kbrsuperstar's reviews
879 reviews

Slam Dunk, Vol. 1 by Takehiko Inoue

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Honestly a bit shocked by how much I enjoyed this one - I'm working through the 2024 Manga Genre/Demographic Challenge here and didn't think I was going to be very interested in sports manga so I kind of picked this one just because the library had it but it's so funny and the art style is immensely enjoyable!

Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya

funny lighthearted

4.5

I admit I'm not a huge fan of this particular art style but I definitely understand the appeal of the story, it's very sweet and cute with just enough sadness to keep it from being cloying 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Deserted Island Diary Vol. 1 by Kokonasu Rumba

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

I love Animal Crossing and this is ghastly, it's not even a decent guide for how to play the game

What Did You Eat Yesterday?, Volume 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga

sad

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

"...this seasoned rice is delicious! Seconds please!"
"No! You'll get fat!"

Yeah nah I don't care how great your cooking is, Shiro, you're a dick

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia

Japanese Home Cooking: Simple Meals, Authentic Flavors by Sonoko Sakai

informative slow-paced

3.75

I think we all know that there are cookbooks you will actually cook from and there are cookbooks that are a delight to read but you'll probably never make anything in them and this is firmly in the latter. It's a great read and really interesting but yeah I'm never going to make my own plum wine or pickled cherry blossoms thanks

Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 1 by Sui Ishida

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I mostly liked it? I thought the concept was good, although it's a little hard to see how it could be stretched out into a whole series, and tbh there were a couple of panels during a fight where I genuinely couldn't tell what exactly was happening, but still a solid 4

Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life by Marie Kondo

slow-paced

3.25

I listened to this audiobook right after her first book and the difference is fairly stark. Nearly all the light-hearted asides and self-deprecation are gone and everything she talks about feels much less accessible. I really enjoyed the chapters about visualizing your ideal home but once it got into her personal lifestyle/brand, she completely lost me. I am the first to admit that I am a huge fan of Marie's work - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up genuinely DID change my life - but blithely suggesting I take six months to ferment my own miso paste was too far even for me. 

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow, Vol. 1 by Makoto Hagino

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This one was super cute!! 

Nana, Vol. 1 by Ai Yazawa

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I just did not connect with anyone in this, I think I'm possibly just too old for this series but I'll probably try the next volume anyway

Make It Japanese: Simple Recipes for Everyone by Rie McClenny

informative lighthearted

4.0

My one complaint with this cookbook is my complaint for pretty much any specialty cookbook: not enough recommendations for substituting hard to find ingredients. (I mean, I live in the biggest city in the US and finding actual mirin has been nearly impossible but this book offers no other suggestions.) Otherwise though, this book is great — beautiful photos, easy instructions, a full list of pantry ingredients to have on hand. 

UPDATE: as I've been making things from this, I've realized NONE of these recipes say how long they're going to take and there's been a couple times a recipe took so much longer than I expected it to so I'm knocking half a star off my original review

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent