Manga Review: Midnight Children by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Midnight Children

Original Title: Midnight☆Children

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 2007

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Harem, Mystery, Romance, Shoujo

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 8

Volumes & Chapters:

2 Volumes

Mangafox | Goodreads | Myanimelist

Summary

It’s a story about a girl who lost her every memory. One stormy night, a sudden meeting changes her life forever. She starts anew while still trying to set the pieces of the puzzle that was once her life. Soon after, a love that puts everything on the line is born in the girl’s heart.

By chance, she starts living with a boyband called RISKY and her adventure of love and discovery begins...

My Thoughts

Review covers 8 chapters 

I remember when I started my Mayu Shinjo once a month review release back in November 2015, I chose only my favourite words and mostly the long ones, disregarding some other completely. then one day, during my Christmas holidays I had this weird craving for some new smut manga, and in the end, I ended up finding ou that I haven't read even once some of  Shinjo-sensei's works. This one is one of them.

I do not know why I haven't read this story a long time ago. I mean, I'm happy that I didn't, that way I got to read something new, but it will stay a mystery for me. the story may not be unique, but it is thrilling and fascinatingly told. You're thrown into a world of a young girl, who has lost all her memories and meets 5 guys. will she be able to regain to regain her memories? Or will she enjoy the bliss that the ignorance is bringing? That's up to you to find out, but my advice is to be prepared for everything and read the story very carefully, as there maybe only 8 chapters, however, the information given is a lot to comprehend.

the secrets that will be unveiled in this story one frightening, at the same time, I had the feeling the author wanted to show us the reality of our lives. The choices and their consequences. You can never undo what you have done, you can atone for the mistakes, but the forgiveness that a person seeks can only be given by the person himself. are you ready to read this dark but at the same time very sweet story? but don't forget to ask yourself a simple question at the end: what would you have done? would you be able to do what our characters have accomplished? enjoy it to its fullest and don't forget to share your thoughts below! stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos! Don't miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Manga Review: Demon Love Spell by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Demon Love Spell

Original Title: Ayakashi Koi Emaki

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 2008 

Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural 

Status: Completed 

Chapters (Translated in English): 28

Volumes & Chapters: 6 Volumes 

6 Volumes in Total

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary

Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off women’s feelings of passion and love. Kagura’s insatiable appetite has left many girls at school brokenhearted, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works—sort of—but now Kagura is after her!

My Thoughts

Review covers 28 chapters 

Yup, I finally finished this story. I mean the last 2 volumes have been lying on my bedside table since the end of October. And I finally read them after my midterms were finished. Yes, it’s the end of November while I’m writing the review. Let me start from the beginning. There are only 6 volumes, 18 chapters, however, right now there are only 14 chapters uploaded on mangafox and mangahere. But do not be discouraged as Viz media has taken it under its “wing” so if you need you can get all volumes. That’s what I did, though I only bought last 3. But let me end this boring talk and start talking about the story itself.

If you’ve been reading my blog you know that Mayu Shinjo is one of my favourite authors and I have already covered quite a lot of her works that are on my favourite list. Mostly I love her adult works, and though this one is a not in such a daring form, it still is in the adult section, or I could say in the entrance to the adult section. The story is about a young priestess who by a chance banishes the real demon, and he to take his revenge stays next to her to eat her up. Yup, this is your demon x priestess romance. But trust me it’s fun, with lots of action and you wouldn’t want to put it down. I remember I was sulking for a year to get new updates until I finally ordered the last volumes.

Miko and Kagura are awesome characters. Especially Kagura, he reminded me of Sakuya from Sensual Phrase, and in one of the chapters he really is compared to Sakuya. But we are not talking about Sakuya here; let me get beck to Kagura. He’s the demon in the flesh and that’s his incredible charm. He’s hot, I remember my friend who has no idea about manga was drooling when she saw me reading. You can never get bored with him and with mini Kagura. And the real fun is in the last 2 volumes, as the relationship between Miko and Kagura finally reach that point. Are you sure you want to miss this fun ride? Well, this story is all yours! And you’ll love how it all ends! 

Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Manga Review: Despotic Lover by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Despotic Lover

Original Title: 覇王♥愛人

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 2004

Genres: Action, Drama, Harem, Mature, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Smut, Tragedy

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 50

Volumes & Chapters: 9 Volumes

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5              Volume 4 Chapters 17-22                    Volume 7 Chapters 36-40
Volume 2 Chapters 6-10            Volume 5 Chapters 23-29                     Volume 8 Chapters 41-45
Volume 3 Chapters 11-16          Volume 6 Chapters 30-35                     Volume 9 Chapters 46-50

MangaHere – Goodreads

Summary

One day while walking home from her job, Kurumi Akino finds a wounded young man, and saves his life. He mysteriously dissapears after that, and leaves only the name Hakuron�. Next thing she knows she's been kidnapped from her school, and is on a private jet with that man, heading to China. It turns out she saved the life of the most infamous mobster in Hong Kong, and he wants her to stay with him. 

