Tears of a Lamb
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Banri Hidaka. It was originally serialized in Hana to Yume
in 2001, with the individual chapters collected and published in seven tankōbon
volumes by Hakusensha
. The story focuses on Kei Hasumi, an anorexic teenager girl in love with her brother's friend Kakeru Suwa, who lost his memory. Kei searches for the ring he'd given his girlfriend to try to help him recover his memory. She is aided by Kyosuke Kanzaki, a classmate who is in love with her, who lives in an apartment where Kei believes the ring may be.
It is licensed for English language release in North America by CMX
, which released the first volume in January 2008.
in 2001 where it ran until its conclusion in the 23rd issue 2003. The forty-two unnamed chapters were collected and published in seven tankōbon
by Hakusensha
from April 2002 until March 2004. The series is licensed for English-language release in North America by CMX Manga, which released the first volume in January 2008.
as Kei Hasumi and Kentarō Itō
as Kyosuke Kanzaki.
and Tears of a Lamb was released on March 17, 2004.
to crack jokes are especially distracting, coming on the heels of serious revelations about Hasumi’s mental health." Pop Culture Shock's Michelle Smith commends the manga for "Kanzaki’s consideration of Kei is shown through his actions rather than told in mere words. The best scenes are when they are engaged in heartfelt conversation" as well as its cute art, saying , "I love the fleecy lambs sprinkled throughout". However, she criticises the manga for "the continual reliance on violence as a source of humor." In a review of volume one, Clara Yamasaka wrote in Newtype USA "Later volumes may bring more insight into the troubles that have damaged these two teens' psyches, but if you have real world troubles of your own, you might feel more like slapping these characters upside the head instead of reading subsequent volumes." Jason Thompson
described the author's manga in general as being "basically romantic character sketches", noting that the major difference in Tears of a Lamb was that it started "disorientedly in the middle of things". He found the problems faced by the characters seemed "merely gimmicky".
Hana to Yume
is a semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Hakusensha.The magazine is published on the 4th and 22nd of every month. It is often nicknamed as among the readers...
in 2001, with the individual chapters collected and published in seven tankōbon
Tankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
volumes by Hakusensha
Hakusensha
is a Japanese publishing company. It is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo.The company mainly publishes manga magazines of various genres and is involved in certain series' productions in their games, original video animation, musical and their animated TV series....
. The story focuses on Kei Hasumi, an anorexic teenager girl in love with her brother's friend Kakeru Suwa, who lost his memory. Kei searches for the ring he'd given his girlfriend to try to help him recover his memory. She is aided by Kyosuke Kanzaki, a classmate who is in love with her, who lives in an apartment where Kei believes the ring may be.
It is licensed for English language release in North America by CMX
CMX (comics)
CMX was a division of Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics which in turn is owned by Time Warner. It was DC's line of manga translations....
, which released the first volume in January 2008.
Manga
Written and illustrated by Banri Hidaka, Tears of a Lamb premiered in the 19th issue of Hana to YumeHana to Yume
is a semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Hakusensha.The magazine is published on the 4th and 22nd of every month. It is often nicknamed as among the readers...
in 2001 where it ran until its conclusion in the 23rd issue 2003. The forty-two unnamed chapters were collected and published in seven tankōbon
Tankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
by Hakusensha
Hakusensha
is a Japanese publishing company. It is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo.The company mainly publishes manga magazines of various genres and is involved in certain series' productions in their games, original video animation, musical and their animated TV series....
from April 2002 until March 2004. The series is licensed for English-language release in North America by CMX Manga, which released the first volume in January 2008.
Volume list
Drama CD
Two drama CDs from the series were released non-commercially for the series. The first was released with the 4th issue of Hana to Yume in 2004 as a promotional item, and contained tracks for other series from the magazine as well. The second was available only via mail-in and contained a booklet with the character introduction and comments of the author regarding the characters. There is also a scenario booklet that contains the script of the tracks in the CD. Both CDs featured the voices of Yukari TamuraYukari Tamura
, is a popular Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress, affiliated with the talent agency I'm Enterprise. Affectionately called Yukarin by her fans, she is also known for her high-pitched voice and interest in Lolita fashion...
as Kei Hasumi and Kentarō Itō
Kentaro Ito
is a seiyū who was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. He has been affiliated with Mediarte since May 2009.- Notable anime roles :* Ai No Kusabi - Riki* Ao no Exorcist - Shiratori/Astaroth* Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! WGP - Brett Astaire...
as Kyosuke Kanzaki.
Illustration collection
A joint illustrated collection of Banri Hidaka's 2 works, Sekai de Ichiban DaikiraiSekai de Ichiban Daikirai
is a Japanese shōjo manga written and illustrated by Banri Hidaka.-Plot summary:Akiyoshi Kazuha is the responsible oldest daughter in a large family. She attends an all-girls high school with her best friend Senko and has a crush on her little brother's kindergarten teacher...
and Tears of a Lamb was released on March 17, 2004.
Reception
Pop Culture Shock's Katherine Dacey criticises the manga, saying, "Comedic moments bump up against revelations of anorexia, broken homes, and broken engagements, making for a very choppy read. The few scenes in which characters break the fourth wallFourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
to crack jokes are especially distracting, coming on the heels of serious revelations about Hasumi’s mental health." Pop Culture Shock's Michelle Smith commends the manga for "Kanzaki’s consideration of Kei is shown through his actions rather than told in mere words. The best scenes are when they are engaged in heartfelt conversation" as well as its cute art, saying , "I love the fleecy lambs sprinkled throughout". However, she criticises the manga for "the continual reliance on violence as a source of humor." In a review of volume one, Clara Yamasaka wrote in Newtype USA "Later volumes may bring more insight into the troubles that have damaged these two teens' psyches, but if you have real world troubles of your own, you might feel more like slapping these characters upside the head instead of reading subsequent volumes." Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson (writer)
Jason Thompson is a manga critic, journalist, writer and comics artist.-Life and career:...
described the author's manga in general as being "basically romantic character sketches", noting that the major difference in Tears of a Lamb was that it started "disorientedly in the middle of things". He found the problems faced by the characters seemed "merely gimmicky".