Jiro Azuma isn’t your run of the mill Ninja though, oh no - he also has the unique ability to talk to animals. It’s this special skill that leads him to nurse a dying cat back to health… but this isn’t just any cat: it’s Rago, the Black Star of Doom: a Mononoke of incredible power. Before he knows it, Jiro has fused with this vengeful spirit in the middle of a fight to the death and is immediately taken into custody by the Bureau of Espionage… But seemingly with the fate of the world at stake, can the Bureau afford to not use Jiro’s skills to save it?

This week, Mat is joined by once again by one half of the Undisputed Anime podcast, Zane Taichou! Join us as we compare the book to it's clear inspirations, have differing opinions on the book's action and geek out about the cooler, capital S 'Shonen Moments' of the book!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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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!

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In a world populated by mechanical 'creatures' and humans, where the lines between man and man-made are blurred, a girl called Hyaku straddles the line between human and mechanical. Fuelled by rage, she is targeting the high profile krechs of the underworld to seek vengeance, and her stolen body parts! Will it ease her pain? And more importantly, in doing so, will she regain her humanity?

On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tom to discuss Search and Destroy by Atsushi Kaneko, published by Fantagraphics in partnership with MSX! We get into our knowledge of the source material, Osamu Tezuka's Dororo, reflect on the nature of 'covers' and 'homages' to pre-existing works, as well as gush about the themes and incredible art on display in the book!

It's an episode not to be missed, and for the curious, the first chapter can be found online here for free!

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Show Notes -

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Documentaries:

The Atsushi Kaneko Documentary from Archipel.

Podcasts:

Mangasplaining!

American Illustrators / Cartoonists:

Daniel Clowes

Charles Burns

Frank Kozik

Lowbrow Art

Mangaka:

Moto Hagio

Inio Asano (and Goodnight Pun Pun)

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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This is the story of Shuuko, Eika, Misaki and Shio: four best friends who share an apartment together in the heart of the city. While they might share a roof, they all face individual problems! For Shuuko, it's the societal pressure to get married, for Eika, it's how to climb the corporate ladder. Misaki's trying to figure out her situation-ship and Shio's in a panic about how to balance her work / life balance now she's become a freelancer.

Is isn't easy being in your twenties, but at least they've got each other!

On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tsutsudae of Undisputed Anime to discuss You Can't Live All on Your Own by Mizoko Tsuno. We get into how we feel about this first volume of the three part series, which of the women's stories most resinated with us and our hopes for Mizoko Tsuno's future after reading her first work!

Thanks to the folks at Tokyo Pop for providing a digital review copy of this book!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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After the failure of his last project, Mr. Shiozawa quits his job as a Manga editor after 30 years and ponders his next move. But try as he might, the medium he loved, the calling he devoted his professional life to, has a hold on him that he isn't quite ready let go. Suddenly he finds himself deciding to put together 'the perfect manga' and to do so, he's going to need a little help...

This week on Manga Tak, Mat is joined by Dave 'Ziggy' Greene (of Jam) to discuss Taiyō Matsumoto's Tokyo These Days. We scratch below the surface of the book to delve into it's metaphors, how we both found an unexpected connection to it's emotional core, and why it might just be the closest look you'll ever get at working in a creative field on a manga page.

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Show Note Links

Taiyō Matsumoto Interview from No. 5's Digital Publication (Mangasplaining)

Behind the scenes of Tokyo These Days (Mangasplaining)

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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On this Manga Tak-ked On (i.e. a Bonus Episode), Mat is joined one again by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) to talk more on Yan by Chang Sheng now that Volume 2 has dropped!

Join us as we discuss how our fears over volume 1's huge setups were mislead, the book's ability to ramp up an already action packed first volume, and honestly just how much enjoyed the middle instalment of this trilogy!

Thanks once again to Titan Manga for sending us advanced copies of this book, available now wherever good comic books are sold!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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