You can find A Tale of Happier Times (v06 extra) in the anthology Motto Oshiete. 

WARNING: This series contains strong "consensual rape" situations, strong language, scenes of graphic sex, rape, violence, murder, suicide, glorifies the mafia and black market. It is recommended that you be the legal age of consent in your country to view this story. 

My Thoughts

Review covers 50 chapters 

Hi, guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! I’m continuing with my obsession with Mayu Shinjo’s works. However, there are not much left. There definitely be two more reviews, but at that I won’t be able to review all of her works, and truly I only review the ones that I found interesting enough to read a second time. But let me get back to the review as talking about my future projects is sometimes boring

Please bear in mind that from all of the author’s work this is the cruelest. Wait, can I say cruel? Let me elaborate. It’s twisted. The story is about love, but Hakuron’s (that’s the main character and the leader of Hong Kong mafia) idea of love is twisted. The story has lots of murder and also rape, which is why I say that his idea of love is twisted. But what is most interesting is that he truly does love Kurumi, and that love makes him do stupid things. Like what? Heh, If I told you I would have spoiled a major event and to say the truth I would have spoiled the whole story. Because before he does anything there are characters to appear and make Kurumi’s life hell and take her love from her.

Why do I love this story if it’s mostly murder and twisted love? I believe because of the characters. No matter what cruelty Hakuron does, even if he infuriates me to the point of hating him, I still like him as a character. He truly encompassed the role of a heartless, cruel beast that unfortunately falls in love. Why unfortunately? That is my opinion, but if he didn’t he would have been alive and wouldn’t have wounded Kurumi, but at the same time the love that he felt towards Kurumi made him a better man in some aspects. Kurumi is a great character. Her strength and her love amaze me every time I read this story. You might think of her as strange. She should have run when she had a chance, but she stayed. She loved Hakuron too much.

I mean if we look at the ending, and it’s something that I didn’t expect. The cover of the 9^th volume is Kurumi and Hakuron in wedding attire, you could never guess that the wedding will be a tragedy. Involuntarily I remember Hakuron’s words:

His death is very powerful. The last dialogue between him and Kurumi s fantastic and makes you cry.  You do want to hold hope that he lived, but the words that Foron says 3 years later shatter your heart. I’m writing and my eyes are teary again. But what I loved is that in the end the author makes you smile, how? No, there’s nothing about Kurumi’s future, I do believe she’ll either stay single or will marry Foron and absolutely random guy. But I’m more for her staying single, she won't be able to love anyone like she did Hakuron. The only thing left from him is a cat. I did think that she would have a baby, but the author thought not to do it.

Are you ready to start this story of love and hatred? Get ready to not see rose-colored love all the time. This love is hard and is cruel in its way. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga. Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Manga Review: Love Celeb by Mayu Shinjo (2nd Review)

Title: Love Celeb

Original Title: Love Celeb - King Egoist

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo 

Year of Release: 2004

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Drama, Mature, Shoujo, Smut,

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 37.5

Volumes & Chapters: 7 Volumes

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5              Volume 4 Chapters 18-23                         Volume 7 Chapters 36-37.5
Volume 2 Chapters 6-11            Volume 5 Chapters 24-29
Volume 3 Chapters 12-17          Volume 6 Chapters 30-35.5

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary

Shinjo Mayu's newest leading lady is an idol, and the leading man is... a future prime minister!? Just what is a "Love Celeb"? Nakazono Kirara is an aspiring starlet. She used to think she'd do whatever it took to get a starring role in a drama and have a CD. But her manager, Hanamaki, proves her wrong when he sends her into a room full of horny producers to sleep her way into a role! Kirara wants no part of it! She's a virgin, and these guys are scary!! Especially the silver-haired one named Gin... He seems to be in charge. But he lets Kirara leave the party with her virginity and his phone number, and it seems like nothing lost, nothing gained... until Kirara is suddenly the most famous new starlet for no apparent reason!?

Side story in volume 7: Darenimo Ienai!
Ruka’s a junior high student in love with her father’s assistant, Fumi-sempai. She wants to become an adult quickly because everyone sees her as a little kid! But what would happen if she actually became an adult with the help of a time machine?

My Thoughts

Review covers 37 chapters 

See the first review HERE!

