It's like an Animeme. Just with Manga.

Naruto, Volume 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:04:40 GMT

I don not remember too well which manga was my first one. I could have been Detective Conan but MÄR as well. Or Naruto. And I'm going with the latter because this series is the one I'm still reading (since it's not finished yet) and that managed to draw me to it till today. The plot that is dragged on in Naruto is at least more logical and useful than the one of Bleach for example. I quickly learned to love certain characters and the universe and although it can be (waaaay too) over the top at times it never ceases to entertain me.

Black Butler, Vol. 3

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:03:50 GMT

Yana-sensei, oh~! All hail to you, divine mistress of the mangaka. I think I've explained this before but I'll go again anyway: Never have I seen a mangaka with such an exquisite passion for detail, witty humour, characters of so much originality and charm and just such a large amount of talent that has already reached the level of ultimate sanctity. In my opinion. Yes, fave mangaka alright. I love all of her works. May it be series or oneshot, collaboration or crossover, doodle or stand-alone art, it's all marvellous! ♥

Durarara!!, Vol. 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:05:01 GMT

Yes, Izaya Orihara is the individual I adore 1000%. I wonder what I always find so appealing about psychos. Although at times Izaya seems more like a sociopath. Anyway, the information broker with the many identities has this certain hobby that is a bit different: Human observation. He loves the human race and loves to watch their actions, reactions, habits and deficits. That is why he never fails to bring the people around him trouble, just to see how they will deal with it. That rejoices his heart the most. Izaya has quite a jolly personality but his cruel and vicious sides are shown off by him more than enough as well.

Unfortunately the human race doesn't necessarily return his fanatic love. His only actual 'friend', the underground doctor Shinra Kishitani, whose main focus is his beloved Dullahan, is slipping away from him more and more. Besides that he's passionately at feud with the strongest man in Ikebukuro, Shizuo Heiwajima, his secretary Namie Yagiri contemplates killing him and his twin sisters aren't really fond of him either. And nobody invites him to hot pot parties! D: Poor fellow, he's just very misunderstood. He almost never shows his real emotions, because that's what his job demands, because of his pride and because he wants to protect himself.

Izaya Orihara has made a decision on how to live his life. But then there are these moments when he does regret this way of living after all; the solitude and the lack and loss of bonds that come with it pain him deep down inside. He isn't an entirely bad person, people just need to give him a chance to be kind. I consider him to be completely brilliant as well as hilarious, charming, gorgeous-looking and so smug and mean that it's actually great again.
(I also love his jacket!) Whatever the situation may be about I shall always take Izaya's side. Or actually feel sorry for him. It depends.

"This is the way I have lived my life all along."
He clenched his right fist and slammed it hard into the telephone pole next to him. What did Izaya's face look like? Why did he slam his fist into the telephone pole? What was on his mind? No one in the world would ever know. Because -
DRRR!! Light Novel, Vol. 9. Epilogue 

Future Diary Volume 2

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:06:55 GMT

It's relatively rare that I actually like a female character in a manga (and for that matter anime). Most of the time they conform to the stereotype. Way too aggressive, unnormally busty, terribly obnoxious, 100% useless or with a bogus tsundere attitude. There are many more that will never get my acceptance. But sometimes I stumble upon some wonderful women after all.
Uryuu Minene is one of them.

Her being the ninth diary owner and a terrorist bomber makes her just another enemy at first. But in the course of the story she turns out to be more of an anti-heroine. Her "Escape Diary" enables her to get away safely when she's in a delicate condition which is especially convenient for preventing a 'Dead End'. In adition to that she has also mastered the principles of disguising herself and creating all kinds of effective explosives.
Minene is a very strong character, but still in a very believable way. After the death of her parents she has always been alone and has become accustomed to being on her own and not feeling any kind of mercy. But later on it is revealed that she is still just a human being and has a very insecure and emotional side as well. She still tries to stick to her old values yet the feeling of love is stronger. Nevertheless she doesn't become all whiny and wimpy and remains to be a unique and badass character that keeps the cute and affectionate part of her hidden so that she can only show it to the person she cherishes most.

