Mizutani Shizuku is the type of person who only cares for her own grades. But when she accidentally delivers the lesson notes to Yoshida Haru, Haru becomes convinced they are friends.

Haru turns out to have a very innocent personality, but who would've thought that Haru would actually confess to Shizuku?

A cold-hearted girl x super troublemaker romance with a fresh new perspective.

Kenn's Comment: Fresh new perspective? That's pushing it a bit, but it's certainly breaking the mold a bit. Shizuku's not really like any shoujo lead I've encountered in recent memory, as many of them start out cold but quickly melt down; Shizuku hasn't let her guard down much, though when she does, you know it's a special moment. Haru is your typical problem child with a few extra quirks that make his character a little bit more special. Together they really do diversify the cast, much of which is where your cookie-cutter characters are found. Though it should be noted that while the characters may be 'refreshing', the way the story progresses is by no means super new. It's quite orthodox in fact.

It's an enjoyable read for the most part. It's a bit hard to watch some of Haru's actions, and sometimes I'll cringe when I feel a generic misunderstanding coming around (usually doesn't happen). Art is quite nice, and the characters are a breath of fresh air compared to the typical love-is-the-most-important-thing-sparkle-sparkle shoujo leads. It's also a rom-com, so it's never overly heavy. Heavy dramatic moments usually are avoided by having a comedic quip break the drama for a bit. Just the way I like it. Never really have been a fan of heavy dramatic atmospheres. Too sense for me. Life's stressful enough.

Image from here

Title: 押入れ隠れちゅう, Oshiire Kakure Chuu, Closet Hidden Kiss (literally)
Artist: Hachi (ちはぐら)
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Yuri
Characters: Houreisen Kaguya, Fujiwara no Mokou

Kenn's Comment: No description, because I can't think of one that won't spoil everything.

For those who have been following me for a while, you'll know that this isn't the first Chihagura doujin I've put up, the earlier one (I think) being from way back in June of last year. You'll also know that Mokou x Kaguya is Hachi's pairing of choice, and often has Reisen, Eirin and Tewi as humourous side characters (Keine also makes a brief appearance).

For those who are new here, Chihagura's an artist who, I believe, has almost all of their works as a Kaguya-Mokou pairing doujin. Likewise, those of you who absolutely loathe girls kissing each other (I don't think it ever goes further than that), you may want to leave now.

Anywho, Chihagura's art is lovely as always, though a neck or two in a few panels might have been a little bit off. Mokou is the seme in this one, but a little twist at the end throws everything out the window...maybe.

A preview's up at Pixiv, and you can buy the book itself for 326 Yen I believe from Melon Books (not exactly safe for work, open at your own risk.)

Image by Ishida Akira

After a long and treacherous journey, our Hero finally arrives at the Dark Lady’s castle only to find himself being asked for help. The Hero explains how the war that the demons have brought upon the humans have killed thousands and put more in misery. The queen of demons however argues that this war has made the human society band together as one and showed empirical evidence how it has increased population, increased production, boosted economy and improved society overall. Furthermore, she explains to the Hero that ending this war will result in a civil war that will produce more bloodshed than there ever was. The Hero, convinced that the only way to bring peace, relatively speaking, is to join forces with the Dark Lady, agrees to help with her plans!  

Kenn's Comment: Awesome series. Similar to Spice and Wolf in concept with all of it's medieval economics (S&W isn't quite medieval), but features a Dragon Quest-like cast of characters. They're also aptly named by what class they are, for example the two main characters, Yuusha and Maou (Hero and Demon King, respectively).

This one's based off a novel, though I can't seem to find any info on that one. There's at least 2-3 other manga adaptations of the novels, each one running in a different magazine. This one more or less has the best art (my opinion, as well as a fair number of other readers) which means we can read Maou in all of her breas glory.  Maou is the breast best. Yuusha is a riot too, with how ridonculously strong he is.

Like last week's Arpeggio of Blue Steel, this one is also recommended by that straight laced friend of mine (I'm sure he is a bit wary of Maou's 'assets') so you know this one is good. I'll see to it that I make a "Straight Laced Man Seal of Approval" one day.

Luka uses and iPhone in this. Sponsor!






Title: インタビュア, Interviewer
Producer: ケワガタP
Genre: Pop
Vocaloid: 巡音ルカ

Kenn's Comment: I'm not even sure how old this one is. I also feel like I've put this one up before...though I can't find it at all.

