"Jimi's Book of Japanese" is edutainment at its best. The Japanese language and culture lessons are so simple, they'll stick to your skull wall like a well-chewed clump of bubblicious! I bought this for my daughter, but it is great for an adult. This is a remarkable book!

Japanese language and culture lessons so simple, they'll stick to your skull wall like a well-chewed clump of Bubblicious! This remarkable interactive book and its eye-popping graphics is the best way to learn how to read, write and pronounce basic Japanese. Intelligently designed. Creatively executed. This book is as imaginative as it is insightful. Five stars!

I don't think this book can be the one and only source for learning Japanese, but this is a great book for learning how to write kana properly. Big visuals showing every stroke clearly are very helpful - kanas look simple but writing them in the right proportion is not that easy. This book helps you start the learning process of writing Japanese characters in the right direction while acquiring practical vocabularies. And, of course, characters are cute and fun!

~A Review from Yamiko~

This is how the whole franchaise of Yu-gi-oh cards, anime serries, toys ect. started out as. A simple manga. Although the characters's art devolpment is primary (or EARLY), and it has yet to evolve. One thing for certain is, all thought the Yu-gi-oh anmie serries is rated Y-7, this book eceeds that boundries up until PG-13 or higher (not R or NC-17). Children under the age of ten should not read it. not However, Yu-gi-oh fans of 13 years or older will love the book, and all its unique features.
The stories come straight from the high selling magazine "Shonun Jump" which contains not only Yu-gi-oh, bu Dragon Ball Z, and Yu-Yu-Hageshou (for these stories, please look at other books).
Exciting tales and wonderful art, this book is a must for any Yu-gi-oh fans.

I like it. It's different than the show but its neat its not about Duel Monsters and thats good. You get to know the characters more and see how Kazuki Takahashi designed the characters not what how they changed it for the dub (dont get me wrong I love the english tv show Yu-Gi-oh)I think the novel thing its funny and like whats going to happen and the different Shadow Games and how Joey and became friends with Yugi and how Tristan starts to be friends with Yugi its great I think it should be long though cuz I'm a big Yu-Gi-oh fan and I read it real fast

I'm going to have to agree with some other reviewers and say that this novel should be read by 13 year olds and up. Not that I don't think that younger would mind, but it does have pretty violent situations in it.

That said, I thought it was a great novel. The art is crisp, the dialogue is readable and makes sense (of course, I haven't a clue how close to the original it is, but all the same...), and the story is engaging. I haven't watched the show (no cable), so I can't compare with that, but I think this novel compares favorably with other anime that I have read. I really liked the development of the characters; none of them are perfect, and yet they are all totally human! And some of the situations are really funny. I could really relate to some of the things that the various characters did or felt.

Definently one of the good ones, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in anime or comics in general!

The Little girl in The Lobster and the Sea copes with the feelings of possible abandonment and loss at the departure of a grandparent. Her grandfather is not dying, but wants to go back "home" where he grew up, in this case, China. "I thought this was home," worries the girl. Understanding comes for her in a dream when a pet lobster weeps with the desire to go back to the sea. In the same way, her grandfather longs to see his home place. The lobster and the Sea is somewhat a mood book, both in the wistful crayon illustrations and in the cerebral notion of "wandering" in the world but finally returning to the place of one's birth. It attempts to explain this urge to the Asian American child who might well have no such urge. It also helps to impart the notion of the constant and loyal love pf parents or grandparents, even when they cannot be present.

What a wonderful, touching, and thoughtful story this is! I moved to America eight years ago from Eastern Europe, and I can deeply relate to the experiences of both the girl and the grandpa, as well as to the lobster.... I will be reading this tale to my son, who was born in America, so he can appreciate the bravery one must have, when choosing to live between two cultures and two homes. Ms. Chiu and Ms. Takahashi have created a beautiful children's book, with a thoughtful message to both children and adults!

I teach second grade and read this story to my class. It really struck a responsive chord in my students. Several parents told me their children came home and insisted upon calling out-of-state grandparents, aunts and uncles. Personally, I found it a really touching story and one that reminded me of how much I hated to leave my grandparents' house when I was a child.

the much awaited volume thirteen of the inuyasha series was definatly not a disapointment. quite the contrary, actually. admittedly, i am a fangirl of the series, which i highly reccomend to everyone.

In this book, conflicts and tentions between Kagome, Inuyasha and Kikyo start up again.

I strongly recommend that you read these books in order as the story plot is complex and it's easy to get lost!

