Day 18 - Weekly Reads (15 - 21)

It’s been a while, but I actually did a lot of reading this week, including reading the final volume of Kobato and starting two new series, Gantz and Danganronpa 2. In total, I have read about 25 volumes in 23 books.

Pile 1/3

So, to cover completely what I read, they are:

• ·      Naruto volume 6 – 19
• ·        Gantz Omnibus volume 1
• ·        Danganronpa 2 volume 1
• ·        Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card volume 5
• ·        Kobato volume 6

The favourite this week is Gantz.
It was a series I started reading years ago but failed to keep collecting due to finances and even now, procuring the individual volumes is a nightmare, so the omnibus release is ideal, and I plan to keep on top of it. This also applies to the G series that I wish to procure and keep on top of as well. I do admit, I bought this manga because I love violent stories, but I feel like there is more to the world of Gantz and it was a pity I failed myself when it came to obtaining them.
It is the favourite cause it’s a good read and it ended in a way where I am driven to get the next volume, despite waiting a few more weeks before I can get the second volume, maybe the third too, if that is an option.

Pile 2/3

Oddly enough, Danganronpa 2 is the least favourite cause it was unexpectedly a heavy read but in the same sense, I wanted more from it. Then again, it is just the beginning and I cannot wait to obtain future volumes despite them being pricey due to the distributor and tend to have a short shelf life span. Maybe it’s my impatience talking and overwhelming its decision in the bottom, but I can’t wait to get hold of good reads.

Now for the others, since they are sort of in the middle of the two.

Naruto is getting good as the tests are ending and a combat like they never experienced is starting and I can’t wait to see where this leads for our young ninjas and I am really enjoying this. Especially when new and powerful shinobi comes into play, including my new personal favourite, Tsunade. Then again, only 20 volumes in out of the 60 owned and the 72 that makes up the whole series.

Pile 3/3

Seeing the end of Kobato was amazing and I didn’t quite expect it. I was really glad to pick it up and now, I am just really proud to have it in my collection. The art is gorgeous, the story is sweet but deep. There is not much I can say about this series that is a negative.

Clear Card volume 5 continues with Sakura making new cards and finding out more about what’s behind it. Though, it’s more like, everyone else is and she is still in the dark about the big ending that is coming up. I do wonder if Clamp is keeping to their 6-volume formula that was seen in the first two seasons of Cardcaptor Sakura.

In the midst of all this, I am slowly reading the Ring novel and really enjoying that. Sure, I haven’t finished it but I felt like mentioning that I actually do read things outside of mangas, usually novels and light novels, mostly horror but whatever has a good story also finds it’s way into my collection as well.

I am going to keep reading Naruto up until 60 since that is all I have on me while the other series are in the midst of either waiting to obtain or waiting till it’s released, and I can buy them. The top priority being keeping Gantz up to date and finishing off Fruits Basket Collectors edition. Clear Card is easy enough to obtain, just waiting for release day. Hopefully my next week worth of reads out ranks this one or I may be sorely disappointed in myself for slacking off again, considering 25 is a high number to beat.

Day 17 - Manga Mail #3

As my usual method, it came via the mail through either second-hand methods such as Abe Books or from stores like Kinokuniya who sells brand new books, I also enjoy their sales and putting my member card to use to obtain mangas I can’t get from Book Depository or the price is not to my liking. Yes, I am a stickler for a good deal and a lot of my buys reflect that.

We have obtained a few goodies over the week, including an order from Kinokuniya last year, which I am still waiting for one bundle, but I am still eager and waiting. I am not too fussed with it, but waiting is such a pain sometimes, but I will live. So now to share the babies I recently got.

5 mangas this week

From the lovely Kinokuniya, we have obtained Gantz omnibus 1, Danganronpa 2 volume 1 and Carcaptor Sakura Clear Card volume 5. Pity that I started two series, but they have been series I either had single volumes and never finished the series or a continuation from the first series.
Then from second-hand stores that are on Abe Books, we have Kobato volume 6 which finishes the series and boy was that an ending. As well as Death Note volume 2 to finish my boxset since it was missing that volume and I was happy to see that box all complete and happy.

Three, being second hand, are not in the best condition but at least they are passable. It is nice to finish Kobato volume 6, since it now rarely stocks in most places. Sure, I was disappointed by all the stickers and stamps on it but being an ex-library book warrants that sort of condition. Death Note 2 also being a second-hand was in slightly better condition since it wasn’t an ex-library but the black cover had a crease but that can be overlooked due to finishing the boxset I have previously obtained. I am still very happy. Then we have the novel in hardcover of Ring, and I am so pleased to finally get that and I had to add in Spiral to complete the look, next to obtain will be Loop.

The rest are from stores like Kinokuniya where they are usually brand new. I was super excited when they manage to get in Gantz and eventually gained the lovely manga, since it was a pain to get in the first place. This also somewhat applies to Danganronpa 2 but Cardcaptor was just an extra buy to ensure I got free shipping. I do not regret it since I been curious about the story progress. I wonder if it will end at 6 volumes like the past series.

Ring + Spiral

I am so glad to see my collection evolving with some series concluding and some beginning in their place. It is going to be a lot of fun trying to keep on top of all the Gantz series, since I do have plans to obtain Gantz G. I am super happy to be a collector and having all these babies to read and share their world with me and everyone who buys them. I am hoping to add in novels into the mix since they are something, I enjoy a lot and hope to be more vocal about them.

Weekly Reads - 11th to 24th

So, I been delaying my usual blogging in order to play more Pokemon Let's Go and being an utter bum. So now I shall posts the last two weeks.

From the 11th to the 17th, I have finished a few series as well as a comic and light novel.

Out of all the reads, I didn't enjoy Vampire Knight as much as I hoped, especially with the jump they had near the end.

I was especially pleased with finishing Magical Girl Apocalypse, even though the ending made me want to punch someone at one point but it was the most intriguing mangas I have read this year.

It's funny when it comes to the Cardcaptor one, I didn't really want to continue it but since it was a good price, I decided to go for it and recall why I previously wanted it and now the next book, despite slumping back into the whole "I'm not sure if I want this".

Ring 0 was exactly like how I remember the movie and am very glad that I am slowly completing that set since it's such a butt to find currently.

he Machimaho was procured after seeing someone post some hilarious pictures of scenes from it and I thought "Why not?". I do enjoy it, it's my sort of magical girl. Rude, crude and vulgar. I like having the variety when it comes to magical girl genres and it amuses me that during that week I had both Machimaho and CCS come in.

Now the two unique reads this week in the form of FFVII novel which I read very quickly, considering I haven't read a proper book for a long while. It feels like it made Advent Children have more sense on how the whole Geostigma begun and how Sephiroth wanted to return so badly and how Aerith was determined to stop him. It was such a great read.

Now, Little Moments of Love really hits the relatable bone since it reminds me of my relationship with my partner. It's cute, sweet and a must read. It is also currently on goodreads as a contender for the best graphic novel, which I feel like it really deserves it. It is a great comic.

✿

From the 18th to the 24th, I only seem to have very few books, which is not bad considering it's one per day, even if it wasn't.

Okay, let's start with the bad one, which I will eventually write a full review about.

Amnesia Labyrinth would be one of the few most terrible mangas I have ever came across. It has so much potential but it was basically written as if they had so many ideas but it got nowhere and then felt like it was forced to be ended without having everything resolved. Which was super disappointing.

Now Kobato, that's a good read so far and it's getting more interesting, can't wait to get a hold of the last two series, considering the last volume is going to be a pain to find currently.

Smokin' Parade is another good series that I bought cause someone showed some really good scenes and it was worth it. I enjoy the story and where it is currently heading. I so far only have three volumes and I finished the volume 3 on the 25th, which will be discussed further in the next post.

The Vampire Knight Memories is a delightful read since it's fascinating and starts patching the 1,000 year gap at the end of volume 19, which is what bothered me about  Vampire Knight in the first place. Now all I have to do is wait till next year for volume 3.

Now, onto Shibuya Goldfish, another series I was uncertain about buying but ended up pre-ordering along with Fruits Basket Another 2. I actually don't regret it since I am now keen for the third volume thanks to it. I need to know what happens next and hopefully find out why this all started happening in the series.

Hopefully tomorrow I will post my monthly review about my collection and probably start my challenges here as well, since I can extensively talk about it without worrying about a limit.

Mail Mumbles: Fallen into Fantasy Pins

First time I'm making a post about pins.
I don't know what to say about them cause I am no expert, just a buyer of cute and affordable things.

So recently, I got into pin collecting and started to mass a formidable collection of a variety of pins but today, my Cardcaptor Sakura pins came in with a food kitty pin. They are really adorable.

The seals have glitter on some parts and apparently glow in the dark, which I can't wait to see tonight with the other pins that glow. They are rather big but thats what I really like and I can sit other pins in the middle of them, if I so wish. Which is kinda unique.

Kero and Spinel are really cute too and they pair perfectly with the seals. Mainly Kero with the pink since it seems to be a gold plating while Spinel goes with the blue cause silver. I mean, I am not sure on what else to say but honestly, these are solid pins that look amazing in my collection and when I hold them, they have a good weight to them. The colours are beautiful, the glitter really brings a magical feel to the seal and it's honestly a must have for any pin collector that loves Cardcaptor Sakura. The heads have one pin prong while the seal has three, which is understandable for the size that each pin is.

Now the Noodle kitty, or as I call it, the Food Kitty is on a black plating (or is it onyx or gunmetal grey, I am terrible with names) but it brings me such joy looking at it cause you can tell it's having a grand time on the egg and the cute noodle bowl/cup on its head. Reminds me of the scene in Danganronpa which is another reason why I love this pin, it reminds me of something else I love and enjoy. It also fits in with the theme of Cats with Food, especially the Asian or Noodle kind. Like the other pins, the colours are gorgeous, it has a nice weight to it and has two pins at the back which makes it rather stable and less likely to move once placed on something.

For being an Aussie buyer, price is everything and most of the time, after converting the currency and then the shipping. It really makes or breaks a purchase. These pins are well worth the money, I spent about 50aud on the pins, as well as using a discount code provided by Fallen into Fantasy, which makes each pin about 10aud each which is amazing and worth it for me. Normally I wouldn't go on about prices but for someone with a low income but a love for pricey things, it means a lot to mention that if I can afford it, then anyone could. So if you're like me, you can buy pretty things that you love if you know where to look.

So please visit Fallen into Fantasy at their Instagram or their Etsy shop for all their creations, you won't regret it!