#master umezz and me

[spiraphobia]

Venus in the Blind Spot - Master Umezz and Me | Junji Ito

[happytapirstudio]

July 2024 Book Log

New This Month:

The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques (reread)

Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

Continuing:

The Deadlands Book 2: Trapped by Skye Melki-Wegner

My Good Man by Eric Gansworth (unfinished)

Ranger's Apprentice Book 3: The Icebound Land by John Flanagan (finished)

On Hold:

The Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milán

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear

Orochi Volume 2 by Kazou Umezz

Safe Area Goražde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-95 by Joe Sacco (reread)

When I Arrived at the Castle by Emily Carroll

Tremendously embarrassed that Carroll's 100 or so pages of easy-to-read pictures has got me stonewalled. My sister read it all in one sitting, and I should've too, but I got flustered by Women and put it down for a second-turned-month. I'm sorry, Women.

I'm reluctant to talk too much about Ranger's Apprentice because I feel simultaneously that it deserves more and less than a couple paragraphs at the bottom of a monthly book log. Here's the thing, I have a lot more books to get through in this series, plus three other spinoff series that I probably won't even touch. There was a lot I wanted to say after book 1, and that number only doubles with each new book. The world just keeps unfolding. As do my critiques. So I'm going to hold my tongue and wait until the show's over before I start hurling tomatoes.

I stumbled upon Obsidian Mirror totally on accident. I wanted to reread Fisher's Relic Master quartet (called The Book of the Crow in GB), which is an all-time favorite of mine, but then I saw Mirror and went !!!! and grabbed it instead. (Also I just hit up her wiki page to verify titles and she's written so much?????? I only ever see Relic Master and Incarceron/Sapphique on shelves so I had no idea. Wow I'm gonna have to dig into this.) ANYWAY it's dope as fuck so far, and I'm really excited. I adore the way she blends fairytale-fantasy and scifi, it scratches my imagination just the right way. Her prose is also just. Pleasant to read. Unlike. Some other writers. We shan't mention. (but already have......)

Reading was at an all-time low this month because of Art Fight and also being consumed by??? Dark spirits of a sort????? Fear not, we'll get those numbers up once more. Redwall and Deadlands reviews forthcoming.

[vixvaporub]

Master Umezz and Me by Junji Ito

[recentanimenews]

VIZ Announces Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai Manga and More

VIZ Media hopped on Twitter for one of its semi-regular license reveals, announcing everything from an Uzumaki Coloring Book to more horror delights from Kazuo Umezz, the Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai manga, and much more. Read on for a roundup of everything that's on the way this time. 

  Unless otherwise noted, everything below is due out in spring 2022. 

    Uzumaki Coloring Book 

  Announcement: For those drawn-in by the hypnotic spirals of Uzumaki, this is your moment! The bizarre masterpiece of horror manga from Junji Ito, has been transformed into the Uzumaki Coloring Book. Hurrah! Releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/xSxQ8Tc3Gp

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Kazuo Umezz's Orochi: The Perfect Edition

  Announcement: The classic manga from horror master Kazuo Umezz gets a whole new format! The deluxe hardcover series Orochi: The Perfect Edition, featuring nine of his classic interconnected short stories, is out Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/dV080XMe4R

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Pokémon Adventures: X•Y 

  Announcement: Awesome Pokémon adventures inspired by the best-selling Pokémon X and Y video games! The reclusive child prodigy Pokémon Trainer, X, is stirred out of hiding after a surprise attack! Pokémon Adventures: X•Y drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Y18gWG78Qm

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Deadpool: Samurai

  Announcement: Deadpool moves to Tokyo and encounters just about every kind of shonen trope you can think of! Chaos and humor collide in Deadpool: Samurai, out Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/jnLF6nkCf6

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Star Wars: Tribute to Star Wars

Featuring Akira Himekawa, Taiyo Matsumoto, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and more

