Dreams are one of those things that many of us look forward to, but often times, we find it hard to keep track of. We’re whisked away into this fantasy world where everything we’ve always desired is right there at our fingertips, and there are no rules. Akira Amano wanted to create a story that emphasizes that dream like world in manga form, and so Nemuri Netarou Arawaru!! was created. Nemuri Netarou is a weird yet eccentric character, whose job is to alleviate any problems that you have as you drift off to sleep.

Whether you're having dark creepy nightmares, or just can't seem to fall into deep sleep, he’s most certainly there to assist you at anytime. Think of him like the sandman who sprinkles that special sleeping dust on you, and takes all of your worries away. Netarou recently drew in a new customer named Tonko, who as of late can't sleep due to having constant nightmares and it being such a nuisance. Now with the help of Netarou, the two will work together to conquer her nightmares and learn the startling truths about the dream world.

We wish we had someone to call upon when we had nightmares, perhaps that would've made things easier growing up. That's the beauty of this one shot piece from Amano, it's that it tells a story that many of us can relate to because we’ve all at some point experienced dreams that we wish we knew more about. Netarou shows you that dreams aren't as terrible as they seem initially and that there's always an adventure to take part in. Reading about that truly lifts your spirits in a big way because it reminds us that we all have a lot to learn and cope with, but more so that we should just let go of our preconceived notions and have some fun once in awhile. It's cute, imaginative and daring as you wander into a world that's filled with mystery, but come to understand it's beauty in the end.

ēlDLIVE never really took off in a big way initially for Amano, but eventually once the wheels started to turn and word started to spread the series headed straight towards success. The anime series just launched this season, so be sure to catch up on it if you haven't started. We definitely recommend checking out the manga version first so really get a better idea of how everything pans out, so let's dive right into it. The story begins with a young orphan named Chuuta Kokonose, who resides with his aunt. For some reason, he'd always get distracted by this strange voice in his head but it never really became a hinderance to his life in any way. However his life changed forever after a strange creature follows him home after school, teleporting him into a world with other strange exotic creatures.

Not knowing where he is, Chuuta wanders into a building where he encounters the Chief of the Solar System Department, Rein Brickke, who informs him that he's at a police station and that he's been chosen by the computer to become a part of the police force. He also encounters a girl from his school named Misuzu who informs Rein that Chuuta doesn't belong on the team, and that he's not even worth mentioning. Not taking no for an answer and listening to the voice in his head, Chuuta decides to take an aptitude test to not only prove Misuzu wrong but to prove to himself that he can be the best policeman on the team. Let’s face it, nobody likes to be stood up and told that they can’t do something, so what better way to prove them wrong than to take initiative and show them what you’re made of?

ēlDLIVE is a series that takes a lot of what’s already known as far as story plots in manga, but embarks on a totally new adventure with characters that have fresh personalities. It’s not a story that tries to create fluff but rather, it sticks to the formula very well and manages to create an experience that can only be found within ēlDLIVE. One major selling point about ēlDLIVE is that it really promotes the importance of friendship, and being able to solve major problems as a team rather than going out on your own. This of course is illustrated very well when it comes to situations pertaining to Chuuta and having to get along with his colleagues in order to take out any threats. His ego sometimes gets in the way which oftentimes becomes a defining weakness, but what Amano does is create a story that brings everyone together despite their background and helps each individual overcome personal roadblocks. It’s emotional and sometimes traumatic, leading you down a path of despair but then it picks you back up down the road by introducing well executed relationship building. ēlDLIVE is an artistic gem that we’re sure many readers of manga will enjoy, whether you’re a sci-fi fan or just looking to try something new.

Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! is widely considered to be Akira Amano’s shining achievement, because it skyrocketed her career and placed her in the same echelon as other mangaka in her genre. Being a female mangaka is challenging on its own but Amano strived to ensure that she’d leave a legacy behind with her work, and she definitely has with this one. Launching back in 2004, Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! follows the life of Sawada Tsunayoshi, a young boy who really never had anything going for him in life and so he received the nickname “No good Tsuna.” Much of his life would be considered normal by our standards, as Tsuna resides with his mother while his father does the nine to five. One thing that Tsuna doesn’t realize, however, is that his family is actually connected to a powerful lineage of the legendary mob boss known as Vongola Giotto. With this startling truth revealed to him, Tsuna must now take on the new responsibility as he has been chosen to be the new head of the Vongola family and ensure that the family name isn’t tarnished. To be sure that Tsuna doesn’t screw things up he’s been paired with Reborn, a professional hitman and infant, who now must act as Tsuna’s tutor and ensure he’s at peak performance going into his new role.

Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! has all of the right perks to truly make this an enjoyable series, with so much more added in for laughter. One major selling point behind the series is that it doesn’t just cater to one demographic, but rather it brings both genders together for a unique experience that you can’t find in any other manga. Hitman Reborn! is witty, crazy, and an all out blast to read because its story is perhaps one of the best out there with so much to look forward to. Each arc in the story progressively gets better over time, while the character development is fluid and memorable. There’s literally a ton to read in this series because it’s so beefed up with juicy details that you’ll sometimes find yourself going back a few chapters to line things up with what’s currently happening. It doesn’t try to chase you in different directions but rather it keeps you up to date, while throwing in little twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. Everything about Tsuna and Reborn’s relationship feels dynamic, uncontrived, and seamless and reminds us of the manzai comedy culture in Japan where one individual is the smart one while the other is struggling to cope with their foolishness. With a ton of action in every chapter along with fantastic chemistry among the characters in the story, Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! is one gem that you truly don’t want to miss out on.