A fun and enjoyable read explaining many elements of Japanese culture from A to Z. Lots of interesting popular concepts explained from folklore, pop culture and the arts of Japan. I think it is a book that would encourage further studies.
Being a collector of Fountain pens the section on Maki-e and Urushi interested me as an owner of Japanese pens made from those crafts.
A book I started a year or two ago but returned to recently. I started it afresh and it was a difficult reason for me. Not due to the subjects of mental health and relationships but how the book is structured as a conversation between a mother and her daughters boyfriend.
I expected more from the novel and it seemed to be disjointed and all over the place with the conversations, and it just ended abruptly, it was unfinished at the authors death but I don’t think it should have been published.
As a character I didn’t like Kuno and how he asserted himself to Ineko and her Mother, saying the mother is wrong to commit her to treatment and how marriage is the only way to fix her. Rubbed me up the wrong way.
I think a lot to do with the issues were the death of Ineko’s father and that was the trigger of her ailment. I also think that if the novel was finished the end may be that they both (Ineko & Kuno) are afflicted with mental health issues with him seeing a white rat and white dandelion. Possibly even the mother with her seeing a Sprite.
All in all I am glad to have read it but I wouldn’t come back to it.
I finally got around to reading this third and final installment of this series. A lot going on here with our Editor having a family issue and a subsequent monster attack. It was a fun volume to read and it wrapped up nicely, but I wish there was more. Feels like there would be more to come from this series. And it being several years old now I guess that really was that.
A fun, light and enjoyable series. A little bit of implied nudity but hardly anything really. You see more on pulpy book covers.
I was browsing on Amazon and having read some One Punch Man samples this manga was recommended to me. I have always thought it too odd or pervy for me to read so never bothered trying or paying attention beyond glancing at the cover. I am between books and decided to try it.
Yes there is gratuitious manga boobs and lots of flesh but in terms of plot and characters its pretty fun and humourous. Quite enjoyed the plot where a guy ends up having a species exhange with a snake-woman and then a bird woman and finally a centaur type woman. All seem to be like bitches in heat and hijinks ensues. Its a light and breezy read and good fun. I have read the first two in the series and maybe I’ll check out the rest.
EDIT 12/11/25
I have since read Volumes 3 to 6 and have really enjoyed them. Not my usual tastes but very funny reads.