Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
Rin and Yukio are fraternal twin brothers with two very different personalities and abilities. For the youngest twin, Yukio, he is very intelligent, likeable, and successful. In fact, Yukio is the youngest exorcist to ever be enrolled at True Cross Academy and Father Fujimoto (his guardian) is very proud of him. For Rin, the eldest twin, he is the opposite of Yukio with a short temper, a tendency to get into fights, and lacks academic discipline. Although Father Fujimoto is more protective of Rin, Rin wants nothing more than to find his place in this world. As Yukio gets ready for school, Rin must find a job because it's about time that he learns some responsibility so he, too, can be a productive member of society. However, what should have been an easy process, turns complicated when Rin realizes that he can see demons and ends up losing his job over protecting a little girl being plagued by demons. Rin may not understand why he can see demons, but the truth about who he is comes with a great price. Unbeknownst to Rin, but he was chosen by Satan to be his liaison between the realm of the demons (Gehenna) and the realm of the humans (Assiah). When Satan possesses, and murders Father Fujimoto, Rin vows that he will avenge his "real" father and defeat Satan. After meeting Mephisto, Rin tells him that he will destroy Satan and tells him that he wants to be an exorcist.  However, as a demon, his role as an exorcist will not only make him target from other exorcists, but every demon will come after him. Although Rin has no problem with the fighting and death part of being an exorcist, he has to face one of the greatest challenges of his life: succeed at True Cross Academy by doing homework, showing up to class on time, and learn the power of team work.


Critical Evaluation:
This is a fun manga filled with plenty of action and emotion. Rin is absolutely adorable because underneath the demon exterior, he is just like every vulnerable teen guy who just wants to fit in. Although Yukio and Rin are light years apart in certain aspects, there is a love that no one could ever understand and it warms the sould to see how the take care of each other. The question that may plague readers is if Yukio had to, would  kill Rin? Honestly, I don't think he can regardless of what his duty is because, unlike any other demon, Rin has grown up with the capacity to  love and protect those dearest to him. Rin may not be the most devout exorcist, but he knows that is anyone messes with his family, there will literally be hell to pay. The best part of this story is Rin's education. True Cross Academy is this microcosm where exorcists in training learn the various facets of exorcism. Not just anyone can enroll in this school because they have to have the strength, the heart, and the faith to do what they have to do. What we learn about this world is that there are two realms specifically meant for demons and humans. The reason why Rin exists is because Satan needed a body in the human realm in order to launch his hostile takeover. The problem with Satan's plan is that Rin, who truly believes himnself to be human, refuses to side with him, which leads to all sorts of complications for the human world. As Rin learns to control his power, he must also prove to his brother and classmates that he has what it takes to become an exorcist and that is not going to be an easy task.This series is going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to read more.


Information about the Author:
According to the Blue Exorcist Wiki:

Kazue Katō (加藤和恵, Katō Kazue), born on July 20th, 1980 in the district of Shinjuku, in Tokyo, is a Japanese mangaka, author of shōnen manga. She is mainly known to be author of Blue Exorcist. She also created Robot to Usakichi ( ロボとうさ吉 ), for which she received a prize: Osamu Tezuka Award.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy Manga, Teen Action Manga

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 
Books Similar to Blue Exorcist:

• D. Gray Man by Katsua Hoshino
• Vampire Hunter D by Saito Takkaki

Awards & Recognition:
According to Anime News Network:

Plot Summary:
In this spinoff of Alice in the Country of Hearts, Alice makes her way from Julius and the Clock Tower to the Hatter Mansion. After meeting Blood Dupre, Alice has decided that the man who resembles the man she loved is not the same person. Granted, everything in this world is different, she falls for Hatter's second in command: Elliot March. Elliot March is kind, gentle, and very cute (especially his rabbit ears), and Alice adores him in every way. However, when she realized that Elliot is Blood's top assassin, she is torn between the man she adores and the assassin who makes a living taking lives. However, in this world, taking lives isn't horrific; in fact, everyone who dies is reborn through the talents of Julius, the clockmaster. What makes Alice special is that she is a being that has a heart that beats and not a clock. In other words, if Alice is killed, she will not be reborn, nor will she be able to return to her world. When Alice decides to make Hatter Mansion her home, her stalker/kidnapper, Peter White, demands that she makes Heart Palace her home and that puts Alic in extreme danger since Queen Vivaldi makes a habit of beheading a habit. In this crazy world where night and day com at all times, Alice must survive the inhabitants who proclaim undying love for her and then put her in danger at moments notice. In this story, it's Elliot March who confesses his deepest feelings and Alice must choose between her conscience and her heart.


