Episode 73 - The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity by Saki Mikami
Rintaro Tsumugi attends Chidori High. It's a boy’s school that only takes the dregs of society, which just happens to stand next door to the prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High! While the girls from this elite school never dream of socialising with anyone from Chidori, Kaoruko just happens to have a sweet tooth and when she notices Rintaro behind the counter of his family’s Cake Shop, suddenly pastries aren’t the only thing she’s got her eye on! Can these 'star crossed lovers' from two different schools make it work?On this week's episode of Manga Tak, I sat down with MargReadsManga to discuss the excellent The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity by Saki Mikami! Join us as we discuss how Maki manages to successfully tell a Shonen romance with Shojo elements, compare the manga to the new anime from CloverWorks and give some manga recommendations on what to read next! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!Find us on:X: Manga Tak PodBluesky: Manga Tak PodInstagram: Manga Tak Pod
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Episode 72 - Takopi's Original Sin by Taizan 5
CONTENT WARNING: This episode deals with some pretty heavy themes including suicide and physical abuse, so skip this one if you're not comfortable with those topics!After a small, octopus looking alien from the Planet Happy arrives on Earth, determined to spread happiness to everyone he meets, he runs into a morose young girl called Shizuka who isn’t impressed with his happy gadgets... In fact, maybe it'd be better for everyone if he didn't get involved at all...This week, Mat is joined by RAMZEE for one of the most difficult books we've discussed so far on the podcast, Takopi's Original Sin by Taizan 5. Join us as we talk about how the book deals with difficult topics, the genius of it's open but hopeful ending and just how great the design of our foolish little octopus friend is!---Show Notes -Manga - Good Night Punpun by Inio Asano RAMZZE past appearances - Orb - Asadora! - Hunter x Hunter Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!Find us on:X: Manga Tak PodBluesky: Manga Tak PodInstagram: Manga Tak Pod
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Episode 71 - They Were 11! by Moto Hagio
Ten hopeful candidates embark on a test to survive for 53 days aboard an abandoned space shuttle to earn themselves a place at the prestigious Cosmo Academy. However, once inside the airlock they realise something is amiss: they are now eleven. Can they put their suspicions aside in order to pass? Or will the threats they face cause them to give into despair and abandon the test, and with it, their chances of getting into the academy?On this week's episode, Mat's joined not only by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) but also Pippa (aka StrawberryShojo) to talk about Moto Hagio's groundbreaking 1975 sci-fi shojo manga They Were 11! Join us as we discuss our feelings on sci-fi, the book's titular mystery, and, perhaps more importantly, it's core themes of gender and personhood!---Show Notes:Rachel Thorn interview with Moto Hagio.Who is Björn Andrésen?Death In VeniceMoto Hagio's other work in English: The Poe Clan - Otherworld Barbara - The Heart Of Thomas - A Drunken Dream - Lil' LeoThanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!Find us on:X: Manga Tak PodBluesky: Manga Tak PodInstagram: Manga Tak Pod
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Episode 70 - Search and Destroy by Atsushi Kaneko
In a world populated by mechanical 'creatures' and humans, where the lines between man and man-made are blurred, a girl called Hyaku straddles the line between human and mechanical. Fuelled by rage, she is targeting the high profile krechs of the underworld to seek vengeance, and her stolen body parts! Will it ease her pain? And more importantly, in doing so, will she regain her humanity?On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tom to discuss Search and Destroy by Atsushi Kaneko, published by Fantagraphics in partnership with MSX! We get into our knowledge of the source material, Osamu Tezuka's Dororo, reflect on the nature of 'covers' and 'homages' to pre-existing works, as well as gush about the themes and incredible art on display in the book!It's an episode not to be missed, and for the curious, the first chapter can be found online here for free!---Show Notes - ---Documentaries:The Atsushi Kaneko Documentary from Archipel.Podcasts:Mangasplaining!American Illustrators / Cartoonists:Daniel ClowesCharles BurnsFrank KozikLowbrow ArtMangaka:Moto HagioInio Asano (and Goodnight Pun Pun)Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!Find us on:X: Manga Tak PodBluesky: Manga Tak PodInstagram: Manga Tak Pod
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Episode 69 - You Can't Live All On Your Own by Mizoko Tsuno
This is the story of Shuuko, Eika, Misaki and Shio: four best friends who share an apartment together in the heart of the city. While they might share a roof, they all face individual problems! For Shuuko, it's the societal pressure to get married, for Eika, it's how to climb the corporate ladder. Misaki's trying to figure out her situation-ship and Shio's in a panic about how to balance her work / life balance now she's become a freelancer. Is isn't easy being in your twenties, but at least they've got each other!On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tsutsudae of Undisputed Anime to discuss You Can't Live All on Your Own by Mizoko Tsuno. We get into how we feel about this first volume of the three part series, which of the women's stories most resinated with us and our hopes for Mizoko Tsuno's future after reading her first work!Thanks to the folks at Tokyo Pop for providing a digital review copy of this book!Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!Find us on:X: Manga Tak PodBluesky: Manga Tak PodInstagram: Manga Tak Pod