“Away From Here” - Clover (Manga) - 4/10 Sugar Cubes

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Shoujo

Review Status: Full (4 Volumes/ 4 Volumes)

Art: Minimal. While it is CLAMP, and it is very clean and easy to look at, it also seems like a midpoint in their styles, from early CLAMP to the style they’re known for today. It’s still very nice, though.

Summary: In a futuristic world, the government has conducted secret research called the 'Clover Project'. Each Clover is tattooed with a power level by the Five Elders Council. Sue is a Four Leaf Clover, the only one in existence. Ran is a Three Leaf, one of two. Gingetsu is Two Leaf and Oruha is One Leaf. Each book tells a different tale of these tragic children, backtracking from when Kazuhiko takes Sue to Fairy Park to when Ran becomes Gingetsu's ward.

Kazuhiko is a former soldier turned private eye who is giving the mission of picking up and delivering Sue to Fairy Park. Sue is part of a race of children called Clovers who are children with special powers, and in this futuristic world, the government is out to control them. (From ANN.com)

Review: The keyword for this manga is Minimalist. This story is told with the least amount of pictures and words possible. I find it amazing that they were still able to fill four volumes with what they had, but….

In any case, this was a decent manga. You got a look into the backgrounds of many of the characters, but as little as possible. However, that doesn’t seem to detract much from how sad they all are. Even so, much of the story had been stripped away, from the history between Kazuhiko and the military, the politics of what was going on, even what had happened in the world that had obviously been ravaged by some sort of disaster.

The one thing that apparently gives a lot of symbolism to the story is the song that Sue wrote and was sung by Kazuhiko’s former girlfriend. The lyrics are very nice, and it’s practically on every page, giving a melancholy undertone/narrative to the story that’s happening.

Even with all of this, there were too many unanswered questions about what was going on, who people were, and what the overall message was for me to be satisfied with this brief foray into the future.

Overall, too existential for my tastes, but if you’re looking for something philosophical then this might be for you.

Recommended: Maybe. If this style appeals to you.

Others you might like (instead?): Try some of CLAMP’s other works- perhaps Tsubasa Chronicles or XXXHolic (pronounced ‘Holic’), or even Chobits, gives some more background and some existential questions to go along with it.

“It goes on… And on… And on…” – Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror (Manga) – 3/10 Sugar Cubes

"Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting." ~John Russell

Genre: Horror

Review Status: Full (3 Volumes/3 Volumes)

Art: Rough, not that pretty. Appropriate, given the subject matter. Gives a good atmosphere, though.

Summary: Kirei lives in a town that lately has odd occurrences, and each one somehow is connected to a spiral. Soon the spiral occurrences spread to infect even the bodies of people, which suddenly turns the everyday events in her life into chaos and horror. (From ANN. com)

Review: I picked this up hoping for some chills up my spine. I got them… for about the first volume and a half. Then everything fell into your typical horror-movie mentality- lots of stupidity and a definite lack of common sense.

Which is a real shame! This had a lot of things going for it- a creepy atmosphere, a strange obsession taking over the townspeople, one entirely sane character that could clearly see what was going on… It was going great!

Too bad it didn’t last. No matter how strange, odd, or downright impossible the occurances became, no one bothers to escape… until it’s TOO LATE! Yeah, you heard me. Because no one can escape the curse of the spiral! *DUN DUN DUNNNN*

….So, yeah.

Overall, this isn’t the best horror that you could pick up. If you’re up for a cheap thrill, then go for it- at three volumes, it’s a short diversion.

Recommended: Not really. Maybe if you can find it at your local library.

Others you might like instead: The Higurashi series (both the manga arcs and the anime), Hell Girl (both the manga and the anime), Elfen Lied (both the manga and anime are horrific, though the manga is much longer and more involved), Bokurano (both the manga and anime are very good)

"What Are We Again?"- Your And My Secret- 1/10 Sugar Cubes

Women get the last word in every argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument. ~Author Unknown

Genre: Gender-bender/Romance/Comedy

Review Status: Incomplete (2 Volumes/? Volumes – still in publication)

Art: Ugly. Most of it is drawn in ugly chibi characters, and whatever isn’t is drawn in ugly, badly-proportioned regular characters. And it seems like the mangaka couldn’t figure out when to lighten the pen off the page, so the lines are very heavy and dark, sometimes making it hard to see what’s what in a panel, or just ruining the aesthetic.

