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lastblossom's reviews
217 reviews
Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen, Vol. 1 by Hiromi SatÅ, Kamome Shirahama
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
tl;dr
A pleasant and beautifully illustrated food manga with low plot and high food value. Includes recipes!
Thoughts
Even though this is a spinoff, there's negligible plot going on in here, so if you haven't read Witch Hat Atelier, you won't be that confused about what's going on. Hardcore fans hoping for more story might be disappointed, because this is, as it turns out, basically a really well illustrated cookbook. Art is very appealing with a cozy fantasy feel to it and some cool character designs. The food also looks incredibly good, and thankfully we get recipes as well. Of note, the recipes are all fairly simple, but I'd hesitate to call them "easy." Things like fried foods and custards have the potential to go wrong, and beginner cooks might find some of the recipes a challenge. That said, I wouldn't call any of these recipes too complex either, so this set of recipes would work really well for anyone looking to try something a little more ambitious without having to spend more money on extra kitchen tools or pricier ingredients. But if you're not here for the recipes, that's fine too! It's a pleasant book, entirely in line with the usual iyashikei food manga genre, great for anyone looking for a relaxing, low stakes read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for a review copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
A pleasant and beautifully illustrated food manga with low plot and high food value. Includes recipes!
Thoughts
Even though this is a spinoff, there's negligible plot going on in here, so if you haven't read Witch Hat Atelier, you won't be that confused about what's going on. Hardcore fans hoping for more story might be disappointed, because this is, as it turns out, basically a really well illustrated cookbook. Art is very appealing with a cozy fantasy feel to it and some cool character designs. The food also looks incredibly good, and thankfully we get recipes as well. Of note, the recipes are all fairly simple, but I'd hesitate to call them "easy." Things like fried foods and custards have the potential to go wrong, and beginner cooks might find some of the recipes a challenge. That said, I wouldn't call any of these recipes too complex either, so this set of recipes would work really well for anyone looking to try something a little more ambitious without having to spend more money on extra kitchen tools or pricier ingredients. But if you're not here for the recipes, that's fine too! It's a pleasant book, entirely in line with the usual iyashikei food manga genre, great for anyone looking for a relaxing, low stakes read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for a review copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Robotics;Notes Volume 1 by 5pb.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
tl;dr
A lot of information is packed into the beginning, but the piece shines, largely due to a very likable female protagonist.
Thoughts
Robotics;Notes is based on a visual novel, and that means there's going to be a LOT of stuff packed in, in an attempt to merge enough information from all the different playthroughs of the game. The manga manages this pretty well, although the front end is fairly information-dense, largely by necessity. There's the robotics club. There's the Anemome Incident. There's the online game Kill Ballad. There's Aki's absent sister. There's the mysterious "popular anime" that aired ten years ago (random coincidence: the Robotics;Notes anime aired about ten years ago). There's a strange girl who stands on rooftops. There's a lot to cover. Thankfully Aki's enthusiasm is catching, and it's easy to keep turning pages to cheer for her success. She's the core of this manga, moving the story forward by sheer force of will. Kaito acts as a decent snarky foil, content to spend most of his days playing online games, but willing to rise to an ambitious challenge, given the right motivation. Other characters all look fun, given their brief introductions, and I look forward to getting to know them better in future installments. Art is nice, very closely matching the style of the games, with a couple fun panels and some cool looking robots.
Robotics;Notes is part of the science adventure series alongside Steins;Gate and Chaos;Head, but I'd classify this one as probably less dramatic than the other two. Then again, with an opening scene like that, who knows where we might go?
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A lot of information is packed into the beginning, but the piece shines, largely due to a very likable female protagonist.
Thoughts
Robotics;Notes is based on a visual novel, and that means there's going to be a LOT of stuff packed in, in an attempt to merge enough information from all the different playthroughs of the game. The manga manages this pretty well, although the front end is fairly information-dense, largely by necessity. There's the robotics club. There's the Anemome Incident. There's the online game Kill Ballad. There's Aki's absent sister. There's the mysterious "popular anime" that aired ten years ago (random coincidence: the Robotics;Notes anime aired about ten years ago). There's a strange girl who stands on rooftops. There's a lot to cover. Thankfully Aki's enthusiasm is catching, and it's easy to keep turning pages to cheer for her success. She's the core of this manga, moving the story forward by sheer force of will. Kaito acts as a decent snarky foil, content to spend most of his days playing online games, but willing to rise to an ambitious challenge, given the right motivation. Other characters all look fun, given their brief introductions, and I look forward to getting to know them better in future installments. Art is nice, very closely matching the style of the games, with a couple fun panels and some cool looking robots.
