Manga: Aoharu x Machinegun 11

Aoharu x Machinegun Vol 11
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

When Hotaru's mother arrives at Tsukishiro Complex and demands Hotaru be taken off Toy?Gun Gun, even its most steadfast members are shaken to their cores. Despite the fact that the team might not survive Hotaru's loss, much less the TGC, Kane Tachibana wants to take her daughter back to America with her at once! Up against this mama bear who has no patience for weakness, will Matsuoka and his unique approach hit the mark?! 

I think we've all been waiting for the reveal and the fallout with the other members of Toy Gun Gun so I've been living for these latest volumes! 

This one brings us a glimpse of Hotaru's childhood and how she grew up and came to be the Hotaru we know and love, right off the bat. Sure it's because her Mum is trying to get Matsuoka and the rest of Toy Gun Gun to take her off the team...but...I've been so curious about her past! Real talk though...this volume really gives us a chance to see how far the team has come with her helping them fix it, she brought them all back together and they've all really bonded. 

Hilariously...I mean, unfortunately, Matsuoka and Yukimura get a taste of Kane's....skills. Ouch. Poor guys. 

Matsuoka drops quite a bomb Hotaru and I'm not sure how things are going to pan out if she follows what she's been told. I mean, either way I'm shipping them hardcore, but I'm intrigued to see how the plot is going to work around this, or what it could change. 

Meanwhile we get some more background on Haruki and his situation. There's even a bit of drama involving him, especially when he, you know....disappears and is nowhere to be found when the TGC starts. Not ideal. Although we did get to see Midori getting hilariously salty that Hotaru needed Haruka's help and not his. Bless. 

This volume has a cracking pace as we see the fallout from Hotaru's Mum arriving, and then have an interesting plot thread with Haruki thrown in right before the TGC kicks off. There's a lot going on, and there's plenty to keep you occupied right up until the end of the volume.

Speaking of the TGC, it's clearly going to be a good one. We've got Matsuoka's little bomb drop, followed by what we learned in the previous volume. Then we have Toy Gun Gun going up against Star White, and Agartha back to competing, not to mention Friendly Fire! 

Just because Toy Gun Gun are facing friends...or frenemies in some cases, we all know it doesn't mean they're going to win. I'm kind of tense waiting to see how each battle is going to play out, and who's going to come out on top. I have a good feeling about TGG this time around, Matsuoka has come quite far since the first volumes, and it was really satisfying to see him hold his ground with Midori! 

On top of everything else this volume gives us, we get some interesting background on the Manager and Kamenashi...they've clearly had a falling out but it's over something to do with when they where in a three man cell. I'm all kinds of curious about what went down! We do finally get to find out who the third member was too! 

As Toy Gun Gun take part in their first battle of the TGC the odds seem stacked against them, and we see a style of battle we haven't before...the King Game. Hopefully Matsuoka's tactics will work but there's no guarantee our team will win with this series. Guess we'll find out next volume! 

Volume 11 is not only fast paced and full of action, reveals and twists, but it also moves the plot along. We speed through from the conclusion of last volumes cliffhanger to the TGC kicking off with some trouble for Haruki along the way which is going to be an interesting plot thread, and will no doubt provide more background on his character. The reveal we've been waiting for has finally happened, more tidbits about the characters and their backgrounds are being thrown out, and what I'm really loving about this volume is how far the characters and TGG have come since last TGC. This volume also leaves plenty hanging to make you desperate for the next volume as things are really heating up! 

Manga: A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School 3

A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School Vol 3 
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Sports day has arrived, and Haruaki is preparing his students and formulating strategies to come out ahead of the other classes! What has got him so motivated...? Also, when a youkai TV station shows up to interview and follow him around for a day, Haruaki and his star-struck students all try to look their best, but inevitably, things don't go quite as planned... 

The art for this series continues to be on point with fantastic character designs, not to mention settings and backdrops and the bright colour pages! 

This volume brings much hilarity...who knew cleaning a pool could turn in to such a calamity!? Although it should be expected at this school, let's be real! More importantly this volume, Sports Day is here and things won't go well for poor old Haruaki if his class comes in last. Because of course there's a consequence if you lose...it wouldn't be ghoul school otherwise! 

One aspect of this volume that I enjoyed was getting to meet a few new Youkai, all members of Haruaki's class. Specifically Maida, a merman who can swim through the air, and Kurahashi who can predict misfortune...and we all know Haruaki...he just can't help himself even if it screams bad idea. 

I kind of thought Haruaki was completely stuffed this volume, he has to strategise and plot...but he's actually kind of good at it. He makes sure his students use their powers to the full, so we get to see quite the display of magic during this Sports Day arc...not to mention the Headmaster makes an interesting comment about Haruaki...alluding to some other person. 

