Future Diary (Volume #8)
by Sakae Esuno
Published 2010 by Tokyopop
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis
Determined to bring his deadbeat father to justice for the death of his mother, Yukiteru tracks down his father only to meet with a sickening surprise! Meanwhile, the Eleventh diary owner finally makes his move to seize Eighth’s special server diary for his own purposes. Yukiteru’s plan to strike back and take both down at once is foiled when Aru Akise returns with a shocking piece of information about Yuno’s true identity…

Review
The revelation about Yuno in this volume has to be the most ridiculous thing that’s happened in this series. And I didn’t see it coming at all. I’m just not sure where things can go from here. I’m sure I’ll be just as floored in the next volume.

This one is full of the usual craziness. Yuki is ready to avenge his mother, and I have to say it’s nice to see Yuki with a backbone. He and Yuno really become a team. He knows he needs her to survive, but he’s starting to do his share. The two of them make a pretty great team when they’re cooperating with each other. Of course, Akise shows up just in time to screw things up for Yuno. I don’t even know what to think anymore. I’m going to go with it and see how things turn out.

Source: Homewood Public Library. Homewood, AL.
Purchase this book: Book Depository | Amazon
Previous books in this series:

Future Diary (Volume #1)
by Sakae Esuno
Published 2010 by Tokyopop
192 pages. Paperback.
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis
It’s a battle of love between two couples: the madly-smitten Marco and Ai, and dysfunctional Yukiteru and Yuno. The power of true love seems to overpower all as Marco and Ai continually foil Yukiteru and Yuno’s best plans, but in the end, a plot involving a fake diary backfires on Marco, with disastrous consequences.

Review
Though I thought the Sevents’ diaries were kind of silly, I really liked where this volume went. Yuno may be crazy, but it’s true that she’s the one who’s saved his life numerous times. She’s been doing all the dirty work and Yuki hasn’t appreciated her saving his life. Marco points out that Yuno has what it takes to survive and she’s the only reason Yuki has survived thus far. It put things in a new perspective for Yuki and I think it has really changed how he view Yuno. Of course, this could all take a 180 degree turn in the next volume. There was some nice action and a couple of pretty great plot twists. The issues with Yuki’s family are intriguing and I’m eager to see how he’ll deal with them in the next volume. I liked this volume a lot more than the last two. Once again, I’m ready for more!

Prude Filter: This manga contains profanity, violence, and sexual references. The books suggests 16 and up.

Source: Homewood Public Library. Homewood, AL.
Purchase this book: Book Depository | Amazon
Previous books in this series:

Future Diary (Volume #6)
by Sakae Esuno
Published 2010 by Tokyopop
192 pages. Paperback.
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis
Yuno and Yukiteru have disappeared, causing worry among Yukiteru’s friends at school. With the help of the police, Aru and the others find him in an old abandoned hotel where he’s being held prisoner! But things get worse when Yukiteru learns that the eighth diary holder is sending new attackers to destroy his diary… with a very special delivery method!

Review
Oh whoa at the craziness of this series. It it so over-the-top, and I love it. Yuno had officially gone crazy. She was pretty creepy to begin with, but that was nothing compared to what she’s up to this time. Yuki’s friends really step up for him. They make some sacrifices and most of them get hurt in the process of rescuing him. The best part is when Yuki finally stands up for himself. Yuno does her crazy-girl-in-love act. This time Yuki tells her to go to hell. I was so proud! The only problem? Well, they’re being attacked by more diary owners and let’s be honest, Yuno is much more equipped to defeat them than Yuki is. He puts his trust in her again, hoping that she really is only trying to protect him. I have no doubt that her intentions are mostly good. She wants Yuki to be safe. The problem is that she’s severely unhinged and she will destroy anything and anyone that stands between her and Yuki. She has no problem killing to protect him, and that scares the hell out of him. It’s enough to scare the hell out of anyone. Her devotion has rapidly turned from flattering and a little creepy to absolutely insane. Can’t wait to see how she handles the new diary holders.

