Princesses, brothers, maids, and mysteries
19. 12 episodes of Princess Princess (プリンセス・プリンセス, Purinsesu Purinsesu).
from Wiki
from IMBd
from Rotten Tomatoes: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3
from Anime News Network
- There are some different than the manga but I don't mind.
- The ending is a bit melodramatic and totally different from manga's but it's ok, too.
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61. 2 Volumes of Kinda'ichi Case Files (金田一少年の事件簿, Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo).
wiki
Written and illustrated by Kanari Yozaburo and Sato Fumiya
from Tokyopop website:
Vol 1: Hajime Kindaichi is your classic underachiever - always falling asleep in class, never doing his homework - it's no wonder everyone thinks he's a loser. It seems like his only friend is Miyuki, the girl-next-door. Ignoring her classmates' complaints, she invites Kindaichi to the Drama Club's weekend rehearsal for 'Phantom of the Opera' - after all, someone's got to do the stagehand grunt work. The production gets off to a shaky start, but when cast members start dying in ways mimicking events in the play, things get downright grisly. While everyone worries about being snuffed out, this is young Kindaichi's moment to shine. With his amazing deductive reasoning and the ability to keep his cool in the face of death, he's a regular Sherlock Holmes. Now the class slacker must put on a class act investigation before the 'Phantom' strikes again!
Vol 5: Hajime and Miyuki visit an isolated southern island to participate in a fun treasure-hunting contest. Once the contestants arrive, the island owner who sponsored the contest is found dead in the Log House. True to formula, the other contestants begin showing up dead one-by-one ... yet another mystery for the inimitable Hajime to unravel!
Some points:
- page turner - wow
Bottom line, I ordered the rest of the series. Unfortunately, #18 was cancelled by Tokyopop. And 3 volumes are out of print - sob.
62. 2 volumes of The Day of Revolution (革命の日, Kakumei no Hi).
wiki
Written and illustrated by Mikiyo Tsuda
from DMP website:
Vol 1: Kei Yoshikawa is a feisty young boy, troubled by problems at home and annoyed at school. One day after a sudden fainting spell, Kei is examined by the doctor and given shocking news - he is actually supposed to be a girl! Although physically male, Kei's chromosomes show that "he" is female. Seeing a chance to start life anew, Kei and his family arrive at the decision for him to begin living as a girl. As "Kei" disappears and "Megumi" enrolls back into school, his/her girl pal Makoto is Kei's only ally who knows his secret. However, his former male friends figure things out before long; and suddenly, "Megumi" is the object of their affections! Feeling femininely weak and vulnerable for the first time, Kei/Megumi develops an aversion for all boys. Dressed like a girl but still feeling like a boy, mixed-up Kei/Megumi feels more comfortable being with Makoto... what's a gender-confused kid supposed to do?
Vol 2: Having undergone gender reassignment from a boy to a girl, Megumi Yoshikawa now finds herself inundated with romantic advances from the four guy-pals she used to hang out with as the boy “Kei.” And pulling the strings from behind the scenes is the mastermind of romance, Makoto…
Finally, the follow-up to the fan favorite “The Day of Revolution” series has arrived! Includes the original new episode “365-Step March”, chronicling events after the original story!
Some points:
- I like her drawing. And Makoto is a strong girl who supports Megumi (she's strong, too)
- The quartet reminds me of The Three Musketeer.
- I've been rereading these two volumes and still amused by them :)
Bottom line, definitely reread once in a while.
63. 2 volumes of Strawberry Chan.
wiki
Written and illustrated by Morinaga Ai
Publisher: Media blaster: this website is not easy to navigate, I can't find the volume, so I get these from amazon instead.
Once upon a time there was a talking frog. This frog's name was Strawberry-Chan. Strawberry-chan loved his boy, Akiyoshi, very much... but Akiyoshi liked nothing more than to use a straw to blow Strawberry-chan up like a balloon - much to the chagrin of Strawberry-chan. Akiyoshi's friends all feel very differently about Strawberry-chan. Some wish he were treated better, some really love Strawberry-chan, and one even wishes he was Strawberry-chan. With all of this love and abuse, will our frog even survive the first volume?