Anyway, I think we all know this Sports Day isn't going to be a regular Sports Day, there's plenty of supernatural twists to keep us entertained. Watching all of the characters come together and work as a team was actually a little bit heartwarming....and just plain hilarious at the same time. Especially at the end when they had to motivate Haruaki and it seemed deathly serious and I was tense and on edge....but then a certain reveal happened and I actually snorted because...of course. Either way it was Haruaki's time to shine this volume and I actually felt quite proud of him! 

Honestly I wasn't entirely too sure which way the Sports Day thing was going to go, I don't expect this series to have our MC's class actually win like most other series, so it could have gone a number of ways. They could have won, they could have lost, they could have come in somewhere in the middle, I was genuinely gripped to see how it would play out!

Aside from the hilarity of Sports Day we also have Youkai TV wanting to do a documentary on Haruaki, which provided even more humour as the class tries to help make him look good. Although ti has to be said...Sano really packs a verbal punch. 

Volume 3 is a fast paced volume that's action packed, full of humour hugely entertaining with some heart warming moments thrown in too, as we see the class grow ever closer with their long suffering teacher, and how far they've come as a team. Plus, if three different story arcs weren't enough for you in one volume, we have a hilarious bonus chapter to tide us over until next volume! 

Plus, like I've said before, you can't convince me there isn't something bigger coming with this series. First the anti-youkai power, and then the mysterious comments about Haruaki being like "him". I'm fairly sure this series is leading up to something...but what? And if it isn't...I guess I'm just Boo Boo the Fool. 

Manga: Angels of Death 3

Angels of Death Vol 3

Rating: 5/5

Buy or Borrow: Buy

Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Ray and Zack have arrived at Floor B3, home to the mad prison guard Cathy and her brand of "punishment". Driven into a corner by her many sadistic traps, will Ray and Zack be able to keep their promise to each other...!? 

The colour palette for the cover and the colour pages perfectly matches the tone of the series, I just had to put that out there because this is the third cover in a row that I've loved for this series! Not to mention the character designs! They're still so cute, although we do get to see Zack's scary murderer face...and a new character who's totally creepy too! 

Rachel and Zack hit floor B3 in this volume to face off with Cathy, the cray cray prison guard who's all about punishing criminals. Honestly Rachel and Zack's banter gets funnier every time. They seem to be getting a lot closer, and they really work well as a team! I just can't stop myself from shipping it though! Especially as Zack reveals more and more that maybe, deep down, he does have an actual heart, and feelings. 

Bless him, Zack really doesn't have a great time this volume either, my poor little serial killer cinnamon roll. It seems like he's reaaaaaally hard to kill. Zack is still pretty mysterious to us, but at the end of the volume, we get a glimpse of his past and I'm hoping we'll be seeing more of that next time!

Interestingly things with Cathy aren't over this volume, and we'll be seeing her again in volume four. Up until now, we've had a killer a volume thing going on, and each killer's arc seems to be wrapped up in one, but this time it seems we're going over to two. I'm thinking this is the start of the arcs getting more in depth, and being fleshed out even more. 

As for Cathy...she's totally sadistic, but she does seem to be the more open and honest of them all so far. I mean, she probably thinks she's doing a good thing. Maybe. And her own enjoyment is an added bonus. 

Volume 3 brings us the start of deepening story arcs both for each floors serial killers, but also for our main characters as we start to learn about Zack and his past. It also see's Rachel and Zack becoming more of a team, and we're left with a nice cliffhanger to make us anxious for the next volume! 

Manga: Mermaid Boys 2

Mermaid Boys Vol 2
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Prince Naru is doing the "mermaid in love" thing and has transformed into a human boy in order to be with Nami. But the devilishly handsome mermaid Roa appears! What could he want with Nami? 

Have I mentioned how much I love this series recently? Honestly, I'm living for it and there's even more plot elements brought in with this volume. 

I think we all knewMellow was going to be shady, and his little plan is revealed at the beginning of the volume. Honestly, I should have seen it coming but...praise the lord, there's one mermaid that knows somethings up! Unfortunately she's now completely and utterly screwed herself by the situation she's gotten in to. 

Mellow sends Loa to keep an eye on our boy Naru, and Loa is there for one reason and one reason only. To make Naru's life reaaaaaally difficult. He succeeds at it pretty well too, with Naru's help actually. Naru really doesn't make things easy for himself this volume. Arashi...he still needs to not but it was nice to see Naru get one on over on him for once. It was interesting to see how much of a threat Naru thinks he is, compared to Loa. 

