Fangirl Vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, and Gabi Nam adapts Rainbow Rowell’s original novel to a manga-inspired, black-and-white graphic novel for VIZ’s new imprint VIZ Originals. Like its source material, Fangirl Vol. 1 tells the story of Cath, a popular fanfiction author struggling with adjusting to her first semester at college, meeting new…
Crying Freeman by the Numbers: Rhythm in Panelling
As a critic, I am called to say things that will irritate and annoy people and as such I would like to begin here by graciously sharing that I hate it very much when writers say things like, “I keep my panel per page count low, because someone has to draw it!!” I appreciate all…
VIZ Media Pubwatch
Welcome to the first-ever monthly VIZ Pubwatch! VIZ is the largest publisher of graphic novels in the United States, bringing an extensive catalog of manga and anime from Japan to English-speaking audiences. From simulpublishing Shonen Jump chapters online, to releasing the newest hit anime on DVD and Blu-Ray, VIZ has been a force in Western…
Tokyo Tarareba Girls: A Love Letter To My What-If Women and Third Places
I didn’t know where to start this piece. I am overwhelmed and tired all the time. But through the quarantine there has been Tokyo Tarareba Girls (TTG) by Akiko Higashimura. From its first full page, TTG was a shock. The banner congratulating Tokyo for hosting the 2020 Olympic Games was such a rude reminder of…
[PATREON EXCLUSIVE] Bakuman Is a Comic about Death Note
In 2003, writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata collaborated for the first time on a manga called Death Note, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2006. Death Note was a huge hit across demographics, later turned into an anime, stage play, and multiple live action adaptations. This article will discuss the manga…
I Don’t Need Adornments: On Phantom Thief Jeanne’s Maron Kusakabe
Content Warning: This piece contains discussion of rape. Recently, I changed the wallpaper on my phone to Phantom Thief Jeanne, the titular heroine of Arina Tanemura’s ’90s manga series Phantom Thief Jeanne. It was beautiful, but I soon wanted to change it to Maron Kusakabe, Phantom Thief Jeanne’s civilian identity. This was due to the fact…
WWACommendations: Spy x Family, Junji Ito’s Uzumaki, A Girl Called Echo, and More
What comics have you been reading lately? This year has been painful and difficult in many ways, so I’m glad to hear many friends have found comfort in discovering new comics. Every month, WWAC contributors share the comics we’re especially enjoying. Let us know on Twitter what comics you’re enjoying lately!
Why you Should Read Haikyu!!
With the state of the world being what it is right now, why not escape with a good, long serial manga about friendship and trying your best? If you’ve spent any time around anime fans in the last few years, you’ve probably already heard of Haikyu!!, the anime and manga about a high schooler who…
Once Upon A Wizard’s Romance: A Review of Nagabe’s The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms
The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms follows the daily lives of students at a wizarding academy. After the Wize Wizard Wizdom saw fit to bestow human intellect on beasts, the resulting demi-human race built a Hogwartsian structure, Wizdom’s, atop a large, forested hill and dedicated themselves to pursuing magical knowledge.
WWACommendations: Devil Number 4, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, Witch Hat Atelier, and More
What comics have you been reading lately? Every month, WWAC contributors share some of our favorite comics we’ve read recently. I love this month’s picks which include manga, indie comics, and webtoons! Let us know on Twitter what you’re reading, and check back every month for more recommended comics!
Tokyopop (Gay) Manga Review: Still Sick and Don’t Call Me Daddy
For the month of April, Tokyopop is making a number of its first volumes free to read digitally. I took the opportunity to read Still Sick by Akashi and Don’t Call Me Daddy by Gorou Kanbe. These two manga fascinated me, particularly in conjunction with each other, as depictions of homophobia and queer desire in…
Cover Girl: Phantom Thief Jeanne Volume 1
Welcome to Cover Girls. Each month, we gather a team of WWAC contributors to analyze a new and notable comic book cover featuring one or more women. This month Masha, Latonya, and Wendy look at the cover of Phantom Thief Jeanne Volume 1 by Arina Tanemura.
