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draagon's reviews
355 reviews

Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 3 by Sorata Akiduki

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The characters in this series are depicted so naturally, it's quite impressive. Especially Obi, who is such a free spirit and could have gone the way of annoying meddler, he's given the chance to be his own self pretty much from the time he declares himself as Zen's underling. Zen's brother Izana is also an interesting contrast to Zen, it's clear that they have gotten a very different understanding of how to interact with the world around them as royals, with Izana's method clearly being more underhanded and long game. The reappearance of Prince Raj was also great, I really like how Shirayuki got to put him in his place as he left, and basically told him to shape up as a ruler.
Tonari no Stella by Ammitsu (餡蜜)

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a fantastic volume. It completely turned around my rather lukewarm feelings towards the series thus far, and now I'm all in. I'm not the biggest fan of the childhood-friend-to-lovers trope, and I felt like Subaru was being too cold and ungrateful to Chiaki for no reason. I also hate how Chiaki and Subaru's parents just accept that she would be the one to take up the task of taking care of Subaru's needs, like she isn't a child herself who needs to be taken care of. But... I'm a total sucker for unrequited yearning and when the boy falls for the girl first, so getting Subaru's perspective on their relationship so far was like a sugar rush for me, and I really want to see how things develop from here. 
Kagurabachi Vol 1 by Takeru Hokazono

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a great first volume. The only thing I disliked was the sudden time skip -- I would have rather seen everything occurring in chronological order. Still, I get that it was done to show the stark contrast between Chihiro before and after that event. I like the schtick with the magical blades and how it is both a retrieve quest combined with a revenge one. The characters are pretty well-developed at this point, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 2 by Sorata Akiduki

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This volume really gets the series going. The mangaka's storytelling style is quite unique, and she tends to focus more on the small moments that give the characters strength than big events. Shirayuki and Zen's relationship grows through small moments of simply noticing the other and realizing what role they can fulfill in each other's lives. Shirayuki's relationship with Ryu is also quite adorable. I love the scene of Shirayuki crying and Ryu getting in a panic and going to find Zen -- it's both funny and touching after learning what she was crying over.
Gokurakugai, Vol.1 by Yuto Sano

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adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This is a strange first volume. I am aware it began as a one-shot that isn't included in this volume, but without having read that, it really feels like we're just dropped smack drop into the middle of an ongoing plot, without any help or context about what this world is and what is going on. All we've got so far is that  Alma is half-demon and Tao is looking for a certain demon for some reason. The scene in the graveyard was pretty cool, and I like how the two of them are going around helping others, but nothing makes this volume stand out enough to hook the reader. That being said, the hype is what gives levity to the story, and thus I will try another volume to see where this is going. 
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 1 by Sorata Akiduki

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I love this series, but I had forgotten how slow the beginning is. From the outset, Shirayuki is such a strong and capable character, thoroughly showing her ability to think on her feet. Zen's characterization is a bit weaker at the beginning, but he does show his supportiveness and naïvety when dealing with people outside of his circle. I really like his stance on being part of a royal family in general, wanting to go out there and really see how the people are living. Matsuhide and Kiki are hilarious from the get-go and I already love their dynamic. I had also forgotten how Obi was introduced to the group, so that was fun revisiting. 
Home Sweet Home Volume 01 by Minami Mizuno

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was a cute, if a tad bland, first volume. A miscommunication leads to forced cohabitation, which I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of (I've been burned before -- looking at you LDK). I'm also not a big fan of the female immediately falling for or getting a crush on the emotionally distant male lead just because he smiles one time. I do like how Moemi is a highly self-actualized person who catches herself in her fantasies and can reign herself in. I really, really don't like how the two main leads never sat down and discussed boundaries and other very important topics to have with roommates, but I can forgive them because of how forced the situation was. I'll tentatively pick up the next volume to see where things go. 
Takahashi from the Bike Shop, Vol. 1 by ARARE. MATSUMUSHI

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this one. As a thirty-something also on that daily work grind, I found several aspects of the story relatable. I like how gruff Takahashi is despite having a heart of gold, and I enjoyed how his and Tomoko's relationship developed. The theme of not judging others by their cover is great and explored via many characters. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Skip Beat!, Vol. 8 by Yoshiki Nakamura

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I love that Kyoko is coming into her own, separating her identity from Sho and her past in a meaningful way. She played a lovely angel, and her fantasies about being closer to Moko were hilarious. I'm still irked by Tsuruga and how he insists on playing with Kyoko, being hot and cold with her at the drop of a hat. 
Queen's Quality, Vol. 20 by Kyousuke Motomi

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The way characters are given time and space to accept and get through their sorrow is beautiful. If only we all could live in such an understanding world. Lots of revelations are happening very quickly. Tsubasa's relationship with his snake is quite unique, and it's interesting how much the Silver Sea Snake in himself is a unique and sympathetic character. The layers of this world go deep, and while I don't think we'll get all the details, what we do get are quite thought-provoking. Fumi's worry that Kyutaro would get jealous of Tsubasa if she were to give him the time of day was funny as well. Hopefully the white cat can get the scenario she has been yearning for.