Novel Review - Initiation Love (イニシエーション・ラブ)

Novel Review by Aoi

Today I will introduce Kurumi Inui’s novel, Initiation Love (イニシエーション・ラブ). This novel was released in 2014 and it was filmed this year. This novel is a love story, but it is said to be a mystery novel, too.

STORY
Takkun meets Mayu in a group dating event and they fall in love. At first, it is a superficial and painful youth love story, but it transforms into a different kind of story! After you have finished reading it, you will think you want to read it again!

IMPRESSIONS
I was very shocked when I finished reading it. I was excited that everything was connected like a puzzle. I recommend reading it as an ordinary love story. But even if you notice the device, you will feel like reading it again.

I have not seen the movie of this novel yet. I think that it is a story which can only be drawn by a novel. It will be very interesting to see so how the movie is made.

Please check it out!

Manga Review - Six Half

Manga Review by Erika

I will introduce Six Half written by Rikako Iketani. This manga was serialized in Cookie (by Shueisha) from the December issue in 2009 to the November issue in January. There is a total of 11 volumes. I read her manga for the first time.

Story
The main character is Shiori Kikukawa, who is a sixteen-year old high school student in grade 2. She is called "Shi-chan" by her family. Her family is only 2 people, Akio and Maho. Akio is a twenty-one year old university student in grade 2 and he is called "A-chan" by his family. Maho is a twelve-year old junior high school student in grade 1 and she is called "Ma-chan" by her family. Their parents are gone because their mother ran away and their father died from a disease.

One day, Shiori is in a traffic accident and then she suffers from amnesia. After she leaves the hospital, she goes home with A-chan. There is a strained relationship. When she goes to her school, she is hated by her friends and classmates. Apparently, she was a show-off girl with loud, extreme fashion before she lost her memory. She doesn't know why she is hated by Ma-chan and the high school students. She doesn't even know who she is. She has nothing. But she knows only one thing, that she is another person now.

She lost her memory so she starts a new life. She falls in love. But she has fallen in love with her brother, A-chan! It is a love that should not come true absolutely. She begins to do modelling work in order to forget about A-chan. She avoids breaking the relationship of her "family" while killing her feeling. While she is in conflict, the relationship with her family and what went on in the past becomes clear.

What will become of her love? Will her memory come back? I cried at the end. I hope you read this manga.

Movie Review - Toy Story 3

Movie Review by A. U.

I watched “Toy Story 3”, which is a PIXAR movie. Do you know PIXAR is an American animated film production company? Some Pixar movies are "A Bug’s Life," "Monsters Inc," "Monsters University," "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille," "UP," "Brave" and "Toy Story."

“Toy Story 3” is an example of a movie in the “adventure movie” genre, and it was made in 2010. Its movie director is Lee Unkrich who is American.

I like Woody, because his character is so nice! Sometimes Woody has a quarrel with Buzz Lightyear, but in reality they are friendly and Buzz Lightyear is his best friend. Woody has many good friends. If he needs help, one of them always helps him. I want to advise you to watch the scene where they overcome a hardship every time.

My favorite character is Andy. He is Woody’s owner, and he is kindhearted person, so I like his personality. You are moved to tears if you watch this movie, because it is an emotional story. For example, when Woody’s friends need help, Woody always helps them.

My recommended scene is Andy and Woody’s friendship story. This movie has many kinds of friendship scenes, and the ending of  "Toy Story 3" is my best friendship scene, but I can’t say its contents, because I want you to watch this movie!!!