Genre: Manga

Review – Solo Leveling, vol 1

Posted May 28, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – Solo Leveling, vol 1

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Genres: Manga
Pages: 320
Series: Solo Leveling #1
Rating: three-stars
Synopsis:

Known as the the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind, E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung's contribution to raids amounts to trying not to get killed. Unfortunately, between his mother’s hospital bills, his sister's tuition, and his own lack of job prospects, he has no choice but to continue to put his life on the line. So when an opportunity arises for a bigger payout, he takes it… only to come face-to-face with a being whose power outranks anything he’s ever seen! With the party leader missing an arm and the only healer a quivering mess, can Jinwoo some­how find them a way out?

Someone I follow online has been super enthusiastic about Solo Leveling for a while, so when I found volume one of the manhwa in the local indie bookshop, it seemed like a sign (especially as it didn’t seem much like anything else they have in stock). I liked the art okay, though I didn’t always keep track of who was who very well, probably in part because they were a bit “cannon fodder” ish — this book is really an introduction, and ends with Jinwoo’s first solo instance.

I enjoyed it, though it really does feel like just reading a prologue. It sets up the world and the basics pretty well (it helps for me that I’m familiar with gaming, admittedly), and it gives us a solid feel for who Jinwoo is and what he wants/needs out of life.

I’m curious to see where it goes, and I might check out the light novels as well. It’s hard to say whether it’s for me just from this first volume, because it feels like things could turn out really different once it gets into the meat of the story. We’ll see!

Rating: 3/5

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Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 12

Posted May 18, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 12

A Side Character's Love Story

by Akane Tamura

Genres: Manga, Romance
Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #12
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

"The long summer is finally at an end, and I've just realized that I don't have much time left as a college student."

With her job hunt concluded at last, Nobuko accepts a position in Ehime after graduation. Though she enjoys what little time remains of her college life with Hiroki and Fumi, she is constantly plagued with anxiety for the future. And as her graduation trip with Hiroki draws near, thoughts of doing "more than kissing" are on her mind, as well...

In volume 12 of A Side Character’s Love Story, Hiroki and Nobuko are thinking about “going further” than kissing. It feels surprisingly “immature” from my point of view, given how long they’ve been dating, but it’s a different culture and also, people just develop at different paces — I felt cross at myself for being kind of judgy. Hiroki is lovely about it, of course.

One thing about this volume is that we do hear a bit of detail about Shirosaki-san, which is new: she tried dating, but found that she had no real interest in kissing or going further. The way it’s described in the scene, I wonder if Shirosaki-san is meant to be asexual.

As ever, Hiroki and Nobuko are really cute, all the same.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 7

Posted May 13, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 7

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Lamp, Magonote, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 192
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #7
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Lizel, the gentle noble from another world, generally spends his time relentlessly pursuing his hobbies and challenging himself inside labyrinths alongside his party. This time, Lizel, Gil, and Eleven stumble upon an arm wrestling contest for a prize that Lizel desperately wants: a new book. Will he be able to convince Single Stroke Gil to enter the contest for him?

And later, when a sudden horde of monsters appears near Marcade, Lizel notices that this isn't any ordinary invasion: these monsters are strategizing and targeting certain areas of the city. Will C-Rank Lizel be able to convince the fellow Adventurers defending Marcade to change their strategy in the face of such an abnormal invasion?

Volume seven of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation featured at least five instances of me giggling and taking my ereader to show my wife a page or panel, at least two instances of “platonic” cheek stroking, one “platonic” tucking-of-hair-behind-an-ear and one platonic Lizel-grabbing-Gil’s-hand to beg him to win him a book.

Yep, I continue extremely sceptical about how these books are totally just showing “deep camaraderie”. Which, don’t get me wrong, is a lovely thing, but this doesn’t feel like that. It genuinely seems like Gil and Eleven love Lizel, while Studd and Judge have serious crushes — and their physical intimacies don’t help at all with that, though they’re not the only reason.

I loved that we get several glimpses at Gil fighting, and how very, very overpowered he is. I’m also very curious what Lizel’s up to, overall (the man’s mind is wheels within wheels), and what’s going on with the attack on Marcade.

So, yep, still in love with this series, still wish more people would read it. I do feel at times like explanations are a bit lacking, which is probably part the format and part the translation, plus some cultural stuff (the things that go without saying in a particular culture’s stories, or are heavily implied by something else in the story, may need to be spelled out in that of another, perhaps).

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 11

Posted April 25, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 11

A Side Character's Love Story

by Akane Tamura

Genres: Manga, Romance
Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #11
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

The last year of Nobuko and Hiroki's time together as college students is upon them.

It's springtime, and job hunting is in full swing for college seniors. Hiroki does his best to support Nobuko, who is caught between studying for the civil service exam and searching for a private sector job. Facing her first real barrier of entry into society, Nobuko worries for the future. What can Hiroki say to help when she begins losing sight of herself?

Volume eleven of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story keeps up on the theme of the last volume: Nobuko and Hiroki are growing up, having different sorts of trouble, and sometimes being kept apart by circumstance.

It’s really quite a bit of development for Nobuko as a character, with Hiroki somewhat in the background, as Nobuko tries to navigate interviewing for jobs and figuring out what she wants to do, and how to show her interest and passion for it. As ever, Hiroki is willing to support her no matter what, and shows his support even when the outcome isn’t what he might prefer.

