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This anthology features a collection of short stories written between 1974 and 1980, including titles such as Chuck Check Chicken, Tokyoo Chang Pong, Shincho Senki, Good Weather (part one and two), Ai no Kaikaku 2 Chome 3, Virgin Shadow, Katsu Kare, So What, Ame Lingo (part one and two), and Boogie Woogie Waltz (part one).
In the heart of Tokyo's Asakusa district lies the Ayakashi-sou mansion, named after the supernatural beings that reside within its walls. Despite being occupied by a single sixteen-year-old girl, the mansion is inhabited by two ayakashi - the mischievous fox girl Kuuko and the gentle snow-woman Yukime. The young Zashikiwarashi Kii is responsible for maintaining the mansion, while a newly created cat youkai named Nene joins the group when she has nowhere else to go. Mahoro Miyatsuka, the owner of the mansion, possesses a unique ability to perceive and communicate with ayakashi. Although her peers tend to avoid her due to her supernatural abilities, Mahoro finds solace in spending time with her ghostly companions. From playing games and watching fireworks to enjoying life one day at a time, Mahoro values her time spent with her beloved ayakashi.
This is a peculiar and surreal assortment of individual stories. The intricacies of each story are subtle, but a robust theme runs throughout, featuring stretched out figures and Art Deco elements. The artist's style is unusual, evoking thoughts of both Gorey and Dali while channeling Edvard Munch, yet still retaining a unique and recognizable signature. This collection is a far cry from manga, yet still distinctly of the same artistic tradition.
Mikage Tarou, a struggling 25-year-old writer, harbors a secret talent as the ghost writer for the bestselling author Nagareboshi Ryuusei. This clandestine ghostwriting work has left him with a reputation as a failed writer, unable to succeed in his own right. Mikage's modest education and lack of romantic experience only add to his underwhelming image. His bosses at the publishing company treat him poorly, and he's always struggling to pay his rent on time. However, Mikage's personal life takes a turn when he begins to develop feelings for his landlord, a sweet and attractive young woman named Mabayu. Meanwhile, the arrival of his flirtatious neighbor Hikaru also shakes up Mikage's world with her seductive presence. Mikage is left wondering if he will ever achieve his dreams of public success and win the heart of Mabayu.
Roaming aimlessly without a sword, Suzumori Ganjuro comes across a notice in the forest that leads him to the most sought-after criminal of all, the infamous Sister Slayer. It might be luck or misfortune that brings him face-to-face with her.
Azure suddenly realizes that her body is no longer under her control and worse, she discovers that her manipulator wants her dead and to frame it as a suicide. Despite being indifferent towards her own life, Azure's controller refuses to take the life of someone who yearns for death. He intends to transform her into a life-loving person so that her ultimate death will be more regretful. Twists and turns bring Azure face to face with her controller, a man named Claude. As they spend more time together to achieve Claude's goals, they soon discover they have a lot in common, and an unusual relationship begins to develop.
A number of artists have participated in creating a set of manga compilations for Gakkougurashi!
Situated at the conclusion of a dimly lit passageway exists a shop vending illumination devices with a frequenting of peculiar individuals. The proprietor of said establishment exhibits no astonishment towards their recurring appearances, however cautions a frequent consumer, a young lady procuring bulbs, to exercise caution amidst their presence... What circumstances have befallen this group?
Pochi, a young lady hailing from a planet plagued by shortages in resources, sustenance, and currency, finds herself compelled to resort to homicide for financial survival. However, her existence takes an unforeseen trajectory when she unearths a peculiar plant with transformative capabilities that exceed her wildest expectations.
A Japanese politician's daughter has a new tutor, a young man, but little does he know that she is not to be taken lightly.