This volume has the rest of the Kikyou plot that was left off in book 12. It also has the third fight between Sesshomaru and Inuyasha where Inuyasha learns a new ability with his sword. Toutousai, who forged Tetsusaiga, appears in this book to bug Inuyasha and, of course, our favorite little toad, Jaken (note the sarcasm) appears as Sesshomaru's 'faithful' minion. [They] have gotten past this, so any American fans will know what's happening, but to true Inuyasha fans, you know that the manga has it's own special qualities (not to mention the differences in the manga and anime). I love it!

My daughter loves Happosai & he is well intro'd here. He's drawn cuter in later editions--looks much older here(lack of female contact?) His intro takes up half the volume--the 2nd half is a Shampoo plot to snag Ranma leaving Akane to defend the dojo, but Ranma can't stay away from a fight.

Volume 6 was funny and it made me laugh out loud. thereis two new characters, Happosai(hes a dirty old guy that trained mr tendo and genma in any thing goes martial arts) and the dojo destroyer(huge guy that reminds me of a cat fish) well, hes not much of a main character. i give it four stars instead of five because... I don't, know i just do

Does anyone else notice a pattern here? All the Ranma 1/2 books are REALLY AWESOME! Volume 6 is a great book. This is the first book that Happosai is in. Happosai is a very funny character of Ranma 1/2. This book introduces Happosai and Shampoo's in it more, too. Shampoo seems to get cooler each time she's in the series. Anyway read this book. I reccomend it! It ROCKS!

Ginga Legend Weed is a graphic novel about a brave puppy named Weed. Weed starts out living in the mountains (Nothern Alps) with his mother. Weed befriends cowardly but kind-hearted GB. When the pup's mother passes away, her last wish is that GB take Weed to the Ohu Mountains where they may find his legendary father Gin, boss of the Ohu Mountains. It was said that Gin defeated a bear gathering several other dogs together to attack 10 years ago, but now it only remained as a legend. GB and Weed flee from the Northern Alps to search for his long-lost father. In their long and hard adventure, the two dogs battle other fierce wild dogs and befriend unlikely mutts. This is a great and almost realistic story - the first graphic novel I've ever read about a puppy!

This book is a great manga and it was very pleasing and interesting to read. Although it finished somewhat a cliff hanger, the drawing and artwork were 5 star rated.

This serie only gets better and better....but It can't be compared with the original silver fang

This is the best book I've ever read! Even though I've only read one, it is by far the best in the world. The way the author writes it, you never want to put it down. Inu-Yasha, I've read volume 10. There are some things I still don't understand but that goes with that I've not read them all yet. My friend, introduced these series to me and I've become infatuated with them.

I read this and my first thought was: Whoa, Takahashi wrote this?! This is a departure from her normal, light romantic comidy into something rather spooky...I enjoy all of her works and this one was no exception. Delightful and surprisingly wicked, this book kept me awake, and wanting more.

This manga is not for children under 13, if you ask me. It is violent and macabre. The stories would probably be traumatizing to a little kid. I thought they were strangely enchanting, though. (Not in a pretty fariy tale way!) This manga contains two stories; Mermaids's Gaze and Mermaid's Mask. Mermaid's Gaze was my favourite of the two. It had more plot and more purpose in action. The second, Mermaid's Mask, was good too. It was just a little more gruesome and weird, with a woman who has eatenthe flesh of a mermaid and gains a painful scar from its poison, forcing her to cut of her face and switch for others. That's kinda icky, ya know? The first story has to deal with an homicidal manic who ate the mermaid's flesh and has become immortal. But there is something he wants more than immortality; a mysteriously life-like doll! And he'll kill to get it. Both stories are, of course, staring our two favourite immortal lovers: Mana and Yuta, who risk themselves in their travels to help those affected by the poison of the mermaid's flesh. Very good artwork by Takahashi-sama and thrilling, hard-to-put down plots! Great for any manga lover or anyone willing to read something new!

I prefer the 'Perfect Collection', since it features Benten, Kurama, and Oyuki, who happen to be my favorite characters. Lum is cool too, but the above-mentioned catch more of my interest. The stories in this volume are okay.

The binding on this book is horribly done. The glue does NOT hold, and the cover has already fallen off of my copy. I had come to expect more out of Viz Communications than that.

That is really my only complaint with the book.

Lum: Urusei Yatsura could be the funniest series Takahashi has ever come out with. I'll admit I didn't think so upon my first reading of it, but I definately feel so now. Part of what I like about Takahashi-sensei is her sardonic view of high school (which I share). In a way, the troubles of high school are what this book is about -- even though the characters are totally off the wall.

