New Book Review - Uncanny: The Origins of Fear by Junji Ito

Name - Uncanny: The Origins of Fear

Written by - Junji Ito

Translated by - Jocelyne Allen

Published by - Viz Media LLC

First things first, I got this book from Edelweiss as an ARC, so thank you Edelweiss and Viz Media LLC for this opportunity.

It really is a joy to get under the skin of a creative mind, getting to learn how that brain of their works, seeing what influenced to create their masterpieces, and most of learning about their life and knowing that they are as normal an individual as us in many aspects. 'Uncanny: The Origins of Fear' is such a deep dive into the mind of one of the greatest horror manga artists ever, and it is very enjoyable.

The book has a gorgeous layout with many drawings and layouts from the mangaka, as well as some interesting bits of his life, from his early childhood up to his struggles to make a living, then finally turning into a full-time creator of mangas. It is not an easy path being one of the best, especially when you also have to learn enough to make it all matter, and it is also amazing to see how Junji Ito's mind works in deciphering meaning and ideas out of his everyday experiences.

The author divided the whole thing into five carefully thought out chapters. The first two work like an autobiography, with details from his childhood, his initial work as a dental technician, all the whole trying to write and draw mangas, to finally his breakout into the manga world slowly through his sheer determination and creativity. The most interesting part about these first two chapters is the fact how Ito writes about his various influences and how these moulded him; I really loved this because I am not very learned in Japanese manga history. I gained lots of recommendations from this section to enrich my TBR pile.

Sadly for those who hadn't read much work of Junji Ito, the last three chapters delve into spoiler filled territory, as Ito delves deep into his creation process through numerous examples of his works. These three deal with his exploration of how he gets his ideas, to his points of view and inspiration about some iconic characters he created, ending the last chapter by going into a detailed glimpse into his drawing process with some delightful arts on display.

As a non-fiction book, this was quite enjoyable. This should cater especially to the taste of readers who are already his fans. But that doesn't mean there isn't enough to enjoy for casual readers of him or the people just starting to get into his work. The drawings throughout the book are honestly enough for any enthusiast of manga to collect this one.

A resounding 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

New Manga Review - The Marshal King, Vol. 1 by Boichi

Manga Name - The Marshal King (Vol. 1)

Author - Boichi (Story & Art)

Original Serialization: Shounen Jump+

English Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Genres: Action, Western, Shounen

First things first, I got this book from Edelweiss as an ARC, so thank you Edelweiss and Viz Media LLC for this opportunity.

Almost on a whim I decided to request this first volume of the newest manga by Boichi. I had read about him and liked the samples of his artwork that I had seen on the internet, and was meaning to check out what the fuss was about for some time now. This one was enjoyable while it lasted, has some room to evolve in the future, had great art, but wasn't anything out of the ordinary or much memorable upon reflection.

The story follows Jimmu on his quest to become the Marshal King, for which he joins the Marshal Academy in this first volume, acquiring a few friends and fighting some outlaws along the way. This is Boichi's attempt at creating a spaghetti western mixed with Japanese manga style humor and style. But sadly so far it reads like something that has been done before in various settings and nothing makes it stand out as unique.

Characters are quite generic as to be expected, but as this is just the beginning there certainly is some room for improvement in the future in this department.

The art is the strongest point so far; the background is crisply detailed, the action bits are exquisitely drawn, with some stylistic character facial work to create a sense of spectacle that made me return to various panels quite often.

Hopefully, Bochi improves upon the story and characters in the future to create something unique in the following volumes as this definitely has beautiful artwork to keep things interesting.

Overall Score -

                            7 out of 10.

Promising Manga & Light Novels This Week - JULY 16, 2019

[ This post is entirely based on the stuff that I find to be promising from the current week, not a best of or highlights of the week list. The rest of the stuff I didn't find interesting due to preferences based on my taste and so this is solely my view. ]

Series : Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Vol. 6
Story & Art : Inio Asano
Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Synopsis :
The collaboration between S.E.S. and the Self-Defense Forces is going beautifully. Fujin Type 9s patrol the streets of Tokyo, and the slaughter of the Invaders is at an all-time high. It’s almost enough to distract the populace from the ominous smoke coming from the mother ship!
Meanwhile, Kadode is getting used to having an Invader living in her apartment. His delicious cooking almost makes up for the stress of dealing with the constant threat of vigilante exterminators taking him down right in front of her eyes!