  Announcement: Explore the galaxy through the beautiful artwork of 45 outstanding Japanese manga artists and illustrators, including Akira Himekawa, Taiyo Matsumoto, and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. Star Wars: Tribute to Star Wars drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/wyFCZ6IZSb

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Onigiri (Cookbook)

  Announcement: Japanese rice balls are about to get really fun! A variety of recipes for these convenient little snacks, curated by popular Parisian onigiri restaurant Gili-Gili, are packed into this cookbook! Onigiri drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/UvLTsPjEAQ

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Ima Koi: Now I'm in Love

  Announcement: After years of missing out on love and dating for fear of rejection, Satomi decisively blurts out her feelings, but now the hard part comes: dating! This refreshing take on shojo, Ima Koi: Now I’m In Love drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/FMBMEPGcUY

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Rumiko Takahashi's Came the Mirror & Other Tales

  Announcement: Rumiko Takahashi, beloved creator of Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2, and Urusei Yatsura, is back with an eclectic collection of short stories--Came the Mirror & Other Tales! Plus, a rare, autobiographical tale about the mangaka’s lifelong love for manga! Releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/gBNK4Xlk1Q

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai

  Announcement: With the help of his friends, Dai will set out on a grand adventure to become the hero he was meant to be in the first arc of the legendary adventure series set in the world of Dragon Quest. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai is coming to bookshelves Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Dt5PyrzNpS

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Demon Slayer: The Official Coloring Book

  Announcement: Now THIS is a coloring book! Add color to over seventy illustrations featuring your favorite characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, with art by manga artist Koyoharu Gotouge! Demon Slayer: The Official Coloring Book drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Ljf4Dmh2l7

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Picture Book

  Announcement: Based on the masterpiece film from Studio Ghibli cofounder Isao Takahata, this is the untold story of Princess Kaguya. Includes scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue from the film. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Picture Book releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/7aBcnSZH9n

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  The Art of the Tale of the Princess Kaguya 

  Announcement: The art and words of Isao Takahata’s gorgeous adaptation of the classic tale come to life! This book captures the breathtaking art of the Studio Ghibli film from conception to production. The Art of the Tale of the Princess Kaguya releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/aXkiXZzJZZ

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  JoJo 6251: The World of Hirohiko Araki

  Announcement: The electrifying world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is unveiled in this print-bound art compendium that’s a must for any fan of Araki-Sensei! JoJo 6251: The World of Hirohiko Araki releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/Q4OhMHAgvY

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Alice in Borderland

  Announcement: The manga source material for the hit @netflix series, Alice in Borderland, comes to bookshelves Spring 2022! Ryohei’s sick of the world, but his new world has a sick joke in store for him: it’s a game, and the only way to survive is to play. pic.twitter.com/kGBmuCJssb

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Sakamoto Days

  Announcement: Things are about to get super INconvenient for convenience store owner Taro Sakamoto when his past as a legendary assassin catches up to him! Sakamoto Days drops Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/cXGVGrlehe

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—Stories of Water and Flame

  Announcement: The Flame Hashira and the Water Hashira star in two back-to-back tales set in the world of Demon Slayer! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba--Stories of Water and Flame releases Spring 2022! pic.twitter.com/9edRJuxSmd

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Digital Exclusives

Fall 2021

  Bone Collection

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! Grow a backbone and tap into your inner exorcist powers with both volumes of Bone Collection! Releasing Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/Og1W2WIQc8

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Me & Roboco

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! In a world where most families own a cute maid robot, average elementary kid Bondo hopes for one of his own. But the wacky robot who shows up is anything but average! Me & Roboco releases Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/Y1fcC86xbr

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! Ryuhei Tamura brings you the fishiest cop manga to ever hit Shonen Jump! A missing cult, a mysterious little girl, and his new partner--a dolphin! Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin releases Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/iqYupLP9pe

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Mitama Security: Spirit Busters

