"Magnolia" Chapter 17

First a little shameless plug to encourage you all to give the mangaka money for this manga series by purchasing the books.  Volume 3 (Chapters 10 - 16) has just been released and it has a beautiful drawing of Nagi on the cover and the full drawing of Nagi on the first inside page.  There's also a drama CD available.

Here are some links to purchase!

Amazon Japan via Naked Ape's Amazon Storefront:
(Volume 3 only) (Volume 3 + Drama CD)

Yes Asia:
(Volume 3) (Volume 3 + Drama CD)

Since I didn't know Volume 3 came with the Drama CD, I have an extra copy of volume 3 available for purchase for $12.  If you would like to buy the book off of me, please send me an e-mail via the contact link in main menu of this blog.

Okay and now onto the release!
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I'm not sure what's going on this drawing, but I'm quite sure Hugo is up to no good.  Unfortunately, nothing like this happens in the chapter.  I felt a little cheated because this is exactly the kind of crap I would expect Hugo to pull to get Ayato alone and undressed.  Ahem...Ah...but there's plenty of tea party left for this scenario to happen.

When I first got this chapter, I had to put it down for a while because the drawings of Sui were way too creepy.  My heart couldn't stand the idea of making Sui into a completely frightening psycho.  After doing the translation, though, I saw matters were different than they appeared from just looking at the drawings alone.  I have no doubt that Sui is bonkers, but I don't think he'd focus that bonkers tendency into action without very good cause.  I think in the case of this chapter, Robert Black has been effectively silenced and scared sh**less.  I don't think this technique will work on Hugo, though, I'm sure there are some fujoshi out there imagining the confrontation now...eww...

There is a big revelation in this chapter and I'm not surprised since this is a common practice in Japan.  It's paves the way for Ayato x Sui without the ick factor.  Hahaha!!!  Poor Hugo, though.  I have no idea how he can get through the Sui-wall.  There's no doubt that Sui is a killer.  Ah, the excitement ...and then the chapter ends.  Boo!!!!  But rejoice!  The next chapter is coming in 2 or 3 weeks, so the wait won't be that bad.

Onto the link!

Link to Magnolia chapter 17:  (PDF)

Up Next:  I have no idea.  Lots of releases are almost done.  Most of it depends on when I get the typesetting or the redraws back.

"Lily" Chapter 2 and "Magnolia" Chapter 12 Double Release

Because "Magnolia" chapter 12 is so short, I decided to release it along with Lily chapter 2.  This chapter of "Magnolia" appears to be the end of the "prologue", which hopefully means we can get into the meat of the story with the next chapter (though, it's not like things haven't been meaty enough).  "Lily" chapter 2 is a recap of "Magnolia" chapters 5 through chapter 9.  I guess that means volume 2 spans chapters 5 - 9.   Anyhow...here are the links:

Link to "Lily" Chapter 2: (PDF)
Link to "Magnolia" Chapter 12: (PDF)

My thoughts on the chapter will be posted in the comments section so help those of you with wander eyes not to see spoilers.

Next up is "The Ghost Apartment Manager" chapter 6.

"Magnolia" Chapter 11

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This chapter continues the Ayato and Sui story line.  It's a little creepy, but if you can keep your mind rather innocent it's rather sweet.  Hopefully, this is the real set-up for Sui vs. Hugo.  A little warning:  at the beginning there's a rather crude joke.  I had to do a double take.  I imagine, though, that the joke will fly right over some of your heads.  Anyhow, I tried my best with the translation to get the crude joke across.  And now for the links:

"Magnolia" chapter 11:  (Zip) (PDF -- Mobile and Tablets)

Spoiler Alert!  Spoilers Ahead:

The chapter seems to me to be a contrast against chapter 4 in which Ayato and Hugo dance at the ball.  It seems that Sui and Hugo have two different ways of approaching Ayato's self-confidence issue.  In this chapter we see Sui giving Ayato instructions and telling Ayato to believe in him/herself then lets Ayato try.  When learning to shoot a bow, Ayato at first falls a few times before he/she is able to do it.  In contrast, Hugo tells Ayato something similar about listening the music and then trusting his/her body to know what moves to make.  However, while dancing, Ayato realizes that Hugo is firmly in control of the dance and he will not allow Ayato to fail.  Some would see this as a act of kindness, and given the circumstances, it was the best move for Hugo to make so the two of them remained blended into the crowd -- although, that's not what happened in the end :/.  But...there is the matter of coddling Ayato and controlling Ayato rather that letting Ayato find his/her own way.

What's going on with Ayato being so self-conscious while Hugo's watching?  I suppose, in general, Ayato feels that Hugo has trifled with him/her way too much.  I wonder whether Ayato considers his/her failure as a greater sign of weakness in Hugo's eyes or is Ayato actually trying to act impressive now that Hugo is watching...or...is it just girlish embarrassment in front of someone he/she likes?

And then there's Hugo...Is he just sizing up Sui?  Is he jealous that Sui is showing Ayato how to shoot and they are having fun?  In the next chapter are Hugo and Sui going to have a confrontation?  My gut feeling is that Hugo is the type to shoot a smug chuckle over at Ayato and do a little wave goodbye as he leaves the gym.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Next up!
Next up is the Ghost Apartment Manager chapter 5!

Magnolia Chapter 10 -- Beefcake! Beefcake!

 

I suspect after this chapter, Sui is going to gain some new fans.  I didn't expect to see a different side of Sui, so this chapter was a happy surprise and I heap praise upon Naked Ape for developing Sui this way.

Oh!  And thanks to Ichigo Stars for help with the title page!

Links to Magnolia Chapter 10:  (Zip) (PDF)

Spoiler Alert!  Spoilers Ahead!

My Thoughts on this Chapter:

Sui...oh my...so, can we also have the side series "Sui" or maybe just a short omake?  So...why can Ayato abdicate so Sui can be king?  What's going on with that?  Anyhow, I look forward to learning more about Sui.

This chapter made me laugh hysterically.  I kept thinking "Beefcake! Beefcake!"  The gap between Ayato and Sui is vast.  Ayato should just give up and be a girl.  Where's Hugo?  Surely he's got to show up sweaty and bare-chested, preferably chopping wood or something along those lines.  It would be a beautiful cliched moment!  Buwhahahaha!!!

Next up is Yukarism chapter 5.  I promise the chapter will be o.0