Robotics;Notes is part of the science adventure series alongside Steins;Gate and Chaos;Head, but I'd classify this one as probably less dramatic than the other two. Then again, with an opening scene like that, who knows where we might go?
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Abandonment
Manga Classics Stories of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A fairly faithful adaptation featuring several different artists with appropriately scary artwork. A great way to introduce newer readers to Poe's works.
Thoughts
I've never read the Manga Classics series before, but I always enjoy a good Poe adaptation, so I jumped at the chance to check this out. I'll refrain from reviewing the stories themselves, since it's Poe, and you probably already know if you like his work or not. (But if you don't know, Fall of the House of Usher is always a strong recommend from me.)
This book is a collection of some of his most famous works (Telltale Heart, The Raven, Cask of Amontillado, Masque of Red Death, and Fall of the House of Usher), each illustrated by a different artist. Style varies across the board, although all of the pieces have been adapted very faithfully. Telltale Heart leans into heavy use of blacks, making the nighttime sequences feel very ominous. The Raven is appropriately dreamlike in nature, with some really cool angles in the layout. Cask of Amontillado's characters are highly expressive, especially as the story goes on. Masque of Red Death is probably what most people think of when you say "manga style," with more use of tones and delicate lines that fit right in with the decadent atmosphere of the story. Fall of the House of Usher has some heavy and sometimes messy inks that really nail the gothic feeling of the story, and remind me quite a bit of a lot of the novel->comic books I used to read as a kid. A handful of character design sketches and layout thumbnails are also included, which are always a treat for art fans.
Overall, this book feels like a really great introduction to some of Poe's most famous works, with very accessible and moody art across the board.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for a review copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
A fairly faithful adaptation featuring several different artists with appropriately scary artwork. A great way to introduce newer readers to Poe's works.
Thoughts
I've never read the Manga Classics series before, but I always enjoy a good Poe adaptation, so I jumped at the chance to check this out. I'll refrain from reviewing the stories themselves, since it's Poe, and you probably already know if you like his work or not. (But if you don't know, Fall of the House of Usher is always a strong recommend from me.)
This book is a collection of some of his most famous works (Telltale Heart, The Raven, Cask of Amontillado, Masque of Red Death, and Fall of the House of Usher), each illustrated by a different artist. Style varies across the board, although all of the pieces have been adapted very faithfully. Telltale Heart leans into heavy use of blacks, making the nighttime sequences feel very ominous. The Raven is appropriately dreamlike in nature, with some really cool angles in the layout. Cask of Amontillado's characters are highly expressive, especially as the story goes on. Masque of Red Death is probably what most people think of when you say "manga style," with more use of tones and delicate lines that fit right in with the decadent atmosphere of the story. Fall of the House of Usher has some heavy and sometimes messy inks that really nail the gothic feeling of the story, and remind me quite a bit of a lot of the novel->comic books I used to read as a kid. A handful of character design sketches and layout thumbnails are also included, which are always a treat for art fans.
Overall, this book feels like a really great introduction to some of Poe's most famous works, with very accessible and moody art across the board.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for a review copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Terminal illness, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
How to Fix a Flubbed Summon by L.N. Clarke
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A fantasy adventure in a whimsical world featuring a colorful cast of characters, and a playful narrative.
Thoughts
The author describes her work as whimsical, and I am inclined to agree. There's a playfulness to the narrative, with several tongue-in-cheek descriptions of this Very Serious World, and plenty of subverted expectations. The guide to plants in particular speaks with a dry humor that I really enjoy. World-building is a little wibbly, but this feels largely on purpose. It's a fun ride, and it's easier not to ask toooo many questions about what's going on with all the magic. From what I can tell, this book was originally written for Kindle Vella, which means chapters were released one at a time. You can feel this a little bit with chapters feeling more like short episodes rather than connected scenes, as it bounces between two separate story threads that eventually come together. Florian's arc feels more adventure-like in nature, and I found myself really liking the motley bunch of characters he fell in with. Growina's story starts more cozy fantasy-like, with a larger cast of slightly less endearing folks as she navigates things like making friends or trying to convince people to try new food. If you're looking for an adventure with bright characters and less baggage than your average fantasy, give this book a look.