[ Another seinen from the creator of 'Solanin' and 'Oyasumi Punpun'. Worth checking out for sure. ]

Series : Fire Punch Vol. 7
Story & Art : Tatsuki Fujimoto
Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Synopsis :
In a frozen dystopia where inhabitants eat flesh to survive, can the destructive powers of fire bring salvation?
In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blankets the world in snow, starvation, and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing?
With his promise to Tena imprinted on his mind, Agni can only enjoy an inauthentic peace coated thickly with lies. His existence blames, tortures and undermines him, becoming an affliction worse than the anger, pain and madness he’d experienced as Fire Punch. As Agni searches desperately for an escape from this hell, an old friend suddenly appears.

[ I have been quite interested in this series since I first heard about it. Now it's almost finished being translated, time to start on reading. ]

Series : Terra Formars Vol. 21
Story : Yu Sasuga
Art : Ken-ichi Tachibana
Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Synopsis :
Humanity’s attempt to terraform and colonize Mars goes horribly wrong.
In the late 26th century, overpopulation on Earth is reaching the breaking point, and humanity must find new frontiers. The terraforming of Mars has taken centuries but is now complete. The colonization of Mars by humanity is an epoch-making event, but an unintended side effect of the terraforming process unleashes a horror no one could ever have imagined…
The Terraformars have infested Japan and the war for Earth is on! The aliens have evolved and so have Earth’s warriors, striking back against the invaders in new and powerful ways. As Japanese and American fighters and soldiers face the onslaught, Michelle sets out on a mission to take Shokichi away from General Kai…

[ Another series I have known about for a long time. Should be action-packed and fun.  ]

Series : Altair: A Record of Battles Vol. 11
Story & Art : Kotono Kato
Publisher : Kodansha Comics

Synopsis :
In a fevered effort to rally allies and thwart the Empire’s advance, Mahmut continues his campaign south to the mercenary metropolis of Tauro! The city’s seasoned soldiers would bolster the Tripartite’s force tremendously. However, if Mahmut is to win over Tauro’s twin mayors, he must first defeat them in a perilous mock battle! Wielding his wit and military finesse, can the Golden Eagle break the Bull?!

[ A shounen with a very unique and interesting setting, the reviews are very positive as well. ]

Promising Manga & Light Novels This Week - JULY 2, 2019

[ This post is entirely based on the stuff that I find to be promising from the current week, not a best of or highlights of the week list. The rest of the stuff I didn't find interesting due to preferences based on my taste and so this is solely my view. ]

Series : Dr. Stone Vol. 6
Story : Riichiro Inagaki
Art : Boichi
Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Synopsis :
Imagine waking to a world where every last human has been mysteriously turned to stone...
One fateful day, all of humanity turned to stone. Many millennia later, Taiju frees himself from the petrification and finds himself surrounded by statues. The situation looks grim—until he runs into his science-loving friend Senku! Together they plan to restart civilization with the power of science!
Senku’s father, the astronaut Byakuya, returned to Earth shortly after humanity turned to stone. What did he leave behind for his son to discover thousands of years later?
In the meantime, Senku and the villagers have to contend with attackers from the Tsukasa Empire. The dire situation calls for drastic measures, so they start work on their strongest weapon yet...

[ A shounen with a lot of hype and an upcoming anime. Should be worth checking out.  ]

Series : I Am a Hero Omnibus Vol. 10
Story & Art : Kengo Hanazawa
Publisher : Dark Horse Manga

Synopsis :
Revelations, new mutations, and new motivations abound in this penultimate collection!
An odd observer in Barcelona pieces together the puzzle of the ZQN infestation before creator Kengo Hanazawa takes readers back to Japan and our remaining human survivors. Hideo and Hiromi discover something else that connects the two of them, as they head to Tokyo with a new ally. Murderous groups of human survivors are forced to band together, and the ZQN virus continues to evolve in massive ways. Go way further and get way stranger than the I Am a Hero film adaptation!
Collects I Am a Hero original Japanese volumes 19 and 20.

