Year: 2007

Fujoshi Reads

#11 – Welcome to N.H.K

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NHK-01 Welcome to N.H.K (NHKにようこそ)
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Serialized in Shounen Ace
Translated by Tokyopop

A new year’s about to start so let’s talk about a manga about starting things anew. This is a story about changes. A rude banter from a classmate has turned a man into an anti-social NEET. A girl who has not coped with change convinces herself she can change another. Contrary to popular belief, Welcome to N.H.K is not a story about otakus and the otaku experience. It is a look into the darker side of our humanity, a depressing loneliness only brought about by a conspiracy that doesn’t bring to people together but tears them apart. A painful yet beautiful romantic tale about two people who are trying their best to defeat this great conspiracy. Welcome to NHK.

Fujoshi Reads

#10 – One Piece by Oda Eiichiro

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OPcover One Piece by Oda Eiichiro
Published by Shueisha
Serialized in Shounen Jump
Translated by Viz

When friends ask me about a shounen story I’d recommend, the first title that comes to mind is One Piece. After hearing the title, most of them groan saying “it’s too long” or “there’s no bishounen in there” or “the art is butt ugly.” Although I’d honestly like to immediately contest and defend this rag tag crew to them, I always just throw at them the line “For your nakama ((Comrade)), just give it a shot.” Happily so, after I lend them 20 volumes to read, they’d come back screaming “Nakama!!” with great gusto!

One Piece is more than just a shounen story with a pirate touch. Oda Eiichiro has turned Luffy’s quest for One Piece into your adventure as well. This is the reason why it has lasted a decade with fans and why it’ll be probably go on for a couple more years. This is a manga where the characters become your nakama.