Rintaro Tsumugi attends Chidori High. It's a boy’s school that only takes the dregs of society, which just happens to stand next door to the prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High! While the girls from this elite school never dream of socialising with anyone from Chidori, Kaoruko just happens to have a sweet tooth and when she notices Rintaro behind the counter of his family’s Cake Shop, suddenly pastries aren’t the only thing she’s got her eye on! Can these 'star crossed lovers' from two different schools make it work?

On this week's episode of Manga Tak, I sat down with MargReadsManga to discuss the excellent The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity by Saki Mikami! Join us as we discuss how Maki manages to successfully tell a Shonen romance with Shojo elements, compare the manga to the new anime from CloverWorks and give some manga recommendations on what to read next!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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CONTENT WARNING: This episode deals with some pretty heavy themes including suicide and physical abuse, so skip this one if you're not comfortable with those topics!

After a small, octopus looking alien from the Planet Happy arrives on Earth, determined to spread happiness to everyone he meets, he runs into a morose young girl called Shizuka who isn’t impressed with his happy gadgets... In fact, maybe it'd be better for everyone if he didn't get involved at all...

This week, Mat is joined by RAMZEE for one of the most difficult books we've discussed so far on the podcast, Takopi's Original Sin by Taizan 5. Join us as we talk about how the book deals with difficult topics, the genius of it's open but hopeful ending and just how great the design of our foolish little octopus friend is!

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Show Notes -

Manga - Good Night Punpun by Inio Asano

RAMZZE past appearances - Orb - Asadora! - Hunter x Hunter

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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Ten hopeful candidates embark on a test to survive for 53 days aboard an abandoned space shuttle to earn themselves a place at the prestigious Cosmo Academy. However, once inside the airlock they realise something is amiss: they are now eleven. Can they put their suspicions aside in order to pass? Or will the threats they face cause them to give into despair and abandon the test, and with it, their chances of getting into the academy?

On this week's episode, Mat's joined not only by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) but also Pippa (aka StrawberryShojo) to talk about Moto Hagio's groundbreaking 1975 sci-fi shojo manga They Were 11! Join us as we discuss our feelings on sci-fi, the book's titular mystery, and, perhaps more importantly, it's core themes of gender and personhood!

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Show Notes:

Rachel Thorn interview with Moto Hagio.

Who is Björn Andrésen?

Death In Venice

Moto Hagio's other work in English: The Poe Clan - Otherworld Barbara - The Heart Of Thomas - A Drunken Dream - Lil' Leo

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

Find us on:
X: Manga Tak Pod
Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod
Instagram: Manga Tak Pod