Happy Marriage Vol 2 by Maki Enjoji (review)

 

Happy Marriage Volume 2

By Maki Enjoji

Genre: Manga, Graphic Novel
Published Oct 2013

 Pages: 192

Publisher: Viz Media

Buy Happy Marriage?!, Vol. 2 

Summary:  "A working-girl romance

In order to help her father, Chiwa Takanashi agrees to an arranged marriage with the company president, Hokuto Mamiya—a man she doesn’t know—at the request of Hokuto’s grandfather. Chiwa believes the arrangement isn’t binding, but her new partner seems to think otherwise. Can two strangers living together find their way to a happy marriage?!

Chiwa Takanashi has married a total stranger—company president Hokuto Mamiya—to get her father out of debt. Hokuto has pledged fidelity to her, but then the tabloids break the news of him dating a famous actress. Though Hokuto has denied having an affair, Chiwa starts confiding her worries to Yu Yagami, a handsome new company recruit. Is the contract they signed the only thing holding their marriage together?"

Review:  This volume picks up right where the first volume leaves off. Chiwa and Hokuto in a new, unknown marriage of circumstance. While the first volume introduces us to the story and characters, this volume goes much more into personality and lifestyle specifics of the newlyweds.

Voice Over, Vol 1 by Maki Minami (review)

Voice Over!  

Volume 1

By Maki Minami

Genre: Graphic Novel-Manga
Published Oct 2013
Pages: 208

Publisher: Viz Media

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A new series by the author of the best-selling S•A! Hime Kino’s dream is to one day do voice acting like her hero Sakura Aoyama from the Lovely?Blazer anime, and getting accepted to the prestigious Holly Academy’s voice actor department is the first step in the right direction! But Hime’s gruff voice has earned her the scorn of teachers and students alike. Hime will not let that stand unchallenged. She’ll show everyone that she is too a voice acting princess, whether they like it or not!! To make matters worse, Sakura’s grouchy son, Senri, is in Hime’s class, and he seems determined to stomp on her dreams. He even has the nerve to call Lovely?Blazer stupid! But Hime won’t be deterred by naysayers, her new nickname (“Gorilla Princess”), or even getting demoted to the Stragglers group. She’s ready to shine, and nothing is going to stand in her way! Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

Review:  Hime Kino wants to be a voice actor for herfavorite anime. To to so she must sound cute and girly. Yet her voice is anything but cute. She 'somehow' gets into a specialty acting school and is soon the but of everyones jokes and is a straggler in her class. Yet Hime Kino is strong-willed and determined to prove herself worthy. Unbeknownst to even Hime, she CAN do voices. Just not girl voices...

This manga had me cracking up several times. It was lighthearted and amusing. Not a slap-stick comedy. It does have depth too making it a good blend. And just a hint of possible future romances. The first few pages took me awhile to get into. At first I thought this might be a bit shallow, but then she gets a surprise opportunity to show off her talent and the whole story and the characters suddenly click and it comes together. From that moment I was hooked!

Happy Marriage Vol 1 by Maki Enjoji (review)

 

Happy Marriage Vol 1 

by Maki Enjoji

Genre(s):  Graphic Novel- Manga
Published Aug 2013
Pages: 192

Publisher:  Viz Media

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Summary: "Men - they're the root of Takanashi Chiwa's problems, which is why she never had the time nor the opportunity to have a boyfriend in her entire life. A full-time office lady and a part-time hostess, she works night and day to pay off her dad's debt from his failed business. One night at her part-time job, a high-class customer has her fired. Then the next day, she's called in to see the president - whom she had never even seen before in the office - only to find out she's to marry him! But what kind of guy is Mamiya Hokuto anyway? Will he become one of Chiwa's problems, or will he save her from them? And will this marriage even last?!"

Review:   This was a very cute and amusing introduction manga for a new series! Maki Enjoji started has this set up to be a great story, from what I can tell so far by this first book.

Magi Vol 1 by Shinobu Ohtaka (review)

 

Magi Vol 1

By Shinobu Ohtaka

Genre: Graphic Novel-Manga
Published Sept 2011
Pages: 197

Publisher: Viz Media

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Summary: A young boy, Aladdin, travels a mysterious continent that is home to a mysterious ruin known as the “Dungeon”, in which great treasure is said to lay hidden. During his travels, the young boy meets Ali Baba, and together they attempt to clear the “Dungeon” in order to claim the treasures within. As their quest brings about new encounters and farewells, Aladdin will come to learn of his true destiny.

Review:  A playful manga series based on the stories from Arabian Nights!

Midnight Secretary Vol 1 by Tomi Ohmi (review)

 

Midnight Secretary Vol. 1

By Tomu Ohmi

Genre: Graphic Novel-Manga
Published Sept 2013
Pages: 192

Publisher: Viz Media

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Summary:  Mad Men meets Vampire Diaries.  Kaya Satozuka prides herself on being an excellent secretary and a consummate professional, so she doesn’t even bat an eye when she’s reassigned to the office of her company’s difficult director, Kyohei Touma. He’s as prickly—and hot—as rumors paint him, but Kaya is unfazed…until she discovers that he’s a vampire!!

Kaya quickly accustoms herself to scheduling his “dinner dates” and working odd hours, but can she handle it when Kyohei’s smoldering gaze starts turning her way?!

 

Vampire Knight Vol 12 (review) by Matsuri Hino

 

Vampire Knight Volume 12

By Matsuri Hino

Genre: Graphic Novel (manga)

Pages: 184

Published: July 2010

Publisher: Viz Media

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Summary:  "It's been one year since Yuki left Cross Academy with Kaname, and tonight is her first vampire soirée as a pureblood. Her best friend Sayori has snuck into the party to see her, but will Yuki and Zero be able to protect a human girl amid a bevy of vampires?"

Review:  So, this story has some redeeming qualities to it. After the last few books left me oh-so disappointed, it took some time to bother grabbing this one.

*Warning* Spoilers ahead if you have not read previous volumes!