Recs. and Warnings for The Second Wave of Shojo Beat GNs

[Miss Amii]

Since the next couple of months will see most of the titles serialized in the Shojo Beat magazine start to come out as actual graphic novels, could the people who read the magazine chime in for us non-subscribers as to which series are totally fabulous and which ones should be avoided like the plague?

[Collectonian]

Personally, I'm really enjoying Absolute Boyfriend and I have the first volume preordered. Fun, but also several hints at a drama and some deeper issues coming up. Also nice that its a shorter series (6 volumes according to the GN Comparision chart).

I've also been enjoying Crimson Hero, despite it having a sports slant. Looks like it will have lots of issues between characters, and I like the heroines independant spirit and willingness to be herself regardless of what others think. I don't think it was on the Rightstuf site during the Viz sale or I might have preordered it. I'll probably wait on it, though, until some other series finish. I got too many going right now /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Baby and Me is okay, but nothing I expect to reread (and I'm suprised I still read when each issue comes out). If you like darker horror like stuff, Godchild is good with some nice twists and twisted personalities. Nana is okay and I like reading it in each issue, but it hasn't drawn me in enough to buy separate copies.

I don't like Kaze Hikaru at all and didn't even finish reading it in the first issue. Hard to put my finger on why, but just don't like the characters that much and the story didn't much for me either.

[Noodle]

I was going to reply but Collectonian has done it for me. I agree on all accounts.

For the record, the ones I'm buying as GNs: Crimson Hero, Godchild, and Absolute Boyfriend. Nana's a maybe, I need more volumes to know if I'll re-read.

[Miss Amii]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
I was going to reply but Collectonian has done it for me. I agree on all accounts.

For the record, the ones I'm buying as GNs: Crimson Hero, Godchild, and Absolute Boyfriend. Nana's a maybe, I need more volumes to know if I'll re-read.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Kaze Hikaru was the one I was most curious about. Maybe you have a better idea than Collectonian as to why it didn't float your boat?

[Noodle]

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Miss Amii said:
Well, Kaze Hikaru was the one I was most curious about. Maybe you have a better idea than Collectonian as to why it didn't float your boat?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I (really) hate to say it, but I'd literally say the same thing as Collectonian, and I haven't read past that first chapter.

I will mention with the recent issue (Kaze Hikaru's the cover), I thought perhaps I should give it another shot and that it would fare better to sit down and read several chapters at once. I do like marathoning titles, after all. I'll probably give it another couple of months and then try plowing through it all.

[Miss Amii]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
[ QUOTE ]
Miss Amii said:
Well, Kaze Hikaru was the one I was most curious about. Maybe you have a better idea than Collectonian as to why it didn't float your boat?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I (really) hate to say it, but I'd literally say the same thing as Collectonian, and I haven't read past that first chapter.



[/ QUOTE ]

Heehee. Well, maybe I'll react to it the same way I did to Merupuri. It's technically quite awful, but so addictive in a cheesy way.

[CrimsonRose]

My favorites are Absolute Boyfriend and Crimson Hero. I have both on preorder. It was a real surprise to me that I liked Crimson Hero, since I'm not into sports manga at all. I'm a big Yu Watase fan, so Absolute Boyfriend was a given. Other than those two, I do like Nana, but I haven't decided yet if I'll collect the manga. I think I would like to see the live action Nana movie at some time, though. I'm not into goth/horror, so Godchild usually gets read next. I don't like either Kaze Hikaru or Baby and Me, but I do read them. I tend to be a completist, so I read all of Shojo Beat before I put it away for safekeeping.

[witega]

[ QUOTE ]
Miss Amii said:
Well, Kaze Hikaru was the one I was most curious about. Maybe you have a better idea than Collectonian as to why it didn't float your boat?

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually like Kaze Hikaru and will be buying the GN's, although I would still rate it 4th or 5th of the series running in SB (definitely behind Nana, Crimson Hero, and Godchild). The art style is 'different', much more cartoon-y than your typical shoujo, and I can certainly see how that would turn some people off.

Also, the author assumes a lot of basic knowledge on the part of her readers that most Americans simply don't have. With the exception of the protagonist nearly every other major character is a real historical figure and the subject of numerous portrayals in various Japanese media--from the actual history books to movies to novels, etc. I think Viz has done a decent job of trying to fill in the basics on the Shinsengumi for the uninitiated but there's still a level of familiarity with the characters that the authoer could assume in her original audience that just can't be recreated in an American one. I'm just guessing, but given the vagueness of Collectionian and Noodle's negative feelings about the titles, I think its a good chance that they are sensing that gap between what the author could assume about her original audience's preknowledge and preconceptions of the characters and their own response.

