Day 24 – Weekly Reads (29th Jan – 4th Feb)

Smaller pile this week but finished reading one series and read all the Naruto that is in my care. I really enjoyed all my reads this week, but I hope to now add in some novels in the next week since I have a few I have been delaying in my reading.

I am pleased to have read a small pile, even though it’s not as many as I did the last few weeks. We have read the following:

• Naruto 53-60
• Beast Master 1-2
• Black Clover 1
• Food Wars 5-6
• Alice in the country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz 1-2

Surprisingly, Black Clover is my favoured manga this week since I had a very low opinion of it.
I really enjoy the story and where it could go, kind of reminds me of Naruto, about a boy who lacks the skills but aims for the top. I enjoy the seriousness of it and the comedic aspect of it and I hope to read more but that involves buying more, which will be after a few mangas have been collected and finished before I can continue further, such as Food Wars.

The lower end one is Naruto because I hate leaving myself on a cliff-hanger.
I am hoping to one day procure the last 12 mangas to finish the series and lament in the sorrowful ending of saying goodbye to another series that I oddly started to enjoy reading after spending so long thinking it’s kind of not worth reading.

The other series that sits at the bottom is Alice in the country of Clover since it also ended on a cliff-hanger and is probably going to be a bigger pain to procure them. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the series, the art and especially the story, which is also applicable to Naruto.

Why is Beast Master and Food Wars being in the middle?
Food Wars is amazing as always, but I have so much to catch up on since it is nearing the 30 volume and I am super behind on it and its amazing story. I cannot believe that I am taking so long to collect and get up to date with this series. I am also enjoying where the series is going with the Fall Contest and all.

Beast Master was an amazing read for such a short series, and I have spoken at longer lengths about it in the previous review that I have written up and I feel like I couldn’t add more to it here compared to the previous review.

Hopefully I look forward to seeing if I can increase my reading types and hopefully keep to reading a combo of more than 7 mangas and books a week. I am really pleased though that I am at least 60 volumes in to reading Naruto and boy was that a ride. Hopefully this week promises to have more entertaining posts and maybe a manga mail. If not, I will think of something to post about. Until then, read more things.

Day 21 – Weekly Reads (22 – 28)

I have finally made a dent in my reading this week by finishing about 35 mangas. Two are new series that came in during the week and one is because Naruto happened to get a whole lot more interesting and at this rate of reading, I may be up to 60 in a day or two, meaning that I can review something this week.

Let’s start with what was read this week:

• Naruto 20 – 52
• Prison School 1
• Yotsuba& 1

The one I am enjoying currently is actually Naruto.
It is getting really good, I am enjoying the action, the story and most importantly, I am loving the character development. At first, I use to like Sasuke over Naruto but after a while, Naruto grew on me. Other characters like Sakura, Hinata and Gaara are also three other characters that have developed a deep soft spot in me since they have progressed, and I wish I could say more but I plan to review them in the coming days.

Now, my least favourite is Yotsuba&.
I am not sure exactly why, but it annoys me. Maybe it’s the fact that I feel like there is a lot of yelling and screaming and it unsettles me, but I am hoping that it softens down as the story progresses since I do love Azumas works. I have three volumes on hand at this moment and I hope to start getting the rest when a final volume is confirmed to make it easier to plan when to buy this series, since others are a higher want.

Now, Prison School being the only middle one makes this section easier to write up about. It certainly has a curious genre of Sex Comedy and I didn’t know what to expect but it was certainly a series I felt like I needed to read. I am actually glad to have found the first volume cheap and eventually obtain the rest and have them in my life. It’s a really amusing series and quite serious all at the same time.

I am super pleased to have read so much this week and it’s a huge leap from the very few I read within the first few weeks of this month. I don’t expect a huge reading in the next week but as long as I keep a steady pace of at least once a day. I do hope to finish what Naruto mangas I have left and make a dent on my other series I have bought and delayed due to this 60 volume monster.

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 15 - Naruto 5-8 Ramble

Now we are onto the next four mangas of Naruto and boy is this getting intense. They are now still battling it out in the test of becoming Journeyman Ninja and they are facing individuals at higher levels compared to them, such as Gaara, Rock Lee and so many others. 

Volumes 4 - 8

They manage to pass the written and the practical is where it gets intense and I really enjoy that aspect of the series.
Then they enter the third stage of the tests and I am really liking how this is getting as a series and I hope this series keeps this sort of pattern where it is action-packed. Now that they have to compete against each other, and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next four volumes.

The art doesn’t need much poking, but the characters are getting larger, but we are learning more about our baby ninjas, such as their pasts, their skills and aspirations, even friendships and how they interact with each other. I also like seeing the new teachers and foes. One of my favourite characters that has come in is a mix of Hinata, a shy and cute girl and Anko, who is sassy and also very sexy. I somewhat enjoy the somewhat villainous Orochimaru, a snakey dude who basically curse whomever he feels, which is typical of a snake.

I have so many volumes to go and I look forward to reading more in the future. Apologies that it is short but there is not much to say since it’s mostly actions and I don’t want to ruin the story that’s happening. I give it a 4 out of 5 bookmarks cause I am really enjoying where this is all going.

Day 14 – Weekly Reads (8-14 Jan)

Another week and a manga a day, which I am quite proud of doing that, again, it’s also a low amount from my usual but I am also doing reviews on them and for once keeping up with them all. Oddly, I added six since I was reading it at the time of the picture but between writing this and that picture, I finished it bringing it a bit over the once a day limit which I was hoping to do earlier in the week. 

Weekly Reads #2

Oddly, From Shadows is one I enjoyed the most since it focuses on Blake and her as a character along with glances at her past and seeing her relationship with her friends. Compared to the first two volumes, it’s a smaller book but I enjoy seeing all these creators coming together and making this a great read.
It’s real reason it’s at the top this week: gripping, variety and learning more about Blake.

Naruto, for one fact, I only just started, four volumes in review wise but 7 volumes in on reading, and I have so many volumes to go and I have to limit my thoughts on it since I don’t want to judge it too harshly until I get closer to the end of the series. That and somewhat knowing the ending due to people spoiling it on the net because we can’t have people not knowing endings of stuff, they wish to read in the future but that is just my bitter opinion on things.
The real reason’s it’s at the bottom this week: just the beginning of a series and want to not overhype it for myself but book 5 onwards is getting really juicy, especially with Sakura.

I really enjoyed these mangas and I can’t wait to read more of Naruto and see the next part of the anthology that features Yang, who is one badarse blonde who doesn’t end things with a bang but with a Yang. Now My Fanatic Rabbit is in the middle of the two series since it was really good and enjoyable but didn’t stick as much as the From Shadows did and it’s not an incomplete series that I have on hand like Naruto.

I know this is a bit shorter than usual, but I have written reviews about all the mangas shown here and I feel they could explain how I feel about them since all three series earned a 4 out of 5 bookmarks. I am unsure on what else I could say further than that, but I still wanted to keep notes on what I read this week, just like how I want to keep tabs on my mail I get, mainly for monthly reviews. Now, I am going back to reading more Naruto since that is getting really good and I want to see how this battle ends.

Day 12 - Naruto Vol 1-4 Ramble

Let’s begin this one of eighteen reviews of Naruto, since I am keen to make it even and rounded since it’s 72 volumes long and doing four at a time seems reasonable. 

So, Naruto being one of the most well known series in the world of anime and manga. The story and art are by Masashi Kishimoto and distributed by both Shonen Jump and Viz Media in the west, it’s a series everyone knows. The story is simple, Naruto want’s to be the very best that no one ever was, sure the line from the Pokemon theme song is amusing but it’s true. He wants to become the next Hokage and win the love and respect of his village but that is the major story arc. There is story arcs within the series.

The art is okay, since I have seen more pleasant art from other people but that’s just me.  I actually enjoy some of the art, especially when it comes to portraying emotions and food, as well as animals and environmental scenes. As much as I hate the ugly crying, I sometimes feel like it’s a great thing within the series and adds to the emotional impact.

Volumes 1-4

The arc within the first four volumes is based on two major stories, the first of Naruto becoming a beginner ninja and joining his new team with Sasuke and Sakura. Their relationship development may be rocky but with the guidance of Kakashi may help them become an unbeatable team, possibly. The second story is about one of their main missions where they start to train harder and realise what sort of path they are leading, one filled with danger, blood and death. I even got attached to one character, but stuff happened. The fourth volume ends with the team now facing their next level of becoming the elite they aim to be.

So far, it’s the beginning, we are slowly getting to know the silent Sasuke, the spunky Sakura and the hot-headed Naruto being under the training of the interesting Kakashi. Slowly we are meeting more characters outside of them, the Hokage and Iruka, such as future characters like Gaara, Rock Lee and Hinata. I look forward to meeting them all in future manga volumes.

The themes are simple, it’s all about ninjas and their slow progress into their future roles as well as the adventures they go along. If you enjoy action and story/character progress, then give Naruto a go despite it being a long series.

I am enjoying what I am reading so far, and I am giving it a 4/5 bookmarks, as pictured with the mangas, since my partner inspired that concept. I hope that the manga doesn’t let me down or has some obscene amount of fillers that has nothing really to do with the series as a whole. I am kind of glad to have finally read this series at long last. I look forward to posting more about this series.

