Orange Chocolate Chp 15

I thought my eyes were going to melt out of their sockets while editing this.  I caught one of those irritating summer colds that starts with burning eyes.  Tears were streaming down my face as a I chased dots.  This chapter was particularly nasty in terms of the backside bleed through problem...ugh!!! 

Here's a minor translator's note:

Here's an example of "forest friends" to keep in mind as you get toward the end of this chapter (image used solely for educational purposes!):

And now the link --

Link to Orange Chocolate Chp 15

This chapter gives us yet a little more insight in Chiro's actual wish.  Enjoy the last four pages of this chapter :).  Chapter 16 is full of Chiro and Ritsu themed cosplay.  I guarantee that chapter will be lots of fun.  At the end of the next chapter a new character will be introduced that will drive Chiro and Ritsu closer together, culminating in a very lovely, visually and story wise, 20th chapter!

Next up the long awaited resumption of "Ouran High School Host Club" and the climactic chapter of "Kimi ni XOXO."

Manga Review: Tramps Like Us (Kimi wa Petto)

"Tramps Like Us" finally wrapped up. The last volume covers Sumire's introduction to Takeshi's family, an event Takeshi dreads. The rest of the volume wraps up the Hasumi side story, wraps up the Rumi sidestory, does a flashback of the friendship between Sumire and Yuri, and finally covers the last few hours before Sumire's and Takeshi wedding. It's all very sweet. Sumire finally experiences "love" as she and Takeshi become a family.

This manga series is most definitely for adults. I really don't recommend it to anyone under 16, not because of the nudity and sex scenes, but because it takes some life experience to truly appreciate this manga. At the beginning of this series, Sumire is truly in a bad state and in a word, "crazy." Takeshi isn't all together himself, either. It really takes some "special" thinking to take a man in, literally, as a pet. But you have to understand, that Sumire is so broken, that this is the level of emotional attachment she can handle. This is also reflected in her strained relationship with Hatsumi. She seems to admire him, but she never opens up to him to show her real self and she is never able to gain intimacy as a result of having sex with him. Also Hatsumi has some problems too. He created an idealistic vision of Sumire rather than make the effort to get to know her.

Overall, this is an excellent drama with some very comedic moments. I highly recommend it. There is also a 10-episode live action version of this manga out there in the ether called "Kimi wa Petto." Check them both out! 5/5

Anime Review: Kyou Kara Maou

I watched the entirety of this anime over one week of my 3-week winter break from work. Yep, all 78-episodes over a week -- quite a marathon. I enjoyed this anime series from beginning to end and even felt a little bit mournful after watching the last episode. Oh, but rejoice "Kyou Kara Maou R" has just begun and so the adventure continues.

"Kyou Kara Maou" is the story of Yuri, an ordinary high school student, who one day saves his best friend from bullies. The bullies turn their attack toward Yuri and while attempting to "toilet bowl" him, Yuri gets sucked into a black hole located in the toilet and sent to another world. In this new world, Yuri is by virtue of his Asian features -- black hair and dark eyes -- is crowned Maou, or King, of New Mazoku and the fun starts from there, beginning with a social blunder that results in his marriage engagement to bishounen, Wolfram. This story contains adventure, action, lots of humor, a very sweet love triangle, brotherly love, and a wonderful transformation of a war torn land to peace and the transformation of an ordinary boy to a great king. I highly recommend this anime series. 5/5