Manga

Some highlights from my reading this past week:

• The Secret to a Happy Marriage Is Drinking Together at Night / Fuufu no Hiketsu wa Banshaku Desu

This has developed into a really nice and comfortable romance that actually features a married adult couple. I was worried a bit when I first saw the title that it would basically be a glorified ad for Japanese alcoholic beverages. However, the drinking together part is not a focus. Instead, the story focuses on how important it is to make time for your partner and try to do things together, even if you can only do small things together. The lead couple have opposing work schedules, so they need to really put in effort to do something as ordinary as having a meal together. As I like to joke with friends all the time, the calendar is the final boss of adulthood.

• After School, We Wander in Space / Houkago, Bokura wa Uchuu ni Madou

This series has really closely followed in the footsteps of Pseudo Harem. There is a ship that the whole rest of the cast wants to help set sail and the chemistry between the leads is a lot of fun. Also, the chemistry can be explosive, in that they are in a rocketry club together. So, it's been fun to nerd out over rockets a bit in the chapter discussion threads.

• The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse / Usuzumi no Hate

This series continues to be really great. It just wrapped up a side story that was quite touching. I can't really talk about this one too much without giving away spoilers to those that haven't read it, but I have really been enjoying this one ever since the story seemed to shift from an anthology-style series to a more linear narrative. Looking back on it, I didn't even notice at the time because it felt so natural. There was a very big spoiler that happened and that is when the style changed. Very neat.