![]() ![]() The main character has traits that make her strong and diverse while maintaining realism (ie she's "basic", not overly talented without hard work, clumsy but not a vapid airhead, etc.). I really like the comedy, which balances out the more 'mushy' parts of a traditional shojo. I point them in the direction of Skip Beat.This is a pretty funny take on a shojo. When I have a friend interested in starting manga, I always give them the best example of the genre. Emotional growth, development of character and the possibilities a true love- realized or not- can bring. Because while it follows the general lines of its genre, it encompasses and showcases all that is best about it. Except, you know, when I’m itching for another chapter. Half the time, the art tells as much, sometimes more of the story than the speech bubbles.Ībsolute. The depth of emotion, the detail of expression, the pure artistry of these emotionally charged moments makes me catch my breath. Some of the scenes are positively delicious to view over and over again. Not to everyone’s tastes, but certainly very memorable. It’s unique and interesting and expressive. Sometimes three or four artists’ works will mesh together in my head except for very small distinctions. Few artists take a chance on their own brand of drawing like she does. ![]() After that, it was as if other artists were the ones who were mundane and typical and banal. I remember blinking a few times and it seemed I had to readjust my brain. Hers was one of the first manga I read and it jarred me when I came back to her particular brand of artistry after viewing other works. Nakamura-sesnsei’s drawing style is very distinctive. And all the supporting characters who have challenged our leads have experienced change- all for the better, and thanks greatly to Kyoko. Even the main antagonist has grown and changed throughout the story, as all real people do. It’s why we relate so well to these characters, main and supporting alike. It’s realistic in a way most shoujo couldn’t even begin to be. Because neither falls helplessly into the other’s arms and life makes them work through their various challenges before either can even fathom reaching the goal. Even if the set up is trite (this is arguable), nothing about the way this has been done is. A temper, emotional hang ups, a soft side and all that delightfully packaged into a neat little box and kept hidden behind a discreetly polite mask. I love that he’s the main character actively striving to help Kyoko reach her goals. We get the feeling every other mysterious, handsome lead previously done in a shoujo was just a rough draft for Tsuraga-Ren. The expected and beyond is met again with the male lead. It’s as if the typical shoujo heroine could have been Kyoko *before* she saw what scum the guy she was wasting her affections on was. A shoujo heroine without the neediness- definitely not the norm. She’s also bright, talented and a character who can stand alone in her own right. Kyoko’s got gumption and it’s evident in everything she does. Who wouldn’t love this plot?Įveryone is familiar, yet incredibly different than anything we’ve seen before. ![]() She drags supporting characters along with her, and within her triumph, leads them to their own. While, of course, kicking the jerk’s butt who tossed her aside at the same time. She’s bitter- severely bitter but she knows it and wants to gain back the feelings she’s lost. Kyoko takes the sour lemons life hands her and makes unique, tangy lemonade. The perseverance common in shoujo is displayed at it’s best with this one. A shoujo story about a girl who hates a man and seeks vengeance against him- while swearing off love- and *meaning* it? Not your typical girly manga. ![]()
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