Hello, everyone and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! Today I’m finishing up with Love Celeb. The fun thing is that I posted the first review not so long ago, and if you’re interested, you can find it on my blog, or just click on the link above. I do not believe this review will be as long as the previous one, but I really did want to it separately. So, let me begin.

If you read my previous review, you know where I stopped the story. Kirara (that’s our female protagonist) has retired from being an idol, so she could be with her only love – Gin. So now that she has achieved her dream, it’s Gin’s turn to gain respect and achieve his dream to be a politician. But first it’s a makeover. Both for him and Kirara. You can see Kirara’s on the cover of the final volume, and Gin’s is right here:

I debated putting it here, but then he’s so yummy! Okay, so to start Gin’s career as future politician, his father makes him a secretary of another politician – Makoto Ginguji. And so Kirara’s and gin’s love will be tested again, and it will nearly collapse, but Gin will find a way to return what was his and even make an ally in Makoto. What happened? Why is that I hated Makoto in the very beginning and still do a little because I do not approve of his ways to deal with something? You’ll need to find it out for yourself. It’s no fun if I tell you know!

One thing that I really found interesting is Gin’s come back in the very beginning of his secretary life: “what this country needs is love” and its amazing to watch when he proves to Makoto what he could accomplish because of love. However, the idea that there are not enough donors for bone-marrow and that mostly people do not care about such things is indeed correct. I could understand Makoto’s wish to find a donor, but the way it was done was not right.

The ending is quite fun as we get to see the new character who will appear in another work, and don’t miss it as Hakuron will be appearing on my blog next month. However, let me get back to the ending. It is quite vague. We do not know that those two will stay together, but the ending still shows them as 16-year-olds or at least 17. We do not really get to see them making a family, and that’s a bit sad, but nevertheless it’s a great ending.

So, don’t miss it. At the end there’s an extra story, how Kirara ad Gin visit Sakuya & Aine. You’ll see your favourite couple from Sensual phrase and there will be a surprise waiting for you. Don’t miss your chance to find out how Kirara’s and Gin’s love story will end. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Manga Review: Love Celeb by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Love Celeb

Original Title: Love Celeb - King Egoist

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo 

Year of Release: 2004

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Drama, Mature, Shoujo, Smut,

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 37.5

Volumes & Chapters: 7 Volumes

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5              Volume 4 Chapters 18-23                         Volume 7 Chapters 36-37.5
Volume 2 Chapters 6-11            Volume 5 Chapters 24-29
Volume 3 Chapters 12-17          Volume 6 Chapters 30-35.5

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary

Shinjo Mayu's newest leading lady is an idol, and the leading man is... a future prime minister!? Just what is a "Love Celeb"? Nakazono Kirara is an aspiring starlet. She used to think she'd do whatever it took to get a starring role in a drama and have a CD. But her manager, Hanamaki, proves her wrong when he sends her into a room full of horny producers to sleep her way into a role! Kirara wants no part of it! She's a virgin, and these guys are scary!! Especially the silver-haired one named Gin... He seems to be in charge. But he lets Kirara leave the party with her virginity and his phone number, and it seems like nothing lost, nothing gained... until Kirara is suddenly the most famous new starlet for no apparent reason!?

Side story in volume 7: Darenimo Ienai!
Ruka’s a junior high student in love with her father’s assistant, Fumi-sempai. She wants to become an adult quickly because everyone sees her as a little kid! But what would happen if she actually became an adult with the help of a time machine?

My Thoughts

Review covers 24 chapters 

Hello everyone and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! Today I’m having yet another work by Mayu Shinjo. It’s a relatively small story compared to Sensual Phrase only 7 volumes long. However, I’ll be doing two reviews on it, so look forward to the next one somewhere next week! Why did I decide to make to reviews? Well, because the story has two events, therefore I want to cover each separately. Today’s review will cover Kirara as the idol.

So let me begin: meet Kirara Nakazono – an aspiring idol, who as she herself says has no talent but has the enthusiasm to become the first!

(That actually happens much, much later, but I just wanted to put it here) to gain popularity she takes part in various late night shows as well as some variety ones. However, everything changes when her manager – Hanamaki, throws he inside an apartment with words: “get your body out there and get a job!”

Yes, it does happen! It also doesn’t help the situation that Kirara is a virgin. But don’t forget this is a romance story; therefore a silver-haired prince (Wolf in disguise) appears to help Kirara! However, his motives are not all that pure and you’ll be laughing when you get to read them. Who is this silver-haired prince that stole Kirara’s heart in a flash? Meet our man lead – Ginzou Fujiwara or for short Gin – the most influential man in Japan (well, after his dad and grandpa). He takes a strange interest in Kirara and wants to make her his. Will he succeed? And by succeeding I mean to make both Kirara’s body and heart completely his. Start reading now and find out, how Fin will be trying to seduce Kirara!

