Lenni Reviews: "Ten Count" volume 1 by Rihito Takarai

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*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tadaomi Shirotani works as a secretary for a CEO while suffering from germophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day, his boss is nearly hit by a truck and a young man named Riku Kurose; who is a therapist, saves the man from being killed. Kurose notices Shirotani's condition and offers to help him work through it. Kurose has Shirotani make a list of 10 things to get over in order of discomfort from least to most. Shirotani is only able to come up with 9. They make a deal to meet regularly to work through the list then Shirotani will come up with that 10th item, but he finds he develops more than just a friendly attraction to Kurose.

Unlike a lot of yaoi manga with an M rating, this first volume is very innocent. Our two main characters meet, get to know each other, and slowly build what will likely be a deeper relationship. There's an author's note in the back expressing concern that readers will be disappointed with the leisurely pace but I like it. The art is beautiful, the writing on point, and I think I would like to see Shirotani and Kurose take their time so I can enjoy their story. 4.5 out of 5.

For more of Lenni's writing and reviews, head over to Haunting Hypatia.

Lenni Reviews: "Don't Be Cruel" vol 1 by Yonezou Nekota

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Facing the possibility of losing his scholarship, Takashi Negugasa cracks under the pressure and cheats during a test. Unfortunately for him, school delinquent and known playboy, Kideyuki Maya, catches him in the act. In exchange for keeping it secret, Maya blackmails Negugasa into sleeping with him.

As this is a 2 in 1 volume, we see Maya's interfering cousin, Akira, and the obvious feelings Maya has for Negugasa despite Negugasa's obliviousness. It's that "I really like you but I can't say it" scenario. Once I got passed the coercion (yeah, it's a little close to straight up non-con) the pair to make a cute couple. As soon as they get out of their own way, that is.

This may be a typical sort of boys love story but its well drawn and the main characters are likable enough to endure the will they/won't they back and forth (which thankfully doesn't last all that long). I found it a little odd for Maya to turn around and say Negugasa was manipulating him when Maya was doing the blackmailing in the first place (what an odd character flip...) but hey, at first neither man would admit any feelings at all and I'm a  mush. I'll admit I like the happy ending. 4.5 out of 5 and I would love to read the next one!

Like Lenni's writing? This review and more are also posted at literaryloon.com

Tokyo Pop and Disney Launch "Alice in Wonderland" and "Finding Nemo" in Limited Edition Manga

Tokyo Pop announced today that they will be launching a new line of family-friendly English-language Manga books by Disney. The first title will be “Alice in Wonderland: Special Collector’s Manga” -- a mammoth 352-page hardcover adaptation of the classic film; and the second title will be “Pixar Manga Collection:  Finding Nemo,” a 176-page hardcover adaptation featuring bonus material. TOKYOPOP’s distribution to both the comic book specialty market and bookstores will be handled exclusively by Diamond Comic Distributors. Besides the return to print publishing, TOKYOPOP will be releasing eBook versions of its titles, available on all digital platforms.  In 2016, the company will publish at least one new title per month beginning in May 2016, with upcoming brands to be announced shortly.

Levy commented “I couldn't be more excited to return to publishing with such esteemed licensing and distribution partners.  Diamond boasts the longest experience with comic book distribution and reaches the widest range of retail partners, while Disney’s influence on pop culture speaks for itself.  I’d like to thank our partners, fans, and creative talent for supporting us through the difficult times and keeping their faith in us”.

“We’re delighted to welcome back TOKYOPOP® to publishing,” said Tim Lenaghan, Diamond’s Executive Director of Purchasing. “Their new manga initiatives will surely be a hit with audiences, and we look forward to helping the company market and distribute their titles. We’re especially thrilled that TOKYOPOP® has chosen Diamond Book Distributors to represent them in the book market, as we add to our list of growing manga publishers.” Details of the first two TOKYOPOP releases are:

Title:  Disney‘s Alice in Wonderland Special Collector’s

Manga SRP:  $19.99Pages:

352Hardcover color w/ B&W interiors

Release date:  May 25, 2016

Title:  Disney’s Pixar Manga Collection:  Finding Nemo

SRP:  $15.99

Pages:  176

Hardcover color w/ B&W interiors

Release date:  June 8, 2016
 

KODANSHA COMICS New Digital Editions: Vertical Comics library, Parasyte, COPPELION

Vertical Comics + Kodansha Advanced Media announce new digital editions of Vertical Comics titles, constituting 24 previously digitally uncollected volumes, to be distributed through comiXology, iBooks, Kindle, Kobo, and nook.

Vertical Comics, working in conjunction with Kodansha Advanced Media, will see more digital releases this holiday season. Previously digitally uncollected series Ajin: Demi-Human , The Flowers of Evil, andWitchcraft Works will make their digital book debuts on December 8.

In addition, Chi’s Sweet Home, Knights of Sidonia, and The Drops of God, currently already available at major digital bookstores, will also see release for the first time on the comiXology platform.

All 6 series, up to the current print volume, constituting over 50 volumes of material, will go sale on

comiXology, iBooks, Kindle, Kobo, and nook on December 8. For more information visit

kodanshacomics.com.

• Ajin: Demi-Human volumes 1-6. By Gamon Sakurai. The dark supernatural cult hit about a high

school boy who attains immortality—and all the problems that go along with it. To be released as a

Netflix anime series in 2016.

• The Flowers of Evil volumes 1-11. By Shuzo Oshimi. The acclaimed, and oddly moving, manga series about a bizarre love triangle among perfectly normal (?) high school kids seeking decadence in a small town.

• Witchcraft Works volume 1-7. By Ryu Mizunagi. The manga comedy about supernatural wars in an unusual Japanese high school and the poor guy caught in the middle, adapted into the anime series, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

• Chi’s Sweet Home volumes 1-12. The bestselling, heartwarming all-ages manga about the adventures of a mischievous, and painfully cute, stray kitten adopted by a human family.

• The Drops of God volumes 1-4 (plus “New World” volume). By Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto. The wine manga that changed the way people drink wine and perceive manga around the world.

• Knights of Sidonia volumes 1-14. by Tsutomu Nihei. The manga that became a hit anime on Netflix, by manga science-fiction legend Tsutomu Nihei, set in the coldest reaches of outer space.

While most of Vertical’s eBook distribution will continue to be handled through its primary distribution partner, Penguin Random House Publishing Services, the above titles, licensed by Vertical from Kodansha Ltd., are being distributed by Kodansha’s San Francisco-based digital operation, Kodansha Advanced Media.