  Announcement: A VIZ Digital Exclusive! Rena's haunted by spirits, but when a strange guy comes to bust them, he may be more of a hindrance than a help! All 5 volumes of Mitama Security: Spirit Busters are releasing in Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/VtkCmsu51A

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

  Magu-chan: God of Destruction

  Announcement: A VIZ digital exclusive! The reign of Mag, the God of Destruction, ends and he washes up on shore in a cute new form. Magu-chan: God of Destruction drops Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/XRpk7BBoed

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 9, 2021

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

  By: Joseph Luster

[odditystew]

The Junji Ito Index (for Currently Available English Translations)

A preexisting index I’ve found on Tumblr lists all Ito stories and links to where you could purchase his work on Amazon or read on scanlation sites. The following list has no links. The purpose of this is a list where you can keep track of which stories have already been collected and published in America by VIZ or other imprints. Previous publishings from Dark Horse are no longer in print and are ignored. I was pretty bored.

COLLECTED VOLUMES

Volumes and series that have been translated to English in their entirety

[✎] Uzumaki Collection [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects Uzumaki Vol. 1, 2, & 3 20 Chapters

[✎] Gyo Collection [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects GYO vol. 1 and GYO vol.2 19 Chapters Bonus chapters: -The Sad Tale of the Principal Post - Enigma of Amigara Fault

[✎] Tomie Collection [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects every Tomie story: The Horror World of Junji Ito Vol 1 & 2 and Tomie Again (Vol. 3) 20 Chapters

[✎] Junji Ito’s Cat Diary [ ★ Kodansha ★ ] Collects the Japanese release of Junji Ito’s Cat Diary 10 chapters [✎] Dissolving Classroom [ ★ Vertical ★ ] Collects the Japanese release of Dissolving Classroom

5 Chapters Bonus chapters: - Children of the Earth - Meet Again

[✎] Fragments of Horror [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects the Japanese release of Shards of Evil, a new short story collection.

01. Futon  02. Wooden Spirit 03. Tomio: Red Turtleneck 04. Gentle Goodbye 05. Dissection 06. Blackbird 07. Magami Nanakuse 08. Whispering Woman

[✎] Shiver [Junji Ito Selected Stories] [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects the Japanese Release of Junji Ito’s Selected Masterpieces, which contains various stories from THWOJI and others (As noted below)

01. Used Record (orig. in THWOJI Vol 10) 02. Shiver (orig. in THWOJI Vol 7) 03. Fashion Model (orig. in THWOJI Vol 6) 04. Hanging Blimp (orig. in THWOJI Vol 4) 05. Marionette Mansion (orig. in THWOJI Vol 10) 06. Painter (orig. in THWOJI Vol 2 [Also collected in Tomie Collection]) 07. The Long Dream (orig. in THWOJI Vol 14) 08. Honored Ancestors (orig. in THWOJI Vol 4) 09. Greased (orig. in Voices in the Dark) Bonus chapter: - Fashion Model: Cursed Frame (previously unreleased)

[✎] Frankenstein [Junji Ito Collection] [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects THWOJI Vol. 16 and THWOJI Vol. 9

01. Frankenstein 02. Hallucinations 03. Bog of the Living Dead 04. Penpal 05. Intruder 06. Further Tales of Oshikiri 07. Further Tales of Oshikiri: Walls 08. A Doll’s Hellish Burial 09. Fixed Face Bonus chapter: - Ito Junji's Dog Diary

[✎] Smashed [Junji Ito Collection] [ ★ VIZ ★ ]

Collects the remaining unpublished stories from Voices in the Dark and all stories from New Voices in the Dark (omits Greased, which appeared in Shiver Story Collection)

01. Bloodsucking Darkness 02. The Ghosts of Primetime 03. Roar 04. The Earthbound 05. Death Row Doorbell 06. The Secret of the Haunted Mansion 07. The Secret of the Haunted Mansion: Souichi’s Version 08. Souichi's Beloved Pet 09. In Mirror Valley 10. I Don’t Want to Be a Ghost 11. Library Vision 12. Splendid Shadow Song 13. Smashed

[✎] No Longer Human [ ★ VIZ ★ ]

Adaptation of Osamu Dazai’s semi-autobiographical novel. 

