Manga Monday

Manga Monday is a newer meme hosted by Alison Can Read.

Why do I like Manga/Manwha/Manhua so much. Well it's basically just YA books in picture form. Some popular YA books made into Manga are Twilight series and The Infernal Devices series. I believe both are done by Yen Press. 

This is more like Manga afternoon since I was having some computer issues. So on to today's feature.

Orange Marmalade by Seok-woo
Country of Orgin: Korea
Type: Webtoon from Naver
Status: Ongoing
American Publisher: None
Fan Site: Webtoon Live

"The story of a female vampire trying to live a normal school life, but what will happen when she bites the school's most popular boy?"

 So we find ourselves in a world where Vampires and Humans co-exist but that doesn't mean happily. There is a lot of discrimination against Vampires even though they no longer drink from humans. They are more civilized now (kind of like True Blood) and get alternate ways. Baek Ma Ri is one of these vampires who has had to move around because her little brother doesn't quite get the concept of not biting people. All she wants to do is live a normal life. She hides the fact that she is a vampire and tries to be a loner at school to avoid people finding out her identity. Besides she figures if they did they wouldn't want to be friends with her anymore anyway. Jae Min is the popular boy at school that can not stand being touched by girls. There story begins when they are riding the same train and Ma Ri finds herself attracted to Jae Min's sweet smelling blood, without realizing what she is doing she bites his neck. After that Ma Ri tries to avoid Jae Min like the plague and Jae Min becomes oddly fascinated by the girl he thinks is crazy.

There is of course a whole cast of other characters. Ma Ri's friends, her crazy family, her Aunt and of course the girl who wants Jae Min. It's a fun read and the nice thing about web comics is that they are in color.


Barnes and Noble actually has there own Manga Monday where they feature titles for 50% off. There are a couple of titles that I like on there today.

Manga Monday

Manga Monday is a newer meme hosted by Alison Can Read.

Why do I like Manga/Manwha/Manhua so much. Well it's basically just YA books in picture form. Some popular YA books made into Manga are Twilight series and The Infernal Devices series. I believe both are done by Yen Press. 

So many different series to choose from I had to really think about what I wanted to feature today. Go with old popular one or maybe something more obscure. I think I'm going with a cute shoujo manga.

Kimi to Koi no Tochuu by Aikawa Saki
Volumes: 3 (complete)
American Publisher: None

"Just when I thought it'd start with you, you disappeared; I would've never thought this...

Yuna has lost trust in love after her first boyfriend Takumi broke up with her. Shiina-kun from her class has already confessed to her twice and now finally she approached onto love another time. But Takumi appears in front of her!! What will the swaying Yuna do!?"

I like this manga because in this love triangle you have no idea who you are supposed to choose. She ends up dating Shiina and is dedicated to him even though Takumi is back. Then the actual cause of their break-up comes to light. Both guys are good guys and she is not dating Shiina because she feels sorry for him, she actually likes him. What's a girl to do? I really like Aikawa Saki's drawing style which is what attracted me to this manga. So if you are looking for a light cute typical shoujo this is for you!

Manga Monday

Manga Monday is a newer meme hosted by Alison Can Read.

Why do I like Manga/Manwha/Manhua so much. Well it's basically just YA books in picture form. Some popular YA books made into Manga are Twilight series and The Infernal Devices series. I believe both are done by Yen Press.

Title: Crazy Girl Shin Bia
Author: Hwang Mi-Ri
Volumes: 19 (complete)
American Publisher: None
Baka-Updates Manga

"When a tough, lazy, money loving, yet beautiful high school student named Shin Bia jumps down from a building , she thought she would die but instead she falls into the era where the ancient Goryeo Dynasty ruled?! She has to transform into a proper and elegant lady and while she's there she faces many obstacles."

So just like books, I like when there is a historical aspect. So the title really sums up Shin Bia, she's nuts. Which is a common theme with Hwang Mi-Ri's female leads. Shin Bia is actually the reincarnation of a Bia from the Goryeo Dynasty. When Lady Bia realizes she is going to be murdered (she has mystical powers) she knows that her death will only bring turmoil to the country so she transports Shin Bia to the past in order to take her place when she dies so that no one will be the wiser. Unfortunately Shin Bia has ended up living a hard life and is more than rough around the edges. Lady Bia's mistress is the only one who knows the secret of the counterfeit Bia and must hide the fact in order to pass her off to her betrothed the Prince. Shin Bia's fighting skills come in handy with the attempts on her life but it doesn't help her with the complicated web of love squares she is dealing. Not to mention the confusion of who she should trust and the pressure to display the mystical gifts that she has Shin Bia doesn't have. Shin Bia just really wants to get back to her own world.

This manwha is funny and cute. You have moments when Shin Bia is really annoying and other times when you feel sorry for her. She actual develops and changes through the manwha.

Manga Monday

Alison Can Read has started doing a Manga Mondays Meme and well I think it's a fun idea. I've been reading manga for what seems like centuries but really only the past hmm 17 years. Wow that long already. I started reading it in middle school and would buy bootleg and fansub vhs tapes, yes vhs tapes, of things like Sailor Moon. Which at that time was still airing new episodes in Japan. The good old days. Why do I love manga, well it's basically YA/Romance books in cartoon form. I think that's why you see a lot of YA books being made into manga. Like for example Twilight and Clockwork Angel. The fun part of manga is that more often then not you can find a drama adaptation of it and of course the Anime version. 

My Manwha Feature;

Goong by So Hee Park
Volumes: 27 (complete)
American Publisher: Yen Press (currently at Volume 12)

"Monarchy ended long ago in Korea, but there are still other countries with Kings, Queens, princes and princesses. What if Korea had continued monarchism? What if all the beautiful palaces which are now only historical relics were actually filled with people? What if the glamorous royal family still maintained the palace customs? Welcome to a world where Korea still has the royal family living their lives! But for Che-Kyung, a high-school girl, this is a tragedy, since she has to marry the prince who turns out to be a total jerk!"

Love, Loss, Love Triangles, Love squares and of course political intrigue. This series has all that. I love this series although I'm very behind on it. Well let's say I'm ahead as far as the American published version goes but behind as for as the series as a whole. There are actually two Korean dramas based off this series as well. The first was created and ended before the manwha itself ended and then the second was a spin-off.