Selections from what I read in April: digest version part 2 of 4ish

Hooray for exercise!

• b  Astral Project 2: Hrm.  Dark and serious.  Too long since I read volume 1.  I couldn't remember anyone's backgrounds.  Still pretty compelling, especially once I was up to speed on who they were . . .
• b  Gals! 5: Oh, hyper!  More Ran-chan, ko-gal goodness, pursuit of justice, and loud, ridiculous, fun.  I love this series in whatever form it takes! How a static series of images can manage this much hyper-energy is beyond me.
• b  Love Attack 6:  Um, did they really rate yet another volume of this graphic novel series with humorously portrayed alcoholic beverage consumption by obvious minors as T (13 up) instead of T+ (16 up)?  Yes, yes they did.  But it's okay, because there's a message: if you get drunk, you won't get to sleep with your boyfriend/girlfriend because you pass out in a humorous fashion.  Seriously?!  Come on.  Why do I still like this series this much?
• Never Give Up 8: I would very much like the next volume, Tokyopop.  Please?  Don't make me beg.  The art is, frankly, hideous, but the story is all goofy, warm-hearted, shojo goodness.  Will their love stand the test of all these ridiculous tests?  And is modeling really worth it?!
• b  Ooku 3: I adore this manga.  It is harsh and beautiful.  It captures a lot of the essential Romantic history of Japan.  Highly recommended for the more mature manga fan who adores tragedy, subtext, and that kind of serious, literary/historical fantasy that is underrepresented in the US.  If you like this one, try Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori just because they're awesome and have a similar feel.
• b  Palette of 12 Secret Colors 4: Soooo cute.  Good-natured and loveable.  Very pastel in a sort of calm, melancholy way.  Is that even possible?
• b  Pluto 8: The very ending was a tad irritating, but I still cried.  This series is exceptional.  Every fan of smart sci-fi should give it a try.  At 8 volumes, it's an outstanding shorter series and well worth your time.  Well done, Viz.  Really well done.  I'm sad that there won't be any more, but I'm pleased/content with how it turned out.  Sob.