KANNAZUKI NO MIKO (DESTINY OF SHRINE MAIDEN) • Kaishaku • Tokyopop • 18+
In the remote country town of Mahoroba, everyone was minding their own business–innocent Himeko, rich “prince of the school” Souma, and rich and reserved “princess” Miya–until giant robots piloted by the evil “orochi” attacked, trying to kill kill Himeko and Miya, the reincarnation of two ancient princesses. Souma, a noble orochi who loves Himeko, manages to resist his orochi urges and fights his comrades to protect the two girls. Unfortunately for Souma, the real romantic action of this story is Miya’s lesbian feelings for the ditzy Himeko, whom she bathes and makes out with while Souma is busy saving the planet. Shallow yuri (lesbian) titillation mixed with generic giant robot battles makes for a bland manga, until suddenly the series takes an abrupt left turn into graphic violence and sex at the end of volume 1, making it at least memorable, but hardly tasteful. The result is like reading a junior high mecha fanfic where the author tries to prove his/her “seriousness” by suddenly turning explicit. The best thing in this clichéd, angsty, pervy science fiction fantasy is Kaishaku’s attractive art, but beneath the polish, his designs are forgettable. (Jason Thompson)
* (one star)
Today’s winner is Ashley P. of Kentucky! Congratulations, Ashley! I hope you like your soon-to-be-arriving manga!
This photo was sent by a previous winner, W. Hassinger. Thanks for sending us a photo of yourself and letting us see what you look like! It’s always cool when someone who’s posted comments on the blog wins something. But of course, I don’t play favorites — the winners are determined by the fickle hand of randomly-generated fate, and if you haven’t won yet, you just gotta keep entering. Anyway, I’m glad you liked your manga, and I’ll be sending you some more soon!
