Not Love But Delicious Foods Make Me So Happy! (Manga)
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: December 2010
Price: $10.99
Creator: Fumi Yoshinaga
Format: 162 pgs.; B&W; Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-7595-3187-1
Age Rating: OT/Older Teen
ICv2 Rating: 3 Stars out of 5

Boys love manga creator F-mi Y-naga has been commissioned to create short manga introductions to Tokyo restaurants--a perfect job for someone who loves food as much as she does!  Together with her off-beat circle of friends, Y-naga explores her culinary side in this collection of shorts that features real restaurants.

It’s pretty obvious from the start that Y-naga is a blatant stand-in for Yoshinaga herself, even if she offers a disclaimer that the stories are fictionalized (though the restaurants are not).  It is her self-deprecating humor which keeps readers attention, because there is only just enough plot to minimally connect the stories.  But foodies who travel will find their mouths watering at the irresistible suggestions.  The accompanying maps and restaurant information are hopefully still accurate enough, though Yen Press gives no indication either way.  There is a glossary in the back of the book which defines some of the Japanese culinary terms, however this is still very much a collection for people who know and enjoy food, not as much for the average manga reader.  Yoshinaga’s beautiful, more realistic style of art and minimal use of characters makes this slightly more accessible for those who are not usually manga readers, though they may need some assistance understanding chibis.  Pair this with Oishinbo (by Tetsu Kariya and Akira Hanasaki from VIZ) for foodie readers who might want to try a graphic novel.

--Snow Wildsmith: Writer and former teen librarian and ALA/YALSA committee member.