24 Chapters [✎] Venus in the Blind Spot [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects the Japanese release of “The Best of Junji Ito: Short Story Collection” which consists of a cover gallery, various short stories previously left uncollected, AND select bonus stories from Gyo, Remina, and Black Paradox.

01. Color Gallery -  02. Billions Alone (orig. from Hellstar Remina) 03. The Human Chair - Original Story by Edogawa Ranpo 04. An Unearthly Love - Original Story by Edogawa Ranpo 05. Venus in the Blind Spot 06. The Licking Woman (orig. from Black Paradox) 07. Master Umezz and Me 08. How Love Came to Professor Kirida - Original Story by Robert Hichens 09. The Enigma of Amigara Fault (orig. from Gyo) 10. The Sad Tale of the Principal Post (orig. from Gyo) 11. Keepsake

FUTURE RELEASES

Announced titles (Accuracy adequate until release)

[✎] REMINA [ ★ VIZ ★ ]

Collects the entirety of Hellstar Remina, with possible short bonus stories

6 chapters Bonus chapter: - Army of One (appears in Venus In the Blind Spot as “Billions Alone”)

[✎] Lovesickness [Junji Ito Collection] [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects THWOJI vol.15

01. The Beautiful Youth of the Intersections 02. The Anxious Woman 03. Shadows 04. Screams in the Night Sequel: The White-Clothed Pretty Boy Bonus chapters: - Ribs Woman - Phantom Mansion

[✎] SENSOR [ ★ VIZ ★ ] Collects the Japanese release of Sensor

UNRELEASED WORKS

What it sounds like. These titles are not currently available, besides THWOJI’s old Dark Horse publications. Any stories that have already been collected or are anticipated to be in the VIZ omnibuses will be noted.

[✎] STAND ALONE CHAPTERS These stories are one-shots published in various magazines

[✎] Demon's Voice [✎] Fixed Face [✎] Mountain of Gods: Precipice of the Unknown [✎] She is a Slow Walker [✎] Snow White [✎] The Summer Graduation Trip [✎] Layers of Fear

[✎] BLACK PARADOX

01. Group Suicide 02. Strange Tale of the Pylorus 03. Paradoxical Night 04. Dr. Suka's Village 05. The Spirit World Project 06. To the Dazzling Future Bonus chapters: - The Licking Woman (appears in Venus in the Blind Spot) - Mystery Pavilion

[✎] KAIKI KANZUME [Bizarre Canned Food] [ This volume contains select chapters from THWOJI; no new stories.] 01. Clubhouse 02. Slug Girl 03. The Window Next Door 04. The Thing that Drifted Ashore 05. My Dear Ancestors 06. Near Miss! 07. TBHS: The Second Daughter's Lover 08. TBHS: Seance

