It’s been a while since I’ve read Manga’s but recently I’ve had the change to dive back in, thank you VIZ Media LLC for these Arcs. 🙂
RWBY: The Official Manga: The Beacon Arc, Vol. 1
Experience the introductory arc of the international smash hit series RWBY in a whole new way—manga!
In the world of Remnant, monsters known as Grimm wreak havoc. They’re kept in check by Huntsmen and Huntresses, highly skilled warriors experienced in monster extermination who utilize their special abilities on the field of battle. Ruby is a ferociously talented young girl who comes to Beacon Academy to hone her skills and serve as a Huntress herself. Alongside her sister Yang Xiao Long, rival Weiss Schnee and newfound friend Blake Belladonna, Ruby leads Team RWBY, the coolest new group at Beacon!
Ruby takes her first step on the road to becoming a Huntress by enrolling at Beacon Academy, eager to take on the battery of tests, challenges and difficulties that follow. Ruby knows her talents will take her to her goal, but is she ready to clash with Weiss Schnee, haughty scion of the Schnee Dust Company?
Review: I know nothing of RWBY so have no context for how well this works as an adaptation.
What initially drew me in was the artstyle. I’ve not read Manga is a while and this is exactly the kind of visual style I enjoy. It’s clean, cute but not too chibi.
The storyline itself is not groundbreaking but interesting enough. I am very much a sucker for anything drawing on fairytales and fables.
Book 1 is the introduction to the main characters and how RWBY is formed. I certainly want to see how the story progresses and will most likely check out the animation that inspired it.
Revolutionary Girl Utena:
After the Revolution by Chiho Saito
Three short stories set after Utena’s revolution.
Utena has saved Anthy by defeating Akio in the final duel, but in doing so she has vanished from the world. Now the student council members at Ohtori Academy find themselves in their own revolutions.
Review: I read (and watched) Utena years ago. Based on my confusion with revisiting the stories of the characters now I would recommend that you re-read the Mangas if you haven’t them recently. I think I would have enjoyed this addition more that way.
Still love the artwork.
Fly Me to the Moon, Vol. 1 by Kenjiro Hata
First comes marriage, then comes an earthbound love that is out of this world!
From the day his parents named him, Nasa Yuzaki has been destined for outer space…or so he believes. But while trying to join the space program, he is thrown for a loop when an accident introduces him to Tsukasa, a mysterious girl with strange powers. Is she an alien, a moon goddess or something else? Since she insists on marrying him, Nasa has plenty of chances to find out!
Review: Volume 1 doesn’t give much away. You have introduction to Nasa, our protagonist. Driven because his parents picked such an over-the-top name and he wants people to think of him instead of NASA.
Then he sees “THE girl” and gets into and accident but nevermind, because his need to talk to “the girl” drives him to get up and chase her despite broken legs (how?!)
Stuff happens, time passes and we arrive at the premise of the story. Nasa is married to her. She is a mystery.
It’s hard to make much of a decision because Vol 1 really doesn’t give you much storywise. Nasa is not endearing, his backstory doesn’t help his characterisation. I’m hoping this is a slow-burn manga that rewards you as you progress.
The artwork is nice, not spectacular but panels are clean and not overcrowded.
Review by: Luna
Luna's Little Library 