[Collectonian]

Forgot to mention, I enjoyed the preview of Beauty is the Beast in the most recent issue. Wish there had been more of it and I may pick it up later.

[CrimsonRose]

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Miss Amii said:
Heehee. Well, maybe I'll react to it the same way I did to Merupuri. It's technically quite awful, but so addictive in a cheesy way.

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought Merupuri (just got vol. 2!) and that's why I like it, too.

[michaelwb]

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Noodle said:
I was going to reply but Collectonian has done it for me. I agree on all accounts.

For the record, the ones I'm buying as GNs: Crimson Hero, Godchild, and Absolute Boyfriend. Nana's a maybe, I need more volumes to know if I'll re-read.

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting, I was think about this as I read the November issue.

I think that I'd rank it in descending order:

Absolute Boyfriend
Nana
Godchild
Baby & Me
Crimson Hero
Kaze Hikaru

AB - Has been fairly consistent and amusing. Yeah, we've seen elements of the story before but its pulled together in an entertaining manner.

Nana - started out lower but has grown on me a lot. I think as the cast is getting assembled and the real story line is developing it's catching my interest more.

Godchild - depends on the story. With the current arc it seems to be fleshing out better for me. I'm hoping that there's more stuff building up in terms of larger story arcs amongst the mystery stories.

B&M - somewhat predictable, but somehow I do find it charming.

CH - Sports stuff is a hard sell for me, so I'm waiting to see how it goes. It's fine so far, but hasn't pulled together enough more me to appreciate the characters.

KH - Somehow it's just not flowing for me. It's not technically bad as much as I find myself skimming over it because it's not catching my interest. Nothing that really works as a catch for me. I'm just not clicking with the characters or the story so far.

It's also that it covers one of the least interesting aspects of the that period in Japanese history for me. I know the Japanese like it the same way the BBC obsesses over Victorian/Edwardian drama - but not quite as appealing to me.

Of course, YMMV.

[Noodle]

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witega said:

I think Viz has done a decent job of trying to fill in the basics on the Shinsengumi for the uninitiated but there's still a level of familiarity with the characters that the authoer could assume in her original audience that just can't be recreated in an American one.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this part actually, and think it will definitely play a role in the overall experience of American consumers. I'm not sure that's why I don't like it, though. The art definitely plays a role, but I'm not that snobby about art anymore. I just didn't care for the main character/story enough--in fact, it may even be the opposite of witega's theory, in that I've seen this subject before. Loads. And I just couldn't care to get into it, again.

Sorry I can't be more specific. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Jarred]

I'll be picking up Crimson Hero for sure. I like the setup and the main character is very likeable. The only thing I'm worried about, and this could be a positive or negative depending on what's important to you, is that there sure is not a whole lot of volleyball playing going on. Nobara is struggling to get a team started, which I like, but I wonder if there will actually ever be any on the court action and struggles; or if like many shoujo sports stories the actual sport will just become a gimmick and concentrate more on boy troubles at the dorm.

In any case, reading this makes me wish that someone would release the English version of the popular shoujo volleyball manga Attack No. 1 (http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=4834279030).

[quenelf]

Absolute Boyfriend (Zettai Kareshi) is decent IMO, too. I just finished vol1 last night (actually technically rereading it, but whatever) and the entire volume is basically fluffy fun with no sign of serious character drama... until like the LAST PAGE. Watase is clearly bearing in mind where the volume endings are going to turn up /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I haven't read the whole thing yet so I don't know whether it goes downhill and/or how many Watase-standard attempted rapes there are /images/graemlins/happy.gif But it's good fun so far (and settled down a bit after the rather ecchi first chapter).

so anyway, yeah, seconding the recommendation on that - if you like Watase it's a good bet. (I also have some volumes of Nana, but haven't read that yet; I know a lot of people like it. I haven't read any of the other titles.)

--quen

[Sandrylina]

[ QUOTE ]
RosePetal said:
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Miss Amii said:
Heehee. Well, maybe I'll react to it the same way I did to Merupuri. It's technically quite awful, but so addictive in a cheesy way.

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought Merupuri (just got vol. 2!) and that's why I like it, too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes, same here. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif But what I also think helps Merupuri is the artwork is still gorgeous...Kaze Hikaru, not so much, and just overall it has failed to capture my attention.

Absolute Boyfriend is definitely my favorite, has been a favorite series for a while anyway, and so far I think Viz has done a very good job with it. For now it will be the only one I pick up in GN form, although I am still enjoying most of the others ones quite a bit, aside from feeling a bit meh about Kaze Hikaru and Baby and Me.

-Sandrylina-

[Libertus]

This is a guys perspective on Shojo Beat, if that matters.

