43: Shinobi Life

This week's manga log: "Descending Stories," written and illustrated by Haruko Kumota.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):   Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of Rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the performance of distinguished practitioner Yakumo Yuurakutei, he sets his mind on meeting the man who changed his life. After hearing Yotarou's desperate appeal for his mentorship, Yakumo is left with no choice but to accept his very first apprentice. As he eagerly begins his training, Yotarou meets Konatsu, an abrasive young woman who has been under Yakumo's care ever since her beloved father Sukeroku Yuurakutei, another prolific Rakugo performer, passed away. Through her hidden passion, Yotarou is drawn to Sukeroku's unique style of Rakugo despite learning under contrasting techniques. Upon seeing this, old memories and feelings return to Yakumo who reminisces about a much earlier time when he made a promise with his greatest rival.  Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story set in both the past and present, depicting the art of Rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those dedicated to keeping the unique form of storytelling alive. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.             Next series: “The Promised Neverland,” Pt. 3 [Final] Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Nodame Cantabile," written and illustrated by Tomoko Ninomiya.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):  Shinichi Chiaki, the perfectionist son of a famous pianist, is in his fourth year at Momogaoka College of Music, hoping to achieve his secret dream of being a conductor. His admiration for his father led him to pursue a career in music. As much as he wants to return to Europe, his phobia of flying traps him in Japan where he now lives. One night, he passes out, and ends up being taken in by Megumi "Nodame" Noda. Upon first glance, Nodame is a talented pianist, but she is also slobbish and eccentric. What's even worse is that she is his neighbor and he ends up forced to work with her. Though it sounds like a recipe for disaster, Chiaki is drawn to this girl who makes him remember the love for music he once held. Just what does the future hold for this musical duo?  Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.            Next series: "Descending Stories," written and illustrated by Haruko Kumota. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Tsuredure Children," written and illustrated by Wakabayashi, Toshiya.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):    Love is not simple. It is complicated, frustrating, often incomprehensible—and it is something that many high school students are all too familiar with. Love takes on countless forms, but it is an emotion common to different kinds of people: childhood friends, tsunderes, classmates, delinquents, and student council presidents. Love can also flourish between unlikely pairs who bury their feelings deep within them, making it harder and harder to say that one notorious phrase in the human language... "I love you." Tsurezure Children follows the journeys of numerous different couples and their romantic escapades. From the butterflies of a confession to the failed attempts at a first kiss, this story sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of young love. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.           Next series: Next series: "Nodame Cantabile," written and illustrated by Tomoko Ninomiya. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Love Hina," written and illustrated by Akamatsu, Ken. Description (courtesy of MangaDex):   Keitaro has had great difficulty getting into the university of his choice and no luck in meeting women. In a desperate effort to go into seclusion and study for his entrance exams, he volunteers to take over running his grandmother's hotel. His plans are ruined when he discovers that the "hotel" is actually an all-girls dormitory... and some serious distractions ensue. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.          Next series: "Tsuredure Children," written and illustrated by Wakabayashi, Toshiya. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "The Drops of God," written by Kibayashi, Shin, and illustrated by Okimoto, Shuu.  Description (courtesy of MangaDex):  The main character of the manga, a young man called Shizuku Kanzaki, discovers the beauty of wine after his father, a famous wine critic, dies and leaves an unusual will: a description of 12 wines he considers to be the best in the world, comparing them to Jesus Christ’s disciples. The first person to find these “disciples” will inherit the father’s wine collection, a contest that pits Shizuku against his adoptive brother, Issey Tomine, who works as a wine critic. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.         Next series: "Love Hina," written and illustrated by Akamatsu, Ken. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Golden Kamuy," written and illustrated by Noda, Satoru.  Description (courtesy of MangaDex):    In the early twentieth century, Russo-Japanese War veteran Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto scratches out a meager existence during the postwar gold rush in the wilderness of Hokkaido. When he stumbles across a map to a fortune in hidden Ainu gold, he sets off on a treacherous quest to find it. But Sugimoto is not the only interested party, and everyone who knows about the gold will kill to possess it! Faced with the harsh conditions of the northern wilderness, ruthless criminals and rogue Japanese soldiers, Sugimoto will need all his skills and luck—and the help of an Ainu girl named Asirpa—to survive. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.        Next series: "The Drops of God," written by Kibayashi, Shin, and illustrated by Okimoto, Shuu. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Shinobi Life," written and illustrated by Konami, Shouko.     Description (courtesy of MangaDex):   Energetic and strong-willed, Beni doesn't care if she lives or dies as long as her death will result in embarrassing her arrogant father! But one day, she suddenly encounters Kagetora, a ninja who's fallen from the sky and swears complete loyalty to her -- as her bodyguard. Kagetora has time traveled from a long, long time ago, and has devoted his life to protecting Princess Beni. Little does Kagetora know that this Beni is not the real princess... Can true love and honor survive after a centuries-long time warp -- in a crazy modern world? Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.       Next series: "Golden Kamuy," written and illustrated by Noda, Satoru. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Yona of the Dawn" follow-up episode.  Heavy spoilers up to the end of Volume 7 (or Chapter 41). This is also where the anime adaptation ends.  Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.       Next series:  "Shinobi Life," written and illustrated by Konami, Shouko Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Beck," written and illustrated by Sakuishi, Harold.    Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):  Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka wasted away his middle school days listening to Japanese pop music and apathetically trudging through life—until a casual run-in with the enigmatic guitarist Ryuusuke "Ray" Minami. Through this encounter, Koyuki realizes what he has been missing all this time as Ray introduces him to western rock music and jumpstarts his desire to play guitar. Although various struggles plague his path to rock fame, Koyuki refuses to abandon the passion that gave his life purpose, balancing it together with school, work, and friends. Beck tells the story of the love and trial that accompanies pursuing a professional career in music as Koyuki and Ray work toward realizing the guitarist's dream of the ultimate band. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.       Next series: Yona of the Dawn Pt. 2   Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)

This week's manga log: "Demon Slayer," written and illustrated by Gotoge, Koyoharu.   Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList): Ever since the death of his father, the burden of supporting the family has fallen upon Tanjirou Kamado's shoulders. Though living impoverished on a remote mountain, the Kamado family are able to enjoy a relatively peaceful and happy life. One day, Tanjirou decides to go down to the local village to make a little money selling charcoal. On his way back, night falls, forcing Tanjirou to take shelter in the house of a strange man, who warns him of the existence of flesh-eating demons that lurk in the woods at night. When he finally arrives back home the next day, he is met with a horrifying sight—his whole family has been slaughtered. Worse still, the sole survivor is his sister Nezuko, who has been turned into a bloodthirsty demon. Consumed by rage and hatred, Tanjirou swears to avenge his family and stay by his only remaining sibling. Alongside the mysterious group calling themselves the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjirou will do whatever it takes to slay the demons and protect the remnants of his beloved sister's humanity. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: [email protected], or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.      Next series: Yona of the Dawn Pt. 2  Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E)