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• Haridama Magic Cram School Volume One

Like so many other popular tales these days, Haridama Magic Cram School focuses on exactly what you'd expect after a cursory glance at the title: scrappy young heroes studying magic and becoming the most powerful wizards in the world, and so on and so forth. However, in this world, the Western idea of magic is thrown out the window, thus leading us to the series' sole unique quality.

• Metro Survive Volume One

I'm going to start this review off by saying I'm not usually one to read more adult-aimed, dramatic manga. So, while the description of Metro Survive sounded interesting, I didn't really know what to expect going into it. In fact, given the older teen rating for American audiences, I didn't even know it was a seinen story. However, make no mistake, the story of Metro Survive is as gripping and dramatic as any top-selling novel.

• Classical Medley Volume One

It takes only a few lines before you get a sugar rush from the cutesy names of the characters in this manga: Prince Soprano, his bodyguard Alto, his moon-dragon Mezzo (Classical Medley, get it?). The storyline fortunately does rise a bit above the cringe-inducing naming scheme. Soprano and Alto are more than just bodyguard and prince, they’re best friends. At fifteen, Alto is a very accomplished young warrior, part of the king’s quintet of knights, and Soprano is, well, you get Soprano is good at being a pampered prince and used to not really having to do much or think for himself.

• Great Place High School

The Information Management Club (don’t call it a computer club!) is a loose group of weirdoes, presided over by the overstressed Tsuruga. On top of dealing with his crazed twin brother, two cousins who fight over everything, a bear-like giant with a cuteness fetish, and the insane student council president and the VP, who has a sadistic hold over him, Tsuruga also has to put up with the club’s newest member, Minami, an adorably stupid boy with a tendency toward breaking electronics.

• Don't Blame Me

Middle-school student, Makoto, chooses just the right moment to visit his cousin, Toshi—when Toshi’s friends from college are visiting. The crazy bunch of former film club members are more than ready to tell Makoto stories about their college years, such as how they met, their various romances, and, most surprising to Makoto, about how Toshi met the love of his life, the shy and grumpy, Iku.

• Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives Volume One

This is an American manga based off a young adult vampire series, one that hits literally every vampire cliché I know of. Apparently, that doesn’t put off young readers though, since the novel series is several books in. However, to be honest, while this is a cliché fest, it’s still mildly entertaining. The manga managed to put me off in the first two pages by introducing us to the characters, spoiling the first chapter entirely. These types of character summaries are better left to later volumes to refresh returning readers, rather than slap new readers with unnecessary exposition that we’re about to learn on our own in a matter of a few pages.

• A Love Song for the Miserable

Asada was at an especially low point in his life when he met the eager young pastry chef, Nao, and found a happiness he’d never known before. But before Asada could figure out what his feelings meant, Nao informed Asada that he was moving to France to study. Asada reacted badly, pushing Nao away, seemingly forever. Now, three years later, Asada’s life is back on track, when Nao crosses his path again. Can Asada mend the damage he did years ago and can two young men learn to sing a song of true love?

• Zombie Loan Volume Three

Volume three of Zombie Loan picks up from volume two’s cliff-hanger: Michiru and Koyomi, in their French Maid costumes, accidentally getting mixed up in a party of serial killer fans, a party in honor of the Butterfly Killer. Shito and Chika also remain on the killer’s trail. It doesn’t take long for Michiru to get herself into trouble or to rouse the dangerous being, Yomi, out of her slumber inside of Koyomi.

• The President’s Time

Mutsuki Nagasawa is the fifth president of Biei Cosmetics. His company is strong, and has weathered storms that sunk other enterprises, but one thing troubles him. It’s been eight years since his father’s death and he hasn’t been able to fulfill his father’s last request—that he become an Evil President. When he meets a mysterious young man named Makoto Torii, Mutsuki discovers a love that endangers his plans for evilness. Will Mutsuki ever be able to show his evil nature by completing a “Ding Dong Dash”, or crossing the road on a red light, or will the allies of justice triumph over all?

• Chocolat Volume Five

Finally the wait is over and volume five of Chocolat (originally released by ICE Kunion, but picked up by Yen Press) is available. The romantic comedy revolves around Kum-Ji, a young woman who is a huge fan of the band DDL. Unfortunately, their fan club is full, so instead she joins the club for the up-and-coming band, Yo-I, who often perform with DDL, thereby allowing her to see her idols. But emotions clash when devilish band member, E-Soh, falls for her, yet she develops feelings for the sullen E-Wan.

• Love Recipe Volume One

Love Recipe volume one introduces us to Tomonori Ozawa, an enthusiastic youth who gets hired at his dream location, a large publishing firm. Much to his surprise, he gets placed in the boys’ love department! Everything is pretty strange, and a tad disturbing, to him at first with the swooning desk workers and fans eager for more boys loving boys. One day he’s sent by his boss to the home of famous yaoi artist, Sakurako Kakyoin, to pick up their manga. What he doesn’t expect is that Kakyoin is actually a man, a man who not only draws yaoi but who also falls for Tomonori at first sight!

• Zombie Loan Volume Two

Volume two of Zombie Loan cranks up the action a bit, now that all the introductions are over. This series started out iffy, but it’s begun to pick up speed here. Michiru, having walked out on the relatives stealing her inheritance, is put up at the dorms where the zombie agents live. She meets the big bosomed (you have to have fan service, right?) Koyomi, as well as the chancellor of the school, a gothic loli girl of about ten (or so she looks), named Shimotsuki. Koyomi and Shimotsuki are a study in opposites. The former is very ebullient and friendly while the latter is highly reserved and cryptic. Determined to make the most of the decrepit dorm, Michiru sets out to clean, while Koyomi works up a little welcoming party.

• Love Bus Stop

Businessmen have feelings, too, as this collection of romantic stories shows. Tsusuki has a secret: he’s been fantasizing about the delicate, younger businessman who waits at the same bus stop. He doesn’t even know the man’s name, but his thoughts turn toward naughty deeds whenever he appears. Kirishima has grown up and given up on childish wishes, but when a high school crush starts working at his office, will Kirishima be able to maintain his façade? Tohyama, a middle school teacher normal in everyway, can’t get the local flower shop owner to quit propositioning him. And lastly, at a welcoming party for new hires, the more-than-slightly-drunk Kudaka greets new employee, Kouda, with a kiss, but Kouda may not be satisfied with just touching lips.

• Psycho Busters Volume One

Psycho Busters is a manga adaptation of a series of YA novels by the same name, which I reviewed recently. The manga is a fairly faithful adaptation with a few changes here and there such as the central character is Kakeru, who has been aged up a year to fifteen.

While the females in his family go to Hawaii, and Dad is working in another city, Kakeru plans to stay at home and just enjoy his time alone. In other words, eat take out, play games and stroke himself to his dad’s porn stash (seriously). The action begins as he quests through the house for a box of tissues and stumbles on a naked translucent girl in his room.