[ A zombie apocalypse manga that I have been interested for a long time coming closer to its end. High time to read it, I guess. ]

Series : Platinum End Vol. 9
Story : Tsugumi Ohba
Art : Takeshi Obata
Publisher : Viz Media LLC

Synopsis :
With Kanade Uryu now dead, Mirai and Saki are able to rest for the first time in a while and mourn the death of their partner, Mukaido. But then a new god candidate appears on television and begins revealing all of their secrets. Is this the start of a new battle, or is there a peaceful way out of their plight?

[ I got the physical copy of the first volume. A series from the creators of 'Death Note' and 'Bakuman', need I say more? ]

Series : Full Metal Panic! Vol. 2
Story : Shouji Gatou
Art : Shikidouji
Publisher : J-Novel Club

Synopsis :
Popular, very pretty, and telepathic teenager Kaname is off on her school outing to Okinawa with her schoolmates. As they say, vacations never go according to plan, and when terrorists hijack their plane, they find themselves held as hostages in North Korea. A deadly terrorist organization has been tracking Kaname carefully, wanting to study her gift of "the Whispered," her telepathic skill, and they are willing to sacrifice everyone on the plane to capture her. Unfortunately for the terrorists, Sosuke Sagara, agent of the hyper-secret government commando agency, "Mithril," is undercover as one of the students. Mission: protect Kaname without her knowledge.

[ I liked the first volume of this series a lot more than I expected. New translation of an old school legendary light novel by J-Novel Club, I will read this as soon as I get my hands on it. ]

Promising Manga & Light Novels This Week - JUNE 18, 2019

[ This post is entirely based on the stuff that I find to be promising from the current week, not a best of or highlights of the week list. The rest of the stuff I didn't find interesting due to preferences based on my taste and so this is solely my view. ]

Series : Dead Mount Death Play Vol. 2
Story : Ryohgo Narita
Art : Shinta Fujimoto
Publisher : Yen Press

Synopsis :
Disaster personified has arrived, but his purpose is unknown. One thing is certain-Polka and company are in the presence of raw power. With death upon them, Shinjuku is in frenzy...The true Death Play has begun.

[ New manga from the creator of Baccano! and Durarara!!, color me interested. ]

Series : Silver Spoon Vol. 9
Story & Art : Hiromu Arakawa
Publisher : Yen Press

Synopsis :
Lessons learned at the dairy farm push Hachiken to continue working hard and move away from his past. But moving away from a past means a goal for the future...Will Hachiken be able to discover his dream for his life in the cold winter at Ego Az?

[ I have watched both season of the anime and loved them. A great slice of life shounen series (my review of first season). ]

Series : Prison School Vol. 13
Story & Art : Akira Hiramoto
Publisher : Yen Press

Synopsis :
Shoulder Wars has taken a turn for the extreme as the Chairman's helicopter is about to crash into the academy! Time is of the essence, but who will survive?! It's the conclusion to the Field Day arc!

[ Latest volume of a highly acclaimed series. I need to check this one out. ]

Series : Ultraman Vol. 12
Story : Eiichi Shimizu
Art : Tomohiro Shimoguchi 
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
It’s time for a new generation of Ultraman!
Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined together with Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters called Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero—a new kind of Ultraman…
The battle against the Star of Darkness in New York City ends in a blinding flash of Spacium rays. While things return to normal for the SSSP, in the aftermath, Adad betrays the Star Cluster Council and flees to Hong Kong. Now, two assassins known as the Leo Brothers have been sent to hunt him down. In this battle of unleashed beasts, there is only victory or death…

[ Well, I a have a thing for superheroes as you all know. And this one has an anime licensed by 'Netflix', should be good. ]

Series : Accel World Vol. 18
Story : Reki Kawahara
Art : HIMA
Publisher : Yen On

Synopsis :
Prepare for a full dive!
For the sake of opposing the White Legion, Oscillatory Universe, a meeting between the Black and Green Legions has been called. But any longtime player of Brain Burst knows that no meeting is complete without a fight! With negotiations underway and the battle set to begin, everything seems to be progressing smoothly...until a mysterious jet-black avatar falls from the sky and lands between the two parties! The newcomer carries two swords-each as black as his armor-and reveals a piece of information that raises the stakes of the match exponentially! Now it's all or nothing in the Battle Royale between Nega Nebulus and Great Wall. But these two Legions will have more than just their powerful opponents to worry about, because the arena for this high-stakes battle is the newly implemented Space stage!