Thanks to NetGalley and Naughtobelus Books LLC for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A fantasy adventure in a whimsical world featuring a colorful cast of characters, and a playful narrative.
Thoughts
The author describes her work as whimsical, and I am inclined to agree. There's a playfulness to the narrative, with several tongue-in-cheek descriptions of this Very Serious World, and plenty of subverted expectations. The guide to plants in particular speaks with a dry humor that I really enjoy. World-building is a little wibbly, but this feels largely on purpose. It's a fun ride, and it's easier not to ask toooo many questions about what's going on with all the magic. From what I can tell, this book was originally written for Kindle Vella, which means chapters were released one at a time. You can feel this a little bit with chapters feeling more like short episodes rather than connected scenes, as it bounces between two separate story threads that eventually come together. Florian's arc feels more adventure-like in nature, and I found myself really liking the motley bunch of characters he fell in with. Growina's story starts more cozy fantasy-like, with a larger cast of slightly less endearing folks as she navigates things like making friends or trying to convince people to try new food. If you're looking for an adventure with bright characters and less baggage than your average fantasy, give this book a look.
Thanks to NetGalley and Naughtobelus Books LLC for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Police brutality, and War
Nina the Starry Bride, Vol. 1 by Rikachi
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Beautiful artwork, and an intriguing setup for a series about palace drama.
Thoughts
First off - yes the art really is that good throughout. Delicate lines, nice tones, and gorgeous large panels are the order of the day, making this a very pleasing manga to look at. Which is good, because the story can get pretty dark in some places. It's got all the messy political stuff one would expect from a story where a child plucked from the streets suddenly has to pose as royalty. Nina is a great lead, refusing to be a doormat for someone else's politics, but also canny enough to play things smart. Azure is an interesting foil, someone else also trapped by the cards dealt to them, but he keeps his reasons close, and I'm curious to learn more about his motives and plans as the series continues. We have yet to meet the final piece of our lead trio in this volume, but the two leads so far are great to read, and I'm curious to know what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Beautiful artwork, and an intriguing setup for a series about palace drama.
Thoughts
First off - yes the art really is that good throughout. Delicate lines, nice tones, and gorgeous large panels are the order of the day, making this a very pleasing manga to look at. Which is good, because the story can get pretty dark in some places. It's got all the messy political stuff one would expect from a story where a child plucked from the streets suddenly has to pose as royalty. Nina is a great lead, refusing to be a doormat for someone else's politics, but also canny enough to play things smart. Azure is an interesting foil, someone else also trapped by the cards dealt to them, but he keeps his reasons close, and I'm curious to learn more about his motives and plans as the series continues. We have yet to meet the final piece of our lead trio in this volume, but the two leads so far are great to read, and I'm curious to know what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement, Slavery, and War
Soul Beat, Volume 1: The Payback by Saturday AM, Morganne Walker
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
tl;dr
Fun, fast-paced, and slightly irreverent, this series would be right at home on Toonami.
Thoughts
The publisher's name Saturday AM evokes images of early Saturday morning cartoons, but if I had to place this series, I'd air in on Toonami. It's got punchy (literally) action, a quick-paced storyline, and snappy humor. Dante is adult-aged, which lends a lot of weight to his confidence. So much so that when he says he's going to kill the devil, I genuinely believe he can, despite all the naysayers within the comic itself. He's also got a strong sense of justice that makes him very easy to cheer for. Supporting cast are also likable, with the mentor and/or sidekick character looking like he's also going to be a great foil for Dante. A strong start to the series, and I am looking forward to more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Rockport Publishing for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Fun, fast-paced, and slightly irreverent, this series would be right at home on Toonami.
Thoughts
The publisher's name Saturday AM evokes images of early Saturday morning cartoons, but if I had to place this series, I'd air in on Toonami. It's got punchy (literally) action, a quick-paced storyline, and snappy humor. Dante is adult-aged, which lends a lot of weight to his confidence. So much so that when he says he's going to kill the devil, I genuinely believe he can, despite all the naysayers within the comic itself. He's also got a strong sense of justice that makes him very easy to cheer for. Supporting cast are also likable, with the mentor and/or sidekick character looking like he's also going to be a great foil for Dante. A strong start to the series, and I am looking forward to more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Rockport Publishing for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Torture, Murder, and War
Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson, Brian Sitts
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
tl;dr
With a quick pace and multiple cases, this book feels like watching a television police procedural.
