I've discovered my library carries manga. Really, really good manga. Yes! So far, I've read some of Sgt. Frog and Barefoot Gen (very good that last one... must read for anyone interested in Hiroshima before and after the bomb... will review later).
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I've read (and bought) the first two volumes of Shinobi Life by Shoko Conami. It is a surprisingly funny, suprisingly sweet story. And the best part is that it somehow manages to also pull stunts with time travel without completely snapping my disbelief suspenders.
Why? Because I want them to live happily ever after. I want it so bad I could scream.
I'm getting ahead of myself. Shinobi Life is about a ninja/bodyguard from a long, long time ago in Japan who, due to an explosion while guarding his princess, gets thrown into a lake. Just above the water of the lake is a portal to a different period of time... the modern world. It just so happens that said portal exits right above where the heroine of our story, a plucky rich girl named Beni, is being threatened by a kidnapper. This is no big deal to her since she gets kidnapped all the time. Besides, if someone murders her, she can blame it all on her dad who can never protect her adequately or some other weird reason. That part didn't come through too well in the translation. But oh, watching the ninja's reaction when he encounters our world is just too awesome to worry about rationality! And watching the two of them fall for each other is just amazing... very well done.
Now, about the time travel aspect, it does get very confusing. And they do employ the "if you see yourself you will disappear" card. However, they also have some interesting twists within the story that make sense, even after re-reading earlier chapters. In fact, they make those earlier chapters more fun.
So, if you're looking for good romantic comedy, please take a look at Shinobi Life. So far, I love it.
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A fantastic manga has been licensed for our viewing pleasure. As wonderful as Shinobi Life is, I have not yet found a romantic comedy in manga that can top Kyousuke Motomi's Dengeki Daisy. (Note: the link is added for reference purposes... I'm not promoting Amazon) I really hope they don't ruin it because the humor is just incredible, the plot is surprisingly down to earth, the mystery feels solid (so far), and the romance is great. Yes, there's some over the top nonsense, but nothing that makes you go "ooooookkaaaaaay" and put it back on the shelf. And there's some parts that just made me laugh out so loud I woke up my sleeping baby.
So, I will be putting my name down for the English version.
BTW, Kyousuke's other works are also very, very good. Beast Master is short, but funny and sweet. I mean, seriously, the way he draws the girl animals can't stand makes me laugh even thinking about it. He's done some short stories that are also fantastic. I can't believe he's a guy, to be honest. The romance is just too good. The only thing that makes me believe it is that the guys in his stories are very believable. There is no typical fantasy nonsense in the guys he creates. He has become my favorite mangaka.
That is all. You may return to Hulu.
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