[ I know this probable won't be very good, but somehow I have been interested in this series for a long time now. ]

Series : Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Vol. 10
Story : Tappei Nagatsuki
Art : Shinichirou Otsuka
Publisher : Yen On

Synopsis :
The times may change, but the legends of adventuring never will!
With the Witch Cult and the Archbishop of Sloth defeated, Subaru Natsuki is finally reunited with Emilia. Overcoming their bitter parting, the two manage to reconcile only for new troubles to take center stage. Even though the coast is now clear, half of the villagers who escaped have yet to return. Hoping to meet up with Roswaal, Ram, and the missing residents of Earlham, Subaru and the others head toward the Sanctuary. Waiting for them inside are the unwelcoming inhabitants of the Sanctuary and a very suspiciously amused Roswaal. Though Subaru tries his best to find a way to bring everyone home, when past and present collide, he'll come face-to-face with a Witch who lives in his dreams!

[ An 'Isekai' series that has interesting concepts. I watched half of the first season of the anime and was impressed.  ]

Series : A Certain Magical Index Vol. 19
Story : Kazuma Kamachi
Art : Kiyotaka Haimura
Publisher : Yen On

Synopsis :
A certain unlikely hero...
In the shadowy underbelly of Academy City, the problem-busting team known as Group (centered around Level Five esper Accelerator and the man who wields the powers of science and magic, Tsuchimikado) is investigating every lead they can related to the word dragon. This clue may be the key to finding their way out of a terrible situation. Unfortunately, their efforts put them at odds with a particular member of the General Board, the highest body of authority in Academy City. Once again, Group finds itself in the center of a gunfire-filled conspiracy...just as former Item member Hamazura stumbles onto the scene?!

[ One of the most famous light novels which is still ongoing. ]

Series : The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria Vol. 6
Story : Eiji Mikage
Art : Tetsuo
Publisher : Yen On

Synopsis :
"I couldn't care less what happens to me. All I've ever wanted is
for you to be happy."
The Silver Screen of Broken Wishes was a Box intended to stop Daiya's plan to rule the world-a theater to show him his past and destroy his wish. Unfortunately, Daiya isn't one to go down so easily, and "Aya" Otonashi is the key to his plan to drag Kazuki into the theater and defeat him. Will Daiya succeed in changing the world-or will someone be able to save it from him?

[ Another famous light novel, and this one is finished in Japanese. So I have no excuses for binge reading this. ] 

Series : My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected Vol. 7.5
Story : Wataru Watari
Art : Ponkan 8
Publisher : Yen On

Synopsis :
The Service Club is especially busy these days now that they're handling requests via email. Even without the excitement of a major event, sometimes just the day to day is all the drama you need...

[ Well, I am a fan 'Oregairu' and 'Hachiman'. As a matter of fact I have bought physical copies of the first three volumes already. ]

Series : Infinite Dendrogram Vol. 9
Story : Sakon Kaidou
Art : Taiki
Translator : Andrew Hodgson
Publisher : J-Novel Club

Synopsis :

The battles around the ruins are intensifying. Two agents from Dryfe enter the stage, and the superweapon built to be the hope of ancient humanity is on the verge of awakening.

The threats to the kingdom force the masked princess to reveal her power, while the demon lying dormant within Ray's bracers waits for her time to show herself.

The Quartierlatin County is in grave danger, and it's up to Ray and his allies to stand and protect it.