[✎] The Horror World of Junji Ito Note: The Horror World of Junji Ito collection (aka THWOJI or Kyoufu Collection) is a 16 volume series. Volumes 1 and 2 are Tomie stories. Volumes 5 and 6 are Souichi stories. The rest are stand-alone short stories collected from various magazine publications. I will be striking thru any story in the collection currently already available translated in some form. Stars on any volume without any stories in current english publication. [✎] THWOJI: vol.1: TOMIE (Collected in the Tomie Collection) 01. Tomie 02. Photograph 03. Kiss 04. Mansion 05. Revenge 06. The Basin of the Waterfall [✎] THWOJI: vol.2: TOMIE (Collected in the Tomie Collection) 07. Tomie Part 2 08. Basement 09. Painter 10. Murder 11. Hair 12. Orphan Girl [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.3: FLESH COLORED HORROR ★ 01. Long Hair in the Attic 02. Permission/Approval 03. Beehive 04. Dying Young 05. Headless Statues 06. Flesh Colored Horror [✎] THWOJI vol.4: THE FACE BURGLAR 01. The Face Burglar 02. Scarecrows 03. Falling 04. The Red String 05. My Dear Ancestors 06. Hanging Balloons [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.5: SOUICHI'S DIARY OF DELIGHTS ★ 01. Fun Summer Vacation 02. Fun Winter Vacation 03. Souichi's Diary of Delights 04. Souichi's Home Tutor 05. Mannequin Teacher 06. Souichi's Birthday [✎] THWOJI vol.6: SOUICHI'S DIARY OF CURSES 01. Souichi's Selfish Curse 02. The Silent Room (Room With Four Walls) 03. Coffin 04. Rumors 05. Fashion Model [✎] THWOJI vol.7: SLUG GIRL 01. Slug Girl 02. The Thing that Drifted Ashore 03. Mold 04. Coldness/The Chill 05. Ryokan 06. The Groaning Drain 07. Biohouse [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.8: BLOOD-BUBBLE BUSHES ★ 01. Blood-Bubble Bushes 02. Unbearable Labyrinth 03. Sword of the Re-Animator 04. The Will 05. The Bridge 06. Demonology (The Devil's Logic) 07. The Conversation Room [✎] THWOJI vol.9: HALLUCINATIONS (Collected in Frankenstein Collection) 01. Hallucinations 02. Bog of the Living Dead 03. Penpal 04. Intruder 05. Further Tales of Oshikiri 06. Further Tales of Oshikiri: Walls Bonus chapters: Junji Ito's Dog Diary [✎] THWOJI vol.10: HOUSE OF THE MARIONETTES 01. Ice Cream Bus 02. Clubhouse 03. The Smoking Club 04. Second-hand Record 05. The Sleeping Room (Den of the Sleep Demon) 06. The Gift Bearer 07. House of the Marionettes [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.11: THE TOWN WITHOUT STREETS ★ 01. The Town Without Streets 02. Near Miss! 03. Maptown 04. Village of the Siren 05. The Supernatural Transfer Student [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.12: THE BULLY ★ 01. The Bully 02. House of the Deserter 03. Heart of a Father 04. Memory 05. The Back Alley 06. Love as Scripted 07. In the Soil [✎] ★ THWOJI vol.13: THE CIRCUS IS HERE ★ 01. The Circus is Here 02. Gravetown 03. The Window Next Door 04. TBHS: The Second Daughter's Lover 05. TBHS: Seance (Assembly of the Fallen Ghost) [✎] THWOJI vol.14: THE STORY OF THE MYSTERIOUS TUNNEL 01. Long Dream 02. The Story of the Mysterious Tunnel 03. The Bronze Statue 04. Drifting Spores 05. Blood Sickness of the White Sands Village

[✎] ★ THWOJI vol.15: LOVESICK DEAD (UNDYING LOVE) ★ 01. The Beautiful Youth of the Intersections 02. The Anxious Woman 03. Shadows 04. Screams in the Night Sequel: The White-Clothed Pretty Boy Bonus chapters: - Ribs Woman  - Phantom Mansion

[✎] THWOJI vol.16: FRANKENSTEIN 01. Frankenstein 02. A Doll's Hellish Burial 03. Fixed Face  [✎] MIMI NO KAIDAN (MIMI'S GHOST STORIES) 01. The Woman Next Door 02. Sound of Grass 03. Graveman 04. The Seashore 05. Just the Two of Us/Alone With You 06. The Scarlet Circle [✎] SIREN

[adventseven]

Remina Review: Cosmic Horror and the Fear of Guilt

What would you do if the public thought you were guilty of causing a disaster? What if you couldn’t be sure that you didn’t? Fear of other people’s judgement features heavily in the subconscious terrors of mankind. Whether you’ve dreamt about going to class with no pants on or waited impatiently for the verdict from a jury of twelve, fear of judgement is a fear we all have experience with.