Kiniro Kishi

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:08:31 GMT

That beautiful Oneshot of Nao-sensei that I had never heard of before. I saw a sample in a manga preview and I didn't even care about the story at that point. The style was what completely fascinatated me. So I bought it and it was the right choice! Like my number 1 mangaka there is so much delicate detail in her drawings and their artistry is overwhelmingly beautiful. As it was a compilation there were three little stories and they were all very sweet, with original characters and above-mentioned stunning designs.

Bleach, Volume 01

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:52:16 GMT

F'in Orihime Inoue, RAAAAARGH! She one of those damn stereotypes that get on my nerves so much. Big-breasted, a dojikko (klutz) that is completely useless but extremely attention-seeking. Even worse it that all the male characters in the manga (of course *rolls eyes*) like her. The first time she appeared I already knew she wouldn't be my kind of character. But as the story evolved I came to absolutely hate her! First she whines about being oh-so-weak and wanting to be able to protect her friends. Then she gets these hairpin weapons of hers and is even able to control the FLOW OF F'IN TIME and is still useless as f**k. She lets herself be kidnapped and waits for her friends to come save her. The only thing she provides is healing and all the villains consider her important because she has these pretty awesome abilities but is too stupid to stand up for herself with them. Then she's in love with the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki. Fine, but the way she expresses or rather does not(correctly) express her feelings is more obnoxious than it should be. Everytime she speaks she also says "Kurosaki-kun".
"Help me, Kurosaki-kun!", "I need you, Kurosaki-kun!", "Where are you, Kurosaki-kun!?" Geez, it's like she never shuts up. And no, her talkative and 'oh-I'm-so-empathic-over-everyone-and-everything' attitude aren't likeable at all, they just make her even more weak and gutless. And how do people find her attractive?! I just can't understand... Sorry, just had a moment here. It's over now.

Durarara!! Vol.2 Manga Comic (Language is Japanese)

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:08:47 GMT

I don't know how often I've claimed it by now: Shizuo X Izaya
is my absolute, ultimate OTP. But the question of 'favourite couple'
comes up so often in memes so it's no suprise there's so
much Shizaya involved. Well, I'm not aversed to talk about
them even more. I could do this all day long, haha. Yes,
apparently I'm all for passionate hate-love relationships.
Shizu-chan and Izaya are two complete opposites and those
are drawn to each other, right? They are so different that they
actually complement each other perfectly. The circumstances just
don't allow them to. I'm well aware that they are not really
canon but the fanservice they get is! And even without it,
their special relationship could be hard to unsee, the
fanservice just makes it a thousand times better.

Hana-Kimi: Volume 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:11:10 GMT

Almost every volume made me giggle or even burst out laughing like crazy. I love the way Nakajo-sensei draws these little scenes in the background. There always a funny comment by someone from the back and the facial expressions of the characters are ingenious. Even if the manga is very emotional/sad at times the hilarious parts prevail and it's perfect that way.

Kodocha: Sana's Stage, Vol. 10

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:10:19 GMT

I borrowed the whole series from a friend a long time ago and I really don't remember too much of the story or the characters or the setting anymore. But I know that I weeped bitterly after I had finished the last volume.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:12:00 GMT

It started out great and it continues to be...I hope we will get many many more chapters (more than the anime at least)! The world is counting on you, Katô-sensei! x3

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 01: A Boys Love Story

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:12:46 GMT

Yaoi/Shounen-Ai.
My undefeated number one genre! The stories are somehow always so touching, I love the seme-uke principle and the intimate scenes are so much more appealing than in every other genre. Even if a normal shounen manga is at hand my fujoshi mind rarely lets me pair up a boy with girl anymore. Well, that's conducive...ô.o

The Tyrant Who Falls In Love vol 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:38:33 GMT

I've read a couple of brilliant shonen-ai manga, especially by Rie Honjou. But my favourite is still Koi Suru Bokun. It was the first
shonen-ai/yaoi manga that I actually possessed and that also consists of more than 1 volume (I'm still waiting for volume 7 and maybe more). The characters are very likeable and the story is sweet. It's a perfect balance of yaoi and shonen-ai elements and it also features the rarity of two guys that are both fit to be the seme. But of course there can only be one and so the 'tyrant' becomes the uke right from the start. Mainly because he is the one that still has a long way of coming to terms with his feelings/developing feelings.