Some points:
- I think this series is like a satire on shojo manga but I'm not really sure. It's really funny. But somehow I suspect some of the jokes went over my head.
- There are a few chapter about a girl who lives in the all boys dorm :) Hilarious
- I particularly like the extra at the end of volume 2 - super heros saving the world :)
Bottom line, I enjoy them nonetheless since I really like Morinaga Ai's art.
64. 1 volume of Shirley (シャーリー).
no wiki yet
Written and illustrated by Kaoru Mori
from CMX website:
Further exploring the world of maids in English society which she portrayed in EMMA, Kaoru Mori moves slightly forward in time-from Victorian to Edwardian England. When Miss Bennett gets too busy running the pub she inherited, she decides that she needs some help at home. She posts a notice for a maid and young Shirley Madison replies. Shirley can clean and cook as well as anyone - even if she's only 13 years old! As readers have come to expect from creator Kaoru Mori, this one volume collection of short stories is filled with rich pe
Some points:
- What a delightful read.
- So gentle.
- There is a main story of Shirley, and 2 extra stories on 2 different older maids.
- I want to know more about Shirley and her employer :) It's kind of both good news and bad news that this is a one shot.
Bottom line, definitely reread.
65. 3 volumes of Baby & me (赤ちゃんと僕, Aka-chan to Boku).
wiki
Written and illustrated by Marimo Ragawa
from Viz website:
Vol 1: Young Takuya has it tough. After his mother passed away it has been his job to take care of his baby brother, Minoru while their father, Harumi, works the long hours of a Japanese "salaryman."
Takuya must sacrifice the playtime usually associated with childhood for the responsibilities of an adult. Cooking, cleaning, sewing and scolding are all now an integral part of the young boy's life.
"All work and no play" has Takuya incredibly frustrated and resentful of his little brother. Will Takuya find it in his heart to love the brother who is causing him so much grief?!
Vol 2: Takuya's life isn't limited to taking care of Minoru. He's got some problems of his own, like encounters with schoolyard bullies, a girl with a big crush on him, and the jealous classmate who has a crush on her. He weathers these challenges pretty well, but once they pose any kind of threat to Minoru...watch out!
Minoru also has a new admirer named Ichika, and the nursery school is rocked by the bitter rivalry that develops between her and his previous suitor, Hiro. How much will little Minoru put up with?
Vol 3: Minoru is growing up, but just because he's out of diapers doesn't mean things are easier on Takuya. Being a big brother is tough, and Takuya has to deal with his own troubles even as he tries to protect Minoru from the harsher realities of life. But Takuya finds unexpected help from the warm memories of his mother and a troublesome schoolmate, his loyal friend Gon. The Enoki boys are learning that if they stick together, they can weather whatever the world throws at them!
Some points:
- There are some series that I bought and got on the to be read pile (or box in manga case) and I wonder why it took me so long to get to this series because once I started I couldn't put it down and finished them quickly.
- It's tough being an elementary schooler and having to take care of one's younger sibling.
- The story is a bit sad but the kids seem to adjust fine and I think the dad is doing alright, too considering about the heavy lost. They seemed to have moved on. We don't see much about the dad's grief since he's not the main character. But after a year, he's not ready to remarry yet - so that means he's still grieving. We see Takuya's grief more often as he missed his mother. It's not an easy story to read for a parent.
Bottom line, this is a series that I'll follow for sure.
Continuing series:
- Random question: I didn't know that the spine of a paper back book is so important to some people. It didn't occur to me to keep them in tact until recently. Why the change? I'm not sure but the books look better with the spine in tact. The problem is now I pay attention to the spine more and get a bit annoyed if my books are returned with the spine somewhat damaged! I guess I answer my own question then :)