Buy your copy of The Rising of the Shield Hero Volume 1 and 2 for Kindle here!

Volume 1
http://tinyurl.com/o33q6at

Volume 2
http://tinyurl.com/nhsezhg

Runoff was just listed as Amazon's Best Books of the Month for Comics and Graphic Novels for December!

View the list here:
http://tinyurl.com/oucv37q

Shouji Kawamori's Sousei no Aquarion franchise has always been typified by its odd hybrid of enigma and humor. The Aquarion Evol manga adaptation's third volume plys both characteristics in equal measure. The volume is rather light on action, choosing instead to focus heavily on developing supporting characters.

Read the full article here:
http://www.animenation.net/blog/2015/11/18/examining-aquarion-evol-volume-3/

Here's an event that you don't see very often at Umami Mart — a comic book party! We are so excited to celebrate the release of Runoff by Oakland-based artist and our good friend Tom Manning. Published by Japanese comic book house One Peace Books, Runoff is an intricate, dizzying work by Tom which made its debut in 1999. After years of serialized self-publishing, Runoff is now available as a complete compilation, thanks to One Peace Books.

Join us, together with Tom on November Friday the 13th from 6-9pm. We'll have plenty of books for purchase and to have Tom sign, along with raffle prizes — namely the original drawing for this event!

Umami Mart
815 Broadway
Old Oakland, CA
BART: 12th Street

Original post here:
http://blog.umamimart.com/2015/11/upcoming-event-runoff-book-release-party-with-tom-manning/

This book is exactly as it is billed: an easy introduction to cosplaying for novices that breaks down the steps of choosing and putting together a costume. Though it does briefly mention photography etiquette and consent, it makes the hobby look fun and safe with a touch of girl power, enough to inspire someone to attend their first con. I was particularly impressed that in the translation from the Japanese edition, the publishers took the time to research and include American websites as resources. As the guide follows Kaso's journey from novice to cosplayer, the characters' enthusiasm is infectious and readers will be drawn in. Even if the storyline is a little forced, it makes a potentially dry book more engaging. I would recommend this for readers ages 12 and up.

Read the full article:
http://noflyingnotights.com/2015/09/01/cosplay-basics-a-beginners-guide-to-the-art-of-costume-play/

Since its October 2012 premiere online, the novel series has become a best seller, getting a commercial print publication by Media Factory in 2013 and an ongoing manga adaptation in 2014. The story revolves around Naofumi Iwatani, a Japanese college student abruptly transported to an un-named fantasy world plagued by a monthly invasion of ghastly beasts. Naofumi is summoned by the country of Melromarc to serve as one of its four legendary heroes that will subdue the ¡ÈWaves of Great Destruction.¡É While the other three summoned heroes, also coincidentally Japanese youths, wield a sword, spear, and bow, respectively, Naofumi is literally stuck with a shield that he can't take off and can't strike or attack with. Furthermore, magic prohibits him from even attempting to wield an offensive weapon. Despite being one of only four people capable of saving the world, Naofumi is immediately ostracized and vilified by the kingdom of Melromarc and even his fellow ¡Èlegendary heroes.¡É Informed that he can't return to Japan before the ¡ÈWaves of Great Destruction¡É are eliminated, Naofumi grudgingly sets to the task of leveling up and recruiting party members to save the very kingdom that inexplicably orders his execution only three days after his appearance in the world.

Read full article:
http://www.animenation.net/blog/2015/09/10/the-moderate-ascendancy-of-the-shield-hero/

“One thing I enjoy about light novels would be how different the storytelling and settings are from English-written books. That's why when I read The Rising Of The Shield Hero I couldn't help but enjoy its different perspective on a more villainous protagonist. While the story isn't anything you haven't heard of when it comes to anime and light novel tropes, the characters are what push along the story and each character motivation progresses the story in ways you wouldn't see coming.”

Rad the full article here:
http://englishlightnovels.com/2015/09/13/guest-review-rising-of-the-shield-hero-vol-1/

Conclusion wise, after three volumes I'm really happy with the series. It's got it's flaws, but it still manages to draw me in and make me feel i'm living the story. Which for me is a huge thing, if a series gets me to suspend disbelief and reality and get sucked into it's story, it's a series worth reading!

Frankly that reason alone makes it worthy of being on my Series of the Month list!

Read the full article here:
http://www.ryusheng.com/2015/09/02/series-of-the-month-aquarion-evol-vols01-03/

The first volume of The Rising of the Shield Hero will be released by One Peace Books on September 15th, but would you like to get your hands on the light novel sooner? Now is your chance! The winner of this contest will receive a free review copy of the book. The contest will take the form of a drawing (chosen by random number generator), and to enter you need only agree to review the book once you finish reading it. Your review will then be posted here at englishlightnovels.com! How cool is that?

For details read the full post here:
http://englishlightnovels.com/2015/08/12/contest-win-a-copy-of-rising-of-the-shield-hero/

In this final omnibus of Whispered Words, both Sumika and Ushio have come to terms with their feelings for the other, but Sumika realizes that there's also other aspects to life besides love, and that staying together forever is not necessarily something easy to achieve. The rest of the cast watches the two of them struggle as they march towards graduation. And their own struggles and successes are also seen throughout, as we watch Mayu's burgeoning crush and social ineptness come together in a horrible way, Akemiya being clueless about his love life but finding that he enjoys his newfound career, and Kyori being blissfully ignorant of everything.

Read full article:
http://suitablefortreatment.mangabookshelf.com/2015/01/20/whispered-words-vol-3/