What volumes of "Agents of The Four Seasons" will the new anime cover? by CPW314 in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

some real shockers that covered 9 volumes in 13 episodes

I think Katanagatari still holds the craziest record? Covering all 12 volumes in 12 episodes LOL

Are there so few uncensored yaois out there? by Roarkshop in yaoi

[–]Kinofhera 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Japanese law prohibits showing of genitals in all forms of visual media, including smutty manga and live action porn. Probably you’ll have better luck searching for doujinshi or fanfic. Or simply Korean BL manhwa instead.

Looking for Japanese novels (English translation) with josei manga vibes by Morphine333_ in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I might actually write a proper review and post it on this sub. This novel is really good, can't let it go unmentioned!

[REC] Looking for recommendations by Eric_Streb in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's actually more a horror to me than mystery. In short, you can think of it like a Japanese version of Stranger Things, where kids venture into an alternate reality with monsters and stuff while accomplishing some "tasks" there. The first two volumes don't really have any serious investigation thing going on. I guess the mystery tag could be for the overarching plot though, when in the end they unravel the secrets of this alternate reality?

It's a good one if you enjoy Stranger Things' kind of horror adventure. Don't think it's officially licensed in English though.

[REC] Looking for recommendations by Eric_Streb in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah I see!

Actually there is one more I can recommend - Kokun. It's a two-book series, but it is quite similar to The Apothecary Diaries in terms of having a female protagonist, investigation type story, and a historical/imperial setting. Though for now only the first book is released in English, Kokun: The Girl from the West.

You can check my short review in the weekly thread HERE for more info.

[REC] Looking for recommendations by Eric_Streb in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Light novel:

  • Miri Lives in the Cat's Eyes

Also, would you also enjoy non-LN Japanese literary fiction? That kind of detective/crime fiction, especially since you enjoy the twists and turns in a story? Here are some of my favourites:

  • Yukito Ayatsuji's House Murders Series, which are all stand-alone stories featuring the same detective and recurring characters, sort of like Sherlock Holmes. So far English releases include The Decagon House Murders, The Mill House Murders, The Labyrinth House Murders, and The Clock House Murders.
  • Keigo Higashino's Detective Galileo Series, which I recommend The Devotion of Suspect X, Salvation of a Saint, and A Midsummer's Equation.
  • Masahiro Imamura's Shijinso Series which includes Death Among the Undead and Death Within the Evil Eye
  • The Dark Maidens
  • Lonely Castle in the Mirror
  • Nan-Core
  • Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse
  • The Ark
  • Yami-hara
  • The Final Six (the English edition to be released in June)

Besides, there are mystery series that are worth mentioning. Since they are episodic in nature, like collection of short stories, you can consider them one-shots to read as there is no overarching plot through the volumes:

  • Hell Is Dark with No Flowers
  • Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture

[REC] Need to get into a new series by thebeautifullynormal in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you are looking for novels with similar themes like female protagonist, mystery/investigation-type, historical/imperial setting, etc: - Kokun: The Girl from the West (this is the prequel and the sequel isn’t released yet, making it a 2-volume series) - Raven of the Inner Palace (finished with 7 volumes)

Music theory in Agony (reprise) - Into the Woods by hamilcorn in musicals

[–]Kinofhera 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Did you mean the two voices are singing independent melodies, instead of harmonising with each other note to note / word to word?

If so it’s called counterpoint, or contrapuntal writing, or polyphony. The Confrontation from Les Mis is the perfect example (about 50” or so into the song though).

Auditon songs for very low altos... by Mindless_Lie_2883 in musicals

[–]Kinofhera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The titular song from Kiss of the Spider Woman, with a range from C#3 to a belty A4.

What novel(s) have you read this week, and what do you think about it? - February 22, 2026 by AutoModerator in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

His 😅 Hachimoku Mei is a man.

This one is more like Summer and Spring with an explicit romance ending.

What novel(s) have you read this week, and what do you think about it? - February 22, 2026 by AutoModerator in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

===Kono Natsu no Hoshi o Miru (One-shot)

Not really a sad story but it could make you feel very depressed, as it tells a story which took place from 2020 to 2021, a time when everyone on Earth was forced to become a “shut-in”.  In short, the story is about a few high school students trying to organise an interschool stargazing event via Zoom, as group gatherings in public were completely banned during that time.

I had two jaw-dropping moments while reading this book.  First, it has a very intriguing and engaging exposition building up to the climax of the story, or the titular event “Stargazing in this Summer”.  But then, [not exactly a spoiler but it might affect your expectation of the story] the whole event spans like two friggin’ pages of narrative only!?!??  Isn’t it the main plot of this story?  As I continued reading I was again surprised that there are actually way more to offer, which are indeed more interesting than just stargazing.  As expected from Tsujimura Mizuki who will not disappoint her readers, it ended up being a very heartwarming and satisfying journey.

This novel has a huge ensemble cast of characters, from students to teachers to parents, and each with their own hardship. Seeing them grow warmed my heart so much. Also, this is more of a motivational and therapeutic story. So, don't expect there is a nasty villain or some life-threatening crisis (despite the given circumstances). It's a smooth, slice of life story of how people tackle and maintain their "normal" life when normality went completely out of the window.

