Shut Up and Book Up!

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! Original Series by Osamu Nishi ". . .Y'know, I think that anybody can be a good person. All you need is a full belly to start." - Iruma Iruma's too precious and sweet for this world! Somehow, he's managed to survive in the slums and still hold onto his goodness. When he helps a strange old man by tending to his wounds and giving him the last of his bread reserves, Iruma didn't expect anything to come of it. But Don Sullivan, the leader of the Babel Mafia, decided Iruma was to be his grandson! At age five Iruma is caught up in the whirlwind that is Don Sullivan and the rest of the Babel Mafia. He even gains a gofer named Opera! How did this happen?! Will Iruma be able to hang onto his gentle nature or will it be swallowed up? And did someone say he was to be the next in line for head of the family at age fourteen?!! First of all! I absolutely ADORE "Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun" ! It's a comfort series I could ...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! "I can't make my foot come off the pedal! I'm paralyzed with dread. The horror! The horror!!" Mr. Yaotome Chiba is THE driving instructor everyone wants to be paired with. The man has his own fan club! But behind office doors and away from students Chiba is less than interested in all the hype. Some instructors fall for their students, but he prefers to keep things separate. Putting on a front to help baby drivers feel at ease behind the wheel. Until Mr. Yaotome walks in and he finds himself struggling to keep up the act and not get close to this odd man. Chiba finally meets someone interesting and gets ghosted after the first lesson! Luckily, fates are on both of their sides when a chance encounter at a convenience store helps to allow them to get to know one another more. But is this a good idea? I loved the cover of this manga and when I dived in, I was just so engrossed until the very end! I couldn't stop grinning so wildly and f...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! Releases June 17, 2025 "So, what you're saying is, I get to enjoy both a male and female version of you?! Okay then. . .I guess we're a couple." - Saki Makoto was ready and prepared to turn down another dare, love letter. Being a boy who cross-dresses he's used to the cruel acts' others will do to have a good time at his expense. But Saki is nothing like he expected! She declares her feelings for him and doesn't run away in disgust when he shows her that he's not a girl. Instead, Saki is determined to win Makoto's heart! Ryuji however is there and ready to throw Saki out the nearest window if she dares to hurt his childhood friend. Saki gets the sense that Ryuji isn't just protective over Makoto because they're childhood friends. Can Makoto allow Saki to get close to him? Will he reciprocate Saki's feelings for him?  "I'm going to be your first love. Don't say I didn't warn you!" - Sa...

Manga Review 4 out of 5 stars! Releases June 17, 2025 "What I'd give to be on stage with that voice." - Gen Gen is the guitarist of Eve. A college band that sells out at their events! At one of the gigs, he meets Mike who's in another band called Adam. The two are complete opposites of one another but their respected talents draw them both in. Mike's voice sends Gen to another state of mind as he listens to the songs. Mike can't help but be captivated by Gen's guitar skills and sound. The closer the two get and connect over music and gigs the more feelings grow. Some not spoken aloud because their songs translate everything for them. But is it okay for them to be involved since they're in different bands? Friendly rivalry and all that. This is a quick, one-shot BL manga. I was drawn into the scenes of when the two experienced the others musical talents. The way the artist captured the feeling of hearing certain songs and being transported away. Inspira...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! "I'll take ANYONE at this point. Be it man, woman, human, or even the undead. . ." - Sakura Sakura Amamitsutsuki is worn out! Being short staffed, taking care of his youngest brother, and managing a bathhouse for his grandparents is a lot. Luckily or maybe unluckily a vampire decides that Sakura's family's bathhouse is the perfect remedy for his mental/physical fatigue and hangover. Sakura did declare he would take anyone. He just didn't intend for it to include a pact, a demon familiar, a vampire who makes annoying advances, and chaotic supernatural situations. Maybe he should have been more specific when calling out to the Universe. . . I was looking through NetGalley because I haven't read a manga in a while. Coming across this amusing title and falling in love with the description! I've missed reading mangas! The artwork is classic, simple, and beautiful. Enjoyed watching the array of emotions on Sakura's face, pr...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! "Wait, you're calling me Mr. Eight?" - Eito Eito Tachibana has a "unique" name. One that's caused him a lot of grief over the years because of the jokes and "funny" puns. The number eight being the number he's grown to dislike. . . Until he meets Tomoya Hatta, Hachi, with the Kanji for eight in his name and his nickname meaning eight in Japanese! Little encounters and small talk turns into something more as the two keep meeting within the halls of their shared High School. Some feelings arising that Eito isn't sure about or what to categorize them as. But there's something else that he hasn't told Hachi about himself that may just change everything!  "I'm NOT messing with you. I'm just poking fun." - Yokoi "I KNEW I should've gone to a different high school. . ." - Eito Eito's a bit of a serious student who's also shy. Keeping to himself except for the few he...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! Set to Release May 23, 2023 "If you distinguish yourselves during this mission. . .the nation promises to absolve you of your crimes." Leon is forced to go on a suicide mission in hopes of gaining his freedom. He must venture forth to a large island once known as Japan. Over two hundred years since the nuclear war has left the landmass to mother nature and other things. There's a hidden weapon somewhere in the midst of the wilderness and it's a race against other nations to retrieve it! Leon has been formerly trained but nothing could prepare him for what he finds. The man must adapt fast or fall victim to the creatures that thrive in old Japan. But what stands out to him the most is a girl who seems to be surviving in this environment and she's not fully human. A new species? Was she born here? Is she connected to the secret weapon? Leon dives further into the unknown. "I never know what's around the next corner. . ." ...

