Tohru is a hardworking, charismatic high school student trying to get by and work her way to college. She's had her share of tragedy, as she lost her mother recently, and she was squeezed out of her grandfather's house while he does renovations. At the onset of our story, she is living in a tent on seemingly uninhabited land. Here, she is discovered by the Sohma family, whose land she has been living on. They invite her into their home in exchange for her domestic skills, which they are severely lacking. Here, Tohru finds out their secret -- that they are all members of the Chinese zodiac, and they turn into their animal forms if embraced by a member of the opposite sex. But, the longer Tohru stays, the more she discovers that this might not be the only secret the Sohmas have.
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Nina Kamiyama is trying to fly under the radar and attend her high school classes. She doesn't want anyone to find out that she used to be in Pure Club, an idol group that was super popular across Japan. After a fan assaulted her, she quit the group and begun her second life. Unfortunately, someone recognizes Nina as Karen, the former leader of Pure Club, and her new life begins to unravel. This story deals a lot with trauma, assault, exploitation culture, and more.
Illustrated by Ian Bertram, colored by Matt Hollingsworth
Little Bird's village comes under attack from the American Empire, but her mom has a great plan: squirrel her away until the violence is over, then set her on freeing a great warrior named Axe. Axe will save the people, and save the North, aka Canada, the last bastion of resistance against the Empire. Little Bird's family lineage is not what she was originally led to believe, and the Bishop who's coming after her now has more secrets than all of them combined. 
Illustrated by Sando and Misaki
Lizel finds himself in a strange place that feels very similar to his home. He immediately pawns his sword and sets about finding himself a local guide. He stumbles upon Gil, and adventures nicknamed “Single Stroke.” Lizel, an obvious noble by his stature and demeanor, decides he wants to become an adventurer too! He charms the attendant at the Adventurer's guild, provides critical insight to a team trying to solve a labyrinth, and takes on his first quests to level up. 
This classic shōjo manga follows the life of Marie Antionette from her childhood in Austria, to her ascent to the Throne of France, and beyond. Volume 1 details evens up to her 22nd year of life. Many real historical figures are woven into this narrative, but one of the main ones is a fabrication. The General de Jarjeyes was sick of his wife birthing him only daughters, so he determines his sixth daughter he will raise as his son and heir. Oscar François de Jarjeyes is female, but becomes Captain of the Royal Guard and dresses in the stately uniforms as a man would. Oscar becomes the personal guard of the Dauphine Antionette, and he watches as the young Dauphine engages in court politics and intrigue. There is also the dashing Hans Axel von Fersen, a nobleman from Sweden, with whom Antionette is enamored despite her marriage. Mixed up in all of this are two sisters from humble backgrounds who individually plot their way into the noble class.
This story opens up with Chise being purchased for an insane amount of money. She is immediately whisked away by her new owner, Ainsworth, who is an ancient mage and plans to train Chise as his apprentice. Ainsworth reveals Chise is a "Sleigh Beggy," a human who can absorb and use vast amounts of magic. Other magical creatures are drawn to Chise, and she learns of faeries, dragons, and other mythical creatures. Chise's tragic background has given her some major trust issues, and she can't believe that Ainsworth and his few friends actually treat her well. She decides to learn as much as she can from Ainsworth and try to make him proud of her, but she's also waiting for her comfortable life to be ripped away from her.
This volume is a collection of short stories, some of which have been published before, or the first time published for a majority of them. Like much of Ito's other work, these stories are creepy and capitalize on our sense of propriety to give us the heebie-jeebies. In "Billions Alone," there are people being sewn together. "The human chair" has a creepily obsessive love story. "Venus in the blind spot," this volume's namesake, was one of the more creative stories surrounding a woman who disappears when she gets too close to men who adore her. Then, there's "The licking woman," with a monster who has a poisonous tongue. The story of "Master Umezz and me," gives us a glimpse into Ito's own life and his inspiration for writing horror stories. In "How love came to Professor Kirida," an obsessed student violates Kirida's privacy and wishes. "The Enigma of Amigara Fault," tells of weirdly alluring holes that are shaped for specific people. This collection is rounded out with "Keepsake," where a baby is mysteriously born to a dead woman inside her casket.
Illustrated by Andy Ristaino
In this entry of Science Comics, artist and writer attempt to break down a complicated system and explain it with clever illustrations, narrated by bacteria found throughout the digestive system. Readers are taken through the major areas of digestion: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the rectum. Other organs discussed are the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and appendix. Vomit, burping, and farting are also explained as products and necessary functions of digestion. |
About MeI've been reading manga and comicbooks for years. Now, I write reviews and other helpful things for School Librarians, teachers, parents, and students. Search this site
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