The Promised Neverland Vol 1 (Manga Review)

By Justin D Williams

Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn—what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing.

Lenni Reviews: "Jackass" vol 1 by Scarlet Beriko

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Keisuke lives with his sister boisterous sister, Akiko, and walks to school with his best friend Katsumi. Katsumi is openly gay and scandalously dating the school nurse and Keisuke finds this out when he accidentally stumbles upon them kissing in the nurses' office. Akiko's pantyhose had gotten tangled up in Keisuke's school uniform so Shinoda, Keisuke's best friend, offers to cover for him by taking him to the nurses' office but when Shinoda sees Keisuke's runner's legs in the pantyhose, he can't help but touch them. But what starts off as simple touching turns to more for Keisuke.

This is a very sexy friends to lovers story with asides to some other relationships; including a boy who bullies Katsumi for being gay who of course is doing so because he has a crush. All the conflicts are handled logically and nothing ever blows up into horrid dramatics; like the whole school turning on Katsumi because he's in a relationship with a staff member. And for an uke, Katsumi is a strong, assertive character. He may be young and sweet but when backed into a corner, Katsumi doesn't wait for a savior. Things play out in ways where you can see real people making these decisions.

The art is well done and all the sex scenes are so detailed you will blush while reading. And all the encounters are CONSENSUAL! So, you actually can connect with these pairings and want to see them happy. Great manga, despite being a little confusing when it starts out. 3.7 out of 5 and keep em coming!

This title is scheduled for release on October 10th, 2017 from SuBLime.

Kodansha Comics Launches the Science-Fiction Manga by Nihei Humble Book Bundle

Kodansha Comics presents the Science Fiction Manga by Nihei book bundle in partnership with Humble Bundle. The offering amounts to $185 worth of digital manga, featuring legendary manga-ka Tsutomu Nihei’s early mind-benders BLAME! and NOiSE up to his masterpiece, Knights of Sidonia. The actual cost of the bundle is based on Humble Bundle’s unique pay-what-you-want charitable model.

“This is an unprecedented deep-dive opportunity into the work of the foremost science-fiction manga artist of his generation, Tsutomu Nihei,” said Alvin Lu, General Manager of Kodansha Advanced Media.

The manga comes in multiple formats including CBZ, PDF, and ePub, so they can be read on computer, e-readers, iPads, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices. Bundle buyers choose where their money goes—between Kodansha Comics, three charities (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Worldreader, and Mental Health Foundation), and, if they like, a fourth charity of their choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If they like what Humble Bundle does, they can leave a Humble Tip too.

This special bundle ends WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 10:59 A.M. PACIFIC TIME. 

Here’s what bundle buyers get with each tier: 
 

FREE with newsletter sign up
Unlock NOiSE, a prequel to BLAME!

Pay $1 or more
Unlock all of the above + BLAME! volume 1 + a 1-month subscription to Crunchyroll

Pay $8 or more
Unlock all of the above + BLAME! volume 2 + the never-before-published-in-English BLAME! Academy and So On, a spinoff of BLAME!

Pay $17 or more
Unlock all of the above + the Knights of Sidonia Complete Set (volumes 1-15)

Furthermore, if Kodansha Comics hits its bonus goals all buyers unlock never-before-seen new work from Nihei,

APOSIMZ
A prologue chapter from Nihei’s next manga series. Unlock at $50K.

Tsutomu Nihei Creator Profile video
Unlock at $75K.

Science Fiction Manga by Nihei: Collected Works
Art booklet. Unlock at $100K.

VIZ Media Debuts New RUROUNI KENSHIN Manga 3-in-1 Editions

VIZ Media notably expands its catalog of omnibus manga releases with the announcement of RUROUNI KENSHIN 3-in-1, Vol. 1 on January 3rd. Creator Nobuhiro Watsuki’s acclaimed saga of a drifting swordsman in Meiji Era Japan is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teen and the new 3-in-1 editions will carry a print MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN each. New omnibus volumes will be published on a quarterly basis.