Day 7 - Weekly Reads (1-7 Jan)

In the first week of January, I barely read seven books!

As much as I like the themes of K-On, I didn’t love it as much as I assumed, and it took me days to read all four of them. It’s not like they were heavy reading material, quite the opposite, light, fluffy and very cute. It had moments where it felt like some things were being repeated over and over but I still love reading it. Very glad I’m finished it and I do eventually plan to get the College and Highschool arcs and thankfully they are both a volume each and cannot wait to see what they contain.

Weekly Read (1-7 Jan)

The other two, Ao Haru Ride 1 and Kobato 5, they took no time to read and I absolutely love them to bits. It’s hard to say how I feel about these two.
I cannot wait to continue Ao Haru Ride but that may be some distance away, the story amuses me, and I simply adore the characters. It seems like there is about 10 volumes, which makes me super happy cause I forever have a weakness for shorter series.

Kobato is one away from the ending and I cannot wait to see how this end, I feel like so much is going to happen and knowing it’s going to end shortly, I feel so sad. It’s such a sweet series and the art is just gorgeous, considering Clamp is one of the most distinctive art styles in the manga world. It’s funny, I bought this series since the first two books was going for very little and I never knew I would love it so much and I how Kobato gets what she wishes for.
I really do hope it ends well, I am fond of this series.

Now Naruto on the other hand, is something I have started reading recently and I am a bit into it since I have read the first few books previously and I am not usually so slow with reading in them, but I guess I am having a reader’s block. I plan to review this series at every five books since it is one of the larger series I will be reading, I do admit, I am not a fan of long series. I only really exempted Food Wars and The Wallflower for now. I do hope it’s as amusing as everyone makes it out to be but it’s nice to finally read and finish this series. Just have 72 books to go.

My final conclusion, out of the stuff I have read this week, I recommend Ao Haru Ride and Kobato as must reads, they are unbelievable good. They have beautiful art and an enticing story that it’s something all manga readers should give a gander to. I cannot wait to see what new mangas that will be read and obtained this week. I can confess one thing, a beautiful series will be gracing my life soon and I cannot wait to share it here and read its stories, the characters and see where it all leads me.

Also, presenting Kel, my new wallet Owl, it carries all my important stuff and a D20. It's a gift I got from my dad that I simply adore. Until next time!

Day 5 - Manga Procurement Squad #1

This may be a small update since I am half asleep and unsure on what to post.

Naruto 1-60

Me and my partner finally procured some mangas from someone for an amazing price. My Partner managed to get 60 volumes of Naruto, a few is a bit sun damaged, bit warped, a few had a stain on them, some even laminated and contain bonus content, but they are in amazing conditions and they were well worth the money. This has inspired me to eventually roam more often on Gumtree and eBay for good manga deals, seems like a lot of people want to sell due to space. That means more for me eventually. Then again, procuring these mangas was like a form of nostalgia since these were very popular when I first started and remain very relevant at this time.

My plans, after reading K-On and Kobato, is to read the Naruto volumes and eventually hand them back to my partner. I did start reading them ages ago but never got further than volume 5, I think but glad that my partner nearly has the whole set for us to eventually read through. Soon, obtain the final 12 volumes and we can put that baby to rest.

Death Note minus 2

I mange to get a boxset of the older Death Note collection, it had 13 missing but I’m glad to find book 13 second hand before procuring this box, considering I had the complete set and it lacked 13 too, either way, it now has a spot in the box to fill. I am kind of glad to finally obtain and finish this set, since I started it years ago, never finished and sadly gave it away to someone when I went through my bad time.

Bread Top 

The only issue I had is they didn’t quite mention that volume 2 is missing but that’s okay, it’s easy to get and I am glad that I had procured volume 13 previously but the main pro is that I got the boxset with the exclusive booklet in it and that makes it worth it. It also can’t close properly but a little glue and love goes a long way to fix this baby. Now, just waiting for two to come in and I can binge read this again.

Newest darlings

Also, on the other items procured today besides delicious bread from Bread Top, me and my partner got some Pop Vinyls and I am pleased to have a little Pusheen Dragon, Chuchu and Legolas on my bookshelf protecting the manga.

I am no connoisseur of goods and figurines, but I do enjoy the look and feel of these new Pop Vinyls and they are being added to my collection that is inconsistent at best. My partner got his first one in the form of a little T-Rex with its tiny body and big head, it’s hard to not fall in love with it.

Again, I do apologise for the short update but hopefully tomorrow I have a review for K-On.