Manga Review: Puzzle (MORIE Satoshi)

Name: Puzzle
Author & Artist: MORIE Satoshi
Chapters: 1 - completed
Genres: Mature, One Shot, Psychological, Romance, School Life, Shoujo
Plot: 
Miyabi is looking for someone to complete her.

Review:
The plot is a bit brief so the basic premise is about the downfall of the most popular couple in the school.The characters go under a metamorphosis from perfect, beautiful, straight-laced students to tragic pariahs at school and at home.

I love me a good psychological story and this really delivers. The thing about Morie's works is they have an almost foreboding atmosphere as it shows the psyche of the character's mind. Though it humanises their plight rather then highlighting anything two twisted.

The fact that it has smut in it actually adds another layer of intensity that I haven't seen in her previous mangas. The smut isn't too much in this story so it's alright for younger audiences, it as much as an American tv show.

Try this out and you'll be surprised. Quite a solid one shot full of dimension and intrigue.

Manga Review: Hotarubi no Mori e + Short Anime Review

Name:  Hotarubi no Mori e aka what fangurrrl tears are made of
Author & Artist: Midorikawa Yuki
Chapters: 1
Genres: Drama, One Shot, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural, Tragedy
Plot:

 Hotarubi no Mori e tells the story of a young girl named Hotaru and her friendship with Gin, a strange young man wearing a mask, who she meets at the age of six in a mountain forest near her grandfather's country home. Hotaru learns that her friend is supernatural and that touching Gin will cause him to disappear forever. Hotaru returns every summer to spend time with Gin, and their relationship matures as both struggle with its limitations.

Review:
I was recently reminded about this gem of a manga while scrolling down my facebook newsfeed and went a long with fangirling about this manga since I don't have any friends that like manga.

It starts off with little girl meets masked boy in mysterious forest (who turns out to be a spirit btw) and start a friendship together.

Manga Cap: Does he have poison in his dick?

Sorry for the late update so here's a manga cap that ties in with my next post. You have got to love Yoshihara sensei and her humor.

Manga Review: Akumu no Elevator

Name: Akumu no Elevator
Author & Artist: Kinoshita Hanta & Roppongi Aya
Chapters: 1 (148 pages)
Genres: Mystery, One Shot, Psychological, Seinen
Plot:
Jun receives a phone call from his wife Manami telling him that she's about to give birth, while he's at the apartment of his mistress Yoko. He promptly breaks up with his mistress and runs out the door to rush his wife to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the elevator becomes stuck on the way down, and he's trapped with three strangers. To pass the time, they decide to share their deepest, darkest secrets. Jun can't help but be horrified by the criminal acts these seemingly normal people are capable of committing... and getting away with. Will a rescuer ever come, or will they be stuck in this nightmare elevator until they all die?

Review:
I know this ain't shoujo or even aimed at the female demographic but this was an intriguing story and hey, it's Friday the 13th (I know I'm a bit early for you North Americans).

In a nutshell, it starts off as a dark atmosphere with black humor and really takes a casual light on their given situations. It's amazing how the offset humor enhances the overall dark and creepy effect of this manga. It really needs to be read rather than explained.

If you love mystery and don't mind thrillers I recommend this, also there are a lot of abrupt plot twists that are sure to surprise you

Manga Review: Mugen Dokei

Name: Mugen Dokei
Author & Artist: Saitou Ken
Chapters: 1 - finished
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, One Shot, Romance, Shoujo, Tragedy,
Plot:
In a world where time consists of two kinds of clocks, the Clock of Eternity, which indicates the life span of the universe, and the Silver Clock, which indicates the life span of a person, lived Mu, a carefree girl who despises the contradiction between eternity and the Clocks. Then she meets a boy who’s Silver Clock runs faster than any other person she’s met…

Review:
Let me start off by saying this has got to be one of the best one shots I've ever read. I've read this awhile ago and I've been itching to do this review for awhile now. It's so well put together and the subtle foreshadowing is utilised well.

The whole premise is living in a world where you life span is dictated by your watch. Eerie  and tragic but definitely intriguing and romantic.
I can't say much without spoiling it but if you love everlasting love, character development along with tsunderes then go ahead and read it.

Manga Review: Flowernoid no Shuufukushi

Name: The Repair of Flowernoid
Author & Artist: Sakura Roku
Status: Completed
Chapters: 3
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen
Plot:
From AQUA Scans: "Flowernoid", dolls created with the special nature of flowers, and who devotes themselves to a master. This is the story of Satsuki, a master flowernoid repair specialist whose daily life changes by happening upon a lovely flowernoid. "From now on, I belong to you" the flowernoid claims.
Review:
The interesting story was what first caught my eye, I'm not a a big fan of the fantasy genre because the plot can get messy but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I know it is classified as shounen but honestly I feel that it is aimed at a female audience. Although the problem with this manga is it has so much potential and so much other things it can build on but I guess the author and editor chose not to. It has references to the tragic pasts of the two leads, which I think they should consider delving deeper into it and revealing and resolving those issues.
All in all, a great short read that will make you want more. I shall definitely be keeping an eye on this mangaka.

Manga Review: Tsuki to Himawari

Name: Tsuki to Himawari
Author & Artist:  Tanaka Meca
Status:  Completed
Chapters:  1
Genres:  One Shot, Romance, School Life, Shoujo
Plot: 
Asahi-kun is a carefree junior-high student, never attaching to girls even though he enjoys going with them. But when the school's number 1 honor student Mitsuki "cyborg" Konno asked him to a 1-month date, in exchange for the front row ticket to his favorite singer's concert, he was forced to accept. He only has to show her what it feels like to date, right? He is ready for that...however, what he's not prepared for was his heart's reaction...
-- Baka-Updates
Review:
This is a sidestory from Faster than a Kiss (which I have yet to review) and it has its cliches. It's good nonetheless and I love the humor (like references to sex and such and no it's not smut :L). The main girl is really likeable; she's strong and smart whereas the main guy is idiotic but funny. They story is sweet overall so I reccomend you to read it.