Manga 102 Bibliography

After School Nightmare by Setona Mizushiro (6 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Mashiro Ichijo has been hiding a secret from his classmates since he started school; he is actually a hermaphrodite - someone who is both male and female. Called to a special infirmary one day during high school, he is told he needs a "special" class to graduate. The only catch is this class takes place in the participant's dreams.

Recommend To: This is one of the best psychological dramas ever. Give this book to teens who are looking for complex characters, convoluted plots and a thorough examination of human nature.

Apothecarius Argentum by Tomomi Yamashita (4 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Trained as an assassin and force fed poison since birth, Argent is a Basilisk - a living weapon with a body so toxic a mere touch can kill. Sold to the King of Beazol to be the food tester for his daughter Primula he is given one taboo: Argent must never touch the princess. Unfortunately circumstances force him to break the taboo and later flee. Many years later Argent returns to the castle as an apothecary; a master chemist who heals the sick and injured. Reunited with Primula, Argent must make a choice: leave the castle and Primula to the whims of fate or bury his feelings for the unobtainable princess.

Recommend To: This book has a lot of Ruroni Kenshin overtones with more emphasis on the romance than on the action which may turn off some boys. Definitely suitable for 7th and 8th graders who are looking for some action and lots of character interaction.

Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa (10 volumes complete)

The Plot: This is an autobiographical look at life in Hiroshima in the months leading up to the dropping of the atomic bomb. It provides an alternate point of view about life in Japan during that time period.

Recommend To: This book does not pull any punches, it portrays history exactly the way it happens: messy, brutal, and at times, horrific. Give this book to older teens or teachers who are looking for an alternative to Maus.

Black Sun Silver Moon by Tomo Maeda (5 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: In order to pay off his family's debts, Taki agrees to become the housekeeper/assistant to Priest and Demon Slayer Shikimi. Little does he know that Shikimi is slowly turning in to one of the demons they hunt.

Recommend To: While this series is listed as shonen-ai (mild boys love - think very early teen romance) the volumes currently in publication in this country represent the story more as a "buddy story". Give this to teens who like character driven action interspersed with light humor.

Blood Alone by Masayuki Takano (4 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Follow the lives of Misaki and Kuroe in this slice of life Manga with a twist: Misaki is a vampire frozen forever at the age of twelve and Kuroe is her human guardian whose past hides a monumental secret.

Recommend To: Vampires are hot right now thanks to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Give this to teens looking for character driven vampire stories.

^Claymore by Norihiro Yagi (11 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Claire is a Claymore, a woman who willingly accepted the genes of monsters so that she would be able to protect the world from the yoma. Assigned missions by a mysterious agency, she moves from place to place knowing that one day the genes that give her the ability to destroy the yoma will awaken, turning Claire into one of the hunted.

Recommend To: This is Bleach for Girls. With plenty of action, gore and a delicious subplot running through the series this book will entrance reluctant readers. While the main character is female, the book should be well received by boys and girls alike.

*Earthian by Yun Koga (4 volumes complete)

The Plot: Chihaya and Kagetsua are members of planet Eden's armed forces who have been sent to Earth to observe the human race and record their acts of good and evil. As they carry out their duties, Chihaya and Kagetsua slowly fall in love; a relationship that carries a death sentence on their home planet.

Recommend To: This is Shonen-ai at its finest. Beautifully drawn with a gorgeous background plot, Earthian is rapidly becoming a modern classic. This is a true shonen-ai (there is implied sex in the third volume - nothing is shown). Give this to teens who liked Gravitation and are looking for a more plot driven Shonen-ai series.

Eerie Queerie! by Shuri Shiozu (4 volumes complete)

The Plot: Mitsuo is a loner with the ability to see and interact with ghosts. One day he is possessed by the spirit of a high school girl with a crush on Mitsuo's classmate Hasanuma. Let the misunderstandings begin!

Recommend To: Eerie Queerie is fun; there is no other word for it. Over the top comedy combined with light shonen-ai romance and a slight supernatural element makes this book a good choice for teens interested in trying a shonen-ai title but slightly squeamish about the genre. This series does contain some kissing but no actual sex.