Anywho, Luka's used really well in this, and her voice is done really well.  The balance is done well, the instrumentals don't over power Luka's voice and Luka's voice isn't overpowering the instruments (it happens).

The real reason why I put this one up though, is because of these two covers (below).



First by ヲタみん (Wotamin). She's got a great voice, and I've heard her singing in a few other songs, including -ggrks- in a collab with Clear.



This one is by 蛇足 (Dasuko), a NND singer I've really liked ever since I heard him in Imitation Black, which was a collab with Clear and バルシェ (Valshe).

I love this song. Like seriously. I love this song.






Title: 遠く君へ, Tooku Kimi he, Far Away to You
Artist: Touyama Nao (and/or) Noto Mamiko (or) Nakajima Megumi
Genre: N/A
Single: N/A
Album: 異国迷路のクロワーセ OST, Ikoku Meiro no Kurowaze OST, Crossroads of a Foreign Country OST

Kenn's Comment:  A beautiful song from Ikoku Meiro's bonus episode, 4.5 as it's usually referred to.

The reason I have all those people under the 'artists' part is because it's sung by all three of them. The song is played in 4.5, and is sung by Touyama Nao (Yune) and Noto Mamiko (Anne). The songs on the OST are by either Touyama and Nakajima Megumi (hers is an ending for 4.5).

From what I managed to understand (and be able to translate) this is a song of longing for a certain country and person (most likely Japan, though it's not specified, and the title should more or less be self explanatory on the second point). I've got a friend who recently said that she wanted to go back home to Japan, so I'm sure she'll love this song.

Anywho, lovely song. Played by non-Japanese instruments as Ikoku Meiro takes place in Paris and Anne plays a guitar. I'm up to the challenge to set it for koto instead of guitar and maybe two other instruments to take the place of the clarinet and violin (I am a composition major after all). I don't know of any Japanese instruments that really sounds like the clarinet...or violin though.

Anywho, enjoy! 

Due to some misunderstanding, Mami is getting a birthday party celebration from her juniors.

Kenn's Comment: In typical Shino fashion, this comic overflows with comedy. There's a brief not-so-funny moment, but it's fairly short, and even that gets taken lightly. Shino's art is great as always, and even if you don't understand Japanese, his expressions will always give away the mood.

It's a great read, funny and relatively short, the covers of each 'chapter' are rather tantalizing.

Trying not to spoil the story, but let's just say that Mami's blessed to have such great friends. I'm no longer afraid!

Read it over at Pixiv, or Danbooru.

Pixiv links:
漫画１
漫画２
漫画３
漫画４
漫画Fin

Suddenly, a fleet of ships with mysterious superweapons called the “Fleet of Fog” appeared all around the world. Humanity didn’t have the technology to fight such a fleet, so they were driven out of the sea...

Seventeen years after the battle, for some reason, Gunzou Chihaya and his crewmates aboard the I-401 and the personification (Mental Model) of the I-401, Iona, started fighting the Fleet of Fog...  

Kenn's Comment: Great read. Action is well paced, and the story isn't bogged down by constant technical explanations. The art is great, and there are small bits of comedy every now and then. The protagonist has a good head on his shoulders too, which really helps. Better than having a Naruto or Bleach with battle-ships. Good grief, I think I'd burn anything like that instantly. After all, losing a battle with a ship usually results in it either sinking or exploding. Both ways, you're more or less done for. Technical details are usually at the end of the volume, often explained by two characters (can't remember if they ever show up in the manga or not).

Looking at past works of Ark Perf., they're no strangers to the field of mechanized warfare, with several Gundam manga adaptations under their belts.A rather...straight-laced no-nonsense friend of mine recommends this one too, so you can rest assured that it's good.

No this is not a proposal post.







Title: Would You Marry Me?
Producer: フルーツ（笑）Ｐ (FruitsP)
Genre: Pop
Vocaloid: KAITO

Kenn's Comment: YES. But I have too many other waifus that I'll have to decline.

It's been a while since I've heard such good use of KAITO. Saw it, gave it a listen and decided this should be today's feature. Also a treat for anyone who really likes KAITO. All in all, a really cute song with an equally cute PV. Gorsh, I don't even remember when the last time I've heard KAITO sound so good...he often..sounds either robotic, or the song uses too much of his upper registers. Anywho, over and out!