Koi no Shizuku

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:32:50 GMT

I've read so many oneshots by now and I cannot recall all of their names. Koi no Shizuku is one I could remember because I had shrewdly listed it on MyAnimlist. I wish I had done this with the majority of the rest.
Anyways, I gave it nice rating. I think it involved a bunch of lovely little stories with the appropriate amount of smut. Everything that is needed for a good oneshot, no? C;

Yozakura Quartet: Volume 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:34:18 GMT

I am nearly finished with the anime and actually I wanted to read the manga first but somehow watching it became more convenient. My main motivation for reading this manga is that the mangaka is Suzuhito Yasuda, the woman who illustrated the DRRR!! light novels and the manga and seems to be friends with Yana-sensei! *__*
I like her character design for Yozakura Quartet and I already own one of her (superawesome) artbooks. MUST READ SOON!

Black Butler, Vol. 4

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:34:40 GMT

Well of course one of Yana-sensei's manga had to be on here and of course it is my all-time favourite. :3

Play Tunes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:01:49 GMT

I adore the art of doujinka Akitsugu Fujino. It looks like the real thing, it's amazing! And via the summit named Inumog she publishes the most delicious, exciting and believable Shizaya fannon I've ever come across.
They are so good, I can never get enough of reading them.
And although I surely love every of her Shizaya doujins I consider 'Play Tunes' to be the best. The whole scenery is hilarious and a totally Izaya-like prank turns into the ultimate ha-ha-haaawtness. *Q*
Fujino-sensei, you are a genius! ♥

Blade of the Immortal 02.

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:10:36 GMT

I didn't even read this manga but when silent killer told me about the beautiful cover art of "Blade of the Immortal" I was so impressed and immediately fell in love with the cover of volume 2.

Defense Devil 01

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:13:09 GMT

Mephisto Barto Dertov Reffertlark Kucabara, the Demon King's son that has decided to live his life opposed to the demons' values. He acts as Hell's lawyer and tries to bring people who died unjustly or through manipulation back to life. As he was once the prince of the Demon World he was said to possess the strongest Dark Matter, but his younger brother Legato betrayed him and stole all of his Dark Matter. With his dragon friend Bichura he tries not only to save the innocent from going to hell but also gathers more and more Dark Matter to actually take over his throne again and change the laws of his World. Kucabara isn't just strong but also has human qualities and a lot of humour which make him so likeable.

Pandora Hearts 05

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:17:30 GMT

Vincent Nightray isn't exactly the villain in the series (I'd rather call the Baskervilles the main enemies) but he certainly is of villainous nature. When he is not just acting out his complex for his half-brother Gilbert with the utmost affection Vincent is a real psychopath who greatly enjoys mass murder and doesn't hesistate to sacrifice his subordinates. But he still remains so good-looking, charming and the childish side he dedicates to Gilbert is adorable.

Durarara!!: Vol. 3

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:20:55 GMT

Durarara!! is just so complex and smart, inherently consistent and something special and unique. Every character is interesting in his/her own way, there are so many surprsing twists when you expect them the least and the plot continues to be thrilling and refreshing. It remains a brilliant amount of absurdity without becoming ridiculous or unrealistic. Narita-sensei has created a beautiful universe that the reader never wants to leave again.

Neon Genesis Evangelion, Volume 10

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:51:55 GMT

Actually I'd have to name every friggin' Kaworu-moment in the manga. Everything he does seems to be awesome or have a similar outcome, somehow! But even among those I have 2 highlights:
Volume 10, Chapter 67. The ultimate fanservice in a straight manga.
Shinji is at Kaworu's place because he's afraid to face Misato
or anyone else that could confront him with Rei's death that
had occured shortly before during the battle with Armisael,
the 16th angel. Kaworu, so Shinji claims, is the only one who
is cold-hearted enough to not deal with the matter any longer.
So it gets late and the two guys share a bed because Kaworu
is a gentleman. (x3)
During the night Shinji starts to hyperventilate and the
other male looks for a way to return his breathing
to normal again. Actually he wanted to use a
bag but then he had the brilliant epiphany of mouth-to-mouth
respiration aka a little kiss that he enjoyed more than he
should have, nyahaha~! Later he wondered about the feeling
called love- how it feels to be in love and have that feeling returned.
And when Shinji found out about Rei being alive and left
for the hospital (totally ruining the atmosphere), Kaworu
got all angry, if not even jealous. I bought volume 10 before
all the other ones just because of this scene! xD