Now, you can stop reading if you are afraid of spoilers, as I’ll be discussing some issues that are tightly related to spoilers. But if you are interested, please continue! This story as Sensual Phrase is set in the world of Showbiz. However, we get to see how the author actually makes fun of some things. Surely there are serious moments too, like when Kirara conforms Gin in the very beginning about her dream, but the way Gin changes everything on a whim if he doesn’t like something is just comical. The best issue is Kirara’s virginity and her accused lewdness. I just couldn’t stop laughing when Gin is accusing he of being a pervert because her room is small. Her phrase: “Let me lick you” just made me fall down from the chair even when I was reading for the third time. I knew that she would say it, but the impact was still too strong. There are numerous jokes about Gin and Kirara, but in the end he still makes her his, that is a problem arises.

Gin being Gin is a very selfish and jealous person. As soon as he falls hard for Kirara he becomes a hardcore possessive boyfriend. His stunts and idiotic behavior made me laugh before Kirara was a virgin

 well actually even after that. But as soon as he gets her, his jealousy was overwhelming. He wanted Kirara only for himself and even told her to leave the entertainment world. Here comes the problem. Kirara wanted to achieve her dream, so they became enemies, and now without Gin how will Kirara manage to climb to the top again? She will and it will be a hard journey especially if Gin is trying to sabotage her. But if you thought that Kirara was a complete idiot in the beginning, you get to see her differently now. She is a strong willed person who wants to achieve her dream and return to the one she loves the most!

Are you ready to read Kirara and Gin’s story? It’s full of love, fantastic humor and lots of misunderstandings that make you laugh. You’ll also get to see one of your favourite characters from Sensual Phrase to appear! Don’t miss the 2^nd review of this fabulous story, as now it’s Gin’s turn to climb to the top! Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Manga Review: Sensual Phrase by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Sensual Phrase

Original Title: Kaikan Phrase

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 1997

Genres: Drama, Mature, Romance, Shoujo, School Life, Smut

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 84

Volumes & Chapters: 

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5                 Volume 7 Chapters 31-35                  Volume 13 Chapters 61-65
Volume 2 Chapters 6-9                 Volume 8 Chapters 36-40                  Volume 14 Chapters 66-70
Volume 3 Chapters 10-15             Volume 9 Chapters 41-45                  Volume 15 Chapters 71-75
Volume 4 Chapters 16-21             Volume 10 Chapters 46-49                Volume 16 Chapters 76-79
Volume 5 Chapters 22-27             Volume 11 Chapters 50-55                Volume 17 Chapters 80-82.5
Volume 6 Chapters 28-30             Volume 12 Chapters 56-60                Volume 18 Chapters 83-84.5

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary

Sakuya, the lead singer for the hard-rocking band Lucifer, is the unattainable object of desire for millions of hopeful women. Aine is the demure high school student who suddenly finds herself in the middle of a raucous rock'n'roll circus. Together they're writing the book of love — one hit song at a time!

My Thoughts

Review covers 84 chapters 

Hi, guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! I've recently been looking through my blog and I found that I had yet to review Mayu Shinjo's works. So I thought why not to start in a kind of chronological order; with her longest and most famous works - Sensual Phrase. 

I have read this particular work at least 3 times, and nevertheless, I am always intrigued and sucked in the story as if I was reading for the first time. In the beginning, I was thinking of doing several reviews for this one, but then somehow ended up only doing one. And truth be told, I even lost the raw of the review, so right now I am writing whatever I remember from it. I didn't really have time to reread it again and write another review. 

The story is fantastic and the characters are amazing. If you are up for a shobiz story, this is from where you should start. Get to know Sakuya and Aine, and get to know the most popular band in history - Lucifer. Are you ready to find out if the showbiz is just fame? or are you ready to dig deaper and find out what it mean to be famous? Lucifer will give you an insight to everything! 

So how does everything start? Imagine, being a high-schooler (I'm in university so...) and writing sensual lyrics. And now imagine this, you were nearly run over by a car, and the person who steps out of it is a vocalist of a super popular band. All ends well, but then try to imagine this: your song is sang by that popular band and especially without your concent! And now you are asked to be a song writer. Awesome? yup, but that's not all, you'll have to read the story to get a chance to meet Aine and Sakuya. you will be having fun, but at the same time you will see that the story has many life issues. You won't be able to stop reading once you start!

Enjoy it to your fullest and don't forget to share your thoughts below. Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don't miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie 

Rating