Manga Log

49: Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

This week's manga log: "Descending Stories," written and illustrated by Haruko Kumota.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):   Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of Rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the performance of distinguished practitioner Yakumo Yuurakutei, he sets his mind on meeting the man who changed his life. After hearing Yotarou's desperate appeal for his mentorship, Yakumo is left with no choice but to accept his very first apprentice. As he eagerly begins his training, Yotarou meets Konatsu, an abrasive young woman who has been under Yakumo's care ever since her beloved father Sukeroku Yuurakutei, another prolific Rakugo performer, passed away. Through her hidden passion, Yotarou is drawn to Sukeroku's unique style of Rakugo despite learning under contrasting techniques. Upon seeing this, old memories and feelings return to Yakumo who reminisces about a much earlier time when he made a promise with his greatest rival.  Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story set in both the past and present, depicting the art of Rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those dedicated to keeping the unique form of storytelling alive. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: mangalogpod@gmail.com, or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.             Next series: “The Promised Neverland,” Pt. 3 [Final] Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mangalog/message

48: Nodame Cantabile

This week's manga log: "Nodame Cantabile," written and illustrated by Tomoko Ninomiya.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):  Shinichi Chiaki, the perfectionist son of a famous pianist, is in his fourth year at Momogaoka College of Music, hoping to achieve his secret dream of being a conductor. His admiration for his father led him to pursue a career in music. As much as he wants to return to Europe, his phobia of flying traps him in Japan where he now lives. One night, he passes out, and ends up being taken in by Megumi "Nodame" Noda. Upon first glance, Nodame is a talented pianist, but she is also slobbish and eccentric. What's even worse is that she is his neighbor and he ends up forced to work with her. Though it sounds like a recipe for disaster, Chiaki is drawn to this girl who makes him remember the love for music he once held. Just what does the future hold for this musical duo?  Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: mangalogpod@gmail.com, or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.            Next series: "Descending Stories," written and illustrated by Haruko Kumota. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mangalog/message

47: Tsuredure Children

This week's manga log: "Tsuredure Children," written and illustrated by Wakabayashi, Toshiya.  Description (courtesy of MyAnimeList):    Love is not simple. It is complicated, frustrating, often incomprehensible—and it is something that many high school students are all too familiar with. Love takes on countless forms, but it is an emotion common to different kinds of people: childhood friends, tsunderes, classmates, delinquents, and student council presidents. Love can also flourish between unlikely pairs who bury their feelings deep within them, making it harder and harder to say that one notorious phrase in the human language... "I love you." Tsurezure Children follows the journeys of numerous different couples and their romantic escapades. From the butterflies of a confession to the failed attempts at a first kiss, this story sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of young love. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: mangalogpod@gmail.com, or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.           Next series: Next series: "Nodame Cantabile," written and illustrated by Tomoko Ninomiya. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mangalog/message

46: Love Hina

This week's manga log: "Love Hina," written and illustrated by Akamatsu, Ken. Description (courtesy of MangaDex):   Keitaro has had great difficulty getting into the university of his choice and no luck in meeting women. In a desperate effort to go into seclusion and study for his entrance exams, he volunteers to take over running his grandmother's hotel. His plans are ruined when he discovers that the "hotel" is actually an all-girls dormitory... and some serious distractions ensue. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: mangalogpod@gmail.com, or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.          Next series: "Tsuredure Children," written and illustrated by Wakabayashi, Toshiya. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mangalog/message

45: The Drops of God

This week's manga log: "The Drops of God," written by Kibayashi, Shin, and illustrated by Okimoto, Shuu.  Description (courtesy of MangaDex):  The main character of the manga, a young man called Shizuku Kanzaki, discovers the beauty of wine after his father, a famous wine critic, dies and leaves an unusual will: a description of 12 wines he considers to be the best in the world, comparing them to Jesus Christ’s disciples. The first person to find these “disciples” will inherit the father’s wine collection, a contest that pits Shizuku against his adoptive brother, Issey Tomine, who works as a wine critic. Feel free to send your thoughts and questions via the Anchor app, the podcast e-mail: mangalogpod@gmail.com, or the podcast Twitter @mangalogpod.         Next series: "Love Hina," written and illustrated by Akamatsu, Ken. Music: "Eternal Youth" by RUDE. Please support him! (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXHaVENo6E) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mangalog/message