Since I/we have a subscription, there's little chance we'll be buying the GN's. That said, based on the first 4(5?) issues of the monthly, I'd avoid anything other than Nana myself.

Nana is excellent. If you liked Paradise Kiss you'll love this.

Absolute Boyfriend is fun, but it's Yuu Watase fun, which means I can take it or leave it. Although I certainly enjoy reading it monthly, I'm not sure it's a series I'd buy the GN's for.

Godchild is a bit too poncy for my liking. Although at least I read it (my wife hates it).

I stopped reading Crimson Hero after the second issue because I just didn't like the main character (she's too manly). But my wife still reads it I think.

The other series, IMHO, are poorly chosen filler. I have to believe the only reason they are in the monthly is because Viz knew they wouldn't sell as GNs. Maybe.

robert

[Nyanyaan]

[ QUOTE ]
RosePetal said:
[ QUOTE ]
Miss Amii said:
Heehee. Well, maybe I'll react to it the same way I did to Merupuri. It's technically quite awful, but so addictive in a cheesy way.

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought Merupuri (just got vol. 2!) and that's why I like it, too.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like this guilty pleasure a lot too, but there is one thing that can make things REALLY confusing at times. THe 12 and 18 year old Aram's just look too much a like (yes, I know they are the same person, but) that it can be difficult to tell what form he is in.

[Ryan227]

Out of all of them I like Kaze Hikaru the best (I seem to be the only one!) it's the only one I would buy in GN out of all of them. I don't have a problem with the art at all and I'm really interested in the Shinsengumi. I like God Child but I'm kind of mad that the first series still hasn't been released so at this point I wouldn't buy it. If I didn't get the magazine I'd probably buy Crimson Hero, I really didn't think I would like it and I didn't at first, the art really bothers me but it's grown on me a lot. I liked Absolute Boyfriend at the beginning but lately I havn't been liking it so much. Nana is OK sometimes and I lost intrest in Baby and Me a couple of chapters ago.

[Shsway]

NANA instantly got my attention. Maybe it is because I'm not as well versed with manga as most other folks here, but I found it so refreshing and different from what I usually find in the manga aisle. The drawings are very attractive, the backgrounds for everyone are interesting so far, and the humor is quit cute (as are the more whimsical drawings of the cast). I guess in my heart of hearts I've fallen for the basic "opposites attract" thing, even though it's something I've rarely experienced in real life. I see so much potential for an interesting story about the bonds of friendship, and the troubles as well as delights of romance. It's a rather stylish experience too, I must say. I really like that part of this story seems to revolve around a band and a female lead singer, which is of personal interest to me.

Absolute Boyfriend is fun and sexy, but so far nothing deep. The drawings, as usual, are high-quality Watase Yuu art (lovely men).

Crimson Hero seems to be following the standard sports manga/anime format without standing out too much from the pack yet. I love the character designs and the main character's style, but I mostly flip through it to keep track of what's happening (though rather predictable so far).

[ QUOTE ]
Collectonian said:
I don't think it was on the Rightstuf site during the Viz sale or I might have preordered it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe, as I was recently kicking myself in the head, wondering how I managed to not preorder NANA on the same sale. How did I miss it? Was it even listed?

Baby and Me is very sweet, but fairly episodic and simple, even in terms of the artwork. Not a high priority for me, but I always read it all the way through, with the proper attention.

I find Godchild utterly uninteresting, but then, I've never been into the gothic art style or horror stories, so the combination of these things does nothing for me.

Kaze Hikaru was a huge disappointment for me. I imagined something more like Kenshin (a gross error), and instead I get what I perceive as a very watered down take on the Shinsengumi (sp?) and bushido (the way of the warrior), in general. It's too girly, and there are far too many drawings showcasing Okita Souji's looks, Okita's gentle personality, and the abundance of "almost shouen-ai/yaoi" moments. Really, if an author isn't willing to go there for real (at least thus far), he/she should quit being a tease about it. A STUPID tease.

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention, I enjoyed the preview of Beauty is the Beast in the most recent issue. Wish there had been more of it...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to know more/read more as well to better judge my desire for it. Looks interesting, but it has the potential to be extremely predictable or obnoxious. In any case, I like the first chapter well enough.

[pumpkinsmoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Jarred said:
I'll be picking up Crimson Hero for sure. I like the setup and the main character is very likeable. The only thing I'm worried about, and this could be a positive or negative depending on what's important to you, is that there sure is not a whole lot of volleyball playing going on. Nobara is struggling to get a team started, which I like, but I wonder if there will actually ever be any on the court action and struggles; or if like many shoujo sports stories the actual sport will just become a gimmick and concentrate more on boy troubles at the dorm.

