Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture (Manga), Vol. 6 by Mikage Sawamura & Toji Aio: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture (Manga), Vol. 6 by Mikage Sawamura & Toji Aio

Manga editions catch up with the light novels out in English so far (five volumes) here. According to the author and the manga artist, there’s a pause in the adaptations after this one, but both express a hope that there will be more manga after this, as the story continues in light novels.

This is a turning point in the story. Professor Takatsuki and Naoya return to the festival of the dead where Naoya gained his ability to hear lies. They’re not welcome to the village though, especially after an old neighbour of his grandmother’s discovers that Naoya can hear lies.

The men go to investigate anyway, and stumble on a real supernatural event for the first time, landing in the realm of the dead. Problem is, Naoya isn’t meant to escape it for a second time. Luckily, they have unexpected help.

During their time in the spirit world, both Naoya and the professor remember things from their past. In his case, the professor remembers what happened when he was spirited away. Unfortunately, his mind refuses to retain the memory, and it wipes away the entire visit to the spirit world too. He remains philosophical though. He’ll just have to keep Naoya around to remember for him.

This was a good recap of the events in the light novel vol 5, though very much compacted. It’s always interesting to see a visualisation of complicated events. This is a good place to end the manga, even if it doesn’t resolve anything. But I hope there will be more adaptations, even if Goodreads only lists the six volumes so far. At least there are more light novels to come (there are eight in Japanese.) Looking forward to reading them all.

Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint vol 1 manhwa by Sleepy-C and singNsong: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint vol 1 manhwa by Sleepy-C & singNsong

I kept hoping the manhwa would come out as an e-book, but no such luck, so I finally caved and bought a physical copy. My bookshelf is not thanking me.

This is an excellent start to a series, if somewhat abrupt. No time is wasted with backstories. We meet the protagonist, Kim Dokja on a subway train on his way home from work as he finally finishes a book that he’s been reading for ten years, Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse. He’s been its sole reader the entire time, and as he sends a thank you note for the author, he gets a free download in return, after which the book disappears. And then the world ends.

It turns out, the universe is a playground of constellations who watch the worlds and their inhabitants struggle in their final moments for their amusement. The best they support and sponsor as their incarnations, until it’s time to move to the next world. And everything is unfolding exactly like in Kim Dokja’s book. But he’s not the protagonist. He’s not even someone who’s supposed to be in the book, let alone survive the first scenario designed to kill as many people as possible.

However, he has the entire book at his disposal and knows how to play the game, which comes with displays of dialogue boxes and experience points. And he’s granted a special skill: omniscient reader’s viewpoint, which allows him to read the minds of his opponents. Armed with this knowledge, he sets out to survive.

The first book sets the scene and gives us a good idea of the kind of person Kim Dokja is. He’s a survivor, not a victim, underdog, but not discouraged by it. I like how he’s atop of things from the start, morally a bit grey, intelligent, and cunning. Other characters are introduced as well, but only briefly. Art is beautiful large-panel webtoon illustrations, and work in print too, which isn’t always the case.

My only complaint is the insistence of these English translations of switching the order of Korean (and other Asian) names to western one with first name first and family name second, as if readers are too stupid to know the cultural difference, and leaving out the polite ways of addressing people that are integral of these cultures. But it’s a minor thing; I can switch it back in my mind—and in this review. I’ll definitely continue, even to the detriment of my shelves.

Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture Vol. 5 (manga) by Toji Aio, Mikage Sawamura: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture vol 5 by Mikage Sawamura

Volume 5 manga was released before vol 5 light novel, which is postponed to January, so here the manga catches up with the original. The volume starts by wrapping up the case of cursed office workers that was left unfinished in the previous one. But the most important part of that case is that Naoya learns that he’s not the only one who’s experienced the festival of the death, with the same consequence for his fellow of hearing lies.

It’s a pivotal moment in Naoya’s life so far, giving him new kind of focus. He really wants to go with Akira to the village where it happened, despite the warning of his counterpart of not returning there. But the other person also gives him advice on how to live with the condition without losing his mind.

The most exciting part of the light novel was the surprise visit of Akira’s uncle who lives in England. Akira used to live there with him as a teenager, and he’s the only family member he’s close to. Manga doesn’t quite capture the meaning of his visit, and he’s relegated to a background character. And the extra story where he tells Naoya of Akira’s life in London is left out completely. Unless it’s added at some later point, the readers of manga only will miss out on a large part of what makes Akira tick.