*Full Metal Panic! by Shouji Gatou and Restsu Tateo (9 volumes complete)

The Plot: Sosuke Sagara, Special Response Team Sergeant of the mercenary organization Mythril has been given the assignment of his life: guard High School Student Kaname Chidori. There is only one catch: Sosuke has never been inside a school building in his life and Kaname is no shrinking violet.

Recommend To: This book is a reverse twist on every romance story you will ever read. Instead of boy being socially savvy and popular, Sosuke is totally inept at everyday life while Kaname is smart and popular. With plenty of action and comedy as well as romance (not to mention some giant fighting robots) this series should be popular with boys and girls who like their manga light and entertaining.

Genju no Seiza by Matsuri Akino (6 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Since the disappearance of his father, Fuuto Kamishina and his mother have been moving around Japan, never staying in one place for any length of time. One day as he is starting yet another new school a mysterious bird appears and announces that Fuuto is the reincarnated King of Dhalashar. The bird, one of the king's eight spirit guardians is determined to take Fuuto to Dhalashar to assume the throne... Fuuto, on the other hand, has other ideas.

Recommend To: This is a gender twist on the Magical Girl genre (think Sailor Moon without the lengthy transformation sequences). Witty and well-drawn, this series offers a glimpse of human nature without the darkness of After School Nightmare. Give this to teens who like the supernatural combined with character depth.

*Genshiken by Kio Shimoku (9 volumes complete)

The Plot: Follows the lives and times of the society for the study of modern visual culture (aka the ultimate otaku group) as they wind their way through the trials and tribulations of college life.

Recommend To: This series is rapidly becoming one of the "slice of life" manga classics. That being said, many of the characters are college-age boys and they act... like college age boys (the first book is peppered with references to pornography). Hand this book to older teens who are looking for a more realistic (if slightly skewed) view of the world.

*Get Backers by Yuya Aoki and Rando Ayamine (24 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Follow the adventures of Ban Midou and Genji Amano as they retrieve items that have been lost or stolen.

Recommend To: This is Shonen (actually it's Senin) for the older crowd. With lots of fan service and more intense plots, hand this to teens who have outgrown Naruto and Dragonball Z but still want an action driven series.

^Ghost Hunt by Shiho Inada and Fuyumi Ono (9 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Strange occurrences have been plaguing Mei's high school. So much so that the principal has called in Shibuya Psychic Research to investigate the phenomena.

Recommend To: Good horror manga are few and far between in this country. Give this to anyone who likes "things that go bump in the night".

Her Majesty's Dog by Mick Takeuchi (8 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Amane Kamori just started high school in Tokyo along with her "friend" Hyoue Inugame. These two, however, are not your normal transfer students. Amane is the leader of a family of mystics and Hyoue is her loyal demon servant. Join the two as they navigate big city life, high school, and the start of a forbidden relationship.

Recommend To: A star-crossed couple struggling to form a strong relationship regardless of the cost, as well as action and humor, make this book a good choice for teens who love Inuyasha but are looking for a series with a little more maturity (not to mention plot).

^Hunter X Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi (20 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Join Gon on his quest to become a hunter, an elite jack-of-all trades/ law enforcement officer, and to find his father the legendary hunter Gin.

Recommend To: Written by the same author as Yu Yu Hakusho, the series is pure shonen. Give to fans of Togashi's earlier series or teens who have graduated from Naruto but are not quite ready for series such as Bleach or the Get Backers.

Kashimashi by Satoru Akahori and Yukimaru Katsura (5 volumes complete)

The Plot: Hazumu is having one of those days. First, he is rejected by the girl he loves, then on top of everything else, he is squashed by a crashing spaceship. Because the death was accidental the aliens graciously regenerate his body. There is only one problem; he is now a she.

Recommend To: Kashimashi is Yuri - female same-sex romance - and is the first title of this genre to be published in the United States. While there is some kissing (not much) the series really reads more like a slice of life novel about female friendships. Teens who are interested in the mechanics of relationships and all the problems they bring will enjoy this novel.

Musashi #9 by Miyuki Takahashi (14 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Musashi is an elite agent for Ultimate Blue, the "other" United Nations. Relying on intelligence, training, and a 'get the job done' attitude, Musashi protects the world from terrorists and rogue nations.

Recommend To: This is the ultimate girl power manga. With no magical powers, no super technology, and no alternate worlds, Musashi stands apart in the shojo genre. Hand this to teens who love spy novels and are tired of magical worlds.