Critical Evaluation:
When I first read the first series, Alice in the Country of Hearts, I was happy that it ended the way that it dis. However, when learned that there spin offs where all of the leading men get to have their moment with Alice, I was even more excited. What readers need to realize that the reason why Alice has a love story with every character is that this world is based on Alice's need, and want, to be loved by everyone. According to Alice, she is unlovable and idolizes, and resents, her older sister who happens to be everything she is not. In many ways, Alice realizes all of her good qualities as she spends time with the citizens of this world and, ultimately, it is their love and devotion that keep her in the Country of Hearts. I will say that I am a wee bit jealous to have such gorgeous men fawn over her, but, it's really to sad to see how lonely they really are. I am definitely looking forward to the next spin-offs since they will reveal more answers as to why Alice created this world and see all the characters evolve.

Information about the Author:
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information by Quinrose on their website, but here it is (with the help of Google Translate:

QuinRose～クインロゼ～』では、
女性主人公のファンタジー恋愛アドベンチャーゲームを中心に制作しています。
※関連作品として、男性主人公のゲームも制作しております。

2010年からソニーのパブリッシャーとなり、
現在は家庭用機ゲームを主に開発中です。

In "QuinRose ~ Kuinroze ~",
Has produced mainly female hero fantasy romance adventure game.
※ as related work, we have also produced male hero game.

And publisher of Sony from 2010,
And is currently developing a game machine primarily for home use.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy Manga, Teen Romance Manga

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit:

• Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki
• Gakuen Alice by Tachibana Higuchi

Plot Summary:
Oz is turning fifteen, which means his coming of age ceremony is approaching. What should have been an important moment in a young man's life, the Baskervilles interrupted his ceremony to punish him and send him into the Abyss. Although Oz has no idea what he is being punished for, he is rescued by a girl named Alice who has immense power, but needs a to form a contract with someone in order to release that power. What Oz doesn't realize that the legend he has grown up with is true and that the Abyss is filled with dangerous creatures known as chains who are waiting for the perfect prey in order to escape. For Alice, her mission is to forge a contract with Oz in order to gather the memories she lost a long time ago, but, her plans are alterered when she and Oz are recruited by members of Pandora. Led by Sharon Rainsworth, Xerxes Break, and the mysterious Raven (who looks a lot like Oz's friend, Gilbert), Oz and Alice are rescued from the Path that was opened by Oz's pocket watch, which happens to contain one of Alice's long lost memories. When asked to joined Pandora, Oz and Alice aren't sure, but one thing they do want is answers. Why is Oz being punished? Why were Alice's memories erased? What is Pandora? As the group moves through the country, solving mysteries and crimes committed by chains, the answers lie with those who know the truth, could lead to ending that readers may not be prepared for.


Critical Evaluation:
I absolutely love the artwork in this series! Not only are the characters super cute, but the monsters are super ugly and creepy. As for the storyline, it's an interesting premise where a clueless boy is thrown into the midst of a secret battle between humans, spirits, and chains. However, when Oz is sentenced to a life in the Abyss for no reason (other than being), we learn that he could be the offspring of the devil himself! The question is: why doesn't Oz know and why is Pandora recruiting a potentially dangerous ally? As readers progress in the series, they learn that everyone in this organization cannot be trusted because not only do they have their own agendas, they are hiding some pretty heavy secrets; hence, why the group is called Pandora. I will admit that I am intrigued by the idea that this series is loosely based on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland; the Abyss is Alice's Rabbit Hole and, when at full power, she turns in the Bloddy Rabbit, and is later retrieved from the Rabbit Hole by a dude who talks to a doll on his shoulder. Basically, this series is full of madness that is not only unthinkable, but scary as well. I am not sure what to expect in the latest volume, but I am sure excited about it!

Information about the Author:
According to Wikipedia:

Jun Mochizuki (望月 淳 Mochizuki Jun^?, born December 22 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for creating the manga series Pandora Hearts.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy Manga

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 
Books Similar to Pandora Hearts:

• Alice in the Country of Hearts by Quinrose
• Black Butler by Yana Toboso