According to a recent post on Moetron it was announced in the latest issue of Weekly Shounen Magazine that Mahou Sensei Negima! would be finishing off serialisation at chapter 355.

This means that there are only 3 chapters remaining in the series – but after Wednesday’s publication Akamatsu will be taking a 2 week break in the run-up to the finale; chapter 353 will be published in the February 29 issue. Meaning that we’ll see the series end in the middle of March, probably.

Read the rest of this entry »

The term, harem, tends to crop up a lot when various anime series are discussed. Now, in the unlikely event that this is your first foray into anime, and visions of Arabic princes with forty-odd wives fill your head, I need to explain one or two things. Well, maybe one.

The word harem (like many other words) was simply adapted to describe situations in anime where the main character is male, and the majority of the remaining protagonists are female, are various ages within one or two years of the main character, and they all have various levels of feelings towards the main character. These feelings tend to vary in type and intensity.

Surrounded by beautiful girls - what more could a guy want? (Shuffle! and Seto no Hanayome)

Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve decided to start uploading my attempts at fan-art into individual posts, especially seeing as how my Anime Drawings page becomes an eternal scroll; that’s before I even have a lot of pics to show.

Anyways, this last attempt is of Urd from Ah! My Goddess when she reverted to her childhood form. Can’t remember exactly where it takes place in the manga, but in the anime version this happened in the OVAs between the first and second seasons. This was at the same point where Skuld suddenly turned into an adult – maybe at some point in the future I’ll be doing one of her too :)

The full size image is available on my DeviantArt profile – you can just click on the image to go there – for necessity’s sake, I had to resize it for the blog.

Lastly, this is a call out to any of my readers – should any of you want to submit a review, or a piece of your own fan-art, please feel free to send an e-mail to submissions at Quantumworx – and also, any bits of interesting news or rumors you want to see on here – feel free to use the blog’s contact form to let me know. I need some things to write about in between reviews.

After 3 years of providing South Africa’s fledgeling anime-community with information, reviews, write-ups and interesting news, the editor of the mag announced in the latest issue that the Otaku Anime and Lifestyle magazine has reached the end of the road.

The reason? Well, sadly, it all comes down to economics again. According to ZeroJ, Otaku’s editor, the magazine’s main sponsor pulled out of the agreement, and given the fact that the magazine wasn’t a part of a major publishing house, this was a heavy body blow – and not one from which they could recover. Not easily, in any case.

Anime really has come a long way in South Africa since the inception of the magazine 3 years ago. Whether it was due to the magazine’s influence or not, South Africa now has its own dedicated anime channel, Animax SA. As numerous as the complaints about the channel are, the fact that it is there cannot be ignored – and 17 months down the line it still appears to be going strong.

Otaku has also been making appearances at the annual Rage Expo – a gaming and technology expo that has been taking place for a number of years. South Africa also does not have any dedicated anime expo’s of its own, but inspired by Otaku mag, the anime junkies at UCT (University of Cape Town) have gotten together, and with the participation of the Otaku crew organised the first Cape Town Otaku Roadtrip in 2007. Attendance wasn’t massive, but it was a heck of a lot of fun, and it was followed by the second roadtrip in 2008 – which, while I don’t have exact figures, saw more than double the previous year’s attendees, quickly highlighting the need for a bigger venue.

Not to be outdone, the Durbanites got together and organised Umicon in Kwazulu-Natal – sadly I can’t really give you details since I wasn’t there. I’m not sure what the outlook for these events are this year, but hopefully the organisers of these two seperate events will be doing their all to keep things going. We’ve got a growing anime community here in SA, and I’d really like to see it growing even more. And without the presense of our favourite anime mag, it just won’t be the same.

The thing is, die hards that they are, the Otaku crew are not giving up without a fight. The remaining staff at the magazine is currently on a subscription drive – and they need 500 new subscribers in order to keep the magazine afloat for a bit longer. And it really needs those of us who are regular readers to help out, which is why I’m doing my bit by:

1. Subscribing to the magazine as well, and
2. Making this post in the hopes that it might net the magazine a few extra subscribers as well.

So this is really how you, my readers can help out. The Otaku subscription form – has all the details, and you can make backorders for all the old issues as well, should you see the need to get the rest of the issues as well. As for our overseas visitors, I don’t know if the mag will ship overseas, it does get shipped to our neighbouring countries though. I’ve posed the question to the editor, and will hopefully have an answer soon.

I’ll be wishing the Otakumag crew the best of luck – lets all work together and keep this thing afloat. Ganbatte ne!!

[poll id="5"]

Every little Otaku has to start somewhere, for me that somewhere was Saiyuki. It has been many a year since I first opened its tempestuous covers to uncover a world of debauchery and violence. Believe me when I say, its set the standard of what I expect out of my manga.

