Fujoshi Reads

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.

Fujoshi Reads

#09 – Mousou Shoujo Otaku Kei by Natsumi Konjoh

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mousou-01 Mousou Shoujo Otakukei (Fujoshi Rumi) by Natsumi Konjoh
Published by Futabasha/Comics High
Translated by MediaBlasters.

This is a fujoshi story ((You can read more about it from bangin’s entry on fujoshi)) . Yes. It involves fangirls oggling over BL with their crazy imagination at work. I’d like to warn people that the world of the fujoshi is insane, and as the title of the manga captures it, even delusional. However, it can also be charming and outright hilarious. In the tradition of non-otaku men falling in love with rabid female otakus is a story of a boy that explores the world of the fujoshi and everything else in between — Mousou Shoujo Otakukei. The Delusional Girl Otaku.

Fujoshi Reads

#08 – Ode to Kirihito by Osamu Tezuka

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odecover_thumb Ode to Kirihito by Osamu Tezuka
Published by Shogakukan
Translated by Vertical

I knew that if I read this book, I would be swept in a heartbeat. But not in the same romantic tale that Tezuka presented to me in Ribon no Kishi. This was way different from what we knew of him. Consider my review a bit dumb and light hearted, but I honestly did not see this in Tezuka. Sure, we’ve seen Kimba, Atom, and Sapphire. In my head, I felt that Tezuka was Disney. Many books on manga said he was Japan’s answer to Disney. So when I grabbed Ode to Kirihito on the shelf the other day, I knew I would have an entire paradigm shift on that old man with a beret. Indeed, I felt like Tezuka struck me with a bat saying “Wake up kid, I’m just as cruel as the other guy.” The man is no Disney, and he will never be one.
My friend Takk was right. This was grim. Far beyond the fairy tales of Ribon no Kishi and the wonder of Atom. Tezuka created a greedy and vengeful world for Kirihito Osanai. And I’m just in awe of his genius.

Fujoshi Reads

#07 – Meitantei Conan by Aoyama Gosho

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Meitantei Conan / Case Closed
by Aoyama Gosho
Serialized in Shounen Sunday
Published by Shogakukan

I’m trying my best to start this review without fangirling. However, as I type the sentences, I can’t help but squee over which I should tackle first and how I should tackle this mammoth of yet another cultural icon in the world of not only manga, but of Japan, Detective Conan. In the end, I have resolved to solving this in the same manner that Aoyama Gosho starts a case with Conan: surprise.

I have been aware of Detective Conan for some while. Like most of you, I approached Detective Conan with much skepticism. For one, it was LONG and a shounen story at that (so you know that it won’t be one of those ‘in-depth’ mangas). Back then, I knew I had to struggle reading through 30 volumes and infinity to read this manga. It would require my dedication follow this manga if it reaches zeta. Nonetheless, I gave it a shot a few years back and borrowed a friend’s tankoubon to get started. And in an instant, I found myself suddenly involved in a baffling mystery that I’m just itching to solve.