Shojo Beat Volume 3, Issue 5 - A look between the covers
Shojo Beat May 2007 issue
Rated: Older Teen - Teen+
Price: 5.99
Viz - Shoujo - Drama/Romance/Fantasy
Review May Contain Spoilers
It’s been a while since I’ve looked at an issue of Shojo Beat, and I impulsively added a copy to an online order I was making. It arrived on Monday, and I was happy to note that the cover features Ren and Nana from Ai Yazawa’s Nana. I was also delighted to see a preview for Chika Shiomi’s Yurara. Since Shojo Beat’s 2nd anniversary is swiftly approaching, this is good time to spotlight the magazine and offer my impressions of the current series and features running in the magazine.
I haven’t looked through an issue of Shojo Beat since the 2nd volume. As I prefer to read the collected editions of the stories, I opted not to subscribe. Sure, I miss out on the other articles that run in the magazine, but as I had a hazy recollection of their entertainment value, I didn’t feel that I was missing anything. But once I saw that gorgeous cover, I couldn’t begin flipping through the magazine fast enough!
The first thing that I noticed was how enjoyable it is to read the larger pages. It was a nice change of pace to not have to squint at the smaller text. Probably due to my exposure to the Harlequin manga, the multi-colored pages were hardly a distraction. I don’t think I’d like to read all of my manga on blue or red pages, but it certainly wasn’t a deterrent here. What I liked the best were the full color spreads that preceded most of the chapters (a notable exception was Vampire Knight - grrr! I would have loved to see Matsuri Hino's work in color!).
Here's a brief synopsis of the series from this issue:
Yurara by Chika Shiomi - Yurara has a special power; she can see and empathize with ghosts. Sharing their sadness and their sense of loss at their death, she is helpless to ease their suffering, and cries in sympathy. With her constant stream of waterworks, her classmates think her odd, and she has few friends as a result. Her first day in high school, she meets Yako Hoshino and Mei Tendo - it seems that these gorgeous guys can see ghosts, too! Maybe they'll help her get rid of the benevolent spirit haunting her desk!
This was a nice introduction to the series, and now I am eager see the first volume. I liked the two bickering boys, and their ready acceptance of Yurara's odd behavior.
Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino - This chapter fills in some of the background on Yuki and Kaname’s first meeting. After saving her from a vampire, Kaname takes her to Cross Academy. Shell-shocked from the horror of almost being the vampire’s supper, Yuki remains silent and withdrawn. With no memories of her past, she’s adopted by the headmaster. With Kaname watching over her, she slowly begins to transform from a shy, quiet girl into a happy, bubbly young woman.
Though I'm not the biggest fan of the series, I was surprised that I found myself enjoying the chapter. Maybe I just need to sample Vampire Knight in smaller doses.
Crimson Hero by Mitsuba Takanashi - The Crimson Field girls’ volleyball team has a demanding new coach. Will the team be able to hold together under her tough tactics? I really like sports manga. The characters put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform well, and the tension really makes for an interesting read. I have to catch up on this series!
Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase - After Night’s violent battle with Toshiki, he starts behaving erratically. Was he damaged in the fight? Will Riiko be able to conceal his strange behavior from their classmates? When Gaku tells her Night has to go in for maintenance, Riiko is forced to wrestle with the realization that Night is just a machine. Will it change her feelings for her mechanical boyfriend?
This was an amusing chapter that didn't take itself too seriously. Night's malfunctions and Riiko's frantic attempts to conceal them were funny. Too bad the series is so uneven.
Yume Kira Dream Shoppe by Aqua Mizuto - I enjoyed this tale of a stuffed rabbit magically brought to life a little too much. When Noa, a desperately shy girl with a crush the size of Tokyo on Yuki, she seeks comfort from her stuffed animal, Alpha. Alpha makes a wish for the ability to move and speak in order to help Noa find her courage. The wish is granted, but of course there's a catch. The effects of the spell only last for a week, and it’s scheduled to expire on Christmas! Engaging characters and nicely paced plotting kept this one moving. I’m looking forward to the first graphic novel.
Nana by Ai Yazawa - While BLAST is scouted by a record label, Hachi is feeling left out. I think she really needs to work on her self-esteem issues. I love Ai Yazawa’s art, especially her emphasis on her characters’ clothing. I wish I could wear outfits like that!
Baby and Me by Marimo Ragawa - Bad boy Seiichi is living in the Enoki household while avoiding reconciling with his father. Can he overcome his troubled youth? Why doesn’t Takuya remember him? This was a weak installment of a series I usually enjoy. I never emotionally connected with Seiichi, so the final resolution just wasn’t effective for me.
You, too, can create fierce looking little rice balls!
There were articles sprinkled throughout the magazine. While nothing was too deep, we did get an education regarding Golden Week, a cooking lesson on making yakitori, and a profile of Ayumi Hamasaki. There's also a craft page with instructions on making cute little food dolls, a smattering of Tokyo tech toys, and the all important horoscope page! My horoscope advised planning a trip, so it's a good thing I've already arranged a journey to ACen and Anime Expo! Even if the husband is a little skeptical of the necessity of attending two cons, the heavens are in full agreement! A truly daring soul would book a trip to Japan, using some of the tips contained in the magazine, but I'll not tempt fate to that degree.
While I still prefer my manga in larger chunks, I can see myself picking up future issues of Shojo Beat. The slices of Japanese culture and trends were interesting enough that I would have liked more coverage, especially of street seen. At a cover price of $5.99, the magazine is reasonably priced with it's 325+ pages.
Grade: B
This review was written by Julie for the MangaCast.