[/ QUOTE ]

*busts out tankabons*
Wow, there's less volleyball than I remember. But it is there. Mild spolier but just in case:<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>At the beginning the focus is more on Nobara getting the volleyball team up and running, but once that's started it becomes a mix of the girl's bonding and their boy relationships. The volleyball takes a backseat to this (though it helps facilitate it at times).</span> Overall it's much more shoujo manga than sports (which would explain why some people who aren't into sports manga like this one). My recommendation is to proceed with caution, since I'm not sure if you're a fan of the standard shoujo-romance business.


[ QUOTE ]
In any case, reading this makes me wish that someone would release the English version of the popular shoujo volleyball manga Attack No. 1 (http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=4834279030).

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you give some more information on this one - the premise and such. Not that I need another series to clog up my backlog...

[ayumu]

[ QUOTE ]
michaelwb said:
Nana - started out lower but has grown on me a lot. I think as the cast is getting assembled and the real story line is developing it's catching my interest more.

[/ QUOTE ]
Nana is definitely a story that gets better as it goes along. I bought and read the first volume, and that was enough to make me think I wanted to read more. Then I got volumes two and three, and by the time I was done reading the third volume, I was kicking myself for not buying the whole series. It gets super crazy addictive once the story gets going.

As for the others I've read:

I liked Absolute Boyfriend at first, but gave up on it after a couple volumes. Then I started reading it again when I saw the cover to volume five (http://books.yahoo.co.jp/book_detail/07138016). I did stick it out to the end, but...meh. /images/graemlins/relief1.gif About the only good thing I can say about it is I liked it better than any of Watase Yuu's other recent works. (Except for FY Genbu Kaiden, which I actually like.)

I read quite a few volumes of Kaze Hikaru, but gave up on it eventually. There were some cute moments, but just not enough to hold my interest. It may have at least partially been due to the fact that the Japanese is quite difficult and was way above my level when I was reading it. I may go back and give it another try someday.

I've read all of Baby &amp; Me, and like it quite a bit, but I'm a sucker for that sort of family story. It's not earth-shatteringly fantastic or anything (and, in fact, I think Fujiwara Kiyo's Boku wa ne. (http://www016.upp.so-net.ne.jp/ros/works/boku.html) does a better job with a similar setup), but I enjoyed it.

[Noodle]

[ QUOTE ]
Shsway said:

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention, I enjoyed the preview of Beauty is the Beast in the most recent issue. Wish there had been more of it...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to know more/read more as well to better judge my desire for it. Looks interesting, but it has the potential to be extremely predictable or obnoxious. In any case, I like the first chapter well enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pssst. (http://www.animeondvd.com/masterlist.php) (Scroll down to my list..) /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Not that it really matters now, but Crimson Hero was available during that last TRSI sale (I ordered it) and although I didn't want to order Nana at the time, but I'm pretty certain I saw it on the list, too. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Kira Cyana]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
[ QUOTE ]
Shsway said:

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention, I enjoyed the preview of Beauty is the Beast in the most recent issue. Wish there had been more of it...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to know more/read more as well to better judge my desire for it. Looks interesting, but it has the potential to be extremely predictable or obnoxious. In any case, I like the first chapter well enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pssst. (http://www.animeondvd.com/masterlist.php) (Scroll down to my list..) /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Not that it really matters now, but Crimson Hero was available during that last TRSI sale (I ordered it) and although I didn't want to order Nana at the time, but I'm pretty certain I saw it on the list, too. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

There is an error in your SQL syntax. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

Also, I'm curious if anyone has both read Crimson Hero and seen the anime Princess Nine. I really loved P9 and it sounds like CH is kind of similar in some ways. How do they compare?


Kira C.

[Jarred]

[ QUOTE ]
pumpkinsmoke said:
*busts out tankabons*
Wow, there's less volleyball than I remember. But it is there. Overall it's much more shoujo manga than sports (which would explain why some people who aren't into sports manga like this one). My recommendation is to proceed with caution, since I'm not sure if you're a fan of the standard shoujo-romance business.


[/ QUOTE ]
Will do. I've actually come to expect this while reading shoujo sports manga. The drama and stories are much more driven by off the court events, eventually leaving the actually sport in the dust as things progress.


[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
In any case, reading this makes me wish that someone would release the English version of the popular shoujo volleyball manga Attack No. 1 (http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=4834279030).

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you give some more information on this one - the premise and such. Not that I need another series to clog up my backlog...

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know too much about the premise, other than ANN's anime entry (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1186), as it was actually osaka who mentioned the title to me. I know he's a fan of the series, so maybe he'll pop in with some words. It was damn popular in its time though, 104 ep anime, drama, and a movie I think.

[littleharlock]

I´ve seen the anime back as kid and remember that Attack No. 1 was a huge hit here as well (making volleyball quite popular among girls back then). It was quite an emotionfull series (i.e. the rival between Kozue and Midori IIRC) which I therefore enjoyed back then (btw. Jarred, the anime is available as DVD Boxsets in Japan ^_~). AFAIK there exist 4 anime movies as well. The manga is by Chikako Urano and I remember reading it was one of the first Shôjo Sport manga which caused quite a boom of volleyball in Japan at its time as well. In case you´re interested in picking up the manga, Amazon.jp currently offers a set as can be seen here (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4834279030/qid=1129817791/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_10_3/250-9606020-8294661) and IIRC the Shin Attack No.1 manga by Kanon Ozawa (which started 2004 in Margaret mangabon) recently ended (but I coulb be wrong on that) with the 3rd Tankôbon being released in November.

so far
yours
littleharlock

[Noodle]

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Kira Cyana said:
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Noodle said:

Pssst. (http://www.animeondvd.com/masterlist.php) (Scroll down to my list..) /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

There is an error in your SQL syntax. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

Kira C.

[/ QUOTE ]

..works for me? Maybe you tried it when the SQL monkeys were on their coffee break? In any event, I've got the 1st volume, am part-way through reading it and will hopefully have a review up soon - after I finish a couple others I was more excited about... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[marieta]

At this point I'm following Shojo Beat mostly to keep up on Crimson Hero. It's my favorite, followed by Nana and Absolute Boyfriend. I'm another person who barely finished the first chapter of Kaze Hikaru, but I didn't find that odd because I've yet to really get into any samurai-type story. Just not something I like (both art and way-of-life). Crimson Hero appeals to me on a number of levels. A shoujo romance story about a sport I actually play! (Have a match tonight, actually. Hee.) I'm not typically a sports-manga fan, though I have found that the ones about girls attract me a little bit and I enjoy Prince of Tennis. And I'm a sucker for romantic shoujo (especially with strong-willed lead females). Nana took until the second Nana was introduced for me to get hooked, and thus far I still don't have that much interest in the first one but I am slowly liking her more. I'm probably going to wait for a while before buying the graphic novel of that, but I'm definitely going to buy Crimson Hero and Absolute Boyfriend. I enjoy Godchild but I've discovered that goth isn't something I reread. Baby &amp; Me is cute, but low on my urge-to-read, so I'll hold off and probably just follow it in Shojo Beat.

One problem I think I'm having, though (and which contradicts half of what I just said about buying/not), is that I've learned I don't really like serial magazines. Shojo Beat is the first one I've really tried to follow, and even stories I like (Absolute Boyfriend, Godchild, Baby &amp; Me, Nana), I don't always want to read... then. Crimson Hero is literally the only one I MUST read. But I still want to read them as books. I'm never really satisfied when I read Shojo Beat. I have the feeling I'll like them better once a story is collected and bound. So who knows, I may chuck Shojo Beat completely and try almost all of them as GNs before making up my mind. :&gt;

[SoopyKun]

Like Marieta, I don't really care for the serial format either. I can't wait for the GNs to come out. (Doesn't help that other than reading Vol 1 of SB that was bought in the states, I still haven't seen any copies in any stores in Canada.) But based on what I read, will be getting Absoulute Boyfriend, Crimson Hero and most likely Nana. Couldn't manage to finish Kaze Hikaru, didn't really like Baby &amp; Me too much. Godchild was alright, will have to wait a bit on that one. Also loving MeruPuri (love the art, love the cheesiness which has been mentioned!).

[jecca-neko]

My thoughts:

Absolute Boyfriend - Mix typical Yuu Watase comedy fare with a Chobits-esque story (except reverse the genders, human girl, robot guy) and that's essentially what it is. Chobits fans would like it, Watase fans would like it, romantic comedy fans might... I personally wouldn't recommend it to the average manga fan. There's other manga that does comedy and romantic comedy better. As a Yuu Watase fan, I love it to pieces.

Baby &amp; Me - I enjoy it, but I wouldn't buy the GNs. You'll most enjoy this if you're a parent or have younger siblings (especially the latter), as you'll be able to identify with the annoyances and rewards of raising a young child.

Crimson Hero - I'm not much of a fan of the art style but the story is strangely addicting from the standpoint that our heroine is very much a tomboy and I myself am too (other than the love for sports part). Her new school has no girls volleyball team. She wants to start one. Typical sports drama combined with the comedy of her being the dorm mother for a guys dorm and that's what it is. Highly recommended for sports fans and anyone who has been too afraid to check out a sports anime or manga.

