#i thought I read a lot lol

[whitefang93]

Some manga I read this year

Really fun reading in a shitty year of my life. Monster and kaze hikaru are rereads(read kaze hikaru atleast 4 times lol). Kaze hikaru single handedly convinced me to watch Japanese period drama movies and it was blast. Kaze hikaru is shinsengumi bakumatsu era story centred around a girl main character. A beautiful one with slice of life story spun around historical facts that makes reading very engaging.

Monster turned out to be so much fun I came back to being the monster addict I was in 2017. Altho my reading comprehension hasn't been any better since but wow what a thought provoking series. Although the grand scheme of things like Nina and Tenma cud have been more fleshed out towards the end? I just love the microcosm of the series is built around loving and sharing fun meals and like life is a concoction of meals we had together. It's definitely a series that is worth many reads and I wasn't wrong falling in love with it back then.

Pet shop of horrors is another gem.

A shady or not so shady pet shop selling people's dreams(?). I'm in love with count D btw.

Orcot × D felt like eroica's Dorian × Klaus with the will they won't they dynamics.

Maison ikoku is probably rumiko's tightest story with plot progression because it's important to progress the love story here. A young widow moving on in life and leading an independent life and finding love again. You get a good feel of 70s 80s Japan, the slice of life and takahashi's slap stick comedy all in one good package.

Star clock liddell.

I honestly don't knw what to Say abt this series lmao

If you are interested in Rich conversations of people talk abt metaphysics and dream psychology then this is your read. The way the story talks abt longing and broaches the dissociation of one's own psyche and somehow ties into a place of longing and belonging...idk what else to say this is so weird at the same time a good series with stellar art. This read felt like I'm drifting to dreams tht aren't morbidly scary but just unsettling and you long for a curiosity and unknown sense of belonging.

Gabai. Coming of age story set in post war Japan, abt a boy who came to saga to live with his grandmother cuz his mom in Hiroshima can't make ends meet to raise two kids.

Oftentimes phrase of money isn't everything is just hell no poverty sucks...but the story gives a balance to these two sides of it with money isn't everything when you live in a community that doesn't look down on the poor and want to exploit and hoard wealth but sharing during difficult times as neighbors, friends, teachers at school should see it as a part of their responsibility and consious to help one another. The series brought back lots of my own granny memories and the so called simple times when everyone mostly cared for one another. Raising kids is not an isolated work of parents..10/10 and honestly I feel like slice of life stories that don't have this depth and angle are just pointless at times. Giving nuance with time place and lifestyle makes so much difference.

Bokura no kiseki.

Well it's probably the best reincarnations au you will ever read. A series that makes you care abt so many characters and unearthing the past memories of a tragedy and to try co existing in the present world. It's really philosophical at places, about power money and equality. You don't knw what you are in for till you keep reading it and a lot of people keep masking and faking identity so the reincarnation mystery is very fun into this weird cat and mouse games.

Nonnonba.

I wanted to read Shigeru mizuki manga and so I thought why not a shorter one. His depiction of yokai as human emotions manifestations, and tapping into fear, insecurity, traditional folklore, and myths and misconceptions but not dismissive of a culture is very important in his stories. His pencil art detailing is what I feel like digital art might not be able to give...if that makes sense.

Dear Gene.

Yaoi manga with beautiful art. Historical and slice of life and coming of age. I like how it uses queerness as growing up experiences too, the world outside is bigger and more accepting while connecting your roots. A great read.

Sakura namiki.

The S class Yuri classic. The beautiful panelling, with back and forth tennis match between two girls and their bond and emotions flowing so seamlessly between their exchange.

How do we do relationship.

Probably the best manga of romance drama that's not just creating drama but meaningful discussion on navigating as a couple, friends and sexual relationships especially as lesbians in a hetero spaces.