Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase, Volume 2

Well, a series that almost caused me to die from sugary sweetness and syrupy bubblegum cuteness takes its white powdered game up a notch with Volume 2 of Moonphase. What would a manga about a cute little vampire girl be missing right now? Cat ears, that's what! And Hazuki really starts playing up that cosplay element in this volume. She says she wears them because Kouhei's grandpa likes them, but we all know it's her own whim. Hazuki's been making an easy transition to city life, mainly because she uses her vampiric powers of hypnosis to get people to do what she wants, to Kouhei's growing disgust. She too, is frustrated, because Kouhei refuses or is unable to do her bidding, along with his family. But even then, she still regards him as her slave. A new character arrives in this volume, Elfriede, a female vampire sent by the mysterious figure that had trapped Hazuki in Scwarz Quelle Castle for years. Now she's come to take Hazuki back! The greatest thing Moon Phase has going for it is its great art that really plays up the cuteness and humor elements of the manga. Everything is drawn very clean and the character's emotions and reactions are dead-on, which is very important in comedy. I really enjoy the big brother/sister interactions between Kouhei and Hazuki. What makes it funny is that they argue so much and pick on each other, yet at certain moments, it really becomes apparent that they really care for each other. Hazuki is growing a bit (emotionally, not physically), and learns a bit about what is ethical and unethical when it comes to her supernatural abilities. Great read.