Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 2

 

My Thoughts:

This is not a new manga, but it is a heart warming story of a magical izakaya in some German made up village. It is placed in a world where what is foreign and exotic for this town is not ridiculed as gross and different. Instead, in this seemingly secretive space, regulars find good food, cold drink and the ability to fellowship with enemies and superiors. 

In this second volume the reader gets a look into the magic of the place and how the pub sits in one time continuum/place and the back door of the restaurant is a portal into a future Japan.  Through the eyes of a young girl and would be water thief, the readers get a glimpse behind the Nobu curtain. This is perfect for young middles  and upper elementary. Readers will understand that kindness and hospitality will go far. Here is a place where rivals can find more in common than what makes them different. In addition, behaving badly cuts you off from the goodies. Also, if you are in the middle of the continent, USA, try to find some of these Japanese foods. It will be an adventure.

From the Publisher:

Japanese-style pub “Nobu” is open for business in an odd, foreign world, and the ever-welcoming Shinobu and Chief are happy to serve up unusually tasty bar food to an array of strange customers. A little thief, an obnoxious messenger, and a pair of squabbling craftsmen are all ready to chow down! Kisu tempura, sashimi, omusoba, and shuto and more are on the menu... The delicious aromas of food and drink bring everyone together in this gourmet tale of humanity!

Publication Information:

Author: Natsuya Semikawa

Artist: Virginia Nitouhei

Translator: Caleb D. Cook

Publisher: Udon Entertainment (December 11, 2018)

Paperback: 180 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1772940688

How I Met My Soulmate, Vol. 1 (Manga)

 

My Thoughts:

This manga reminds me of being at Tokyo Disney where the young people come to be seen and the young males look a little more androgynous, going for the tall, slim look, clean shaven, longer bleached hair. In this initial manga of a new series, the protagonist, Yuuki is in college in Tokyo looking for her "MRS" (rather than looking for a career).  This first volume sets up the love triangle, with a bad boy and a complicated childhood crush. 

Readers who like the Shoujo manga (those stories made specifically for YA and tween girls) will enjoy this series. Although most of the Shoujo manga take place in high school, this college one with a 20 year old protagonist may appeal to older YA audiences (females). Perhaps males will read this, but the target audience is really the young female. While this series has all the tropes of a shoujo manga, the potential of this series to stand out comes in the form of Seno, Yuuki's childhood crush. He is worth following in the next volume of this series. 

From the Publisher:

Yuuki is a 20-year-old college sophomore who has wished for one thing since moving to Tokyo: to find her soulmate. Growing a bit desperate after a long drought, she goes along with a friend to a club for the first time. Her friend thrives, but it's chaotic and loud...just not Yuuki's scene. Just when Yuuki begins to despair that she'll ever find a real, adult relationship, she meets Iori, a man with bleached hair and a slightly scary demeanor...but first impressions don't always tell the whole story. Could destiny still have more cards to play?

Publication Information:

Author, artist: Anashin

Publisher: Kodansha Comics (December 12, 2023)

Print length: 216 pages