Most of the manga volume is taken by a mermaid story. Akira, Naoya, Kenji, and Akira’s uncle travel to the seaside where there’s been mermaid sightings. They encounter a little boy who insists she’s his mother, only to learn from the child’s father that she has drowned, and he hasn’t quite figured out how to tell that to his son.

It could’ve been left at that, a private tragedy, but the story takes a twist. Because it turns out, the boy could be telling the truth after all. The mother’s childhood friend is very mysterious, someone who has maybe lived a long time. And she knows just by reading Akira’s palm that he’s not alone in his body. But she disappears before he gets to the bottom of the matter.

The last story is from the volume 5 of the light novel, which I haven’t read yet. Akira’s students hold a night of one hundred candles, where they gather to tell scary stories in candle light. This too will have consequences, but the manga ends before we get to those.

This volume had a better pace than the previous one, which was too hectic. The art felt more restful too, and so different that I had to go back to older volumes to see if there has been a great change in style. The panels were maybe larger in this one, with fewer of them per page, which added to the calmer feel. It also allowed the artist, Toji Aio, to draw close-ups of the characters, giving the volume an over-all different feel. I hope this style continues in the subsequent volumes.

Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture Vol. 4 (manga) by Toji Aio & Mikage Sawamura: review

4/5 stars on Goodreads

Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture vol 4 manga by Toji Aio & Mikage Sawamura

There have been two volume fours of Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture published this month, first the light novel and now the manga, so I’m not accidentally reviewing the same book twice.

The manga volume 4 starts with the conclusion of the case that was left unfinished in the previous one, about Mana, the “Miracle Girl of Okutama,” the child who survived a tragic bus crash and is now treated like a goddess. Akira takes a personal interest, having been treated similarly in his childhood, the reason why he’s no longer in touch with his family. For the first time, he gets angry even.

Next story takes place during the university spring break. Akira, Naoya and Kenji travel to a wintry mountain area where they investigate a demon cave, only to discover it holds human remains. It turns out to be a rather tragic story of family secrets, but nothing supernatural.

In the aftermath, Naoya comes face to face with the mystery entity inside Akira for the first time, the reason Akira’s eyes change colour, which should be a great revelation for the reader. Unfortunately, the manga doesn’t do the scene justice. The change of eye-colour is difficult to show in black and white illustrations, but there could’ve been other ways to emphasise the importance of the scene. Here, it looks like Akira comes on to Naoya, even though it’s supposed to be a really frightening supernatural event that shakes Naoya badly. Those who haven’t read the light novel will be really confused and maybe led astray in thinking where the relationship between the two is going.

The last story catches up with the vol 4 of the light novel. It’s April and Naoya’s second year at the university has begun. To his chagrin, everyone mistakes him for a first-year student, but at least he still gets to work with Akira. Their next case is about a curse that four office workers have summoned on themselves. It’s cut short just as it’s about to become interesting. Those who have read the light novel will know it has important consequences to Naoya. Readers of manga will have to wait for the next volume.

This was a good but very hasty volume. The pace is very fast and corners are cut, with above-mentioned results. The friendship between Naoya and Akira doesn’t have similar depth here as it has in the light novels either. It also leaves out the extra story from vol 3 of the light novel, which would’ve been an important addition. It’s from Kenji’s point of view, depicting his and Akira’s childhood and the supernatural event that took place years before Akira’s abduction. I hope that’s added to the next manga volume, or it gets a special volume, as it’s very interesting. The artist seems to hint at that in their afterword at least. Illustrations by Toji Aio were good, like always, showcasing the Japanese culture especially well.

Manner of Death vol 1 by Yukari Umemoto & Sammon: review

4/5 stars on Goodreads

Manner of Death by Yukari Umemoto & Sammon

Manner of Death is a manga adaptation by Yukari Umemoto of an original story and Thai TV series by Sammon. It’s set in a small town in Thailand, where Dr Bun works as a forensic examiner. An apparent suicide of a woman turns out to be a murder, but before he can rule it as one, he’s attacked in his home and ordered to make sure it’s considered a suicide.