Loosely based on the Chinese novel Journey to the West, Saiyuki is the hit series by mangaka Kazuya Minekura (Otherwise known for Bus Gamer and Wild Adapter) chronicling the the misadventures of a amoral foursome as they travel west to stop the Minus Wave The Minus Wave, caused by the mixing of science and magic, caused the youkai of the harmonious Shangro-La to go mad, its now the duty of Genjyo Sanzo, Sha Gojyo, Cho Hakkai, and Son Goku to put a stop to the resurrection of Gyumaoh the ox king. Gyumaoh’s mistress is the mastermind behind her lover’s revival and as a consequence of her attempt, also the origin for the Minus Wave. She ruthlessly pursues his rivival to the extent that shes willing to jeopardize the balance of the world. Sonzo and crews biggest threat is in the form of Kougaiji, the ligitimate son of Gyumaoh. Kougaiji is a unwilling participant in the plans of Gyokumen Koushu, only wanting the revival of his mother- who was sealed at the same time as Gyomaoh.

Genjyo Sanzo is the vicious leader of the ragtag ikkou. He drinks, smokes, gambles and packs a gun. Tempermentwise, hes not all sunshine and daisies. Hes arrogent, egotistical, and malicious. This unlikely individual holds the title of Sanzo Priest, the highest position in budism. Unfortunetly, its not a religion he follows. Completely self-motivated, this haughty monks only motivation for stopping the spread of the minus wave is to uncover his former master’s Seiten Sutra.

Son Goku is an unholy child born of rocks where the earths aura gathers. Imprisoned for 500 years for crimes he comitted in his youth, he is saved by a passing sanzo priest. There after he becomes the ward of one Genjyo Sanzo. Obssessed with food and teased ruthlessly by Gojyo, it seems unlikely that he has power to rival heaven.

Cho Hakkai is a quiet and pleasent indevidual, always smiling and acting as the mediator of the Sanzo Ikkou. His kind personality can sometimes be in conflict with his sharp gaze. This self-made youkai, hides a sinister past of incest and murder. Hakkai uses chi as his main weapon in battle and is also the owner of Jeep, the dragon/vehicle the Sanzo Ikkou use to get around.

Sha Goyjo is a lusty, flirtatious, and outright devious character. Utterly without morals or qualms, he suanters through life with a wily smile and a crafty grin. He is not without his merits however, hes a dependable friend and (somewhat) trusty comrade. Due to his heritage, Goyjo doesnt need power limiters to blend in. He uses a shakujou staff that uses a chain to control its blade (very messy >3) His flirtatious gaze covers a painful past.

What makes Saiyuki an unforgetible manga series is the undercurrents that underscore the entire story. All of the leads are anti-heroes. The only thing that ties them together is their mission and the dark pasts each has had to endure. Their relationships with each other are fractured and sometimes strained, they dont all just magically get alone, they are imperfect. Its this imperfection that gives drive to the story. There is no redemption. They are what they are.

Try It If You Liked:

Wild Adapter, Honeycomb, The Embalmer, DOLL, and Pet Shop of Horrors

Ever sick of hearing those cutesy sweetie-pie descriptions so typical of shoujo manga? Have a tendency to chuck frag grenades at bug-eyed big-headed girls (and boys)? Unfortunately for all those dedicated to the purge of lovey-dovey series, Fruits Basket is not one of them.

Sure, getting taken in by the Prince-sama of your school after he discovered you camping on his family’s private plot is not something of the ordinary everyday, but how about finding out that the family of Souma Yuuki turns into one of the twelve animals of the chinese zodiac after getting hugged by the opposite sex? Honda Tooru was abruptly thrown into this new world of these mysterious people, friendly but withdrawn, open yet enigmatic. Why is this lovable phenomenom a ‘curse’? Is there a ulterior motive behind those charming faces?

Whoops, I made it sound like a detective thriller. Nonetheless, Fruits Basket is one of those addictive series that makes you erupt in occassional emotional outbursts – ranging from the very cute to the very sad. Truth be told, romance is not a very big factor until much later; not that this should throw you off though. The mangaka throws in a few fan service moments of the male characters showing off their masculine charm to keep the reader giggling.

If you think that this is one of those manga that revolves around one female and a trillion males, you are WRONG! Almost everyone have their own “special half”, even though none of that is apparent until later. Even the main character’s romance is undefined until a majority of the manga is over – but it is something to look forward to! <3

The highlight moments to look out for are when the Jyuunishii (twelve animals) turn into their furry/scaly counterparts, they’re so cute! The manga evolves with the characters looking a bit older every few chapters, which I find is a nice touch. Also expect to feel sorry for the evil Akito… and don’t get put off by the people’s overly-large eyes! You get used to it! :D

(Debut anime/manga review!! How was it?? >:3 )

Well known manga-publisher Tokyopop announced this week that the company would be undergoing what it terms “progressive reorganization” – a move that will split the company into two groups: Tokyopop Inc, which will handle the company’s publishing activities, and Tokyopop Media LLC, which will be handling the group’s digital media.

The move also means a 39 position cut across the company, with editorial and design departments taking the brunt of the layoffs. Read the rest of this entry »

Let me start by saying, I’ve had enormous difficultly with this review. I can’t describe how many times I’ve started and re-started this review. Not because it’s a bad manga… Oh no, it isn’t bad at all. But because of the sheer complexity that surrounds this story. Nothing I type here today will give it any justice. It is that good..

There’s an old maxim that says that there is very few atrocities that man hasn’t inflicted on itself. In the case of Koari Yuki’s The Cain Saga, this is true. Featuring not one vampire, werewolf, or tentacle beast, this manga single handedly horrifies, disturbs and otherwise shocks the reader in a way that no horror story can. Quite simply put, this manga is not intended for those with delicate constitutions. (A sentence Kitti never imagined she would ever utter seriously) This is one of those series that you will ether love or hate instantly.

The series takes place in the Victorian Age and follows the tragic Cain Hargreaves, cursed heir to the Hargreaves estate. Known as the Lord of Poisons, Cain is revered in public society. His charm and good looks hide a sordid past filled with abuse and loneliness. As the product of an incestuous relationship between his father and his elder sister, Cain was abused and isolated by his father. His mother, Alexis’s older sister, commits suicide after seeing the “abomination” that was produced by her relationship with Alexis. Not soon after Cain attempts to murder his abusive father. Along with inheriting the estates and title, Cain also inherits the family curse. Misfortune follows his steps like a loyal dog its master. With only Riff – his butler, servant, and closest confidant- Cain must face the obstacles that come with being the cursed heir. He is not without allies however. His uncle Neil is ever trying to protect Cain, his doll like little sister Mary Weather offers him affection that he lacked in his depraved childhood, there is also Oscar, a comic sidekick who garners Cain’s trust after various events, and lastly there is Crehador a medium with whom Cain has a stunted relationship with at best, but who, despite this, still aids Cain enormously. Together they attempt to take down Delilah, an organization headed by Alexis with the aim of destroying the world as we know it. Alexis’s agenda is elusive throughout the series, at first it seems that his sole aim is to destroy Cain’s life, later however his aim shifts as he tries to use Cain’s twisted genes to create an even greater abomination to use as a vessel for his beloved Augusta. He uses his eldest son Jizabel Disraeli to full effect against Cain. Disraeli, as twisted and broken as Cain, is Cain’s half brother. By far my favorite character in the series, Disraeli is a mad scientist, sadist, and as it later turns out, freak of science. He isn’t without redemption, in the very last of the manga he lends aid to the brother he so loathes.

Aesthetically The Cain Saga astounds. The sheer detail of each frame combined with the utter gorgeousness of the art makes this manga worth buying for that reason alone. Koari Yuki went all out in this series combining both a solid – albeit sordid – story with incredible artwork.

The way in which The Cain Saga was published could cause some confusion. In all The Cain Saga consists of 13 volumes. The first five volumes were published as a prequal to Godchild - the final eight volumes in the series.

List of volumes that make up The Cain Saga:

The Forgotten Juliet

The Sound of a Boy Hatching

Kafka

The Seal of the Red Ram (2 volumes)

Godchild (8 volumes)

Try it if you liked: Angel Sanctuary

Yosh! Evening my evil minions of despair! Have you missed the awesomeness that is i?! I hope so! Else no chocolate cookies of DOOM for you!!! Heh! Today Kitti has prepared a wonderful treat! (Besides gifting you with my wonderful presence that is…) Today Kitti is going to tell you about a wonderful little manga that she half heartedly stumbled upon in the search for manga goodnes

Seriously! In the space of one volume Kitti was so hooked it wasn’t even funny! (Actually it was, especially the part where Kitti was laughing so hard that she thought she was going to die!) What is this most awesome series you ask? Heh! Hanazakari no Kimitachi e of course! Or Hana Kimi for short. A romantic comedy by the mangaka Hisaya Nakajo, this 23 volume long manga takes the reverse harem genre and gives it a completely random, funny, and most of all crazy atmosphere! Read the rest of this entry »

Ai. Kitti goes away for a short while and just look what happens! Drama and romantic comedy all over the place!! Makes you want to ask yourself, where is the blood?! The Angst?!

Well enough about that. I’ll make up for it later. Prepare yourselves! For today… Well, kitti thought shed treat you to a little cyberpunk with a dash of fantasy. You can thank me later… ;3

Clover is yet another manga by CLAMP, this series combines the best of both the cyberpunk and fantasy genres. The story is unique and put a new spin on a otherwise tired genre.

The story revolves around a young girl called Sue and the weight she bares by being the only four leafed ”Clover”, a group of children able to manipulate technology through magic. The clover’s were divided into catergaries, with 3-leaf and 4-leaf clovers being the strongest. Due to their tremendous power the clovers were separated from society. Sue was imprisoned in a glass cage to protect the world from her powers. Isolated and alone she asks for one wish, that she might travel to Fairy Park. It is then that she meets Kazuhiko, the man in charge of getting her safely to Fairy Park. Seemingly unconnected it is soon revealed that they are related through Kazuhiko’s late lover Ora.

What separates this manga from conventional manga is the absolutely no frills approach that the mangaka took to create it. The simplicity of the style, and the clean approach to the characters make the manga far from boring and emphasises the characters traits and personality to full effect.

All-in-all Clover was an excellent read. I suggest it to anyone looking for a different kind of manga.

Try it if you liked: Tsubasa Chronicles, Xxxholic