Ryou has me super curious. He and Naru are finally....maybe not friends but at least Allies and I'm so here for it. He seems to be a lot more chilled and enjoying things more thanks to Naru...but at the same time he does seem pretty convinced that he's going to vanish in to sea foam, and Naru is trying to get him to keep a positive mental attitude about it all. I feel like these two really need each other, and I'm looking forward to a bromance between the two of them. 

As for Naru and Nami, they have a nice little moment but Loa swiftly comes between the two of them. Naru really needs to watch what he says but he is freaking hilarious. He can be self centred and Loa's arrival, as well as some advice from Ryou, really has him examining himself and his motivations and actions. As well as his feelings for Nami. 

Luckily things get sorted between them and you can see the feelings and the romance between the two develop a little more in this book. And then Moana shows up. She's a new character, and an acquaintance of the Prince who came looking for him....and she's here to completely turn everything around. 

Volume 2 is fast paced and humorous as always, there's plenty of drama and development in the romance in this volume! Not to mention the cliffhanger ending as we find out just how tangled things have become thanks to Moana. Basically....we should just totally kill Mellow. Then all will be right int he world. 

The volume provides us with two new plot threads. The problem of Mellow and his scheme, and then the problem of Moana. This volume makes it safe to say that Nami has some feelings for Naru at this point, and Moana's arrival should see things from this volume swapped around. Moana is going to instigate some serious drama and I'm actually ready for it. We've seen Naru chasing after Nami, but Moana could mean we see more of Nami and her feelings. 

Either way, this series is getting better and better! 

Manga: Monster Tamer Girls 2

Monster Tamer Girls Vol 2
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

The new girls of the Tamers Committee are coming into their own as monster caretakers, yet the monsters remain ever mysterious. As Ion and her friends explore the touching personal stories behind human-monster relations, can looking to the past pave a way for the future? Find out in this final volume of Monster Tamer Girls! 

I can't believe that this is the final volume?! I'm actually quite sad as I was looking forward to seeing more of the monsters! 

This volume gives us some more heartwarming stories of monsters and humans, as we get Sora's story! Honestly though...Ookawara's story hit me right in the feels, with the monster taking care of him. So as you can see we have quite the mixed bag when it comes to this volume! 

Koto ends up taking the girls in to the monster shelter district so we get to see inside there, plus meet a couple of new monsters! It was cute to see Blue helping her out, and Nonoka hit me in the feels too!  

I feel like over the course of both volumes, characters like Koto and Tsukiko have come a long way and have changed a little in their feelings towards monsters, as well as their actions. I actually really enjoyed this world, and I'm sad we don't get to explore it more but at the same time, I guess there's only so far this story could go. 

This final volume gives us a batch of new monsters to meet, heartwarming moments, sad moments, and we get to see how things work out for the girls! I really enjoyed the way this was wrapped up, and everything was brought to an end!

Manga: As Miss Beelzebub Likes 2

As Miss Beelzebub Likes Vol 2
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

As the archdemon Beelzebub's attendant, Mullin is constantly reminded of just how quirky his boss can be. However, he's quickly learning that Beel is not the only eccentric running Pandemonium! Whether it's the frivolous playboy Astaroth, the perpetually sleepy Dantalion, or Eurynome and her...dangerous tastes, it's a wonder anything gets done at all! 

Honestly, Volume 2 cracked me up from the start. Poor old Beelzebub has it tough, trying to work out which fluffy thing she'd hug first. Hard life, isn't it? 

This volume expands on our cast of characters and introduces us to more of the colourful personalities residing in Pandemonium. Eurynome...well she's a bit creepy isn't she? Bless her. Although I did chuckle when she slapped Astaroth back down to size verbally, because he did need it a little bit. 

We also meet Dantalion, the head of the library and literally me! He stays up all night reading....that's pretty much what I do all the time. I think he might be my new favourite! Or one of them anyway! And then we have Molech, who's...excitable. Bless him. Plus we have Adramelech the wardrobe specialist. 

Perhaps the most adorably entertaining part of the volume was Belphegor trying to confess to Azazel, bless her. She plots a scheme to get close to him that involves cooking, so she ropes in Beelzebub to help out too along with Nisroch, Beelzebub's chef. Because they need professional supervision obviously. She actually manages to make a little bit of progress with her crush though! I also really liked getting to see more of she and Beelzebub's friendship, they're so cute! 

I honestly ship Belphegor and Azazel so much, not to mention Mullin and Beelzebub and they have some cute moments this volume as the romance moves along! The romance aspect wasn't something I was actually expecting, I was expecting a funny slice of life with demons, and it is that...but there's also the romance element and I'm living for it because of all the fluff! Not to mention the art, that's completely gorgeous!