In RUROUNI KENSHIN, Himura Battosai was once an assassin of ferocious power during the violent upheaval of the Bakumatsu era. But as the Meiji Restoration heals the wounds of civil war, Battosai takes up a new name and a new calling. As Himura Kenshin, he now fights only to protect the honor of those in need.

RUROUNI KENSHIN made its first appearance in Japan in 1992 as an original short story in Weekly Shonen Jump Special and went on to garner fans around the world. Later rewritten and published as a regular, continuing manga series in 1994, RUROUNI KENSHIN ended serialization in 1999 but it continued in popularity, as evidenced by the 2000 publication of Yahiko no Sakabato(Yahiko’s Reversed-Edge Sword) and the 2015 publication of RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. The series also has inspired novels, anime and feature films. Creator Watsuki is also the author of the popular series, BUSO RENKIN, which is published by VIZ Media.

Death Note: Light Up The New World Trailer

Hey O&G fans, the trailer for the upcoming Death Note: Light Up The New World live-action movie has been released. The Japanese-language film is Nikkatsu's fourth film in its Death Note series, which is based on the manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Here is a look at the trailer:

10 years after the Death Note murders, six Death Notes fall to the human world. Two people inherit the DNA of Light Yagami and L, and a deadly new game of cat-and-mouse begins... In Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand November 10. Book your tickets now!

Death Note: Light Up The New World will be released October 29 in Japan, with an Australia & New Zealand release scheduled for November 10. No North American release has been scheduled as of yet.

Warner Bros.'s North American adaptation of the Death Note manga is currently filming for a 2017 release.

VIZ Media Debuts THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION Omnibus Graphic Novel

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION adapts the 10-volume manga series based on the classic Nintendo® role playing, puzzle-solving, action video game into a line of deluxe omnibus 2-in-1 releases. Each release features stunning new covers and color illustrations by creator Akira Himekawa. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION – OCARINA OF TIME, Vol. 1 is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and carries a print MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $21.99 CAN. Future omnibus volumes will be released in print three times a year.

The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun! A young boy named Link must defeat evil on his long, perilous quest to find the spiritual stones that hold the key to the Triforce, and deliver them to Zelda, princess of the land of Hyrule. In the opening volume of the LEGENDARY EDITION, young Link embarks on a perilous quest to find three spiritual stones that hold the key to the Triforce, the wielder of which will rule the world! Link's plan is to deliver the stones to the Princess of the mystical land of Hyrule, Zelda. But obstacles abound and his long journey has only just begun!

“THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION is the ultimate edition for fans and new readers alike," says Joel Enos, Editor. “For the entire run of this edition we’ll have new material, including some sketches and character designs, some new stories for the first time in English, and other small editorial things we took special care with that we hope fans will appreciate.”

The LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series was created by Akira Himekawa, which is the pen name of two women known simply as A. Honda and S. Nagano. The pair created The Legend of Zelda manga series which was inspired by several games and story arcs in the Zelda video game series.

Lenni Reviews: “Ten Count” volume 2 by Rihito Takarai

(Image Source)

*This volume was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is intended for 18+.

Even after agreeing to keep his distance, Kurose still has feelings for Shirotani. Shirotani however, has virtually shut down after Kurose insisted on not seeing him anymore. With the help of his co-worker, Mikami, Shirotani finally agrees to meet up with Kurose; who confesses he wanted to stay away because it was not appropriate for a counselor to be in love with his patient. Not only that but Kurose wants to touch Shirotani; whose condition makes him sick at the thought of being contaminated. Shirotani finds that while his germaphobia still affects him, Kurose's touch also makes him excited.

And WHOA does it ever make him excited! Remember in the last review when I said there was no smut but a good build with the characters? This volume earns its M rating. Kurose and Shirotani go from tentative interaction to touching naughty bits. But as sensual as they get, there is still something traumatic in Shirotani's past that's only being hinted at in quick flashbacks. Shirotani "endures" very intimate touches but something simple like Kurose ruffling his hair sets him off. We'll have to wait to find out what happened but I give this volume a 4 out of 5.

This volume will be released November 8th, 2016.

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