Best Shoujo Manga Reviews

Spell of Desire

April 9, 2021

*This post contains affiliate links that I receive compensation from

Name: Spell of Desire
Mangaka: Ohmi, Tomu

Volumes: 5 (Complete)
Licensed: Viz (Print/Digital – Complete)
Type: Manga
Genre: Supernatural/Smut
Age Group: Mature

Summary:
Kaoruko Mochizuki runs an herb shop in a small seaside town. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black named Kaname Hibiki enters her shop and reveals that Kaoruko is actually a witch. And what’s more, Kaoruko needs Kaname to help control her awakening power!

Among the shocking news that Kaname imparts is that Kaoruko’s mother is still alive and has entrusted Kaoruko with the immense power of the Witch Queen. As long as Kaoruko has that power, she will be the target of humans and demonic spirits alike. Kaname claims to be a “knight” that protects witches, but then he steals a kiss from Kaoruko…!

–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 4/5

Opinion: I really enjoyed this unique portrayal of witches! This series did a fairly good job of introducing the supernatural world but I felt like it could have been a bit longer.

Art is very unique to this mangaka. It gives an old school vibe that is kind of sketchy but it’s still modern. Very sharp looking. The male lead is quite handsome and the heroine is stunning as she develops throughout the series.

Plot was interesting and unique. I predicted some stuff that actually didn’t happen which was pleasantly surprising. I think the series could have been a bit longer to have some more fun with the world but the ending is satisfying. Very cute sexy series about witches.

Final Rating: 4/5

Extra: From the same mangaka of Midnight Secretary

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Purchase:
Comixology*
Amazon (Paperback)
Nook
Google Play

Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai

April 2, 2021

Name: Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai
Mangaka: Aya Nakahara

Volumes: 10 (Complete)
Scanlations: V.10 Ch.40
Type: Manga
Genre: Slice of Life/Josei
Age Group: Older Teen

Summary:
The unemployed Shibata Michiko is betting everything she has on her romance with a younger man—literally. In order to keep him happy, she deprives herself of the things she wants and buys him expensive clothing and accessories. Since she’s flat out broke, she needs to find a job before she starves to death and loses her young love interest. However, Michiko discovers that the boy was never interested in her romantically. Depressed at being dumped and after a series of unsuccessful interviews, she bumps into Kurosawa—an intimidating former boss she used to dislike.
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 3/5
Plot Rating: 3/5

Opinion: So this series was very different for me in the fact it was super Slice of Life based with very little romance. Slice of life in itself isn’t a bad thing, I love it, but it’s a bit harder to get through when the heroine is well… annoying.

The art is really nice and lends itself to the often comedic moments in the series. It’s not very detailed and is very round. Didn’t love or hate the art it was quite nice.

Now I want to start that by the end (like the last 3 volumes) I actually started to be genuinely invested in the series. The first half of the series is tough because the heroine is a cringey idiot. This ends up being ok because as a slice of life series we watch the heroine grow up and make better decisions. But still, very hard to deal with her antics from the first few volumes.

I don’t know what convinced me to keep reading despite the bad times. I think knowing it was complete was helpful. It also has a lot of very funny moments. I really love the banter between the heroine and the main male lead. They are really cute to follow.

I think it was also nice to just read a slice of life josei about a woman who is 29. I’m turning 30 myself this year and could empathize with some of her concerns about trying to “grow up”. If you enjoy josei and don’t mind a cringey heroine I’d say go ahead and enjoy this!

Final Rating: 3/5

Extra: There is a sequel that is more “romance” called “Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai R(Returns)”

Read Online:
MangaDex
MangaFox

Kiss de Fusaide, Bare Naide.

April 3, 2021March 27, 2021

Name: Kiss de Fusaide, Bare Naide.
Mangaka: Fudono, Fudou

Volumes: V.0 (Ongoing)
Scanlations: V.01 Ch.05 (Jan 2021)
Type: Manga
Genre: Smut/Josei
Age Group: Mature

Summary:
Sachiko, who was ridiculed for her lowness and drank, decided to ask Jun, a boy who is more beautiful than the girl there, to receive guidance on improving women’s power. But as a condition, Jun gave to live together and touch Shoko’s chest … My body will be developed for the too naughty doting guidance of a beautiful younger person.
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 3/5
Plot Rating: 3/5

A Girl and Her Guard Dog

April 3, 2021March 23, 2021

*This post contains affiliate links that I receive compensation from

Name: A Girl and Her Guard Dog (Ojou to Baken-kun)
Mangaka: Hatsuharu

Volumes: 5 (Ongoing – Feb 2021)
Licensed: Kodansha (1V: Digital – Feb 2021)
Type: Manga
Genre: Drama
Age Group: Teen

Summary:
Senagaki Isaku will be a first year high school student starting in spring. Her grandfather is the third head of the Senagaki group, a yakuza organization, so she is feared by those around her. However, starting from spring, she hopes to make normal friends and normally fall in love.

She is admitted into a high school further from her hometown, however, the overprotective young head of the Senagaki group, Utou Keiya, falsifies his age and enters the school with her through a backdoor admission…?! Keiya proclaims that love is too early for her although Isaku is perfectly ready. In truth, she has held an unrequited love for Keiya for quite some time
–Manga Updates

Graphics Rating: 4/5
Plot Rating: 4/5

MangaDex News: Temporary Closure

March 24, 2021March 21, 2021

I wasn’t sure if I should bother making a news post about MangaDex. Then I remembered I spent 5 months updating the entire blog to add MangaDex and MangaFox links to every non-licensed series. So I will go over the situation here.

What is MangaDex?

MangaDex is a popular place to read unlicensed manga online for free. While not “legal” the site is run by fans with limited ads. They also upload content with full quality giving Scanlator Groups more control of their content. Sites like MangaFox are run for profit, have lots of ads, and often steal Scanlator content without permission.

What Happened to MangaDex?

MangaDex was hacked and in order to completely update the website, MangaDex will be down for around 2-3 Weeks. It’s important to remember that this project is a huge overhaul and is completely being done for free by volunteers who have day jobs. That is why the project will take a while. Updates will be posted on their Twitter Account. Full explanation of what has happened is on their website.

What Does this Mean for Your Gimmick?

I’ve definitely thought of things I could do as I have 100’s of reviews linked to MangaDex. I also have regular reviews scheduled until June 2021 with MangaDex links.

While 3 weeks or even a month is a LONG TIME updating all the links would take much longer. Unfortunately I don’t have an on and off switch.

I personally hate MangaFox but they are always available so I do recommend using the MangaFox Links instead of the Mangadex links until the site construction is over.