SHOUJO Manga Recommendations
Out Of the Ordinary
Oboreru Knife // Dokuhime // Natsume Yuujinchou
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Oboreru Knife
SUMMARY: A beautiful and mature sixth grade girl from Tokyo suddenly has to move out to the country side of Japan with her family. The girl, Natsumi, then meets a boy and from then on she begins to feel 'something' in her body, like a surging wave....
FEATURES: Beautiful Scenery, Close-ups, Intense Emotions, Time Development
MY OPINION: It's like a movie. It's too appealing for your eyes. "Can't take my eyes off this" *background music* AHAA. This author, expresses everything with the scenery. It corresponds with the story, atmosphere, and the characters. I give the art a rating of 10/10. I request for more color pages, that are not the volume cover!!
There hasn't been enough english scanlations in this. I came back to read it after reading Under The Radar Blog, because, it was forgotten by me at first, (maybe because there's too little chapters at that time). Be cautious of spoilers when you go on the blog! When I read it, I wasn't really aware of the deep themes, but after reading it, yeah, it works well! I was spoiled before the scanlations though, but I have been a person who follows summaries and spoilers.
DokuHime
SUMMARY: It starts with poisonous herbs under the cradle. Then under the sheets. And inside the clothes. Even mixed in the milk that they feed the newborn. This way the child gradually gets used to poisons and becomes the perfect assassination tool - the “Poison Princess” whose every kiss, tear, and even touch bring death. Her only chance of survival is to fulfill her duty as an assassin and find a way to live on in the enemy land she is sent to… if her heart is strong enough.
FEATURES: Poison Princess, Prisoner, Curse, Gothic Lolita, Assassin, Flowers, Dark
MY OPINIONS: Beware of nudity. Yeah, there's some, but only for a page or two. But more importantly, if you read the summary... isn't it interesting? Poison Princesses. The land where they come from, there only ruled with woman. What is the term again? I forgot.. :(. And how they can't love a man. Because, their bodies can kill them. With any type of contact, like touch, tears, or even clothes you've worn. Their kingdom sends mistresses from their own country to the enemy's to kill the ruler. And their kingdom would benefit. The first chapter may seem off from the second, because there is a sudden change of protagonists. It's like they started with a one shot, and then went on with the story so they wanted a better protagonist.
Lastly, I give the art 8/10. It's been made in 2004 so I'll consider the time, that the art was probably the best out of most. Plus, this mangaka is an expert at drawing Gothic Lolita, I think she might be one herself. ;)
Natsume Yuujinchou
SUMMARY: Natsume's just an ordinary kid, except he can see spirits, just like his grandma Reiko could. Reiko, though, used to bully the spirits, and bound them to her will in the "Book of Friends". Now that Natsume has inherited this book, a never-ending stream of spirits is coming after him. With the help of a spirit "cat" (who really just wants Natsume to die so he can have the book), Natsume spends his days dissolving the contracts that bind the spirits and trying not to get killed
FEATURES: Talking Cats, Youkai (Spirits/Demons?), Supernatural Ability, Male Lead in a Shoujo, Eating Paper (NO i'm joking!)
MY OPINIONS: You can't help but fall in love with him. I think shoujos with a male lead is a win. They make him the best man. Maybe he is the protagonist. But truly, they made him too handsome. OMGOMGOGMGOMG. I'm getting over angered shizuo. This male lead is Tadashi Natsume ... I get lost with the names sometimes. He is a truly kind person.
Anyway, what's interesting about this, is that there are many arches. Yeah, those anime with new episodes, new problems and such. But I love the stories. Especially the ones that concern about relationships. This is the type of story that can go on for a long time, but I'd like to continue reading it, because I like the story packages it comes with :). If you watched the anime, I love the stories with the swallow bird, firefly, Taki and her magic circles, and Shigure the tainted spirit. Oh, Reiko also striked an interest on me too. She's so interesting!!
OHOH, lastly, I would like to say. I found this VERRRRYY alike to xxxHolic. Why so? Because they both look so HAWWT on kimonos. Although I like Natsume with his normal t-shirt and a kimono cloak over it, it makes him look cool. But Long kimonos are so lovely. *___*. Now, take a look at this picture. Alike you see? I would like to strike out the similarities already!