The Story of a Girl and a Planet

Horror master Junji Ito’s newest western release, Remina (originally  called Jigokusei Remina or Hellstar Remina), dives deep into that fear of public judgement. When the story starts, our titular protagonist Remina Oguro is tied to a cross and hoisted high above a desperate, angry mob calling for her death. An enormous, demonic eye peers down from above. The narration tells us that the end of humanity has come. From there, we take a step back in time to a year before the events of the intro. Many years from our present day, an astronomist named Professor Oguro is awarded a Nobel Prize for discovering a strange planet that has arrived from another dimension through a wormhole and is gradually drifting through space toward Earth. He decides to name it in honor of his beautiful daughter Remina, as it seemed to have originally appeared on the day she was born. Association with the strange planet propels her to a more figurative stardom with an explosive career as a pop idol. But as the strange planet grows closer to Earth, it begins to destroy all in its path, leaving mankind to wonder if a similar fate awaits them. Desperate for answers, some begin to believe that Remina Oguro herself is the cause of the planet’s approach, and that they can only be saved through her death. Terror from Beyond the Stars Remina is cosmic horror in the truest sense. An inevitable, unstoppable threat approaches from the stars with no regard for human life. The planet’s origins and methods uncertain, those in its path are left nothing but despair and grasping at straws. That hopelessness is wonderfully captured by Ito, whose depiction of society’s descent into madness and desperation never feels out of place or rushed. While Ito’s works aren’t generally known for their slow burn, in Remina the gradual decline is presented as smooth as butter. It’s a single, coherent story, unlike the more episodic (but equally terrifying) Uzumaki. By the end, the story has escalated into a wild and unforgettable fever dream. Ito’s art is often the lynchpin of the horror in his stories, and while the storytelling is the source of the most shudders here, the art doesn’t disappoint. The hostile and alien planet Remina is shown gradually in more and more detail as it approaches, and each new view of humanity’s impending doom adds to the incomprehensible and horrifying feeling. Ito’s characters are endearing when sane and delightfully twisted and terrifying when they’ve gone mad. He manages to achieve an impressive sense of size and scale as the enormous planet Remina approaches Earth. I truly believe that Remina is one of Ito’s greatest works. While I was first exposed to the work of Junji Ito through his short stories (like those compiled in the western releases Fragments of Horror, Shiver and Smashed), reading a fan translation of Hellstar Remina is what really endeared me to his style. I’m excited to finally have this beautiful hardbound copy from Viz on my shelf a long sixteen years since the story’s original Japanese release. The other books there – H.P. Lovecraft’s tales of cosmic horror, Kazuo Umezz’s Drifting Classroom, Ito’s other works – will all enjoy being in the company of Remina, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys those stories. The book officially releases on December 15th. 

You can pre-order the book from Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remina-junji-ito/1136471856

-Edward

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[torri-yo]

least with #insomnia I can read a whole book in one night. Another great read from my fav #junjiito #venusintheblindspot #horrormanga #bedtimereading my fav story had to be the human chair adaption and master umezz and me 👽👹👻💀👺 (at Brownstown Charter Township, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEur8qlnwZm/?igshid=1c2ukra3lxto

[vixvaporub]

Master Umezz and Me by Junji Ito

[recentanimenews]

Bookshelf Briefs 9/10/20

BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 2 | By Kaori Tsurutani | Seven Seas – The balance in this series is nearly perfect. You’d expect, given the premise, that there would be more focus on Ichinoi, and we do get a lot about her current life, her classes she teaches, meeting her daughter, etc. But Urara’s side of the equation is just as strong—she’s not simply there to introduce her elderly friend to the world of BL, as this isn’t that kind of series. The two enjoy discussing their passion for the work, but also find out more about each other, come see each other for other reasons, etc. Urara’s teenage friendships also permeate the volume, and the best exchange in it may be Eri hearing Urara call herself “nobody” and taking it personally, as she knows who her boyfriend really likes. Fantastic stuff. – Sean Gaffney

