Tag: January

Light Novel & Manga Haul January 2025

fantasticfictionsblogLeave a comment

About

I didn’t think I’d have enough books for a January haul, but various sales and impulse purchases happened. All of the light novels and one of the manga came from Amazon. Two of the manga were in-store purchases from a small local store, and the fourth was a late Christmas gift. Usually there are one or two light novels next to a bunch more manga, so I’m surprised I have an even ratio this time.

Light Novels

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Royal Academy Stories

I couldn’t pass up buying this one. It was on sale for half price. It’s not part of the main series, though.

This volume is a collection of short stories involving the characters for Rozemyne’s first year at the Royal Academy. None of the stories are in Rozemyne’s perspective. The description says they are all stories from the perspectives of her classmates.

I don’t know exactly when this should be read, but it’s somewhere in or after Part Four. I’m sure I’ll have a better idea for when I should read it once I actually start reading that part. The side stories at the end of each volume are usually enjoyable, so I’m looking forward to reading this.

What is it?

Side stories for an isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Short Story Collection, Vol. 1

This is the first volume of the short story collections. There are currently two volumes of these, but the second is not yet available in physical print. The stories span anywhere from part one to Part Four, which probably means part four should be read before this. I generally enjoy all the short stories the series has to offer, so I’m looking forward to reading this.

What is it?

Side stories for an isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Ascendance of a Bookworm, Vol. 22 & 23

These are Part Five, volumes one and two. I haven’t read any of Part Four, yet, so I have a substantial buffer at this point. I plan on trying to get caught up on physical volumes, because they are still releasing, and the end of the series is in sight. Part Five is the final, and longest, part.

Reviews for the Ascendance of a Bookworm light novel volumes I have already read can be found in the Index.

What is it?

An isekai about a bookworm who wakes up as a five-year-old girl in a world where books are unobtainable by the general public, so she decides to make her own and strive to make them more accessible.

Manga

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 8 & 9

I’m not terribly behind on this series, but it has been a while since I got any volumes. Season two of the anime isn’t far off, so I want to try catching up before watching it.

I didn’t actually intend to buy these when I went to the store. My intention was to pick up the latest volume of Daemons of the Shadow Realm, that I was two months late in grabbing, but the store didn’t have it. I always feel bad going into a store and walking out with nothing, so I grabbed these instead, since I had already planned to buy one or two manga.

Reviews for the Frieren volumes I have already read can be found in the Index.

What is it?

A fantasy story about an Elf mage coming to terms with how long her lifespan is compared to those around her.

Inuyasha VIZBIG Edition, Vol. 6

I read the entirety of the Inuyasha manga a number of years ago. However, I did not own them at the time, so I’m collecting the VIZBIG editions. I think they’re overall cheaper and more efficient than getting more than fifty single volumes.

This series will always be special to me, because it had a huge impact on my childhood. My friend group bonded over it back when it was first premiering on Adult Swim. I’m about to date myself, but I remember setting up the VCR to record Adult Swim so I could watch the episodes the following day. The anime was a big part of the culture of my childhood.

Owning my own copies of the manga and having some figure merchandise means a lot to me. It was fairly recently that I managed to get a Koga Funko figure, and it meant the world to me. There is little to no merchandise available of him, and he is one of my favorite characters. The nostalgia of it all makes me happy, and I love that there’s a sequel series for me to enjoy for some new content. I haven’t read or watched much of Yashahime, yet, but I love everything I’ve seen of it, so far.

What is it?

A time travel adventure romance with demons.

Skip Beat! Vol. 49

Skip Beat! is one of my all time favorite shojo manga series. I haven’t given it a reread in years, but it’ll be time to circle back soon. At this point I might have more volumes I haven’t read than volumes I that I have.

I’m glad it’s still going, but the current volumes are noticeably thinner than they used to be, substantially so. Hopefully, that won’t be a reflection of story quality. Volume 50 is due out on March, 4th.

What is it?

A revenge showbiz story with comedy and romance.