LAUGHTER, very healthy for you!
Oresama Teacher // Heroine Shikkaku
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Oresama Teacher
SUMMARY: Kurosaki Mafuyu was a juvenile delinquent and head of her gang before her subsequent arrest got her expelled from high school. Now that she’s transferred to a new high school, she’s determined to become an “ultra-shiny, super feminine high school student.” But with a new friend like Hayasaka-kun and a homeroom teacher like Saeki Takaomi (who may be more than he seems), will Mafuyu really be able to live a girly-girl high school life!?
FEATURES: Cross-Dressing, Delinquents, Bunny Mask, Romanticists, Obsession, Buffguyswhoareattractiveandnotscary, Macho, Fights, Mini-Mustache, Different Identities, Ninjas, Girly-Men, Manly-Girls
MY OPINION: THIS IS TOO FUNNY. It kills!!
It's like this, obsession and no depression (this is a happy story, THESE CHARACTERS CAN NEVER GET DEPRESSED), sanity and insanity, silly faces, and screaming thoughts. Everybody in this story has weird obsessions, some way or another. Everyone is also insane yet sane. It's like, Mafuyu has common sense when Hayasaka is crazy. So she's screaming with these epic comments in her thoughts, and he's in obsession. Then, it REVERSES. And goes on for every other character in this story! And I love these silly faces! They make it look so laughable and insane. :) ... yet cute!
Also, NO TEACHER AND STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS. PLEASE DON'T. >:(
Heroine Shikkaku - No Longer a Heroine
SUMMARY: This could be any girl. Imagine being a heroine of a love story. Hatori also believed that one day she would get married to her childhood friend, Rita.
But that's not how the world works! This is a hilarious comedy that honestly paints a painful unrequited love story of this young girl!
FEATURES: Creepy Facial Expressions WIN!, One-sided Love, Crazy Fantasies, Love Triangle, Childhood friends
MY OPINION: The main character is crazy. She doesn't confess her feelings for her loved one, but she expects him to fall in love with him. She is paranoid about being the heroine of a romance story with the guy. This story is too entertaining. :)
As the title says, "No Longer a Heroine", that is because her loved one finds his own heroine. What does that make her now? For sure she doesn't want to be a supporting character. To me, she is more like a villain LOL. She always have scheming eyes and freaky expressions! I'd like to count the moments! So laughable! >;D
& So, I deeply recommend this~!
I love the art, too bad this story does not have any colored art. Unfair! Maybe because it's not too long of a series yet.. :(. Ah, Don't worry, you'll get colored pages because this is bound to get popular! Heeehh!
Lastly, I love how the Strobe Edge characters are in the background of the manga, or their books are.
You can't miss out on these
Strobe Edge // Bokura wa Itsumo
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Strobe Edge
SUMMARY: Having no experience in romance, the vibrant Ninako curiously explores the meaning of what "love" really is, and is surprised to feel a colorful range of emotions as she grows closer to the school heartthrob, the quiet yet gentle Ren, who also happens to be involved in a longtime relationship. With every intention of keeping her head held high, Ninako prepares to face the mental pain of this one-sided love that she had allowed to take root, facing a series of trials that would either contribute to her growth as a headstrong woman, or break her as it did with other girls.
However, is this really a one-sided love? Or had something been silently sown in the most hidden part of Ren's heart?
FEATURES: Rejected Alliance, Love Triangle, Side Couples, Lovely Short Stories, Protagonistthatlookslikealittlegirl, One-sided Love
MY OPINIONS: What can I say? The best romance I have ever read. The characters are so handsome. OMG! I find the side characters to be amazing too. There's a bunch of short stories relating to them. Plus, I'm enjoying this manga too much. I can't say much because I'll spoil everything, my reaction to each chapter can be worth more then words. ;)
Also, I was wondering, what's with the name... it doesn't match up. Strobe Edge sounds more like an action manga, rather then a extremely great romance haha.
The art should be 9/10, I didn't give this a perfect, because ... this mangaka keeps on improving!
Bokura wa Itsumo
SUMMARY: The series is composed of four heroine/hero.