[ Although relatively new, this light novel is also very high rated online. I am hopeful regarding this one. ] 

Promising Manga & Light Novels This Week - JUNE 11, 2019

[ This post is entirely based on the stuff that I find to be promising from the current week, not a best of or highlights of the week list. The rest of the stuff I didn't find interesting due to preferences based on my taste and so this is solely my view. ]

Series : Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 1
Story & Art : Tomohito Oda
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
The journey to 100 friends begins with a single conversation.
Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve! With the whole student body keeping their distance and Komi unable to utter a single word, friendship might be forever beyond her reach.
Timid Tadano is a total wallflower, and that’s just the way he likes it. But all that changes when he finds himself alone in a classroom on the first day of high school with the legendary Komi. He quickly realizes she isn’t aloof—she’s just super awkward. Now he’s made it his mission to help her on her quest to make 100 friends!

[ An interesting new debut, that promises to be a fun slice-of-life if nothing else. ]

Series : Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Vol. 36
Story & Art : Shinobu Ohtaka
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
An epic dungeon-busting adventure inspired by One Thousand and One Nights!
Deep within the desert lie the mysterious Dungeons, vast stores of riches there for the taking by anyone lucky enough to find them and brave enough to venture into the depths from where few have ever returned. Plucky young adventurer Aladdin means to find the Dungeons and their riches, but Aladdin may be just as mysterious as the treasures he seeks.
Inside the Sacred Palace, Alibaba’s experience after death drives him to make Sinbad see reason, but the Great Flow is suddenly disturbed! Confusion and chaos descend on the earth’s surface, and friends become foes as Aladdin, Alibaba, Judar and Sinbad fight to reclaim their home...

[ I only read 1 or 2 volumes of this series and found the setting to be original and unique. It is close to its end and probably now is the time to binge read this one. ]

Series : Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle Vol. 7
Story & Art : Kagiji Kumanomata
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
A captured princess just wants a good night’s sleep! Shhh…
Kidnapped by the Demon King and imprisoned in his castle, Princess Syalis is…bored.
Princess Syalis manages to mess up Christmas and Valentine’s Day…again. Then, when Syalis and her demon captors pay a visit to her kingdom of Goodereste, a demon stands in for the princess…and winds up needing to be kidnapped herself! A common enemy forces Syalis and her archnemesis Poseidon to team up. And Syalis messes up more things, including a Demon Castle hot-pot party and a Demon King educational biopic. But she still manages to find some good opportunities for relaxing naps…

[ Another one I am not actually sure about, but the obvious lack of quality stuff this week prompts me to check this one out. ]

Promising Manga & Light Novels This Week - JUNE 4, 2019

Another new kind of post that I feel like working on.

This post will cover the mangas & light novels released on the said week as I will try to write a few lines regarding stuff that I find interesting on the week. This most probably won't be posted each week, but I will try to post it in between Tuesday to Friday in the weeks that I manage to do so.

[ This post is entirely based on the stuff that I find to be promising from the current week, not a best of or highlights of the week list. The rest of the stuff I didn't find interesting due to preferences based on my taste and so this is solely my view. ]

Series : My Hero Academia Vol. 19
Story & Art : Kohei Horikoshi
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.
What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?
In the wake of tragedy, Class 1-A prepares for the upcoming culture festival. While the students are busy planning for success, other forces are at work with their own agendas, and Midoriya, amid the preparations, continues to train with All Might. But when he runs into the failed hero Gentle Criminal, what lesson will he learn?

[ I loved the first season of the anime, haven't watched the rest or read any manga. But I am interested. ]

Series : Edens Zero Vol. 3
Story & Art : Hiro Mashima
Publisher : Kodansha Comics

Synopsis :

It's here! The creator of Fairy Tail, manga superstar Hiro Mashima, is back with a high-flying space adventure! All the steadfast friendship, crazy fighting, and blue cats you've come to expect... IN SPACE!

A NEW KING

Space pirate Elsie gives Shiki the warship he needs to continue his quest to find Mother. Little did he know, the ship belonged to the Demon King Ziggy! Once aboard, Shiki and the crew meet Witch, one of the Demon King's Four Shining Stars, who welcomes Shiki as the new Demon King. When the group ends up at planet Blue Garden while chasing the remaining Shining Stars, they are swept up in a heinous plot to kidnap B-Cubers! However, in the shadows lurks a chaos beyond anything Shiki and his friends could have ever imagined...