Lum is both Takahashi's strangest and sexiest series yet. I'm not sure it's for everybody, though. If you are new to manga, I wouldn't suggest you start here. However, if you are already a fan of Takahashi, definately look into this one.

Urusei Yatsura is a wonderful series which started well and keeps getting better! In this volume the wonderful Mendo is introduced, he's handsome, son of the richest family in the world, has his own private army... And he's an idiot, just like our loveable hero Ataru.

This volume sees the characters starting to grow a little, and develop outside their original roles. Especially great is how Ataru begins to fall for Lum, at first he hates her (wouldn't you hate a beautiful alien who wants to marry you), but as this book goes on he starts to fall for her...

The book has more emotional depth than the first, but keeps the hilarious jokes and fantastic slapstick rolling. Another masterpiece from Rumiko Takahashi!

I won't review the story since others have done it for me. What I will do is talk about the design of the book itself.

For one, the binding on all of the Urusei Yatsura/Lum books is substandard. My copy of 'The Return of Lum' has the cover coming off of it, from the binding, like it's just peeling up. 'The Perfect Collection' is losing pages in the center of the book, and I have to replace my copy of 'Sweet Revenge' because it has lost EVERY SINGLE PAGE in it! There is just no excuse for this! ?I'm afraid to touch 'Trouble Times Ten' or 'Ran Attacks' for fear that they will come apart too!

I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the books; this is a wonderful series and everyone should read it, Takahashi fan or not. But just be warned that the books will fall to pieces on you.

Another day, another Urusei Yatsura book. Oh how I wish this series would never end... In this book we start by introducing a new teacher to the ranks of Tomobiki High school, then a nice two part tale of the girls' volleyball captain's love for Mendo (her and every other girl...ever), then move onto a long-winded multi-part story about a ninja. This is a nice story, and it contains the seeds of what eventually became Takahashi's popular series Ranma 1/2. After the ninja stories comes the main event.

Ran-chan

A sweet, demure red head with her heart set on Ataru.

No, wait.

An evil conniving alien from Lum's past with her heart set on stealing Ataru's youth so she can have revenge on Lum-chan. THAT's it. Ran is a fantastic character, who has two personalities, the sweet endearing Ran and the evil murderous Ran.

Ran works so well in the story because she adds another level of sheer twisted brilliance, she's totally insane and her plans are completely off the wall, resulting in more trademarked Urusei Yatsura slapstick.

Another book you need to own. But you knew that already.

So order it before I zap you all.

I loved the pictures and the story line! I have four other Revenge of Lum books on hold for me (I didn't bring much money the day I got this book, so I ended up getting whichever graphic novel was thickest!) It was GREAT. A really fantastic book with captivating plots. I felt, however, that the Ninja chapters ended up slightly...unfinished. Oh well! Does anyone know what order this series goes in? Does it even have an order?

Do my eyes decieve me or did Rumiko live in the time of Osamu Tezuka? Her art is too simple and old. I hope her next manga is a little more advanced in the art section. Imagine Clamp and Rumiko sitting side by side looking at each others work. One draws like a kid and one draws some of the most magnificent art ever. Takashi is so overrated.

This was in fact my first Ranma 1/2 book, read it last night and laughed my cast off! Had just read a book about Baudrillard, and so was coming from a very strange place, and yet this Vol. 19 was incredibly enjoyable. Totally irreverent, stupid, and very very funny. I look forward to reading the rest of this series, it's a simulation I'm happy to be a part of. Martial Arts Cheerleading, O-KAY! You must read this for yourself, if nothing else it's hilarious. I am surprised I had not heard more about this series before, perhaps thats because of all of the sexchanging.

p.s.: I think the art work in this is superb, and perfect for the story, so forget the reviewer below who is obviously jealous, sheesh, insulting an artist in a forum where they can't fight back

La! It was quite hard waiting for this book to come out, but now it is and all is well and good. ...Except the ending is a real cliffhanger and now I desparately need #20...

what happened in this manga, you ask? Ranma's pa begins to feel inferior to his son, which leads to a heated battle. Then Akane makes Cherry Blossom Mochi that will tell her who her true love is. Last but not least, a martial arts cheerleader falls madly in love with KUNO, of all people.

But my words don't do this story justice, so you'll just have to read it for yourself. You won't be disappointed (unless you're an anti-ranma or anti-rumiko type).

happy reading! ^_^