“What’s Your Problem?” The mystery only deepens in the latest chapter of Mix. Among the interesting developments here are the introduction of some names we haven’t heard before: Eisuke (Touma’s father) Ooyama Gorou (Captain of the Mesei Baseball Club when Eisuke was a member) Sawai (Souchirou’s mother’s first husband, and […] Read more
“Snow Drop” I read this chapter a couple of days ago but to be honest, I had to give myself a little time to cool down before I blogged it. I was really, really pissed off at Jyougasaki-san (as silly as it is to be pissed at a fictional character) […] Read more
“Measuring Up” I really can’t take many more chapters like this one. It’s getting to the point now where Karluk and Amira are getting dangerously close to becoming one of my favorite manga or anime couples of all time. I don’t know how it’s possible for Mori-sensei to make a […] Read more
“The Winged Hawk” To my way of thinking, there’s absolutely no doubt that Otoyomegatari is the most beautiful manga currently in production. In terms of art, I don’t think there’s another mangaka who can hold a candle to Mori Kaoru – from her backgrounds to her natural landscapes to living […] Read more
“Just Trade With Us” It’s interesting to speculate on just how the pacing of Mix might compare to Adachi Mitsuru’s previous epic baseball works, including the series it’s based on, Touch. A monthly manga tries the patience in a way a weekly doesn’t, but as of right now the master […] Read more
“Future Diary” After a brief detour last month, Hourou Musuko’s focus returns squarely onto Nitorin in the new chapter – and any way you slice it, it’s a heartbreaking one. I feel no closer to knowing how this series might end or even where it might be headed in the […] Read more
Animemiz is featuring Hikaru no Go in the “Manga Movable Feast” this month, a venture to which I’ve been privileged to contribute an article. If you love HnG like I do – or need a good reason to read a great manga – it’s well worth checking out. Read more
“State of Mind” Sorry Takako-sensei, but these 20-page chapters after waiting a month just aren’t cutting it. I’m sure this can’t be the first, but I can’t recall another chapter where Nitorin didn’t appear in the flesh (he does show up briefly in Takatsuiki’s daydream). While the depth of the […] Read more
“It’s a First-Class Pitch” Lest anyone think we weren’t going to get around to one, Adachi-sensei delivers an all-baseball (with just a little service) chapter this month. With the Tokyo tournament starting, it seems an open question whether the Tachibana Brothers would be rooting for a win that would allow […] Read more
“Suki Tokimeki to Kisu” I’m not sure what’s more impressive – the fact that Hourou Musuko has run for ten years, or the fact that it still feels so fresh and creatively alive after all that time. It’s not unfair to say that I tend to have a soft spot […] Read more