Graphic Novels
Old Faces, New Twists: ‘Pokémon Adventures Vol. 3’ Turns Up the Heat
The character development really stood out in this volume. Watching the protagonists, and even the side characters, grow has been satisfying in a way the games never quite offered. Green, in particular, had a few moments that gave more insight into her background, and I’m even more intrigued by her now.
Comfort in ‘Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear’
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear is your typical isekai story, but they work for a reason. The characters feel familiar yet exciting, the world is rich and layered without being so complicated you need breathing space and the adventure is reliable, we all know where this goes, the fun is in how they get there.
6 - Beyond The Battle: Frieren’s Story
Reaching the point where the anime ends felt incredibly satisfying. There’s a real sense of progression and payoff. At the same time, it’s hard not to hesitate before picking up the next book.
5 - Beyond The Battle: Frieren’s Story
This is one of my favorite volumes because we see more into Frieren. We don't just see who she was before the Hero Party, we see her as a collection of her past and present self. I love the way she managed the party she was assigned with as well.
‘A Man and His Cat, Vol. 2’ by Umi Sakurai: Grief, Healing, and the Softening of Walls
One of the standouts of this series thankfully remains the art style. Sakurai’s choice to keep the animals soft and rounded is in direct contrast to the more angular feeling of the human characters. This feels deliberate and symbolic. The contrast highlights the purity and vulnerability of the animals against the guarded and often harsher nature of the people in the series. To my surprise, in Volume 2 something shifted.
A Pretty Picture of Nothing: ‘Every Day’ Looks Good, Says Little
But here’s the thing. We know almost nothing about A. No origin. No family. No real sense of where this ability comes from or what it costs. That lack of grounding made it hard to connect with them. They started to feel detached. Almost arrogant. Like someone who believes they understand everything simply because they’ve seen so many lives.
Monsters, Friendship, and Fun: ‘The Last Kids on Earth’ Breaks the rules.
Jack was left alone in this post-apocalyptic world. He’s an orphan, so it wasn’t new to him, the feeling of loneliness. But this time, it’s different. He has his friend, Quint, whom he needs to find. And his crush, June, whom he needs to save. But are they still alive? Is there a point in wandering around town looking for these people?
A Wild Green Appeared: ‘Pokémon Adventures Vol. 2’ Keeps the Madness Coming
Since the revelation that the series took the battle mechanic literally, this series has consistently caught me off guard, but in the best way. Like the first volume, Pokémon Adventures Vol. 2 was bot familiar, yet utterly unhinged. The mirroring of the old Gameboy games stirs up just enough nostalgia to keep you feeling comfortable, and then they hit you with the deviations
‘SNAPDRAGON’ by Kay Leyh Is Full of Magic, Curiosity, and a Little Bit of Roadkill
In Snap’s town, there is a witch. Well, at least that's what the people of the town say. Rumours abound. But, in reality, there is simply an old woman. An old woman who prefers her own company. Oh, and articulating roadkill, and selling them online. This means the people of the town fear her. But Snap isn’t afraid of witches, Snap thinks witches are cool.
Kagurabachi, Vol. 1: A familiar Tale carried by Striking Art
At its core, this is a revenge story. There’s nothing groundbreaking or new about it, but the art truly elevates what would otherwise be a familiar story. The style felt familiar, almost like a homecoming. The art redeemed this story for me and ensured I kept turning pages eagerly.