Book Review 5 out of 5 stars! Set to release 5/16/2023! "Forgive me, Boss. . .I, Ken Kanashiro, second-in-command of the Washio Clan. . .have found something worth putting all my honor and humanity on the line for." - Ken Ken gets semi brainwashed to go to a K-pop concert with his Boss' only daughter, Megumi. Only when our tough, proud, scary looking, and feared Yakuza man goes to the event he is blown away. Having done some previous studying up on the group Ken already started forming a bias but when he's at the concert in person things are solidified! A new stan is born! Ken completely turning his life around and finding new avenues to venture down. His loyalty is unmatched, and he will make his new aniki proud. The mafia world is about to get shaken up by the male K-pop group, My Night With, who don't realize that some of their biggest fans are actually from the mafia world! Bonds are being formed and enemies are possibly turning into friends?! "I don'...

Manga Book Review 5 out of 5 stars! "So, Iruma, my sweet boy! Won't you be my grandson?" - Sullivan What's worse than being a perpetual pushover? Getting sold to a demon by your own parents! Iruma has just landed himself in the Netherworld where he's surrounded by demons who would love to take a bite out of him if they knew he was human. Keeping that secret well-guarded is difficult as he's thrown into a school for demons! He must navigate through his new world and put his survival skills to good use hoping that they will be enough. Of course, having a doting-demon-grandpa never hurt anyone maybe it will give him a leg up? "I'll be the one who decides if you're useless trash. . .or if you're going to be somewhat useful trash." - Kalego (one of my favorites!) I was beyond excited when I saw this manga was available! I have seen the anime and completely fell in love with this story! From the outrageous characters and their bigger than life ...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! Author and I believe Illustrator Matsuri This manga series goes in order! Please read the other volumes first before you read volume five. Spoilers will be ahead if you have not read the others. This is also a horror manga with utterly stunning artwork. I have included some panels from the book but nothing too scary or disturbing, but fair warning. "People never look too closely at others. . ." - Owner Anyone care to go gambling? I know of a really cool gambling den with very high stakes. . . Do not get involved with foxes, no matter how pretty they may appear. Tonight, the Murakumo Inn's experiencing a redecoration of sorts as an insane and intense tale unfolds. What happens when the holes inside of oneself are filled? When you point your finger at everyone else, choosing to blame everyone instead of facing yourself? Will Owner help his guests tonight? "Those who cannot live without believing in one thing or another. . .also cannot liv...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! Author Aida Illustrator Iro This manga series goes in order leaving off on cliffhangers! Please, read them in order otherwise this review will contain spoilers. I have also contained some images from the book that I hope do not spoil anything. ". . .The ones with the most power are those who don't know when to give up." - Hanako-kun Nene Yashiro's made a pact with Hanako-kun, not what she was going for when summoning Hanako-"san". But now she has to rely on him to help keep a little curse from taking over. . . Becoming his assistant in the process was another thing that was not on her list to do as a highschooler! Luckily, Yashiro's a big fan of the supernatural and occult culture. Maybe helping Hanako-kun won't be so bad now that she's actually doing something other than toilet cleaning. Though this challenge with mystery number two may just be a close cut. Can Yashiro find and rescue her missing classmate? Will th...

Manga Book Review 5 out of 5 stars! Author - Aida Illustrator - Iro "Hey did you know? This school has seven mysteries?" Nene Yashiro has a wish she needs granted! And everyone at Kamome Academy states there is a wish granting ghost in the old school building. Of course, in the third stall within a girl's bathroom. Being a cult and supernatural enthusiast, Yashiro does what any ghost loving girl would do. Knocks three times and summons Hanako-san. Only Hanako-San is really Hanako-KUN! Will this BOY ghost grant Yashiro her wish? Why does he keep insisting she do actual tasks to fulfill a wish? What has she gotten herself into!? Why couldn't I go to a cool high school with seven mysteries and paranormal activity? Nooo, my parents "had" to send me to a high school that had recently been freshly built. . . Oh well, I will make up for the loss by reading manga! "You're easily drawn to pretty boys and supernaturals aren't you, Yashiro?" - Hanako-...

Review Story and Art by Oto Toda 5 out of 5 stars! Six short stories in one book, but I will just go over the four main stories! To Strip the Flesh What if you knew you were the wrong gender? Trapped inside a body that isn't yours but you were born with it? Having to remain so to make others happy. . . Chiaki Ogawa, knew from day one that he was male. Yet there are some in his life that don't want to believe that. But choices have to be made in order to breathe and be able to live. Having a life of freedom and happiness sometimes comes with consequences. Will he be able to accept the terms? This story hit me hard because of my personal life and experiences. Still going through some things and understanding what being Non-Binary means to me. What it looks like for me. Chiaki knew what being male looked like to him, yet family stood in the way. Having to tell a parent and show them that this is it, this is who you are. Seeing them decide whether to accept you or not is scary. Chi...