Really, they’re #relationshipgoals.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 6

Posted April 20, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 6

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Sando, Magonote, Lamp

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 192
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #6
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

Volume six of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation is a delight in which we actually get to see a bit more of the King and even Lizel’s father! As do Gil and Eleven, because the King manages to make a portal to talk directly to Lizel.

Aaand after that, he feels a bit freer to travel and there’s a trip to the hot springs, among other things, in which he and Eleven practically melt and have to be carried off by Gil like two sacks of spuds, it’s great.

There’s nothing earthshaking happening in these books, it really is just Lizel amusing himself while he waits to go home. I love it.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 10

Posted April 14, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Side Character’s Love Story, vol 10

A Side Character's Love Story

by Akane Tamura

Genres: Manga, Romance
Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #10
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

"What can I do to move towards a future with you?"

As spring rolls around, Nobuko and Hiroki celebrate their birthdays together. Their third year of college brings with it a number of changes, causing plenty of anxiety for Nobuko -- until Hiroki makes a suggestion... The two of them begin fumbling towards a future after graduation, even as they grapple with their more affectionate impulses.

Volume ten of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story is all about Hiroki and Nobuko navigating their relationship as it becomes both more settled and a bit more difficult — when they’re rushed off their feet, studying hard, and not able to see each other so often, so there’s a risk of distance and growing apart.

I really love that they repeatedly communicate their way through problems and make promises to each other about it. It’s cute, and also a great model for how you can work through a relationship if you’re brave enough to talk — even when that’s difficult, as it is for Nobuko.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 5

Posted April 8, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 5

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 210
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #5
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

Volume five of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation features Eleven properly joining the party, wooo! We also see a bit more of Viscount Ray — and watch Lizel shamelessly manipulating matters to get what he wants.

I’m still deeply amused by people insisting this series isn’t a romance, because it really comes across like protesting too much when you have Eleven leaning across to cup and gently stroke Lizel’s cheek while asking to stay at his side. Like sure, this isn’t a kissing book, but Gil and Eleven (and plenty of others) are deeply drawn to Lizel, and it ends up coming across as preeeetty weird to keep insisting “no homo”.

I mean, maybe lots of people platonically gently stroke non-family members’ hair/cheeks and beg to stay at their side, but it’s pretty romance-coded, let’s be honest about this now.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 4

Posted April 3, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 4

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 200
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #4
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

In the fourth volume of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, the bandit plot continues, and the red-haired adventurer who has been interested in joining them before gets a bit more serious, introducing himself as Eleven. His antics give us a more serious side of Lizel — seriously, don’t get on his bad side — which is intriguing. It’s my understanding that the light novel makes it clear that Lizel’s actively manipulating people around him, which is implied several times in the manga, but perhaps less explicit: this time makes it pretty clear.

The Gil/Lizel vibes take slightly more of a back seat to Lizel/Eleven vibes, but there’s still a sense that Gil is the only one Lizel considers an equal, the only one he allows to see all sides of him.

It’s more and more obvious that there are barely any women in the series, which is a bit eyebrow-raising, but I still love the art and the dynamic between Gil and Lizel.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 3

Posted March 17, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 3

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 208
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

After defeating the underground dragon and finishing up their business in the mercantile city of Marcade, Lizel and Gil resume their journey, having promised Judge's grandfather to protect Judge along the way. But danger soon catches up to them when a strange group of bandits called the Forky Gang attacks in the middle of the night! It quickly becomes clear that someone is targeting Lizel... but who could it be, and for what reason?

As always, former noble and current adventurer Lizel takes all new developments in stride in his usual, laid-back fashion. He's celebrating his promotion from a simple E-rank to a D-rank adventurer — and setting his sights on ranking up again soon!

In the third volume of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, we get to see a brief glimpse of the world Lizel came from, which is pretty exciting. Aaaand the character interactions throughout the volume really make it seem like people doth protest too much about this not being M/M romance: even if Gil and Lizel aren’t meant to be together, Judge and Studd clearly have a crush on Lizel — that’s pretty much text, as they both bicker about being allowed to sleep beside him and the fact that Judge was allowed to hold his hand as he slept (after being scared by a bandit attack).

Plus Gil and Lizel’s bond is pretty close too, with Gil basically saying that nothing matters as long as he stays with Lizel. C’mon, folks.

I still wonder if it would help to read the original light novel, to help smooth out and clarify the plot — I do suspect at times that this being an adaptation means that things aren’t always as obvious to me as I could wish. Still, I continue excited to see where this is going, and if anything will finally rattle Lizel’s calm.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 2

Posted March 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 2

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 176
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #2
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

I really enjoyed volume two of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation (story by Misaki, manga adaptation by Momochi). I am wondering where it’s all going exactly, and wondering if things would be clearer if the light novel had been translated, because I’d definitely grab that right now if I could. It feels like there are currents I don’t understand, and I don’t know whether that’s because we’re just not being told yet, or because there’s something lost in translation… or whether the writing’s just unclear.

It’s funny how vehement some reviewers are that this isn’t M/M romance. Honestly, it’s starting to feel like every male character is in love with Lizel! I’m fine with it not being romance, to be clear, but it does heavily lean that way. (The ads for M/M manga in the back also suggest that’s deliberate, let’s be real.)

I’m definitely eager to see both more of the world and more of Lizel’s actual character; his unflappability is fascinating, as is the brief crack in it which Gil sees. I enjoy their friendship a lot. And I still love the art and character designs.

Rating: 4/5

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