Thoughts
This is my first time reading any James Patterson, but the title did its job thoroughly in catching my attention, so props there. I'm led to believe that the writing style of short chapters and concurrent threads is standard for Patterson, so any fans of his work will be right at home here. I was also zero percent surprised to discover the co-writer Brian Stitts also works in television, since this entire book feels like reading a television show. Prose is straightforward, reading in some places like stage directions on a script, and the pacing felt like a modern police procedural, complete with several ongoing mysteries and a light touch of personal lives from our three leads to keep the engine moving. Even the end of the book feels like a season finale stinger. The mysteries are all interesting, but this isn't a solve-along book, so results reveal themselves in a more Conan Doyle style than a Christie one. A handful of minor details that don't pertain to the mysteries feel a bit jarring (Marple knows not to refer to a Korean woman by her first name because it's culturally insensitive, but does not call her by her job title, which would be most ideal; A haute cuisine dinner menu includes "ferns" instead of "fiddleheads"). I think my only real complaint is that my biggest mystery remains entirely unsolved: Why aren't they Holmes, Marple, and Dupin? And why hasn't anyone inside the book asked that too?
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
With a quick pace and multiple cases, this book feels like watching a television police procedural.
Thoughts
This is my first time reading any James Patterson, but the title did its job thoroughly in catching my attention, so props there. I'm led to believe that the writing style of short chapters and concurrent threads is standard for Patterson, so any fans of his work will be right at home here. I was also zero percent surprised to discover the co-writer Brian Stitts also works in television, since this entire book feels like reading a television show. Prose is straightforward, reading in some places like stage directions on a script, and the pacing felt like a modern police procedural, complete with several ongoing mysteries and a light touch of personal lives from our three leads to keep the engine moving. Even the end of the book feels like a season finale stinger. The mysteries are all interesting, but this isn't a solve-along book, so results reveal themselves in a more Conan Doyle style than a Christie one. A handful of minor details that don't pertain to the mysteries feel a bit jarring (Marple knows not to refer to a Korean woman by her first name because it's culturally insensitive, but does not call her by her job title, which would be most ideal; A haute cuisine dinner menu includes "ferns" instead of "fiddleheads"). I think my only real complaint is that my biggest mystery remains entirely unsolved: Why aren't they Holmes, Marple, and Dupin? And why hasn't anyone inside the book asked that too?
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A complicated set of lead characters set against a science vs. magic backdrop. Feels like a lot of pins being set up to be knocked over in future installments.
Thoughts
First off, be aware the genre is science fantasy. A giant portal opened up and people with missiles and smart phones came out of it. Calling it straight fantasy is going to set up some wildly wrong expectations. The "science vs. magic" thing has never been of interest to me, but I really like checking out debut novels, and the cover was too good to ignore. The verdict? Still to come! A lot of this book is scene-setting for future installments, which promise to swing a lot harder, so I feel like I can't accurately decide how I feel until I see how it ends. But for now, let's break down what we do have. Ruying is, by her own admission, a coward, and her navigation of an impossible situation is probably the most realistic incarnation I've read in a while. Her sister is more the "hero" type, and in another book in another world, she probably would be the fearless protagonist. I liked the choice to focus on a very un-heroic MC and the choices one has to make in a space where there are no correct moves - only moves of varying levels of wrongness. I also enjoyed the multiple plot threads running at the same time with various political bents.
The romance is where this series is going to be the most divisive. Falling in love with one's captor is a tale as old as time, and in this case it feels ill-advised. Antony pragmatically presents himself as the least of many evils, and he's probably right. That doesn't mean dating has to be on the table, and despite the fact that a chapter from his POV indicates his feelings are genuine, I'm still not a fan. That being said, the ending is a major turning point that promises some big moves in future installments. I shall have to wait patiently until then.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A complicated set of lead characters set against a science vs. magic backdrop. Feels like a lot of pins being set up to be knocked over in future installments.