Bloom Into You, Vol. 8 | By Nakatani Nio | Seven Seas – With the emotional climax of the series coming at the end of the last volume, it’s tempting to simply call this an epilogue, but that isn’t quite right, as Touko and Yuu still have to negotiate the boundaries of their new relationship. To some (Sayaka), they’re really obvious, but not everyone knows about it. Moreover, how physical do the two of them want to get? (Turns out, they do want to get physical.) We then get a flash forward seeing them relatively happy, as well as the fate of some others. (Sayaka has a girlfriend, as you will find out if you read the third novel about her life.) Overall, this did not go quite in the directions I was expecting, but it improved with each volume, and I greatly enjoyed it by the end. – Sean Gaffney

I Love You So Much, I Hate You | By Yuni | Yen Press – As always, very happy to see a yuri manga that’s not about girls in high school with their touching first romance. Fujimura is an up-and-coming office worker. Asano is her hard-working, driven boss. They are secretly having an affair—Asano is married—and trying to keep things as “just a casual thing.” Unfortunately, events conspire against them, both externally (another office couple is caught and one of them resigns) and internal (their growing love for each other). The tension between the two leads is the main reason to read the book, and it feels quite real—though there’s not quite as much of the ‘I’m dating my boss’ power issues as I’d expected. If you’re looking for a solid portrayal of an adult couple, this is a good choice. – Sean Gaffney

Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 8 | By Tomohito Oda | Viz Media – This volume has the school trip, something Komi hasn’t done before (last time her class did it she didn’t go due to communication issues). Fortunately, she has Tadano with her this time. UNfortunately, the groups for the trip are segregated by sex, so she’s going to have to be on her own most of the trip, with two of the lesser-known cast members alongside her. We get to know those two, and their awkwardness but try-hard attitude around Komi, and as you’d expect the results are mostly heartwarming—a good time is had by all. She even gets a quiet moment with Tadano towards the end. This is a manga that knows exactly the mood it wants to set, a balance between funny and touching. – Sean Gaffney

The Man on the Other Side | By Poteto Ueno | Futekiya (digital only) – Takuma Sano is a rather boring salaryman who has trouble connecting with people. The only friend he has is “S,” a Twitter follower whom he hasn’t met in five years of chatting. Finally, S proposes a meetup and turns out to be Sayaka Narumi, a popular and handsome actor. They both want to become friends, but their relationship is hampered by Sano’s profound social awkwardness—I love how Ueno doesn’t depict him as shy or withdrawn, just oblivious to social cues—and Narumi’s paranoia, after having recently been in the tabloids, that Sano is going to blab. This is a very chaste title with only a couple of smooches, and the big payoff comes when they can both finally clearly communicate their feelings. I enjoyed it, and was particularly amused that a photograph of (presumably) roasted chicken served as a sort of bat signal for the couple. Recommended. – Michelle Smith

Our Wonderful Days, Vol. 3 | By Kei Hamuro | Seven Seas – I think I forgot to brief the second volume of this, and now it’s come to an end with the third. The series does a good job of showing us exactly what a series like K-On! or Lucky Star would be if it had genuine yuri in it instead of tease. Mafuyu and Koharu grow closer as a couple, thanks mostly to some nicely surreal dream imagery, but the series seems to be more dedicated to everyday life with friends than budding romances. Which is fine, as the friendships here are great, particularly the beta couple Nana and Minori—though the gag at the end shows off that those two aren’t actually a couple after all. (Honestly, given Nana’s brain, they may just not be aware of it.) This won’t be in a top-ten list, but it’s cute. – Sean Gaffney

