Reimei no Arcana

I loved this manga after the first chapter.
The drawing is brilliant! It's exactly the style of art I enjoy reading the most. Theres a smoothness to the images and a better flow to the reactions of characters.

The story begins with a young red haired princess from a neighbouring country walking around a grand palace. People stare and whisper under their breath about her odd appearance.
She's been used as trade to try and create better relations between the countries, she's to marry one of the King's sons.

Her Husband is the third son, Ceaser-sama who is an arrogant jerk who mistreats her, at least at the beginning. He's feels like he got the short end of the stick and complains about what a loss it is for him to marry such a useless girl. He just doesn't know her yet though.
However even back in her own country she was mistreated also- locked away in a remote part of the castle, her hair was an 'eyesore' and she was rejected from her father.
She preferred the company of her half human, half beast attendant Loki. He clearly loves her and is willing to protect her with his life.
Nagaba-sama is an amazing character. She's been rejected from her family, traded like livestock, abused emotionally, mentally, physically and verbally by her husband and new family, and yet somehow she manages to stand strong with pride.
She protects those who care for her and cares for those who don't. Really admirable made up person!

But on top of all that- she's 'special' (I won't elaborate as I don't wish to spoil anything!)

Throughout this manga you'll experience seeing; relationships form, bonds strengthen, betrayal, revenge, fleeing, fighting, plots to kill and plots to rescue.
It'll keep you hooked with antisipation and excitement!
And ladies, you may pick up a few lessons on how to become a kick ass strong female lead in your own life! Or you may just squeal at the exciting adventures while cuddled in bed with your laptop rested nicely on a pillow, like someone I know....>>

Author/ Artist- Toma Rei
Released- 2009
Status- Completed
Genre- Adventure, Romance, Drama, Comedy, Fantasy, Shoujo, Supernatural

MANGAFOX RANK; 584TH

Shitsuji-Sama no Okiniiri

A young enthusiastic girl thrown into a world she wasn't prepared for.
Young ladies and butlers, schools that look like mansions and prissy bitches that get everything they want including people.
Himura Ryou is a strange girl and former commoner brought into the life of the elite.
High School can be scary at the best of times but when you get on well with the most desired man in school- the popular girls will HATE you!
Hakuou is the Top Butler, a young Master of the most influential company in Japan and the School heart throb, he is also now the 'strange girl's new personal butler.
I think we all can guess who the rich bitches new target is gonna be!

The basic story is of a young girl with a sad past trying to start a new life- but life is filled with obstacles, you can let them break and change you, or you can be strong and fight for yourself and what you believe in - regardless of the hardships you may have to face in the future. 

Himura Ryou is the strong willed type of person. 

She's optimistic.

This manga will show you how sometimes life can make truly unexpected turns but if you don't give up, if you keep fighting and have hope, and aren't an asshole to everyone, then you can succeed!

I love a manga with a strong female lead, someone who won't be seen crying in the corner waiting for a man to show up and save her. 

I like to think of the manga I read as lessons in ways. Not always though, some manga is purely for the fun of it. But some you can leave with a new moral or character understanding . 

Everything we see or watch or listen to influences us in some way, and for an otaku like myself I find it's never a bad idea to make up my own mind of how something should influence me. Even if it can require some out of the box thinking!

Plus, the drawings are beautiful!

Author- Tsuyama Fuyu 

Artist- Izawa Rei

Released- 2007

Status- Ongoing

Genre- Comedy, Romance, School life, Shoujo

  

Fruits Basket

Was the first manga I ever read.

Before I discovered- or more accurately, was introduced to manga, I barely ever read and when I did it was books like little woman or the Earth Children series- both amazing books but they lack that sense of mystery, adventure and like my life, they lack fantasy!

Fruits Basket was exactly the kind of story I love- 

A young woman named Tohru Honda, who's kind hearted and gentle yet quite timid, still she's hard working, motivated and emotionally strong. I think I liked her so much because thats kind of how I saw myself, and through watching/reading about her I thought I could make some discoveries about myself. 

Then comes the fantasy. People who can transform into an animal by the touch of someone from the opposite sex?! And there she was Tohru Honda, a normal girl being brought into this crazy, unknown, secretive world! And the Romance! I'm quite sappy to be honest, something I don't advertise so much, people never assume I'd love a good chick flick when I'm so into horror but what can I say, a girl loves what she loves. And I'm a sucker for Love triangles! They bring the drama, the excitement and the competitive nature! 

Furthermore Fruits Basket was very educational for me. I learned about the Zodiac animals and their legend. I discovered what Zodiac animal I was- A Rooster....:/

I learned of Japanese Customs through the manga and through what manga means in Japanese Culture. Also what Japanese High Schools are like and their culture festivals! The manga is actually what sparked my interest in the country and is now the basis for my love and adoration for the country!

Basically it made an impression on me and it's what made me become an otaku! I own all the volumes and DVD's of the anime, I also have a figurine collection!

The manga is a sweet tale of love, adventure and fantasy all combined with a collection of comedy! 

The characters are wonderfully detailed, each volume has a synopsis of a character and their personality traits. You'll become so involved with their lives and you'll definitely be on one of two teams at the end but regardless of which you'll be satisfied because it just works. 

It's happy, it's sad- It perfect! 

READ IT.

Author/ Artist- Takaya Natsuki

Released- 1998

Status- Completed

Genre- Comedy, Romance, School life, drama, supernatural, shoujo 

Why manga reviews?

When I was 14 I went back to California for Christmas like my family and I did almost every year. This time however my cousin first introduced me to anime and manga. The first anime I ever saw was Spirited Away. I remember not wanting to watch it when my cousin suggested it. I was thinking a horror or action instead.
But that amazing piece of artwork completely changed me, it blew my mind. How beautiful and enchanting. I realised through anime you could truly create anything you wanted It was all so magical and unlimited.
 You see at that moment I became obsessed. I couldn't think of anything but watching more, witnessing more. I raided best buy and target. I had my mother take me to a shady korean village area of orange county so I could but a shit load of second hand manga to bring back to Ireland with me.
It may or may not surprise you to discover that Ireland is a tad slow on the development and circulation of Japanese culture, we're getting there but six years ago there was a small amount of anime groupies.
I remember meeting up with this group of people in Sligo shopping center, i'd met them through a fan site, I was thrilled by the idea of fellow lovers of anime and manga. I brought a huge bag filled with my favourite manga that I'd ordered in from London.
However you could never imagine my disappointment when I met this group of 'fellow otakus'.
Now I realise 'anime lovers' wouldn't necessarily be considered cool, but when I met these people all I could think was 'posers' they knew shit all anime and had never seen a studio ghibli film?! They didn't own any anime and when they spoke about Deathnote it was obvious they didn't even bother to read the manga or look into the characters at all- not otakus! Barely even anime fans.
I never met them again. Instead I became a qualified hermit enjoying my fantasy anime and manga bubble.
I even created my own manga book to keep track of all the online manga I was ready and chapters I was waiting on.
I found loads of my old notes books with little reviews of some of the manga i've really enjoyed.
i figured it'd be a waste to only have my ideas in a small book slowing weathering away. The cover soon to come right off.

Anyway thats the story, I still read manga all the time. It's not something you ever stop loving I think.
I'll start by reviewing some of my all time favourites and then I'll keep updating with ever new manga I read, okay maybe not all of them. I read alot!
Now the next decision- what to review first?