Dr Bun won’t let the matter be and people he cares about start disappearing, so he begins his own investigation. His best suspect is Tan, the victim’s boyfriend, who claims he’s innocent and has an alibi. The two team up to investigate, even though Bun doesn’t trust Tan. Despite that, the two end up in bed together. Dr Bun is very much in the closet, which adds to tension between the men.

This was an interesting murder mystery involving mafia. Bun doesn’t know who to trust, and every time he does, he’s betrayed. The reader is taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride with him, with plenty of twists and turns. Things soon get out of his hands, but the volume ends before matters are solved. The story was long as it was, so I didn’t believe it could be stretched to another volume, but I was wrong. At least we know who the killer is, just not how to get Dr Bun out safely.

Dr Bun was an interesting but reserved character, mostly due to having to guard his secret of being gay. Tan was more open and a bit flaky, despite being the dominant in their odd relationship. Even though the two ended up in bed together a bit fast, the relationship with the secrecy and anger felt real. I hope there’s a happy ending for the two, but this was more a murder mystery than a romance, so it can go either way.

The art was black and white and beautiful. Since it’s done by a Japanese artist, it looks and feels Japanese, and only the character names point at Thailand. It makes the story feel more familiar, but I wouldn’t have minded more authentic imagery.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

The Restorer’s Home Omnibus vol 1 by Kim Sang-yeop: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

The Restorer's Home by Kim Sang-Yeop

The Restorer’s Home is Korean manhwa that really spoke to my historian’s soul.  Sixteen-year-old Sungwoo Yoo has inherited a traditional Korean mansion from his grandfather and since both his parents are absent, he has to take care of it by himself, with no funds. That’s the smallest of his problems.

As an archeologist, his father was responsible of destroying an ancient tomb and now the spirit of the king buried in there—currently looking like a ten-year-old—with his retinue that includes a female bodyguard and a concubine, have moved into his house, wreaking havoc. They need Sungwoo to repair the original tomb, but since that’s not possible, they’re here to stay.

Sungwoo is special. He has an ability to see the spirits of artifacts and determine how he can repair the items to original condition. The story consists of requests of repairing things, each more unique than the other. Some involve his school friends; some are random encounters, and all are delightful, with Korean history added to the mix. The book ends at a cliff-hanger and I’m interested in reading more.

This was a wonderful mix of high-school drama, cartoon antics, and Korean traditions. It doesn’t seem like a combination that should work, but it does, very well. Sungwoo was a great character, caring and self-conscious, and determined to do the right thing. He suffers from being abandoned by his parents, which shows occasionally, but he doesn’t let that make him bitter. His house is filled with ghosts from 1500 years ago, which he takes in a stride, befriending them and all sorts of interesting people along the way.

Illustrations were black and white and good, with great attention paid to the details of the artifacts that were being restored. At times though, the characters looked a bit too much alike, which was slightly annoying.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Villains Are Destined to Die vol 1 by Gwon Gyeoeul & SUOL: review

5/5 stars on Goodreads

Villains Are Destined to Die by Gwon Gyeoeul & SUOL

Villains Are Destined to Die is a transmigration manga where the MC is transported to the game she’s been playing. In the easy mode, she was the heroine winning over the affections of all the men around her. In the hard mode, as Penelope, she dies over and over again, and everyone hates her. Before the player manages to crack the hard mode, she finds herself as Penelope, desperately trying to survive.

This was an excellent story. At first, I was leery of a game where the goal was to win male characters’ affection, but the story turned out to be much darker than these light novels usually are. There was also greater integration between the MC’s backstory and current life than is usual in transmigration stories. I haven’t read the books by Gwon Gyeoeul the manga is based on, but I have a notion the MC deals with her own trauma as the story progresses.

Both Penelope and the person playing her are orphans brought into a rich family, with two older brothers that hate her and a cold, distant father. In her real life, she’d just escaped to an independent life at the university, and now she has to live similar life in a game. The game controls are visible, showing her progress. The only thing missing is the reset button, which she discovers to her horror when she tries to die to get a do-over.

In the first volume, Penelope makes some progress in settling into her new life. It ends with her gaining some affection from four of the five male leads, but she’s a long way from reaching 100%. The fifth guy will show up in the next volume. I’ll be interested in reading more.

The illustrations by SUOL were full colour and beautiful, with the past life depicted in black and white. They were enjoyable to look at and added greatly to the reading experience. Translation was very good.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.