Nori: An energetic, upbeat girl who was heartbroken sometime ago due to her childhood friend. Now she is headed to meet Haruna, the lonely kid who she always played with back then but she was surprised to see he turned out to be a hunk.
Kyou: The school's prince. From a distinguish family: he is handsome, smart, athletic and rich. He has never struggle for anything in his life, be it money or women. Haruna's sudden return throws him off momentum.
Saeka: Nori, Kyou and her are childhood friends. She is mature, composed and understands the two quite well. Although beautiful she has never gone out with anyone due to being in love with her teacher from middle shool. Will her feeling be answered or will she find an unexpected love around the corner!?
Haruna: The boy who comes back after leaving for many years. His reason for returning is unknown. The guy who’s clouded with mystery shows interest in Nori. Does he really like her or is there something else behind it...
FEATURES: Multiple Protagonists, Different Points of Views, Childhood Friends
MY OPINIONS: LOVEEE it. Every Chapter, is always from another person's point of view. And you could only get into one of the four's POV. Nobody takes the spotlight, but you do see every one of their opinion occuring to them. Sometime, you might see very alike things from the previous chapter, because one can see but comprehend things differently. It makes me feel more happier, it's like you can't only read their thoughts at the spur of the moment, but they really relate and think back onto things. What you thought back then maybe be different from the present. Plus, sometimes people can't express their feelings with words ^__^. It's really interesting, and the plot itself is slow paced but wonderful.
Also, I love stories with childhood friends. They can understand each other in many things, but at the same time don't. Rather, it's more like less learning and more ... uhh... onto the story.
Overall, this is very calming, and beautiful drawings. Although, the coloring is okay..
Cutesy ~
Yumemiru Taiyou // Hiyokoi
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Yumemiru Taiyou
SUMMARY: While loitering in the park, Shimana Kameko, who intended to run away from home and skipped school, meets a suspicious man in a kimono. This man, who had been locked out of his house, offers Shimana a place to stay. However, he requests she fulfill three conditions in exchange for her tenancy?!
FEATURES: Panda Obsessions, Change of Habitat, CuteFluffyStuffIntheAirLOL, counting dogs games, pandas
MY OPINIONS: WOW! This is cute. All of the characters are too cute. I made many attempts to draw these characters like that, because, they're too cute and pretty! :D Plus, I see many cutesy stuff in the air, it'd be an amazing life if I could see fluffy clouds, bubbles, stars or sparkles radiate out of nowhere! So there isn't any details except in clothes, it is very simple and nice! :)
Refreshing, I say! It's like eating pastries! (I can't believe I'm relating this to food)
Hiyokoi
SUMMARY: Hiyori, a small and timid girl, goes to school for the first time in a year since an accident left her hospitalized. Follow her as she struggles with her social skills, tries to make friends and maybe even a little bit more...?
FEATURES: Opposites, Tall boy, Short Girl, Popular Guy, Shy Girl, ... xD
MY OPINION: .... just wait!
Inspirational Goals
Aozora Yell
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Aozora Yell // This mangaka is known for Koukou Debut Manga
SUMMARY: Aozora Yell centers on Tsubasa, a girl who saw an inspirational brass band performance at the finals of the Japanese high school baseball championships one summer. Tsubasa vows to join the band when she enters high school, and she happens to meet a certain boy there.
FEATURES: Baseball, Trumpet band, Smiley Faces, Slow Romance, Character Development
MY OPINIONS: This story, is very inspiring. It makes me want to set up a goal and fulfill it already! At the same time, this story reminds me of Kimi Ni Todoke, because the girl is introverted and shy, who wants to change, meanwhile the boy is an energetic person, and oh, look at the smiles! Doesn't that look like what Kazehaya would do everyday?
It also makes me relate to the problems you face when you have a goal, but I could never relate to them strongly because I didn't set up anything with lots of feelings and such. To me, this goal setting reminds me of Bakuman. Except in Bakuman, they started out with a big goal. For this, they started out with minor things, but had more likings and affection towards what they do so they increased their goals. Really, I cried in this story. Inspiring. Hard Work.
And the coloring? It's beautiful! Loveee it! It makes everything look natural.