Godchild - I'd suggest giving this a chance even if you don't like Angel Sanctuary. Godchild is a gothic horror, like Angel Sanctuary, but unlike AS the story isn't overarching and it's easier to parse. It also deals with unusual mysteries. If you like such manga as xxxHolic and Petshop of Horrors, you'd probably love this. Anyone else, probably hit or miss.

Kaze Hikaru - Simply enough, it's a historical period drama. You need to be familiar with Japanese history and Japanese culture period to really appreciate this. I personally am a history fanatic (any kind) and Japanese culture is fun to me, so I love Kaze Hikaru.

Nana - College angsty story. That sums it up really. It's a guilty pleasure for me.

I read all of the Shojo Beat stories and actually like it being monthly. The way I read manga GNs typically is via 6 month binges, where every 6 months I'll catch up on all the series' I'm collecting, wait 6 months, then do it again. I typically tend to forget what happens during my wait period and am forced to re-read at least the last volume before getting my new ones. Also it was so much to absorb at once I didn't really appreciate it. In Shojo Beat I'm given much smaller portions at a time.

The only annoying thing about smaller portions is that you get stuck with annoying cliffhangers a lot more often... but at least they're resolved sooner. So it's kinda a tossup.

[sir_integra]

I no longer buy the monthlies (never did get a subscription) and will wait to get some GNs.

Crimson Hero - My favorite out of all the SB titles. Definite buy on the GN.

Baby &amp; Me - Big surprise. I thought I would like this title the least but I find it quite charming. Will buy the GNs.

Godchild - I'm not much of a gothic fan but I do like this. Lower priority GN purchase.

Absolute Boyfriend - I enjoyed what I read but I'm not strongly motivated to buy the GN. It is a short series, I might give it a try.

Kaze Hikaru - this was the title I was most looking forward to and was very disappointed. I don't like the art. (Kamo Serizawa looks like George Jetson's boss! Kamo was crazy in a very bad way. The visuals send an odd message to me.) But as a previous poster had mentioned, this title may be better read in a longer format. I'll get the first GN to see how it goes. I like my Shinsengumi to look like that of Iwasaki Yohko's Burai.

Nana - I hate this title. I'm really too old for it. I find Nana Komatsu to be a moron and an annoying one at that. And I don't like the art, a lot of it looks like what 15 year-old girls doodle in their notebooks. Well, I didn't like Paradise Kiss either so this kinda follows.

[Shsway]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
Maybe you tried it when the SQL monkeys were on their coffee break? In any event, I've got the 1st volume, am part-way through reading it and will hopefully have a review up soon - after I finish a couple others I was more excited about... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hehe, uh-oh.

I'm getting the error too at present, so I'll wait and look forward to the review.

Nobody asked, but here are some of my opinions. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Absolute Boyfriend: I read this in scanlations ages ago, and am rereading it in the magazine. It gets a little more serious later on, but it's mostly good dumb fun.

Nana: I think I read up to volume four in imports and fan translations before I became overwhelmed by the sheer length of the series and the amount of time it took me to get through each tankoubon. I enjoy this one a lot, but the localization gets on my nerves. Moreso than the "Gals!" localization. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Kaze Hikaru: I kind of gave up on this. All of the characters look too similar, and I never have any idea what the hell is going on. The historical backgrounds and the leaving-in of kewl Japanesey terms serve only to further confuse me.

Godchild: I like this enough to read, but not enough to buy itself. I love the artwork, but the stories themselves are little too cornball for my taste.

Crimson Hero: Meh. I love the art here, too, but I feel no empathy whatsoever for the main character. This manga seems to be less about her desire to play volleyball and more about OMG SHE LEFT HOME TO LIVE IN THE BOYS DORM SHES SUCH A REBEL than anything. I'm hoping it improves, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Baby &amp; Me: My favorite title in the magazine. Then again, I'm a sucker for these kinds of stories.

As for the GN line, I've read Full Moon and some of Ultra Maniac. Full Moon is a good story with better art. Tanemura is kind of a wonky storyteller. I've had trouble following her manga (even when translated into English by professionals), and I'm not sure why that is. Ultra Maniac is cute and funny, but the things that were posted here in the past on the localization were enough to conivince me to stick to the imports.

[onigiri]

Figured I may as well post my thoughts, too:
(in order of how much I like the series)

Baby &amp; Me - I love this one. It's just cute and gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I also love slice-of-life stuff, which this is. It's a nice look at Japanese life. I'll be buying the GNs.

Nana - I like Nana because it's more grown-up than most shoujo. The Nanas are older (college age) and have more adult relationships/problems. And I don't know why everyone hates Nana Komatsu! Sure she's ditzy, crazy, and stupid, but I like her. More than Nana Osaki anyway. &gt;.&lt; The constant calling each other "girl" gets on my nerves though. I'll be buying the GNs.

