KY's Reads

I have some exciting news for readers of KY’s Reads! I’ve started selling Japanese manga on ebay! https://ebay.io/m/eE9LCi     If there is a Japanese manga you’ve been looking for, but you can’t find it easily in your country, please leave a comment on this post and let me know what you’re looking for. I may be able to find it for you in Japan. I live in Japan — and I can go manga hunting for you! One of the advantages of buying Japanese manga from me is simple: I’m in Japan. If you tell me the manga you want, I can go to Japanese bookstores and secondhand bookstores to look for it. Once I find the book, I will carefully package it and ship it to you through eBay. So, rather than simply buying a manga from a large online marketplace, you can have someone living in Japan personally search for the book and send it to you. I think that's pretty cool. 😊 What kind of manga can I look for? Pretty much anything! For example: Popular Japanese manga Older manga Latest issue of Weekly ...

Witch Watch Review  (Rating: 4.5/5) Overview Witch Watch is a Japanese manga series created by Kenta Shinohara and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. It is a fantasy comedy centered on a witch and her familiar, combining everyday comedic situations with a gradually developing serious storyline. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_Watch At the core of the story are the various troubles caused by magic and the relationships between the characters. While it follows some stylistic elements seen in the author's previous works, it also creates its own rhythm by blending school comedy with fantasy elements. Plot Summary The story follows Morihito Otogi , a boy with the power of an ogre. He becomes the familiar and protector of his childhood friend, the witch Nico Wakatsuki . After completing her magical training, Nico returns to town and begins living with Morihito while attending school. However, a prophecy warns that Nico will face a great disaster in the future. Morihito t...

Hi！ I'm KY.  If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re interested in Japanese manga—at least a little. This blog is dedicated to introducing slightly lesser-known but truly amazing manga to readers outside Japan. Of course, everyone knows titles like One Piece , Naruto , Dragon Ball , or Attack on Titan . But beyond those global hits, Japan is overflowing with incredible manga that many people have never heard of. There’s just so much manga in Japan—some great, some not so great. The ones I feature here might even be unfamiliar to many Japanese readers. That’s exactly the point. This blog focuses on “ hidden gems ” and slightly minor works that deserve more love. I’d like this blog to feel like a catalog of great manga. That’s why each article keeps the information fairly minimal. It might feel a bit short when you read it—but if you want more details, just leave a comment. I’ll definitely reply. These are manga I personally care a lot about, so I can talk about them pa...

Bakuman Review (Rating: 5 / 5) Overview Bakuman. is a manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 2008. Rather than focusing on fantasy or action, the series depicts the real process of creating manga for Jump , including editorial meetings, reader surveys, and the harsh ranking system that determines whether a series survives or gets cancelled. Wikipedia (English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakuman Although Bakuman. is a work of fiction, its depiction of the manga industry—especially the weekly serialization system—is widely regarded as highly realistic. Plot Summary The story follows Moritaka Mashiro, a middle school student with exceptional drawing skills. Despite his talent, he hesitates to pursue a career as a manga artist after witnessing the difficult life of his uncle, who once aimed for the same path. Everything changes when Akito Takagi, a classmate with strong writing and analytical abil...

Pyū to Fuku! Jaguar  Review (Rating: 4.5 / 5) Overview Pyū to Fuku! Jaguar is a gag manga written and illustrated by Kyosuke Usuta. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1999 to 2010. The work belongs to the genre often described as “nonsense gag comedy,” but even within that category, it stands out for its highly distinctive tone and structure. English Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Py%C5%AB_to_Fuku!_Jaguar Synopsis The premise of Pyū to Fuku! Jaguar is deliberately simple. The story revolves around Jaguar Junichi, a mysterious man who lives in a run-down building and spends his days blowing a recorder. His encounter with Kiyohiko Sakaru, a young man who dreams of becoming a musician, leads to a series of strange and often absurd daily episodes. Rather than following a long, goal-oriented narrative, the manga is structured around short, self-contained chapters. Each episode focuses on conversations, misunderstandings, and unexpected reactions. The absence of ...

Azumanga Daioh  Review (Rating: 4/5)  Overview Azumanga Daioh is a Japanese manga series by Kiyohiko Azuma, set in a high school and focused on everyday life comedy. It was serialized starting in 1999 and later collected into four volumes (with newer editions also available). Despite its relatively short length, the series is widely regarded as one of the works that decisively shaped what is now known as the “slice-of-life” manga genre. Rather than centering on dramatic events or an overarching plot, the manga portrays ordinary school days in a calm, understated way. From this simplicity, it creates both humor and a lingering emotional aftertaste. While this style has since become familiar, it was still fresh at the time of publication, and Azumanga Daioh stands as one of its key starting points. For basic publication details and background information, the following English page is a useful reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azumanga_Daioh Plot Summary The story tak...