[ Hmm, the 3rd volume of the latest manga from the creator of 'Rave' and 'Fairy Tail', should be good. ]

Series : Elfen Lied Omnibus Vol. 1
Story & Art : Lynn Okamoto
Publisher : Dark Horse Manga

Synopsis :
Lynn Okamoto's beloved series is now available in English for the very first time, presented here in a special omnibus collecting three volumes in one!
Captured and isolated against their will, the Diclonius species are a threat waiting to break free. When a young Diclonius girl, Nyu, escapes from the research facility she was being held in, she manages finds solace in two allies, until danger finds her again, putting everyone at risk. However, her enemies soon realize they're in over their heads as an attempt to subdue Nyu results in unspeakable tragedy.
Cited as an inspiration for Stranger Things by the show's creators:
"I had seen an anime called Elfen Lied that is clearly inspired by Akira. And that was really influential. When I watched it I though it felt like an ultraviolent E.T. There were a lot of things in there that I really liked and that made their way into the show, particularly related to the character of Eleven."--Matt Duffer, Co-Creator of Stranger Things
The first of four omnibuses containing all twelve of the original volumes published in Japan!

[ Well, not really a new series, but rather a re-release of a classic seinen. May be it's finally time to check it out. ]

Series : Made In Abyss Vol. 6
Story & Art : Akihito Tsukushi
Publisher : Seven Seas

Synopsis :
THE PATH OF NO RETURN
Riko and her friends have finally made it to the sixth layer! Not long after taking their last dive, they find themselves in a village populated by Hollows who possess a peculiar sense of value. Mysteries, terrors, and bewildering truths await them in the Abyss’ deepest depths!

[ Latest volume of a highly acclaimed series. The drawing seems very eye catching and there is an anime to watch too. ]

Series : Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma Vol. 30
Story : Yuto Tsukuda, Yuki Morisaki 
Art : Shun Saeki  
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
An action-packed, saucy food comedy featuring one boy’s determination to be top chef!
Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?!
The Régiment de Cuisine has reached its final bout! The council sends in its two best chefs, Tsukasa and Rindo, while the resisters’ hopes ride on Soma and Erina. In this battle of true gourmet between father and daughter, who will walk away the victor—Azami or Erina?!

[ Not really sure about this one, but I am interested in this enough to keep it on this list. ]

Series : The Promised Neverland Vol. 10
Story : Kaiu Shirai
Art : Posuka Demizu 
Publisher : VIZ Media LLC

Synopsis :
The children of the Grace Field House orphanage must escape a macabre fate before it’s too late.
Life at Grace Field House is good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious food and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems…
With Lucas’s help, Emma is able to finally uncover the mystery of William Minerva. While their helper may no longer be alive, Emma now knows how to escape the world of demons. However, first they will need to escape Goldy Pond in one piece. And to do that, they’ll have to take down some of the most powerful demons they’ve ever come across!

[ I am currently watching and loving the anime. Quite an interesting concept, and the horror elements are very good too. ]

Series : Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Vol. 14
Story : Ao Jyumonji
Art : Eiri Shirai 
Translator : Sean McCann
Publisher : J-Novel Club

Synopsis :
"This isn't Grimgar. We have to get out of here."
The party have been split up in Parano, the other world, where dream monsters and mages run wild. Without their trusty comrades, they can only rely on themselves.
"But how far can I believe that 'I' am me?"
The goals are to find his comrades and to escape. The king holds the keys. Sharing their hearts and strength with Alice C and Io's party who also wandered into Parano, will Haruhiro and company be able to make it back to Grimgar?! This is the concluding chapter to the story of the other world colored by different illusions, Parano.
Then, the tale of adventure born from the ashes will reach a major turning point!

[ An 'Isekai' series that promises to be realistic regarding the struggles of the characters. I know it promises a lot, but I am hopeful. ]

Manga Review - Black Clover Vol. 1

Manga Name : Black Clover (Volume One)   
Author: Tabata, Yuuki (Story & Art)  
Original Serialization: Shounen Jump (Weekly)

English Publisher : VIZ Media

Genres: Shounen, Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic 

Generic can be quite fun at times. The manga 'Black Clover' is a good example of that. Despite having generic and cliché characters, a generic setting and magic system, this manga somehow shines through. It's may be due to the writers passion for his story and characters. The crisp and enticingly detailed art helps too.