There goes normality

Title: Marmalade Boy

Author and Artist: Wataru Yoshizumi

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Romance, School life, Shoujo

Length: 8 Volumes and completed

Publisher: TokyoPop

What it is About: All she wanted was an ordinary family, and that is exactly what Miki Koishikawa had. Two parents who were greatly devoted to each other and in love. That was until her parents went on a little vacation, met another couple AND fell in love with each others spouses! Now in a home with four parents, and a stepbrother (who is cute) she feels like shes in a soap opera. Only to make things feel more like a made for tv movie she has to deal with surviving school, friends who are having affairs and then ending up torn between a longtime crush and her new stepbrother.

My Opinion: While this is not one of my favorite Manga's I do like it a lot. Its more or less something I can get a good laugh with not to mention shake my head at. Entertaining to say the least it makes me think that some soap opera's could take a lesson from it instead of killing someone off and bringing them back to life!

~Rozen

What would you do?

Title: Honey Hunt

Author(s): Ahara Miki

Artist(s): Ahara Miki

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Shoujo

Length: 1 Volume and Ongoing!

Publisher (in English): Viz Media

What it is about: High schooler Yura is a quiet girl. She is 'plain' looking by most, nervous in front of crowds and around boys. She also happens to be the daughter of Japan's most famous and beautiful actress and a World famous musician. Growing up she has always been compared to her parents, from people wondering why she can't sing, or why isn't she beautiful like her mother. Yura has become use to being home alone, as well as not seeing much of her parents. That lonely familiarity comes to an abrupt end when her mother returns home and announces her divorce to Yura's father. He was caught having an affair, when in all actuality they had an agreement it was an open relationship, but if the other found out about the others mistress or ____ that the marriage was over. Yura can't go off and live with her father, he and his mistress is expecting their first child together, and Yura runs in on her mother having sex with her best friend! That is when the quite Yura announces to the media that her mother isn't the perfect mother they all thought to be and now (though secretly) bent on becoming Japan's greatest actress! Though she is getting 'help' from her fathers agent Keiichi Mizorogi, he realizes that this girl needs plenty of practice to break from her shy shell and in remembering her lines.

My Opinion: This is down right one of my favorite manga's I've found. I recommend it to just about anyone really, I like the storyline simply because at first I was reading it and reading about what Yura was thinking about her mother and I don't blame her, she had all rights in wanting to beat her mother at her own game! I'm not going to spill too much but this is one to read! (now I just wish Viz Media would hurry up and release more volumes >_<; )

~Rozen

Puzzle Zen

Title: Puzzler Collection

Number of Players: 1

Developer: Route 1

ESRB Rating: E for everyone

Genre: Puzzles

Rating: 3 out of 5


What it is About: The title is EXACTLY what you get in this game. Simple as that, Puzzler Collection is a game with multiple puzzles. You have a choice of Sudoku, Crosswords, Wordfit (where you fit words into a grid much like a crossword puzzle), and Wordsearch. There are five different play modes, one being 'Puzzle tournament' where you race to complete a puzzle under the time limit. Another being quicklblast, perfect for everyday challanges that fit into a little free time to just take a little break in your busy life and just relax. Simply Puzzle is better suited for when you are waiting in a doctors office or any place where you need something to do but can stop doing it when your name is called. Fast & Fun you need to complete a series of puzzles, not only do you have to race the clock but you can't make any mistakes! Then last but not least is Head-to-Head. In the Head-to-Head option you get the chance to paly against a fried who also has this game. No thrills and no sparkles. Just your average set of puzzle games.

My Opinion: I like these sets of puzzles. Then again I like puzzles, its really something you would unwind to when its late at night, or your waiting i na doctors office, or say jsut need a little chilltime in your day. There is a range of Begginer, Intermediate, and Pro difficulty wise and while I personally like these simple puzzles not everyone would. You either love it, hate it, or like me and simply enjoy it. I like plenty of games. But, some games are like this one simple yet plenty appreciate the simplicity.

~Rozen

PS: I'm feeling better now! My birthday was on the 11th and well major writers block has been down right evil. Thankfully, that little dam crumpled so now i can get back to writing reviews! While Puzzler Collection is a little DS 'game' I enjoy it wasn't one i was planning on writing a reveiw for. Take this reveiw as one for me to get my feet wet with! Take care everyone and more reviews by the 25th!

The Gay Of Devilish Charms

Title: Antique Bakery

Author(s): Yoshinaga Fumi

Artist(s): Yoshinaga Fumi



















Genre(s): Comedy, Shounen-ai, Yaoi, Drama

Length: 4 volumes

What it's about: A middle-weight boxing champion, a rich 30-something, and a gay baker! What more could you ask for? The story revolves around 32-year-old Ono Yusuke, an amazingly good-looking baker who has a knack for snagging any guy who is his types. A regular 'Gay of Devilish Charms'. Tachibana Keiichiro, the store manager and owner, and the only guy to ever escape Ono's grasp! Ono confessed his love to him at graduation time in high school, only to be coldly rejected and told to 'Go to hell Homo'. And then comes in the cute and 21-year-old Kanda Eiji. This kid, despite being the youngest, has the most colorful past and the brightest future. Now an apprentice of Ono's, things are sure to heat up when customers and old friend alike come to the shop!

My Opinion: Well, being so much like Ono, I can find sympathy in this manga so well. There are many laughs, and you can't help but squeal sometimes. But like any good story, it's not all fun and games. Everyone has a past, all inevitably getting worse after worse -- but not the story! This has got to be one of my favorite manga's of all time, it rivals the structure of a true story as well. Ono has a flair for being a whore, and he pulls it off better than anyone else around. All the guys and girls drool after him, but sour Tachibana still eludes. A story worth reading because it's more than just pictures -- it's a novel within itself.

The Great,
Schizo

-Filling in for a sick Blue 'cause I'm a good friend like that xP-