*Mushi-shi by Yuki Urushibarar (4 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Mushi are the most primal of all life forms and as such are connected directly into the "stream of life". Because of their other worldly nature, Mushi can unintentionally cause problems for mankind. Enter Ginko, the Mushi master, who can see Mushi and has gained the knowledge to protect mankind from their accidental mischief.

Recommend To: While the plot is deep and the art absolutely stunning, this manga may not work with teens who can't 'read between the lines'. Show this to older teens or teens who are more interested in human nature than action.

Platinum Garden by Maki Fujita (6 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: When her grandfather dies Kazura's family is given a choice: send Kazura to Mizuki to train as his future bride or come up with the money to pay off his debts. Kazura has no choice but to comply with Mizuki's wish.

Recommend To: A cursed family, a poor but sweet young girl and a dark plot. Sound familiar? Regardless of what the plot sounds like this book is not a knock off of Fruits Baskets. Teens who can't wait for the next volume of its more famous cousin will scoop this up to make the waiting more bearable.

*Princess Princess by Mikiyo Tsuda (5 volumes complete)

The Plot: Tohru Kuno has just transferred to elite Fujimori Academy, an all boys school located in the middle of nowhere. Because of the school's isolation, a rather unique tradition has developed over the years: Three members of the freshman class are chosen to be the school's princess, spending the year dressing up as girls to improve the morale of their fellow students. Tohru is about to find out that being elected princess is an honor you can't refuse.

Recommend To: Crammed with over the top humor and insane plot twists; this is comedy manga at its finest. Give this to teens who loved Ranma 1/2 or who are looking for gender bending comedy minus the magic.

Red River by Chie Shinohara (21 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Yuri Suzuki, a normal 15 year old Japanese girl is transported to the ancient Hittite empire as a sacrifice to the Gods. Rescued by Prince Kail, who agrees to help her find her way home, Yuri begins an adventure that may change history.

Recommend To: Yuri is a smart, strong girl who relies on her wits and her cunning to influence the events around her. Teens who like Fushigi Yugi will love the magical girl high adventure with a protagonist they can identify with. Series does contain sexual situations.

Satisfaction Guaranteed by Ryo Saenagi (6 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Shima Yoshitsune, President of Anything Inc., a detective agency, is called in to find out who's behind the threatening notes supermodel Kyo (real name Suruga Kaori) has received. Is this the start of a beautiful partnership?

Recommend To: Marry the classic detective buddy series and manga and you produce Satisfaction Guaranteed. Hand this to teens looking for lighthearted mysteries.

*Someday's Dreamers by Norie Yamada and Kumichi Yoshizuki (3 volumes complete)

The Plot: Yuma arrives in Tokyo to spend summer break learning to become a licensed magic user. Follow her trials and tribulations as she works to achieve the coveted credentials.

Recommend To: The quiet action and beautiful plot makes this a solid 'girl' book. Suitable for younger teens who are not quite ready for Yuu Watase or Boys Over Flowers.

*Tactics by Sakura Kinoshita and Higashiyama Kazuko (4 volumes ongoing)

The Plot: Folklorist, writer, and exorcist Kintaro Ichinomiya has one goal: to meet and free the Demon Eating Goblin. Brought to his resting place through an unrelated case, Kintaro frees the Goblin and offers him the name Haurka, starting a chain of events whose outcome no one could predict.

Recommend To: With mild violence and a great plot this series is perfect for young teens who are interested in manga but not yet ready for more intense material.

*Voices of a Distant Star by Makoto Shinkai and Mizu Sahara (1 volume complete)

The Plot: Chosen to join an interstellar space mission, teenager Miako is forced to leave behind Noboru, the boy she loves, on earth. As Miako travels farther and farther into space, their connection via cell phone text messages gets more and more tenuous. Can their love survive?

Recommend To: Based on an anime short by the same name, Voices is one of the most romantic books you will ever read. While the plot may be a little too deep for younger teens, older die hard romantics will devour this stand-alone.

* Denotes manga that have been made into anime
^ Denotes manga that have anime forthcoming

Complied By: Amber McCrea, Beloit Public Library

For questions about this information, contact Barbara A. Huntington (608) 267-5077

Last updated on 9/4/2008 10:40:18 AM