Summary: High schooler Nanako Momoi may be petite and adorable, but she is far from sweet, she is obnoxious, violent and has the table manners of a wild boar. Akira Uehara, a dainty, feminine boy has, for some mysterious reason, developed quite a crush on her. One day, Akira stumbles upon Nanako's grandfather, a man best described as a mad scientist. He is performing an experiment on Nanako, but Akira manages to get in the way and suddenly finds that he and Nanako have switched bodies. Akira, the now dainty and feminine female, is desperate to get back into his old body, especially after one of his long-time friends starts flirting with him. Switching back may prove difficult, though. It looks like Nanako is starting to enjoy life as a guy. (From ANN.com)

Review: When I saw this at the local bookstore and read the back, I figured it couldn’t be too bad. It actually has a surprising twist and decently original storyline. However, when I cracked open the covers I was shocked and horrified at how very bad this was.

The first thing that hit me was how very bad it looked. But hey, sometimes it’s just an inexperienced artist. As I kept reading, I discovered that this was full of sexism and sexual harassment that did a poor job of writing itself off as comedy! Momoi is a pig- she has to be one of the most singularly disgusting characters I have ever come across. When she and poor Akira change bodies, she akes full advantage of the situation, masturbating, exploring, even having sex in order to “fully experience” what it’s like to be a male.

And then does the most horrifically sexist, if not outright misogynist things to Akira! While she can do whatever she’s in the mood for, she threatens him with pain and embarrassment should he even catch a glimpse of her (now his) body. So that means he must bathe blindfolded, and heaven forbid if he touches anywhere private! What only makes this worse is when he must fend off the over-amorous attentions of his “best friend” (read: His best friend when he was in his guy body tries to rape him in the female body). And this is supposed to be read as a romantic development!

At that point I had to stop. There was nothing funny or interesting in this manga- only things that made me want to hurl it at the mangaka’s head.

Overall, this is an awful manga. I’m ashamed to say I read as much as I did.

Recommended: Never. If you happen to pick it up by accident, put it back down gently and back slowly away.

Other series you might like instead: Ouran Host Club, Tokyo Crazy Paradise… It doesn’t matter! Just don’t read this!

"Death Isn't Always The End"- Ballad of a Shinigami- 9/10 Sugar Cubes

Do for this life as if you live forever, do for the afterlife as if you die tomorrow. ~Ali ibn Abi Talib

Genre: Supernatural/ Drama

Review Status: Complete (3 Volumes/ 3 Volumes)

Art: Looks more like your typical shoujo, but clean lines, easy-to follow panels, and cute character designs all make this look good, even if it’s not the most eye-catching manga on the shelf.

Summary: The series revolves around Momo, a shinigami, and her familiar Daniel, a talking black cat, as they interfere with the world of the living. Or, more specifically, the people that she gives a nudge in the right direction.

Review: This is a collection of sweet, short stories from the perspective of Momo, a shinigami that has a habit of interfering with the lives (and deaths) of those she comes to collect. Stories of loss, love, and moving on with the help of our loved ones fill these pages. Most have the stories have a happy ending…. Some, not so much. Even so, each manages to pull the heartstrings. Though they may not all end the way the reader may hope, it never lessens the messages of hope and love that can exist after a loved one dies.

Overall, this is a very nice manga. It’s short enough that it can be a quick read, but involving enough for the reader to leave touched.

Recommended: Unless you have qualms about reading about the Japanese gods of death, then no. As this also touches on themes of abandonment, suicide and murder, it might not be suitable for those under 13.

Other series you might like: This was originally a series of light novels, and there’s also been an anime made from this. Others that are similar are Hotel, Chrono Crusade (manga, not anime), Someday’s Dreamers

"Girls with... Magic Swords?"- Magic Knights Rayearth- 7/10 Sugar Cubes

Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes

Genre: Mahou Shoujo/ Adventure/ Fantasy

Review Status: Full (3 Volumes/ 3 Volumes)

Art: While the panels can occasionally be confusing, the art is sparkly and clean. Though the character designs can seem slightly outdated, as it is one of their earlier works, CLAMP does it again!