Light Novel & Manga Haul January 2024

fantasticfictionsblog

About

This isn’t a big haul, but I got some things I’ve been wanting for a while. There are three light novels and one manga. None of them are first volumes, so no new series, but I’m making progress on things I’ve already started.

Light Novels

The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong, Vol. 2, 3 & 4

I read volume one back in September. These are a little more on the expensive side, so I had to wait a while to get the rest. I liked the first book enough to commit to buying the rest of the series, so I got all of the remaining volumes as soon as I was able.

My plan is to reread the first one before delving into these three. I don’t often reread things so closely after reading them the first time, but want to make sure I read all of these close together for the best experience. The series is only four volumes in total, so it’s not a huge commitment. I’ll definitely be trying other danmei books after this.

The review for the first volume of this series is already available.

What is it?

A historical isekai (or transmigration for the Chinese term) BL (danmei) romance where the main character is put in the body of a novel villain.

Manga

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 6

I’m collecting these slowly. I’m hoping to have enough of them to start binging them around Halloween. From what I can tell, the series is still ongoing with the Japanese version of volume 30 just releasing this year in early January. I doubt I’ll be caught up on all the current volumes by October, but I’m hoping I’ll be in the mood to at least start reading the series around then.

What is it?

An action adventure starring demons and exorcists. The main character wants to be an exorcist even though he is the son of Satan.

Light Novel and Manga Haul January 2023

fantasticfictionsblog

About

I’ve been ordering too many books. My wallet is crying. I’ll have to try to slow down.

All books in this haul are orders from Amazon and ThriftBooks. Yu Yu Hakusho volume two is the only one not pre-owned.

Light Novels

Spice & Wolf, Vol. 8 & 9

I am steadily working my way through this series. It’s pretty great. Reviews for volumes one through five are already up.

What is it?

A commerce slow burn romance between a human and a snarky wolf girl.

Manga

Black Cat, Vol. 17 & 19

This series is out of print, and most volumes are expensive. I found these two, by chance, for about $20 total. I wasn’t going to pass on that. There are only five more volumes remaining until I have them all. Due to the prices, this may take some time.

What is it?

An action adventure starring an ex-assassin gunman turned bounty hunter, and supernatural powers.

Detective Conan (Japanese), Vol. 1 & 3

I love Case Closed/Detective Conan. Mysteries are one of my favorite genres. I already have 1-10 in English, and I’ve seen a lot of the anime. Because I love this series so much, I figure getting them in Japanese is a good way to practice reading the language. My vocabulary isn’t big enough, yet, but having these around is a good motivator to stick with my lessons.

These are pretty cool, because as the Japanese editions, they actually have a book jacket. The cover underneath is in black and white.

What is it?

A mystery series in which a secret organization turns the protagonist into a child via medicine.

Flame of Recca, Vol. 12

I have a long way to go before I finish collecting this series. I’m only about one third of the way done. It’s out of print, so every volume I buy is pre-owned.

What is it?

An action adventure featuring supernatural powers and magic items with a similar vibe to Yu Yu Hakusho.

Tail of the Moon, Vol. 10-12

There are only three volumes remaining until I complete this series.

What is it?

A romance story about an incompetent ninja girl sent to woo Lord Hanzo.

Yu Yu Hakusho, Vol. 2

This series is one of my favorites from my childhood. I have never read it, but I used to watch the anime all the time. I also have the DVD collection and the PS2 fighting game. Volume one was gifted to me a couple years ago, so I’m only just now starting to get moving on collecting the manga.

I had problems getting this one in. At first, there were stock issues, so it was entirely unattainable. When it finally got a restock, I ordered it, and it got lost in the mail. I ended up resolving the issue by re-ordering it with another larger book in hopes the larger book would prevent the package from getting lost in the mail, like it did the first time. When it finally came in, the delivery person left it in the wrong place. I feel like I’m lucky I managed to get it at all. I swear if I didn’t re-order it with that larger book, it probably would have gotten lost again.

What is it?

An action adventure featuring supernatural powers, demons, and fighting tournaments.