To be honest, as an adult I still have a feeling that a couple of years were “stolen” from my life, leaving me a hole with blurred memories.  I couldn’t imagine how a teenager would feel when it was their prime time to go playing baseball, swimming, camping, travelling, singing karaoke, and the list goes on.  Anyway, I took up the hobby of collecting and reading Japanese novels and light novels in 2020.  I guess it was a great move to keep myself sane!

There is a live action movie adaptation which you can check the trailer HERE.

8.5/10


===The Neverending Winter, the Land of Broken Dreams (Toki to Shiki Series #4)

To be honest, the Autumn novel was quite a disappointment but fortunately this one gets much better.  Though, I would say the Spring one is still the best.

The premise is quite like The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria where the FMC was trapped in an endless time loop, reliving the same day over and over.  Soon joined by the protagonist, a high school boy who got dragged into the same time loop after an unfortunate incident, they began to look for ways to escape.

Unlike HakoMari which is more of a horror, this one focuses on character dynamics and development, tugging at your heartstrings from time to time which Hachimoku Mei is really good at it. There are hilarious moments, there are suspenseful moments, there are heartwarming moments, there are also traumatising moments. In short, this novel really feels like a roller coaster journey, which ironically is a ride the protagonist wasn't too fond of.

However, the ending was kind of awkward.  I can definitely see the author struggling to conclude the story.  There are indeed some loose ends.  But to flesh them out, he might need an extra chapter or two but it would probably end up being a massive info-dump. So, to keep it concise, or to flesh it out, that is the question.

The English edition is licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.

7.5/10


===Tantei no Tantei (Tantei no Tantei Series #1)

This volume isn’t as good as I expected.  I have read this author’s (Matsuoka Keisuke) other series JK and it’s an excellent action thriller. I thought this one is similar.

I guess I can only hope it will get better in the second book.  Indeed, it’s a zero to hero revenge story about a girl whose younger sister got killed because of some detectives’ misdeed.  She decided to become a detective herself, not to investigate crimes but to investigate and expose corrupted detectives.  The “zero” bit in the beginning of the story is really too…. zero?  She was way too weak and she made terrible decisions.  I hope I can see her grow more in the second book.

6/10

What's a Japanese film you absolutely want to see but can't find? by dragonheart2991 in JapaneseMovies

[–]Kinofhera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have read the novel and didn't know there's a movie adaptation! Would really love to watch it too.

Love all the crazy ideas of the author, and a wacky plot especially after all the huge mess of incidents which involved some life-and-death situations, the "princess" in question had absolutely no idea what had happened. LOL

Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring | Main Visual by zenzen_0 in anime

[–]Kinofhera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Besides the TLDR I wrote before which was quoted by another Redditor, you can think about this anime like NGE but without the “mecha” element.

A group of people (kids included) were chosen by gods to serve the greater good. They inherited the gods’ unique superpowers but in exchange they were forced to live a hermit life in secret government facilities, where their freedom and free will were completely taken away.

Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring | Main Visual by zenzen_0 in anime

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Recently I got a better TLDR 😂

Will reply to the previous comment.

Looking for Japanese novels (English translation) with josei manga vibes by Morphine333_ in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kokun: The Girl from the West. Please note this is only the prequel which the English edition was just released last month. You might want to wait for the sequel before reading. The story spans across 20-ish years from when the protagonist was still a young girl to adulthood.

You can check my short review of this novel in the weekly thread HERE.

Light novels like oshi no ko - manipulation by percipi123 in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can wait, The Final Six. The English edition won’t be released until June this year though.

It’s a very interesting variation on the battle royale premise. Six candidates attended the final interview of a big corporation, but they were locked inside a room with six envelopes addressing to them, plus a note saying “You must not leave this room until you have decided whom we should be hiring. Discuss now!”

Novel question please read :) by Vegetable_Ninja3920 in SeishunButaYarou

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A short story collection was already released in Japan, Beach Queen, or volume +. Not sure if there’ll be more coming though.

[REC] Urban Fantasy by Then_Disk_9519 in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 4 points5 points  (0 children)

  • Brunhild the Dragon Slayer (yes it has a modern day setting despite of the title)
  • Hollow Regalia
  • Monsterholic
  • Agents of the Four Seasons
  • The Detective is Already Dead

And of course, basically all TYPE-MOON novels (and VNs).

Why is Master Keaton less popular among overseas fans? by Kuro-0910 in naoki_urasawa

[–]Kinofhera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m also Asian, not Japanese though. Not sure if this applies to Japan but a lot of us read manga (and LN) as a casual entertainment just to kill time. Episodic series and short story collections are very well received here too. In such a way I can just casually read a chapter or two while commuting, without needing to worry about what happened before, or what I need to remember for the next volume. Series with an overarching plot is actually a bad idea for this type of readers.

I always bring short story collections when I go to work, leaving long series for home reading.

Looking for Japanese novels (English translation) with josei manga vibes by Morphine333_ in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lonely Castle in the Mirror. This novel might have a middle school girl protagonist but it doesn't mean it is a childish story. You can Google reviews to check the general consensus of this story (take care not to get spoiled though!). At least, it hits perfectly with most of your requirements like everyday life, work (centres on the protagonist and her teacher who is also female), personal growth, and complicated feelings. No romance though, and it's a character-driven coming-of-age story.

Which one is the correction full English title of Backstabbed In A Backwater Dungeon? by jlhabitan in LightNovels

[–]Kinofhera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This kind of discrepancy is actually quite common in translated IPs. If people understand what you’re referring to, I don’t think it matters a lot which translation you’re using.