And Kaworu strikes again. Or sticking to the chronology, stroke again. Volume 9, chapter 62. After a synchronicity test with the Evas the participants go take a shower. Although they have seperate cabins, Kaworu decides to join Shinji because he has run out of soap *ahem ahem wink*. Because he enjoys standing extremely close to Shinji he unfortunately gets rejected. Poor chap,
that's what comes of such a creeper attitude. Not that I'd mind that. But what makes this scene so absolutely brilliant is Kaworu's expression...Yes, just yes!
Canon fanservice makes the world go round, haha. C:

Kekkaishi, Vol. 06

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:28:35 GMT

Madarao is Yoshimori's demon wolf that hunts and seeks out Ayakashi for him, as he has a very distinct sense of smell. Although he is quite experienced, most of the time he lazes about, insults Hakubi, Tokine's demon wolf, and mocks Yoshimori. Because of that he's always my main source of comedy in the manga (besides Yoshimori and his baking-addiction). He can transform into another, stronger form and deeply and loyally loves his former master Tokimori on whose orders he serves the Sumimura Clan. When his new master is at a critical moment he doesn't fail to do everything in his power.

Soul Eater, Volume 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:32:05 GMT

Liz and Patti (actually Elizabeth and Patricia) Thompson are Death the Kid's demon weapons, the 'Demon Twin Guns'. Before Kid found them the sisters lived a criminal life in the streets of Brooklyn after their mother had abandoned them. With Kid becoming their 'Meister' they begin to change to the better. Patti's former aggressive personality becomes more childish and Liz reveals her extreme fear of the supernatural. They both look up to Kid and his dignified soul (although Liz rarely expresses it as she is always annoyed by his symmetry complex) and both show great determination, courage and maturity when their friends and master are in danger. What I especially love so much about them is Liz' sarcasm and Patti's absurd juvenility which make a very entertaining combination.

The Tyrant Falls In Love Volume 2 (Yaoi)

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:57:17 GMT

Since it was one of the first manga I possessed I re-read it quite often. On the one hand to bridge the time till the next release and on the other hand just because it never gets boring. Just recently I read through all 6 again so that I won't have forgotten everything when volume 7 comes out...in July. :P

Tribal 12 Bd. 01

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:40:23 GMT

It's a relatively unknown manga but it's got great potential for a good 1-season action anime. Recently all the series are beeing squeezed into the 13-episodes scheme and many of them are too short. But Tribal 12 already is short in the drawn version, so an anime wouldn't feel as rushed with 3 volumes as the basis. Oh, it would be so extraordinary and exciting...but I doubt that it will happen...since Tribal 12 is pretty much underrated and an inside tip. :/

So yeah, I greatly recommend it to fans of action-packed shounen and supernatural. ;)

Neon Genesis Evangelion, Volume 9

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:40:35 GMT

Kaworu Nagisa ♥
I mentioned it before in two other lists that I adore this fellow. And even in this one I already described his extreme level of fabulousness. :D
The best element of the NGE-series is Kaworu because he brings that certain atmosphere with him. Furthermore he is handsome, straight-forward and fairly talented since he is actually Tabris, the 17th angel.

Brave 10 Bd. 01

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:43:24 GMT

Brave 10 has a really exciting plot that follows after the story of the Sanada Ten Braves, taking place in the Sengoku Era (up to the early Edo Period). The characters are modelled on the warlord Yukimura and his legendary group of ninja and are therefore highly interesting. Although I have to admit I'm not really a fan of the way most females are displayed in the manga I completely love it nevertheless. Since it's got a great drawing sytle I forgive the exaggerated eroticising image of women. This year Brave 10 has also got an anime which isn't bad at all but way too rushed. That's why I entrust this manga to people out there, especially those that like historical seinen/shounen action-adventure or a lot of bishounen and bishoujo.

Love Celeb - King Egoist 01

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:44:35 GMT

I borrowed this manga series from a friend and at first I though it couldn't be too bad because the male protagonist is quite handsome. But soon I realized that Love Celeb is just a repetitive ecchi manga with all the shoujo elements I dislike so much and a lame romance that isn't interesting anymore after the first volume.

Black Butler, Volume 1

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:34:33 GMT

*smirk* Don't tell me you didn't see this coming? :D