Primitive Boyfriend, Vol. 2 | By Yoshineko Kitafuku | Seven Seas – After the first volume returned our heroine to the present, I wasn’t expecting to go back to the caveman era quite so soon. But most of this second volume has Mito once again bopping around the jungles and plains, sent back there to find Garhi. She runs into another primitive man, and manages to befriend him in much the same way, while also getting herself into peril, etc. Naturally, it turns out that she’s way in the future, and that this man may be Garhi’s descendant. She ends up back in the present at the end, and the implication is that she has to find Garhi’s soul in someone in modern times. Will it be one of her many potential boyfriends? We’ll know soon; this ends with the third book. – Sean Gaffney

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Vol. 10 | By Yu Tomofuji | Yen Press – Well, we couldn’t go too far without another kidnapping, and that’s what we get here, with our favorite sacrificial heroine allowing herself to become a hostage to save the rest of the boat. That’s not something that can stand, and while the king is (for now) restrained, several are coming to her rescue, including the former villainous chancellor. There’s a lot in this series about vows of loyalty overriding most other reasons, and I really liked Sariphi showing her mettle against her captor, indicating that gifts and luxuries are nothing without the feeling behind it. This feels like it’s going to be wrapping up soon, but this is a typically strong volume, and an underrated series. – Sean Gaffney

Venus in the Blind Spot | By Junji Ito | Viz Media – I’m always glad for a new volume of Ito’s manga to be released, so it shouldn’t be surprising that I was looking forward to Venus in the Blind Spot, a “best of best” collection. The anthology brings together ten of Ito’s short manga as well as a small selection of illustrations, a few but not all of which have previously been released in English translation. It’s an interesting mix of stories ranging from original tales of horror to adaptations of work by other authors, including two which are based on stories by Edogawa Ranpo (“The Human Chair” and “An Unearthly Love”). As a fan of Ranpo, I was particularly excited to read these, but I was also especially delighted to discover the inclusion of one of Ito’s autobiographical pieces (“Master Umezz and Me”). Ito’s short masterpiece “The Enigma of Amigara Fault” is here, too, adding to an already great collection. – Ash Brown

Waiting for Spring, Vol. 13 | By Anashin | Kodansha Comics – Mitsuki and Asakura-kun officially became a couple in the previous volume, so now it’s time for Ryuji and Nanase to sort out their status. Although Waiting for Spring doesn’t do anything unexpected with its plotting, I do like how it focuses on communication issues for these couples, with Mitsuki somewhat troubled by Asakura’s perpetually calm exterior and Nanase worried about the age difference and the things that will be new for Ryuji that aren’t new for her. You never feel like either pairing is in actual jeopardy, but there will be things that they will have to talk through together. We also see Mitsuki successfully deliver a heartfelt speech to the incoming first-year students. The main story ends here, but there will be one more volume, featuring bonus stories and an epilogue. Anashin hasn’t started a new series yet, but I look forward to reading more by her someday. – Michelle Smith

With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day Is Fun, Vol. 1 | By Hidekichi Matsumoto | Vertical Comics – This manga is mostly presented as a series of two-page strips. On the first page, Inu-kun, Matsumoto-sensei’s dog, will be full of innocence and energy on a given topic, and on the second page, Neko-sama, the cat, will be… a cat. Topics include things like laptime jealousy, bathroom visitors, the pets trying to cheer up Matsumoto-sensei, etc. I definitely snickered at a few different things, but wasn’t prepared to end up sniffling, too. The story about Matsumoto’s previous dog and how a friend’s comment revived happy memories that had long been obscured by sad ones really got to me, as did the part about lingering regrets affecting how a person interacts with pets who yet live. I know exactly how that feels. So, yes, it was the sad bits that really won me over in the end, but the cuteness is undeniably beguiling, as well. – Michelle Smith

By: Ash Brown