Prude Filter: This manga contains profanity, violence, and sexual references. The books suggests 16 and up.

Source: Homewood Public Library. Homewood, AL.
Purchase this book: Book Depository | Amazon
Previous books in this series:

Future Diary (Volume #5)
by Sakae Esuno
Published 2010 by Tokyopop
224 pages. Paperback.
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis
Thanks to Aru, Yukiteru and Yuno are set up on an unexpected date at a free “wedding trial” program. But Aru’s scheme goes awry when Yukiteru and Yuno arrive at Yuno’s house to find not corpses, but a giant hole in the ground. And if that wasn’t weird enough, Yuno has tampered with her memory and forgotten that Yukiteru ever visited her. Her memory loss couldn’t have come at a worse time, as they are both tricked into committing a crime so another Diary owner can track them. With the game stakes becoming deadlier than ever, has Yukiteru sent his last text?

Review
Keeping with expectations, the table have turned again. Those Yuki and Yuno thought were allies have become enemies, and one definite enemy becomes an ally… for now. Fourth finally reveals his plans, and they are not to help Yuki and Yuno. Fourth has problems of his own, and being God would really help him out. Meanwhile, the ruthless Ninth is a little surprising. Of course, it’s all about saving her own life, but she suddenly becomes just as confusing as Fourth.

As if all this weren’t enough, Yuki has other problems. What he discovered on his first visit to Yuno’s house really messed up his feelings about her. The thing is, Yuno doesn’t remember that. Yuki is really worried about her stability. He’s even more worried about his confusing feelings. Does he love her in spite of what he’s seen, or can he ever really love her because of it?

Let me quickly bore you with the usual comments about this series: great art, incredible plot twists, lots of action. On to volume 6!

Prude Filter: This manga contains profanity, violence, and sexual references. The books suggests 16 and up.

Source: Homewood Public Library. Homewood, AL.
Purchase this book: Book Depository | Amazon
Previous books in this series:

Future Diary (Volume #4)
by Sakae Esuno
Published 2009 by Tokyopop
192 pages. Paperback.
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis
Yukiteru gets a freash start at a new school, only to find out that he’s been joined by Hayasaka, a bully from his previous class. Yukiteru just can’t get a break! That’s how he feels, at least, until his classmates stand up for him. Maybe Yukiteru can turn over a new leaf, forget about the Diary Games and enjoy a normal life… But will the Diary Games forget about Yukiteru? Not if the mysterious Diary Holder Tenth has anything to say about it.

Review
The twists just get crazier and crazier. The story has gotten better with each volume, and I can only hope it will stay that way. In this volume, Yuki finally gains some friends, but it takes some interesting twists. Meanwhile, Yuno is getting really jealous, and I would not want to make that girl mad. Seeing how she’s murdered a good number of people at this point, she could be very dangerous when angry. When they all find themselves in a life or death situation, she repeatedly tries to get Yuki to use them as bait so they can escape together. Yuki is far too nice for that kind of plan, of course. Besides, these are his first friends. He can’t just leave them to die.

Ninth disappears in this volume, but I have no doubt she’ll be back. She’s not the type to go out without an epic fight. The question left hanging in the last volume was “what the hell is Fourth up to?” The answer is revealed at the end of this volume. I can’t help but think the gang will have to deal with him in the next volume. I’m so excited that I can say “the gang” now. It’s not just Yuki and Yuno anymore. Yuki’s got some help, and some potential homosexual advances. I’m not sure if Akise (he’s the blond guy on the cover) was just messing with Yuno or if he really does have a thing for Yuki. I can only imagine what a shock that will be to innocent little Yuki.

I’ll admit that this series can be totally over the top, but it’s so much fun. I’m completely obsessed. I’ll have to drop by the library today and pick up a couple more volumes.

Prude Filter: This manga contains profanity, violence, and sexual references. The books suggests 16 and up.

Source: Homewood Public Library. Homewood, AL.
Purchase this book: Book Depository | Amazon
Previous books in this series: