characters are confused about Japanese. There are 46 characters in hiragana and 46 in katakana, and this book shows all of them :-)

I think what the other guys mean is that this book doesn't show how to change the characters with accent marks to make new sounds.

This book is like an ABC book that shows you all of the letters of the alphabet, but does not show you accents like two dots above a "u" or a slant line above an "a"or a squiggly mark above an "e"like in Spanish. Would you say the ABC book only shows half the letters of the alphabet?! Of course not! LOL!

Great book. Not perfect.
Ok this is my last edit. This book has all characters. It shows you how to change the accent marks too. But the problem is if kids go out and see the syllable "KYU" then there will be confusion. This book doesn't show you how to get the sylabbles such as Ryu, Kyu, Ji and others. This can be quite a problem, so i recommend a purchase of a dictionary with a full kana chart. This book is great (the mnemonics and stroke order are worth the purchase alone)but like i said in my review of it's kanji counterpart a dictionary (and a book on grammar) is neccasary.

It's worth the ten dollars!
This book is great. Even if you don't study this book hard, you will memorize like 3-4 hirogana or katakana symbols a day. However, if you have not been studying the Japanese language for at least a month and a half, you will not understand what you are reading. Once translated the words are in Japanese, so you must be somewhat fluent. That's the only reason why I did not give this 5 stars. This book also teaches you a lot about the Japanese culture and traditions. Get this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Interest in anime and manga-the arts of Japanese animation andcomics-is exploding in the US children's market. PokŽmon, Digimon, Dragon BallZ, and Sailor Moon are just a few of the anime phenomena delighting kids ages 4- 12. Kids Draw Anime, the eighth book in the popular Kids Draw series, is the firstbook specifically designed to teach kids 6-12 how to draw the popular animestyle themselves. Focusing on sh›jo- and sh›nen-style anime, the book teachesthe familiar "big eye" look, in which characters are drawn cute and young asopposed to the angular, dramatic characters of adult-oriented styles.Young artists will find a complete introduction to anime style, taught withengaging text and full-color art. Dozens of fun, hands-on lessons demonstratehow to draw heads, eyes, expressions, hairstyles, the basic body, hands andshoes, good guys and bad guys, goofy characters, fantasy characters, robots, andmuch more. As in all Kids Draw books, each dazzling spread is easy to follow,fun to look at, and guaranteed to charm a new generation of artists! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not bad..................
It was'nt that helpful to me, but the book is specificly about teaching YOUNGER kids how to draw. I am SO sorry if the book dosn't teach you how to draw REFINED manga, becouse once agian the book if for younger kids. I dunno, I just had to blab about that.
This book is good. It tells you how to draw manga eyes, exaturated emotions, manga noses, hands, feet, alittle bit on the body, "action line", good guys and bad guys, little bit on anime robots, anime animals, little bit(very small)on the martial arts and some more advanced characters with how-to-draw steps and subsections for all that. 3 different artists drawing in this book and it's 64 pages. Theres nothing immoral in this book, and I think its a good primer. I recomend this book for people ages 7 to 10.

a misnomer
im sorry 4 those who like this book, and thats ok, but this name is a misnomer. this is not anime, but an american recreation of it called animerican. if u want real anime, may i suggest How to draw Anime and Game characters, vol. 1

Great for getting started!
This book was great and I learned how to do a lot, but there are still many books to teach me stuff I don't know.

Great instructional book
My kids loved this book. It kept them occupied for many hours and they really liked the style and the drawings. They followed tasks step by step and they really improved. They loved the section on how to make the eyes shine and drawing hands and feet. I loved the animal section. This book is highly recommended. ... Read more