Absoulute Boyfriend - Good old Watase fun. I'm enjoying it in the magazine, but I'm not sure if I'll buy the GNs. I probably will since I have all the other Watase stuff that's been published in English. I think I would enjoy it more in big chunks anyway. The chapters seem really short.

Crimson Hero - At first I didn't like this one at all. I hate volleyball, Nobara was irritating to me, the main guy looks like a girl, and all the characters looked pissed off to me. However, it grew on me. I now think the art is great and the story is really addictive. I look forward to reading this each month, but I'm not sure I'll buy the GNs.

Godchild - I love historical mysteries, some of my favorites are those set in Victorian England, so I thought I would love Godchild, despite my lack of love for Kaori Yuki's art. However, it's more goth than period and I don't really like goth. Some of the stories are ok and I still read it, but there's some unidentifiable quality about it that I don't care for. It would've been nice to get the first series first, too.

Kaze Hikaru - I really thought I would like this one. I like historical fiction and I like the art (really!). But I found myself bored and extremely confused by the first chapter. What the heck was happening? I had no idea. I haven't read it since. I still flip through to look at the art, and I'll probably go back and read it someday, but for now it remains at the bottom of the list.

[lorddream]

I ordered the first GNs for Absolute Boyfriend, Nana, and Crimson Hero. I passed on Godchild, and I'm no longer reading Baby &amp; Me or Kaze Hikaru in Shojo Beat.

Absolute Boyfriend is currently my favorite of the six titles. So far, it's been light fun. It helps that I'm a bit of a Yatase fan and liked Chobits.

Nana took a while to set up, but it looks like it will be fun, too. It is nice to see some post-high school age characters in a shoujo story. The only caveat is that the localization was not as smooth or unobtrusive as it should be.

Crimson Hero was the surprise for me. I'm not intersted in volleyball, and I'm not really drawn to sports manga to begin with. Still, this one captured my interest (it helps that the focus has not really been on sports.)

Godchild has gorgeous art, but the stories, so far, anyway, have been a little too episodic for my taste.

Baby &amp; Me was just a little too saccharine for me. I couldn't manage to read it for more than a couple of chapters. Your mileage may vary.

Kaze Hikaru was not my cup of tea at all. I read the first chapter, but I'm not all that big on period pieces to begin with, and this one relies heavily on knowledge that I don't have for it to be an easy read. The art is also a turnoff, and the premise doesn't really seem all that original or interesting. Again, your mileage may vary.

[vanfanel]

It's nice to see the generally favorable reaction to Baby and Me here. I think it's probably a series that wouldn't stand a chance as a standalone debut, but hey, if you've got a chapter already, you'll　probably read it at least once, and maybe be surprised. It's not earthshattering, but it's nice, and there's room in the world for nice. I used to enjoy renting the old anime series of it from a Japanese grocery back home.

[Miss Amii]

Okay, I just got done reading Beauty is the Beast vol. 1. Blah! I don't think I've read anything this terrible in a while. Everything from the art to the story is lifeless and generic. It seems like it was trying to all the female dorm version of Here is Greenwood and I ended up liking it even less. Not recommended at all.

[BART]

Didn't really understand or care what was going on in Beauty is the Beast. Kaze Hikaru is for jidaigeki fans who need to get in touch with their feminine sides. Best titles are Nana, Absolute Boyfriend, and Baby and Me. Godchild's alright, if you don't mind being depressed. Crimson Hero's decent, but only if you consider volleyball to be a real sport. Thus far, I've enjoyed the Socrates In Love manga, and am considering the novel. I also enjoyed the preview of Ultramaniac which was included in the first volume, but as a guy, I'm too chicken to actually to pick up a volume. (I get embarrased enough trying to sneak the mag home after I'm done purchasing it. I used to only have that feeling when I was buying porn. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif )

[The Pirate Queen]

[ QUOTE ]
Miss Amii said:
Okay, I just got done reading Beauty is the Beast vol. 1. Blah! I don't think I've read anything this terrible in a while. Everything from the art to the story is lifeless and generic. It seems like it was trying to all the female dorm version of Here is Greenwood and I ended up liking it even less. Not recommended at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mmmm - that sounds ominious. I was on the fence with this title, looks like it may drop off my (far too long) list after all.

