Illustrated by Julia Kuo 4 stars Inspired by American folklore and the origin of the Bing cherry, Kuo and Blackburne create an original tall tale that tells a larger-than-life version of the story of Ah Bing. The book wonderfully encapsulates Asian-American identity and the blending of cultures. Includes themes of ingenuity, perseverance, community, discrimination, and…
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Story by Katarina Illustrated by Ryosuke Fuji Translated by Kevin Gifford 4 stars An action-packed volume with cool world building and fun humor. Rakuro (player name Sunraku) loves “trash games”, the more bugs, the better. But when he tries the god-tier Shangri-La Frontier, his whole world changes. Using the skills and experience he’s gained from…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 5 stars I think this is my favorite volume so far. Surprisingly sweet, action-packed, and plenty of humor. It’s the final showdown in the “Hometown of the Dead” storyline. Will Aikira and his friends be able to outsmart their nefarious counterparts to save the…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars The team has made it to Akira’s hometown and are settling in nicely. That is until a group of miscreants with their own bucket list enact their plan to cause chaos and turn everyone into zombies. Now they’ll have to team up…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Another strange and delightful volume of zombie apocalypse adventures. Akira continues his bucket list with friends Kencho and Shizuka, heading toward his childhood hometown. Along the way, they pick up a new ally and enjoy some rest and relaxation along with hard…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 3 stars Akira and Kencho make plans to leave Tokyo, but first they must secure a new set of wheels. They reunite with an acquaintance at an RV show, team up, and hit the road. But the journey is not without unforeseen obstacles. I…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Action, humor, and absurdity. Reunited during the zombie apocalypse, best friends Akira and Kencho set off to complete their list of 100 Things I Want to Do Before Becoming a Zombie. This volume follows their attempts to play video games on a…
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by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Akira Tendo plans to work hard and make it big. But when he lands a job at an exploitative corporations, his life becomes a living hell. He has no social life, can’t talk to the girl of his dreams, and moves through…
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Illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng 4 stars A sweet story that follows Mr. Chow, a supermarket owner who loves the nighttime and sleeping in. But supermarkets are supposed to be open early. Mr. Chow seeks advice from his neighbors on how to get up earlier. But maybe he doesn’t have to. Maybe he needs to…
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Illustrated by Ko Hyung-Ju 3 stars A semi-autobiographical tale set in 1983 during South Korea’s Fifth Republic. When book-loving Kim Hyun Sook starts college, she has big dreams of classes, learning, and campus life. But when she’s invited to join an unconventional book club, her whole world changes. She soon finds herself within a world…
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