Summary: Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, girls from separate schools, find themselves linked together as they fall through the floor during a field trip to the Tokyo Tower. They land in a place called Cephiro, where their will controls what happens. They meet with Guru Clef and find out that they were summoned to save Princess Emeraude who has been imprisoned by High Priest Zagato. They learn magic and acquire weapons on their quest to save Cephiro from the evils of Zagato. (From ANN.com)

Review: This is a nice, short little fantasy series that’s good for a quick read. However, it being CLAMP, the story can be more involved than it would at first seem. From the standard power-ups, to the not so standard girl who gets the Prince (hint- it’s not the main heroine!), and an ending that is as bittersweet as atypical, this manga shows a superior sense of storytelling that hallmarks many of the works by this group.

The main characters are fairly well-rounded. You do come to care for their hardships and challenges, and can see how they grow as people and friends. You also get a surprising glimpse into the eyes of the main baddie and the princess which is touching and yet heartbreaking.

Overall, this is a good starter manga if you want to get into deeper, more involved works. It’s also good as a stand-alone if you’re pressed for time. And if you’re not into the ending, there’s also a sequel!

Recommended: Sure. It’s short and bittersweet. Maybe not for those young enough to understand the idea of sacrificing oneself for their love. 10 and over.

Other series you might like: This was turned into an anime. There’s also a follow-up series to this- Magic Knights Rayearth II. Card Captor Sakura, Chobits, Ballad of a Shinigami, Half Prince, and Alice 19th are also good manga I’d recommend if you like this!

“The Hard Part Isn't War- It's What Comes After” -Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms – 10/10 Sugar Cubes

You've got to forget about this civilian. Whenever you drop bombs, you're going to hit civilians. ~Barry Goldwater

Genre: Historical/ Drama

Review Status: (1 Volume/ 1 Volume)

Art: Somewhat cartoonish, but in a way that helps- it emphasizes the rural feeling of the story, and also eases the images of the bombing’s aftermath.

Summary: Part 1: Set in 1955, a family from Hiroshima struggles to come to terms with their survival of the atomic bombing of their city. The protagonist is Minami Hirano, about 20 years of age. Part 2: Set some decades later, the niece of Minami Hirano is bewildered by her father's mysterious disappearances. She and a friend follow him to discover what he is doing. Parts of this story are told in flashback. (From ANN.com)

Review: This manga has two stories- one from the view of someone directly affected by the bombing of Hiroshima, and one from the view of someone who’s still living with the aftermath, even though it’s 30 years after the bombing. Describing this manga is hard- the first is a heart- and- gut wrenching account of something that wasn’t uncommon- a woman who is affected by her memories of the bombing and radiation sickening years after the fact. And her family member who is featured in the second half still has family that questions about what happened and how it affect their health and family to that day.

You are taken into the memories of that day- something that is terrifying. While you are never shown outright gore, it doesn’t seem to matter. The sheer number of bodies, represented as they are by rough sketches, don’t do the descriptions of the aftermath any justice. Even though they’re brief in both images and descriptions, it’s more than enough to convey how horrific those days were. What makes it ring even more true is that those descriptions and characters were drawn from those of survivors of the bombings that the mangaka has interviewed.

This manga has a strong anti-war message, but it’s never overbearing or insistent- it merely shown the effects of what happens afterwards.

Overall, this is an amazing manga. Go out and buy it, read it, and share it.

Recommended: Yes. Share it with your neighbors, share it with your friends. Ten and over, but you should be prepared to sit down with those of a younger set and explain the aftereffects of radiation poisoning and the like.

Other series you might like: This was also made into a movie, but other manga series that are similar are Someday’s Dreamers, Hotel, Cesare, Historie.

“When Your Feelings Sync, You Get Magic” -Someday’s Dreamers- 10/10 Sugar Cubes

“Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice.” ~Anonymous

Genre: Shoujo/ Drama/ Magical

Review Status: Full (2 Volumes/2 Volumes)

Art: Solid, but has a watercolor-like, dream-like quality. Very suited towards the storyline.

Summary: Yume, melancholic and passionate girl of high-school age, lives in the world of Magic, being one of the apprentice mages in Tokyo. Although magic use restricted by the laws, Yume masters it in rather blatant ways, following not reason, butt her pure heart. Throughout this short story the fragile soul of the girl trifles with the reality of the Magic Users - their responsibilities and boundaries towards redundant magic. Yume is engulfed in another dimension of reality – a world with no bounds between normal and magical, which sets her to make it real to all other people. (From ANN.com)

Review: The only bad thing I can say about this manga is that it was too short. I don’t mean that it detracted from the story in any way- I just wished that this story could continue on for another volume. This world, and this girl’s troubles, are fully realized in this manga. Not only does she have to learn how to use her gift responsibly, but she must also learn how to use it to truly help others and not just help them how she thinks they need.