[Noodle]

[ QUOTE ]
Miss Amii said:
Okay, I just got done reading Beauty is the Beast vol. 1. Blah! I don't think I've read anything this terrible in a while. Everything from the art to the story is lifeless and generic. It seems like it was trying to all the female dorm version of Here is Greenwood and I ended up liking it even less. Not recommended at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

haha! That's a lot of what I said in my review! (which isn't turned in yet..oops). It really is like a girls dorm version of Greenwood, although I didn't dislike the book as much the 2nd time thru. It's not quite so bad, I laughed at some of the quirky Eimi-ness, but it does lack some of the charm of Greenwood. I blame the clumsy romance, actually.

[tomo]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
I blame the clumsy romance, actually.

[/ QUOTE ]

The romance in BB is your "loner opens up his heart only to the one girl he grows to love," so if you're not into that type of story, the whole premise might be meh.

[flchick]

I love all of the stories in Shojo beat, and I actually like Kaze b/c I have seen Peacemaker (loved it) and since they are basically similar but Kaze has a romance twist.
In the December issue Kaze gets really good so if anyone stopped reading it they should give it another chance.
Baby is the only one I stopped reading.
Hero is my favorite, the creator's sense of style blows me away.
In the December issue which I got really early last week (don't know how) there was a statement in regards to Nana vol 1 including scenes not in the magazine.
I love the magazine for the stories and the articles, especially the interviews.
<font color="black"> </font>

[Shsway]

[ QUOTE ]
flchick said:
In the December issue Kaze gets really good so if anyone stopped reading it they should give it another chance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that it was much more interesting than expected. Except for Godchild, I do at least skim the titles that I like the least just to keep up. This time around, I was really surprised to find myself reading this particular installment of Kaze Hikaru in full. Finally - an emotional, character-developing story. Part of me thinks that this is a one-time thing, though the comic could easily get better if there is a cut-down on the following:

a)The flashbacks and memories of Sei's older brother, and
b)The shounen-ai/yaoi titillation slant

[Noodle]

[ QUOTE ]
tomo said:
[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
I blame the clumsy romance, actually.

[/ QUOTE ]

The romance in BB is your "loner opens up his heart only to the one girl he grows to love," so if you're not into that type of story, the whole premise might be meh.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think my "problem" (it's not a huge one) is that it's overshadoweded by the quirky personality thing..almost as if the author couldn't decide what angle she wanted to go with. I think the main romance thing was handled best (tho totally unoriginal... /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif) out of all the girls, but all that said, I'm willing to give the series more volumes to see if it improves a bit, since it made me laugh a lot. I really didn't like it at first, but it grew on me a bit.

... and here I am saying stuff I put in my review. I should shut up til then. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[doink-chan]

doinkies' favorite manga in Shojo Beat right now are Nana, Crimson Hero, Absolute Boyfriend, and Kaze Hikaru. Nana and Kaze Hikaru may start out slow at first, but they get really good later on. Absolute Boyfriend is a guilty pleasure for doinkies, and I love the art and the characters in Crimson Hero. Some of these doinkies already has the Japanese tankies to, but I'll definitely get the English tankies for these series as well.

[BART]

Just picked up the latest issue, and the Kamikae Girls manga isn't as good as the movie.

[sir_integra]

[ QUOTE ]
sir_integra said:
.....

Kaze Hikaru - this was the title I was most looking forward to and was very disappointed. I don't like the art. (Kamo Serizawa looks like George Jetson's boss! Kamo was crazy in a very bad way. The visuals send an odd message to me.) But as a previous poster had mentioned, this title may be better read in a longer format. I'll get the first GN to see how it goes. I like my Shinsengumi to look like that of Iwasaki Yohko's Burai.......



[/ QUOTE ]

Just read the GN and I have to admit, it reads much better than the in the SB serialization. I will be going on to volume 2.

One of the problems I have with this title is that the beginning reminds me too much of Peacemaker Kurogane, so it has a "been there" feel.

[Miss Amii]

[ QUOTE ]
Noodle said:
[ QUOTE ]
witega said:

I think Viz has done a decent job of trying to fill in the basics on the Shinsengumi for the uninitiated but there's still a level of familiarity with the characters that the authoer could assume in her original audience that just can't be recreated in an American one.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this part actually, and think it will definitely play a role in the overall experience of American consumers. I'm not sure that's why I don't like it, though. The art definitely plays a role, but I'm not that snobby about art anymore. I just didn't care for the main character/story enough--in fact, it may even be the opposite of witega's theory, in that I've seen this subject before. Loads. And I just couldn't care to get into it, again.

Sorry I can't be more specific. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Finally having read Hikaru Kaze, I think I finally understand why it hasn't gone over too well. The Q-Pi Doll art style doesn't bother me at, but the general feel of the plot and characterization leaves me feeling like I'm listening to an inside joke that I haven't been let in on.

I did like Nana and Crimson Hero a lot though.