Thoughts
First off, be aware the genre is science fantasy. A giant portal opened up and people with missiles and smart phones came out of it. Calling it straight fantasy is going to set up some wildly wrong expectations. The "science vs. magic" thing has never been of interest to me, but I really like checking out debut novels, and the cover was too good to ignore. The verdict? Still to come! A lot of this book is scene-setting for future installments, which promise to swing a lot harder, so I feel like I can't accurately decide how I feel until I see how it ends. But for now, let's break down what we do have. Ruying is, by her own admission, a coward, and her navigation of an impossible situation is probably the most realistic incarnation I've read in a while. Her sister is more the "hero" type, and in another book in another world, she probably would be the fearless protagonist. I liked the choice to focus on a very un-heroic MC and the choices one has to make in a space where there are no correct moves - only moves of varying levels of wrongness. I also enjoyed the multiple plot threads running at the same time with various political bents.
The romance is where this series is going to be the most divisive. Falling in love with one's captor is a tale as old as time, and in this case it feels ill-advised. Antony pragmatically presents himself as the least of many evils, and he's probably right. That doesn't mean dating has to be on the table, and despite the fact that a chapter from his POV indicates his feelings are genuine, I'm still not a fan. That being said, the ending is a major turning point that promises some big moves in future installments. I shall have to wait patiently until then.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
For readers who like their haunting gothic tales with plenty of spice.
Thoughts
Gothic novels have always been a mixed bag for me. I love the aesthetic, but I often find myself let down by tepid endings that don't always fulfill the carefully laden promise. The Cruel Dark does no such thing, instead sticking the landing so beautifully and so perfectly that I immediately want to dive back in and read it again. You've got all the trademarks of a gothic novel - an intelligent young woman who sees ghosts (or DOES SHE?), a crumbling mansion that's seen better days, and a brooding love interest who may or may not be exceedingly dangerous. All of these are stitched together in a tense atmosphere with a hint of Rebecca, and a healthy dose of spice for readers who like it sexy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
For readers who like their haunting gothic tales with plenty of spice.
Thoughts
Gothic novels have always been a mixed bag for me. I love the aesthetic, but I often find myself let down by tepid endings that don't always fulfill the carefully laden promise. The Cruel Dark does no such thing, instead sticking the landing so beautifully and so perfectly that I immediately want to dive back in and read it again. You've got all the trademarks of a gothic novel - an intelligent young woman who sees ghosts (or DOES SHE?), a crumbling mansion that's seen better days, and a brooding love interest who may or may not be exceedingly dangerous. All of these are stitched together in a tense atmosphere with a hint of Rebecca, and a healthy dose of spice for readers who like it sexy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bea Northwick for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 1 by Natsuya Semikawa
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
tl;dr
The comfort food version of manga. An incredibly pleasant read with lovely illustrations and low drama.
Thoughts
Much like the comfort food featured in this series, Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is warm and familiar with no real surprises, and that's the best thing about it. Each vignette takes on the same formula of a person in some kind of need finding solace in delicious food at a slightly magical izakaya, by trying out a new (for them) Japanese dish. I was delighted to see how well it captured the experience of eating: the one of a guy eating sushi for the first time was hilariously on point; and the hot tofu dish was such a pitch-perfect rendition of trying and failing to wait for a dish to cool before eating it, because it's just too good to wait. Reactions are large and joyous without going as far as the famous "foodgasms" of other food manga, and the food illustrations are extremely tasty. Anyone looking for a cozy, comforting, drama-free read will leave Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu satisfied, if not a little bit hungry for some Japanese food.
Edit: My review of the second volume is up now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
The comfort food version of manga. An incredibly pleasant read with lovely illustrations and low drama.
Thoughts
Much like the comfort food featured in this series, Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is warm and familiar with no real surprises, and that's the best thing about it. Each vignette takes on the same formula of a person in some kind of need finding solace in delicious food at a slightly magical izakaya, by trying out a new (for them) Japanese dish. I was delighted to see how well it captured the experience of eating: the one of a guy eating sushi for the first time was hilariously on point; and the hot tofu dish was such a pitch-perfect rendition of trying and failing to wait for a dish to cool before eating it, because it's just too good to wait. Reactions are large and joyous without going as far as the famous "foodgasms" of other food manga, and the food illustrations are extremely tasty. Anyone looking for a cozy, comforting, drama-free read will leave Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu satisfied, if not a little bit hungry for some Japanese food.
Edit: My review of the second volume is up now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and War