lost among the stars

“I suppose it’s like the ticking crocodile, isn’t it? Time is chasing after all of us.”

[simplylostboy]

everyone, meet Mash’s fist

Hello! Here’s a lighthearted, unique manga recommendation for you: Mashle: Magic and Muscles / マッシュル by Hajime Kōmoto! 

Can I just start out by saying this is one of the most hilarious things I’ve read? 

It’s like the author wanted to make an action story similar to One Punch Man, but also wanted the main characters to learn magic in a school. So the author just compromised, and somehow, created this beautiful masterpiece. 

With some amazing otherworldly strength like Saitama, and a face like Mobu, this is Mash!

In the world this story is set in, magic is used for everything. But deep in the forest is a young man named Mash, who spends his time training and bulking up. 

He can't use magic, but he enjoys a peaceful life with his father. 

Yet one day, his life is put in danger! Will his muscular body protect him from the magic users who are out to get him? Powerfully trained muscles crush magic as this abnormal magical fantasy begins!

This story is set in a setting similar to Harry Potter's Hogwarts, but instead of taking the route of “boy-learns-magic,” the story just decided to have Mash utilize his strength. And maybe make some friends (and so-proclaimed rivals and enemies), and eat some creampuffs too. 

Mash has the same iconic, blunt not-caring personality as Saitama (from One Punch Man), and it’s so funny to read. The creativity in this story is just amazing.

Although even this creampuff obsessed, godly strong (no, seriously. I’m not exaggerating) protagonist goes to a renowned magic school, he ... doesn't know how to do magic. 

But it’s okay, because he manages using his godly strength.

It’s so funny, seeing extremely powerful magic defeated by a mere slap of Mash’s hand. 

And yes, the expressions are to die for. 

He’s deadpan and uncaring on the outside, but selfless and kind to his newly-made friends. All the characters in this are unique and charming, really made me chuckle and smile so much while reading this. 

Come read this story, and join this unconventional magic journey where pretty much any problem can be beaten with Mash’s fist. Action and comedy lovers need to read this. 

[ i can bet this’ll get an anime, just mark my words. this is anime material, right here. remember me when it does. ]

[simplylostboy]

oh my :)

Hello! Here’s another manga recommendation: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii / 来世は他人がいい by Konishi Asuka! 

This story is just... so good. A stunning seinen manga with absolutely breathtaking art. A badass girl, a badass guy, a cast of sexy characters, a rollercoaster of plot — What more could you want?

It might sound like some mindless yakuza romance plot from this summary of mine, but I promise it goes above all your expectations. 

It follows Yoshino, the granddaughter of Osaka's biggest mafia boss. Being born into a yakuza family, she’s never dated before, and her grandfather arranges a marriage with a handsome guy the same age as her, a "seemingly perfect" guy: Kirishima. He’s intelligent, calm and kind, (and also the grandson of another great mobster). 

But in this case, looks can be deceiving. 

Yoshino, is a hot badass girl who can kick ass with or without a hairdryer, and unlike some protagonists, is not naïve or brainless. She is independent and strong, not one to wait for a Prince Charming to come rescue her. Yoshino is far from sheltered (she grew up among mobsters for goodness sake), and knows exactly what kind of shady things are going on— If she doesn’t, she’s going to find out. 

And Kirishima discovers this. 

Yoshino also doesn't put her nose into other's business, such as not making a big deal of the fact Kirishima plays with several women meanwhile having a crush on her. 

According to Kirishima, Yoshino barely shows any emotion to him. She’s very dominant and knows when to play her cards when situations suddenly get serious around her, and will not show her weaknesses in front of men like Kirishima. 

Speaking of Kirishima, he’s a very complex character. 

He’s your classic “wolf in sheep’s clothing” at first. Facade all gentlemanly and charming, but beneath his facade is something much, much, darker. It’s a running gag (but not even a joke!) in the manga that Kirishima is described as a “masochistic psychopath.” 

Yoshino doesn’t fall for his facade. 

And then, Shouma gets thrown in the mix. Shouma was negatively influenced from a young age (by smoking, getting high on drugs, getting involved in fights, etc) when he got adopted into Yoshino’s mafia family. Shouma is Yoshino’s adopted sibling, and is highly protective of her, especially from people like Kirishima. 

Like you’d expect, Shouma and Kirishima don’t hit it off...

There’s no good guy in this story, and I’m absolutely loving it. 

Warning: This story is very much a mature/dark story. There is violence, blood, cursing, drugs, hinting of cheating/sleeping around, etc. This is a yakuza story, after all and it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.

Have a nice day! 

[simplylostboy]

hello, world!

Let me take a moment to recommend Witch Hat Atelier / Tongari Boushi no Atelier / とんがり帽子のアトリエ By Kamome Shirahama, one of my favorite mangas. The art and characters are so charming, and the plot is interesting and new. 

Reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, this lushly drawn story was voted one of the Top 10 manga of the year in 2018 by the Japanese manga industry. A beautifully-illustrated story set in a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a stubborn girl with a dream to become a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. 

She’s resigned to her simple, un-magical life, until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. 

After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem. 

She embarks on a colorful adventure, making friends and foes, and learning all about that oh-so-wonderful magic.

All the characters are so unique, and all have their own dreams, stories, pasts, and personalities, and the magic system is unlike any I’ve seen. Shirahama-sensei’s art is stunningly detailed, and gorgeous, and really makes reading WHA a pleasure for your eyes. I am hopelessly enamored with this manga, and hope you will be too.

I recommend this to lovers of the Promised Neverland (although WHA is significantly less dark) and Totsukuni no Shoujo. 

Have a nice day!