Rumiko Takahashi

This was a very bloody installment! I mean it, blood was splattering all over the place in too many panels to count. While this is going on, the series manages to stay wholesome. Surely, it must be the art, it is simply bursting with wholesomeness ;)

Anyway, the plot thickens, and there are exciting revelations about the connection between Mao, Nanoka, and Byoki; more about Nanoka’s guardians (in this case, the reader breathes a sign of relief); more on Mao’s backstory, which is still full of mysteries.

Disappointingly, Nanoka doesn’t get to save Mao again. But if the hints are to be believed, the author remedied the situation in the next volume.

Once again, the ending is a cliffhanger. Come on! :)))… (more)

Now I am sure this is going to be an excellent series!

Nanoka, Mao, and Otoya investigate a very creepy cult and blood-sucking… things. Scary stuff ensues. Do be careful with curses and demons, it’s nothing to dabble in. “Dark magic is not for amateurs.”

Mao is still great at getting rid of demons, but just like in volume 1, I keep wondering how on earth he had managed anything without Nanoka before. He arrives to save Nanoka when she is already saving herself and doing very well; and then she saves him instead. This is adorable. (Go, Nanoka, go!)

There are very disturbing reveals about Nanoka’s family, and the ending is a terrible cliffhanger. Where is volume 3??? (It’s in my bookshelf, actually, no worries.)… (more)

I of course have loved Takahashi since my early days of reading manga. At one time I deeply loved Inuyasha and enjoyed Rin-ne for the most part. My favorite however will always be the Mermaid Saga books, as they blend the supernatural with the everyday and horror so brilliantly. They're a little historical, a little hopeful, a little action packed...just mt absolute favorite.

This short collection features none of her pre-existing characters, but her signature style all over again. Each story has a little bit about the fantastic to it; whether its the title story where two students are chosen to bear the mirror that shows people their sins to the kid who's afraid of cats and has his arm possessed by one, these are all outside of the ordinary.

Largely they work. Takahashi is no stranger to short manga stories, so she's a dab hand at outlining a world before diving straight to the point of it.

My favorite however was the last comic, which was collaboration between herself and Mitsuru Adachi, ruminating on how they became interested in manga and how they've encouraged each other for decades in large and small ways. Its very touching as well as fascinating to see how they both came to the industry.

Especially as I adore Adachi's Short Program (slice of life stories about growing up and the myriad relationships we have through life) series and Cross Game (baseball) series.

A welcome treat for long time fans, but much like Kaoru Mori's collection, Anything and Something, new-to-her readers may not find the stories as nostalgically endearing.… (more)

When your sister-in-law cleans out her bookshelves, you get free books! Here is #3.

Dear Rumiko Takahashi, it’s nice to meet your stories again. I like them so much :)

The premise here is very similar to Rin-Ne : a girl who takes no nonsense from anyone meets a boy who needs to work on his social skills a bit. The boy has special powers and fights ghosts and demons.

The story here is more mysterious and creepy (if you think the idea of cat demon sounds cute, think again). There is no silliness or banter (yet?).

Mao is a cursed exorcist, and when he is not busy exorcising he is a yokai doctor (awww!). Nanoka is tougher than she realizes. She has a horrific backstory – was the accident that killed her parents truly an accident? And what kind of connection do Nanoka and Mao have? Is it possible they share the same curse?

I liked how Nanoka travelled back in time to a parallel universe, and almost without batting an eye, started helping Mao defeat demons. Because why wouldn’t you?

Here is Mao, confronting a demon:

“Shall we join him, Miss Nanoka?”
“Sure.”

That spider lady was *very* scary, I hope I won’t dream of her tonight. *Shudder.* Nanoka saved the day, though. I wonder how on earth Mao had managed without her before? ;)

This first volume is very promising, shaping up to be a cool and scary series with adorable characters. It’s a pity I don’t have more volumes right now…

P.S. For the curious, here are other books from my sister-in-law’s bookshelf:

#1 Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

#2 Palimpsest… (more)