Diary of a Bookworm

So today's question might get a little confusing just by reading the title. Basically, what I'm asking is this: Does a Mangaka's [A Manga artist] style make or break a good manga? Now let's think about this: I'd have to say yes and  no. To be honest, a lot of mainstream otakus hate the old style. However, would our ideal of manga be alive today if it were not for the old style of manga? No, our contemporary manga style wouldn't exist without the influence of old manga. Manga evolves  from manga. Other mangas are created from influence   by other mangas. Every mangaka and wanna-be mangaka study each other. We grow from each other, and that's what makes this style so unique. So back to the topic. Here's why I am on the fence for this. Let's look at Basara , which you can read  [Here] . For anyone who wants to be a Mangaka or just anyone who wants to read a fantastic action-packed and romantic story, read Basara . Written by Yumi Tamura, the original se...

Hey everyone. Sorry for last week and not doing a MM feature. Today's feature is a very controversial topic among art students, art critics, and art schools. The big question is: Click and look at the details in both  the background and character design. Notice different elements of art [I list that later in the blog post] Is the Anime/Manga style lazy? So let's take a moment to really know what Anime and Manga is. In a nutshell, it is basically a simplified version of realism. You can disagree with me on this by stating that "Anime and Manga is for people who can't  draw realistic people, objects, etc." However, I stand firmly in my belief that it is not lazy; the styles just differ. I understand why it can be frowned upon. We'll look at both why it isn't  a lazy style and why it is  a lazy style at the same time. Although people claim that shounen has less design than shoujo, click this picture and feel WRONG. Let's take for example two different art...

Meet the Team: Left to Right: Maka, Liz (top), Patty (Bottom), Death the Kid "Kid", Tsubaki, Black Star, & Soul "Soul Eater" Evans Title:  Soul Eater Original Artist:  Atsushi Okubo Episodes: 51 Genre:  Action ,  Comedy ,  Fantasy ,  Shounen ,  Supernatural Manga:  Yes  [Here] ; Watch  [Here] Rating: Summary:   Set at the "Death Weapon Meister Academy," the series revolves around three teams consisting of a weapon meister and (at least one) human weapon. Trying to make the latter a "Death Scythe" and thus fit for use by the academy's headmaster,  Shinigami  (better known as Death), they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and one witch.  Review: Yeah shoot me: I didn't read the Manga first like any normal Otaku. But I was totally done with the rest of my shows on Netflix ('cept for Honey and Clover ) and had to watch something. Soul Eater was the choice. It's received both criticism and praise for its artwork...

Title: Silence Author: Becca Fitzpatrick Series: Hush, Hush Format: Hardcover Release Date: Oct. 4, 2011 Genre(s): YA, Fi ction Rating: Summary The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever. The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora ent...

Title: Fateful Author: Claudia Gray Series: N/A Format: Hardcover Release Date: 9/12/11 Genre(s): YA, Historical Fiction Rating: Summary A tragic tale about falling in love on the world’s most infamous ill-fated sea voyage as heroine, Tess, discovers darker secrets that lie beneath the doomed crossing… and a hidden brotherhood that threaten to tear her lover from her forever. The RMS Titanic is the most luxurious ship ever built, but for eighteen-year-old Tess Davies it’s a prison. Traveling as a maid for the family she has served for years, Tess is trapped in their employ amid painful memories and family secrets. When she meets Alec, a handsome upper class passenger, Tess falls helplessly in love. But Alec has secrets of his own… and soon Tess is entangled in a dangerous game. A sinister brotherhood that will do anything to induct Alec into their mystical order has followed him on board. And Tess is now their most powerful pawn. Tess and Alec fight the dark forces threatening to tear...

Title: Ruby Red Author: Kerstin Gier Series: Edelstein Trilogy Format: Hardcover Release Date: May 10, 2011 Genre(s): YA, Fiction Rating: Summary Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust. Review Plot: Gwyneth is a completely normal girl who has had to live in the shadow of her perfect cousin. Beautiful, smart, perfect in every way. Not to...

Thank you to Beth Fantaskey for stopping by our blog last week and answering a few questions and letting us giveaway her new book! The winner of Jessica Rules the Dark Side is: Shae Carcar Thank you to all that entered! Peace and Fangs, Alisha Disclaimer: The winner of each giveaway is given 48 hours to respond to this corresponding post. If they do not reply, their prize is up for grabs for other entries and a new name will be drawn.

Title: Etched in Bone Author: Adrian Phoenix Series:  The Maker's Song           1. A Rush of Wings           2. In the Blood           3. Beneath the Skin           4. Etched in Bone           5. On Midnight Wings (releases 3/28) Format: Paperback (382 pages) Release Date: Feb. 22, 2011 Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Romance, Adult Rating: Summary SON OF A FALLEN ANGEL. FORGED IN VAMPIRE’S BLOOD. SW ORN TO A MORTAL WOMAN. IF DANTE FALLS, THE WORLD FALLS WITH HIM. . . . THREE LEGACIES ETCHED IN BONE More beautiful and powerful than any creature the world has ever seen, Dante Baptiste has become the supreme target of the three worlds that spawned him. The mortal agents of the Shadow Branch have tried to control his mind through psych...

Hey y'all! As you can see by the title, this week: 10 of my favorite Anime/Manga ladies! Yep, this week it's gonna be all about the characters and why I love them all! Fair warning, they are not in any certain order; just who comes to mind immediately. First off.... Number 10: Erza Scarlet  of Fairy Tail Erza is simply the iconic figure of all female strength in Anime/Manga in today's mainstream pop culture of A&M. She's got the badarse gear, and her fight scenes are excellently drawn. Her character's personality and background are well created and tie together with the main plot line. Not only is she tough and awesome, Erza also contains a side-story love life within Fairy Tail , only making her an even more  interesting character! Keiji: I APPROVE! BIG BOSOMS!! MORE MO- *SLLLLLLLLLLLLLAP* Excuse the idiot... Anyways... Number 9: Orihime Inoue   of Bleach Yes.. I like Orihime-chan... She's is awesome! Her character is fun to watch on the screen of the Anime...

Today is the release of Jessica Rules the Dark Side. The book is the second in the Jessica series by Beth Fantaskey. I had the chance to ask Beth some quick questions about Jessica Rules, her writing, and what's to come... BNR: Can you tell our readers a quick summary of what Jessica Rules the Dark Side is about? BF: In the first book, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, average American teenager Jessica Packwood learns that she’s a vampire princess by birth – and destined to marry Lucius Vladescu, a mysterious, sometimes dangerous, Romanian vampire prince. The sequel picks up the narrative after Jess and Lucius’s wedding (which you can read on my website, bethfantaskey.com). It tells the story of Jessica’s adjustment to life as a true vampire princess, living in Romania with scary old “Elders” and trying to run a castle, even though she can barely speak the language. This time, she’s the one who feels completely out of place, just like Lucius did in the first book. And whe...