MTAC Successes of 2009!

2009 was a great year for MLS Teen Anime Club! Here are just some of the amazing things we contributed to the Mississauga Library System:

-More than 25 new graphic novel/manga titles were selected for addition to the Mississauga Library System's collection thanks to the MTAC members! As of right now, S. A., Air Gear, and Hayate the Combat Butler are just a few of the new titles you can find in the Mississauga Library Catalogue thanks to MTAC.

-MTAC members volunteered their time to help build a successful haunted house for the Central Library Children Services' Halloween event.

-MTAC members brought with them a lot of enthusiasm at the Mississauga Book Fair to promote the MLS Teen Anime Club to other teens, as well as entertaining crowds with their dance performances.

-Our growing numbers in the club allowed us to screen new Anime titles at the Central Library's Noel Ryan Auditorium thanks to our friends at Operation Anime of FUNimation Entertainment.

I'd like to thank our very active members (in no particular order): Niki, Olivia, Kasia, Liz Z, Cianna, Carla, Angelie, Reuben, Celina, Daryll, Kyosha, Kaye, Keney, Rycka, Michelle S, "DJ" aka David, and Jessica Ferreira of the Courtney Park Library for making this one awesome Otaku club! Let's make 2010 an even better year!


-Jason Loo
MLS Teen Anime Club Founder and Coordinator

Manga Review: Apothecarius Argentum

Summary
"Argent was fed poison during his youth to turn him into the ultimate assassin with an immunity to poison. The King of Beazol bought the slave boy to be the food tester for his daughter Primula. However, the princess frees Argent and instructs him to flee from the palace. Years later, he reappears as a master chemist and skilled healer and saves Primula from an assassination attempt. As a result, he's promoted to the position of Royal Apothecary. But any potential relationship will have its limits as Argentum's very touch has become poisonous."

Review
If you asked me what kind of manga I read most often, I would reply: "Shoujo", but my manga pet-peeve is weak, useless heroines. That is exactly why I like Apothecarius Argentum. The leading girl is strong, and the other characters are just as entertaining. Another thing that sets this manga apart from other shoujos is that it has a storyline other than the main characters trying to get together. The storyline is very original and unpredictable, and every chapter seemed like something new rather than the same scenarios repeated.

While reading this manga I also learned a lot about different chemicals and poisons that actually exist -at the end of each volume is a guide to the different chemicals that show up in the story. Usually "learn" and "manga" don't belong in the same sentence (I know I'm not a fan of science), but it gives the manga a realistic feel.

The art doesn't seem spectacular at first glance, but as you keep reading it grows on you and you can feel the characters' emotions portrayed very clearly.

My only regret about reading this series: I did not want to know where the red colour in my Fruitopia came from (look up "cochineal" on Wikipedia).

You can find the first 8 volumes at the library, if you're interested in reading it.

Review by Liz Z.