Manga

This week I finally got caught up to Medalist. Wow! This one really deserves the awards it's received. I know I've said this before, but even if you have no interest in figure skating this is well worth the read. At first it's just enjoyable to watch Inori and her coach, Tsukasa, play off each other. Very soon it becomes fun to watch Inori interact with the other skaters and then eventually Tsukasa spends more time interacting with the other coaches and that was a blast too! The characters are great, the art is great, the tournaments are exciting. What more is there to ask for?

I've also made a bit of progress on Fullmetal Alchemist. Most people are already familiar with at least FMA: Brotherhood so I won't say much here other than "it's pretty good too".

Some highlights from my reading this past week:

• The Secret to a Happy Marriage Is Drinking Together at Night / Fuufu no Hiketsu wa Banshaku Desu

This has developed into a really nice and comfortable romance that actually features a married adult couple. I was worried a bit when I first saw the title that it would basically be a glorified ad for Japanese alcoholic beverages. However, the drinking together part is not a focus. Instead, the story focuses on how important it is to make time for your partner and try to do things together, even if you can only do small things together. The lead couple have opposing work schedules, so they need to really put in effort to do something as ordinary as having a meal together. As I like to joke with friends all the time, the calendar is the final boss of adulthood.

• After School, We Wander in Space / Houkago, Bokura wa Uchuu ni Madou

This series has really closely followed in the footsteps of Pseudo Harem. There is a ship that the whole rest of the cast wants to help set sail and the chemistry between the leads is a lot of fun. Also, the chemistry can be explosive, in that they are in a rocketry club together. So, it's been fun to nerd out over rockets a bit in the chapter discussion threads.

• The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse / Usuzumi no Hate

This series continues to be really great. It just wrapped up a side story that was quite touching. I can't really talk about this one too much without giving away spoilers to those that haven't read it, but I have really been enjoying this one ever since the story seemed to shift from an anthology-style series to a more linear narrative. Looking back on it, I didn't even notice at the time because it felt so natural. There was a very big spoiler that happened and that is when the style changed. Very neat.

Many. Probably too many since I had vacation and could relax!

Of notice Multiverse no Watashi, Koishite Ii desu ka?.

Jogo has a crush on his classmate, Miyato. One day, they unexpectedly end up walking home together after school. When Miyato is about to be hit by a truck, Jogo throws himself in harm's way to save her. In the final moment before impact, Jogo wishes he could have told Miyato how he felt. But then he hears a mysterious voice saying, "You can do it over. This time, don’t have any regrets." When he wakes up, he finds himself unharmed, lying on the ground, with a different version of Miyato beside him — she looks the same, but her clothes and hairstyle are different...?

Also managed to catch up with Meguro-san wa Hajimete ja Nai!