That is where this story shines. Her learning to help others, that the way they need to be helped isn’t always obvious. And in order to graduate, she must do one of the hardest things she can- help someone make peace with the dead.

The stories aren’t always happy, but they are always heart-wrenching. The true magic of this story is in how it can touch the reader.

Overall, this is an excellent manga. Maybe not for the youngest, but one that many readers can enjoy.

Recommended: 13 and over, for themes of death and loss.

Other Series You Might Like: Time Stranger Kyoko, Someday’s Dreamers ~Spellbound~, Hotel. This series has also been turned into an anime.

“To Serve And Protect” -Pluto- 8/10 Sugar Cubes

“A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. [The Zeroth Law of Robotics]”
Isaac Asimov quotes

Genre: Sci-fi/Drama/Action

Review Status: Full (8 Volumes/8 Volumes)

Art: Gritty and realistic. No surprise as the primary artist is infamous Naoki Urasawa. Beautiful with a smooth flow.

Summary: Based off of a story arc from Osamu Tezuka's Tesuwan Atomu, Pluto follows the Europol detective Gesicht as he tries to uncover the mystery behind a string of robot and human deaths. The case becomes much more puzzling when evidence leans toward the murders being the work of a robot, which is something that hasn't happened for 8 years. (From ANN.com)

Review: The good thing about this series is that you don’t have to be familiar with Tezuka’s other series in order to enjoy this one. This can be considered a stand-alone series, which is wonderful. This is a thought-provoking manga, in the line of Hotel and many other robotic stories. It also questions the meaning of being a robot in a human world (though one in which robots have become as revered as many humans). You also see how people question the role of human-robot relations, and how deep they can run.

It also poses questions about humanity, and the lengths we will go to in search of power and control. The mysteries lead to scientists long-dead, worldwide conspiracies, and something that must be stopped at all costs.

Overall, this series is one that you should take a look at. It’s complex, intriguing, thought-provoking, and most definitely worth your time.

Recommended:For those 15 and over. There is death. For the most part, any death is off-screen, for both humans and robots, but you do get to see the aftermath. Don’t worry, though- it’s not graphic.

Other Series You Might Like: Tezuka’s Astro Boy is the series that this arc was taken from. Then there’s Urasawa’s other series, such as 20th Century Boys and Monster.

“What If I’m Walking Into Some Kind Of Trap?” – Hollow Fields – 8/10 Sugar Cubes

“For mad scientists who keep brains in jars, here's a tip: why not add a slice of lemon to each jar, for freshness?” ~Jack Handy quotes

Genre: Steampunk, Mystery, Adventure

Review Status: Full (3 Volumes/3 Volumes)

Art: Strong, bold lines, easy-to-follow panels, adorable character designs and detailed, intriguing backgrounds!

Summary: Little Lucy Snow was meant to be enjoying her first day at the nice elementary school in town; however a macabre twist of fate sees her enrolled instead at Miss Weaver’s Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfettered- also known as Hollow Fields. Located on the outskirts of Nullsville and run by the insidious Engineers, the grim boarding school dedicates itself to raising the next generation of mad scientists and evil geniuses! Classes include Live Taxidermy, Cross-Species Body-Part Transplantation and Killer Robot Construction, and for her own survival Lucy has to master them quickly… the student with the lowest grades at the end of teach school week is sent to the windmill for detention- and so far, no child has ever returned! (From the back of the cover of the first volume)

Review: Rare is the cute horror manga. Rarer still is the one that you can share with your younger siblings. This is that manga, with characters that everyone can relate to and an exciting storyline that will enthrall those of all ages. At three volumes, this is rather short, which unfortunately meant that the ending is rather lacking. But what it offers cannot be missed.

I have to admit, some of the most eye-opening, funny scenes were ones similar to my own experiences my biology classes- fainting as the thought of dissection, dealing with dead creatures, etc. Except in these classes, those normal happenings are in a background that’s anything but!

Overall, this can be enjoyed by the entire family. However, be warned- there are some things that may gross out or frighten the younger readers, so you might consider reading it with them.

Recommended: Yes. But know the tolerance level of the young ones for some of the more horrifying aspects of this title.

Other Series You Might Like: Card Captor Sakura for the younger, Goth and Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service for the older.