I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #supernatural(121)

Human/animal hybrids with some of the more endearing and aggravating traits of their pet natures work for a temporary replacement worker agency, developing relationships with the owners who hire them.

The intertwined lives of ultra-comely alien shapeshifters who band together into their own entertainment company and restaurant for safety. So far, it just seems to be a vehicle for admiring bishies, all of whom are incredibly hot and talented and perfect, not that there is anything wrong with that. I just hope that the intrigue ramps up soon as there is only so much "Gee, you sure are handsome and perfect and ultra-talented" before it gets a bit more of the same.

Kei's step-brother, Haruto, has a peculiar genetic mutation that allows him to live practically forever, but there is a special connection between the two of them, a connection which only Haruto seems to understand. Kei, fed up with Haruto's pestering, and unable to comprehend the mystery tries to sort things out by himself. His realizations come at the same time as a visit from Haruto's real father, changing the course of their lives. The ending is unnecessarily melodramatic and the mystery is a bit of a Maguffin. Really, things would've been much better if everyone had sat down for a little chat much sooner, but that would've scotched the whole plot.

Every few years, a half-human/half-demon baby is selected to be the vessel for a spirit called The Crow, which is sealed in its body. Evil spirits attack the body of the chosen infant as they chase the Crow, and it causes the person much pain and eventually takes over. We follow the story of Taki, an orphaned boy who is chosen to become the replacement vessel. Sadly, this story has been dropped by the mangaka after Chapter 7, but it is a very interesting and well-told tale until that point.

Kuraishi, a twice-divorced events manager, is a depressed and self-destructive alcoholic, until he is nurtured back by Izumi, the florist who has a supernatural ability to communicate with plants. The plants tell him Kuraishi is withered and rotten, and he needs some tough love to recover. Volume Two deals with the return from Europe of Chouno, a colleague with whom Kuraishi shared a strong connection in the past.

Descendents, some of them, of a particular family line have the ability to bond others to them by projecting sexual vibes at them. Others in the family, who are immune to its effects, have used this power to control people for power or wealth. This is the story of two men who come from this sort of background, and what they do about it. As usual, Minase Masara's illustrations are beautiful and elegant.

A series of comic oneshots. (1) The ox-headed demon and horse-headed demon are twins who guard both sides of the Gate of Hell, admitting souls and guarding the exit. As such, they seldom see each other, but their longing grows with every glimpse. (2) A king asks a knight to initiate his son, Prince Hal, in swordsmanship. (3) A winsome, but unlikely duo, of host and gardener play off an exchange of gratitude and favours to each other. Kuku Hayate's style is completely unique and her stories always refreshing and different, although sometimes (like with the Prince Hal story), they can lapse into embarrassing cringe territory. Still, the goodnatured fun overrides everything else.

Traditional Japanese ghost stories and folklore are used as the backdrop and livelihood for a pair of late Edo-period ghostbusters as they gradually fall for each other. Lively, engaging and interesting with more of a sentimental and melancholic feeling, rather than creepy horror or gore, the imagery is enhanced with traditional woodblock print references and Miyamoto Kano's beautiful artwork.

Corollary to Kuroneko Kareshi no Itoshikata, the fourth installment to the popular werecat series by Sakyou Aya. When parental pressures complicate the love-lives of leopards, maybe it's time to let the castles and servants go. As expected with Sakyou Aya, there is lots of sex, but the focus is on the heart.