Any true anime/manga fan needs to read Ranma ½ at some time or another. I would go so far as to say it is an essential classic that any enthusiast needs to at least look into. While the story is huge compared to most standard anime, it keeps things interesting. There are some parts where it seems like the same plot will be repeating itself, but the story doesn’t stay stuck in that cycle for long, as new characters, twists, and love triangles (on the smallest scale) often enter play.

Humorous elements are constantly thrown in at both expected and unexpected moments. Older characters that show up at one point usually show up again later on, and most of the characters have very unique and wacky personalities.

The entire series is 38 volumes long, 161 episodes, has an 11-episode OVA, 3 movies, and multiple video games. It has been translated into a variety of languages and aired in multiple countries.

All in all, Ranma ½ is one of the best, most entertaining long running anime stories I have seen. I give it 9.1 out of 10.

Yubisaki Milk Tea is by far a very funny manga that I would rate as one of the best that I’ve read. Ikeda Yoshinori is a young guy that has a passion of cross-dressing. It wasn’t an intentional thing having to step in for his sister as the model. Ever since that moment, he continued to cross-dress and take pictures of himself. He also has a childhood friend, Morii Hidari, who is a little younger than him and tutors her, although he is not really good at academics. One day, Yoshinori sees a classmate, Minamo Kurokawa, who seems to be lonely. After a few mishaps and cross-dressing adventures, Yoshinori finds himself in love with his childhood friend that he finds to be too cute to spoil and Kurokawa. How is he going to handle this problem?

I found this manga to be quite entertaining. But, hearing that the main character cross-dressed, I was a little skeptical. Upon borrowing my cousin’s copy to read on a trip, I knew I needed to get myself a copy. The art is light colored on the cover and provides a sort of girly sense around the manga. The art style and characteristics of the creator, Tomochika Miyano, is appropriate and provides the cute character designs needed to fill in the personalities. There is quite a bit of ecchi, but it is tamed and hardly breaks any barriers of many other mangas.

The story moves pretty fast through the first volume of this manga, and much of the action happens towards the end. After finishing the first volume, I wonder how the story will continue to progress, but ever good manga does get better through the series of novels. I highly suggest this title, it’s worth looking weird with a light pink book in your hands with a loosely clothed girl on the front.

This manga deserves 9.2 out of 10. A very good title that draws attention. It is rated mature, so you might have some trouble getting it if you are under 18.