High School Debut
(Vol. 2)
By: Kazune Kawahara
Publisher: Viz Media
Published: March 4, 2008
Genre: Shojo Manga
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Hopeless Haruna needs
help finding a boyfriend! After failing to win the eye of any guy in
high school, Haruna enlists the help of cute upperclassman Yoh to coach
her on how to make herself more appealing to the male species. Yoh
agrees, with one catch: Haruna had better not fall for him!
Haruna
begins to develop feelings for Fumiya, Yoh's friend. Yoh talks her
through her first-date jitters, but is Fumiya the right guy for Haruna?
Especially when they walk in on Fuyima and Yoh's sister
Asami...kissing?!
Haruna thinks she's fallen
in love with Yoh's friend, Fumi. Fumi's always been nice to her and she's
realized that she'd developed feelings for him. Yoh talks her through
what to do next and pretty soon she's ready to tell Fumi how she feels
but before she gets a chance, she catches Fumi kissing Yoh's sister.
Heartbroken Haruna must now figure out how to remain friends with Fumi
without her feelings getting in the way.
I have to say that I don't
understand Yoh's sister. She was nice to Haruna from the beginning. She
asked her brother to coach Haruna, allowed Haruna to borrow her clothes
and gave her advice. So when the betrayal happens, it just seemed out of
no where. Maybe Asami has dissociative identity disorder and that's why this side of her comes
out of left field. Who knows.
I loved how Yoh stepped up to the
plate to help Haruna through it. He confronted both his sister and Fumi
and stayed by Haruna's side, helping her get through the awkward pain. There were a few "aw" moments in this one where he really stepped up for me.
We cover quite a bit of ground between Haruna and Yoh. Haruna starts to grow as a person and Yoh starts to open up to Haruna. This is a great way to not only continue the story but add character development as well.
*read right to left*
Yoh confronts his friend about leading Haruna on but dropping her the second his sister shows him any interest.
I thought it was sweet that he felt the need to look out for her.
Previous reviews from High School Debut
Vol. #1
Oreimo
(Vol. 1)
By: Tsukasa Fushimi, Sakura Ikeda (Illustrator)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: Sept. 18, 2012
Genre: Manga
Rating:
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
High-school student
Kyousuke doesn't get along with his cranky, dismissive, and secretive
fourteen-year-old litter sister Kirino, but he suddenly finds himself
forced to protect Kirino's secrets--she's not only a gorgeous fashion
model, a track star, and an accomplished student, but she's also
obsessed with naughty video games and little kids' fantasy anime! How
can Kirino maintain her complicated lifestyle--and how can Kuousuke
maintain his sanity? And might the tow of them, some how, just maybe,
ever become friends?
My thoughts...
Kyousuke
and his younger sister Kirino don't get along at all. They are not your
normal close siblings. In fact they can't even remember the last time
they've spoken to each other. So imagine Kyousuke's shock when he finds
fantasy anime on the floor where his sister dropped her stuff. Kyousuke
finds himself reconnecting with his sister and keeping her secret for
her while trying to understand her odd obsession and helping her find
friends with the same interest.
I thought this story would be
light and fun but I found myself bored at parts and skimming over pages.
The concept of the story sounded good but a couple of parts made me a
bit uncomfortable. Since Kirino is into "Little Sister" anime, it's no
shock when Kyousuke wakes up to his little sister straddling him in the
middle of the night. Aside from that thought, I thought the story was
good.
Favorite part...
I think this is funny because when I tell friends/family that I watch anime they thing it's taboo. They can't understand that I'd rather watch "cartoons" than these "blockbuster hits".
Maid Sama!
(Maid Sama!, Vol. #2)
By: Hiro Fujiwara
Publisher: TokyoPop
Published: Aug. 11, 2009
Genre: Manga
Rating:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Misaki's troubles with
Usui are far from over! His apparent feelings for her only confuse
Misaki right when she most needs to be clear-headed. Two (male)
distractions from a high-ranked prep school show up to complicate
matters, and the school sports festival is just around the corner, too.
Misaki does her best to handle everything that comes her way, but maybe
it's not so bad to have someone to rely on once in a while.
My thoughts...
We
pick up right where volume #1 left off. Misaki is all confused by Usui. He
told her he liked her and then jumped off the roof of the school building
to grab the photo of her in her maid costume before any of the students
saw it. He has always been there to protect her but she isn't sure if
it's just his playboy ways to mess with her or not. Not to mention the
president from a neighboring school filled with privileged rich kids has
offered Misaki a once in a million opportunity to not only switch schools but get
an all expenses paid full ride scholarship as well. It's a great opportunity but
if she takes it, she will have have to leave all the girls at her school that she's been looking after.
I
feel so bad for Usui. He tells her how much he likes her, does
chivalrous things for her and then decides to take it all back when he
notices how much it upsets her. His declaration of "like" has thrown
Misaki off her rocker and she is acting really weird around him and
spacing out a lot. So he shows her that their kiss meant nothing by
kissing someone else. Which, seems to do the job and has Misaki going
back to thinking he's just a playboy messing with her. However, when he
pushes her too far she tells him that he has to stop playing head games
with her. That seems to be when he realizes that there could be
something between them, but his previous playboy ways have seemed to
hinder him a bit with Misaki taking him seriously.
Favorite part...
A
couple of the kids from Misaki's class get into a fight from one of the
kids from the rich school Miyabi Gaoka. When Misaki, Usui and the two
classmates go to the school to apologize, the student challenges them to
a game of chess to determine who should apologize. Usui plays against
the kid and wins and his request is...
"I'd like you to compliment our President by calling her a splendid butterfly."
Somehow, I don't see Misaki as a "splendid butterfly."
Previous volumes in the story
Maid Sama, Vol. #1
Maid Sama!
(Maid Sama!, Vol. # 1)
By: Hiro Fujiwara
Publisher: Tokyo Pop
Published: April 7, 2009
Genre: Manga
Source:Library
Rating:
Goodreads
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Brilliant and
overachieving, Misaki Ayuzawa is the President of the Student Council at
Seika High School, formerly a boys' school. Unfortunately, most of the
students are still male and stuck in their slovenly habits, so
man-hating Misaki really socks it to 'em in an attempt to make the
school presentable to attract more female students. But what will she do
when the sexiest boy in school finds out that after school, Misaki
works in a maid cafe!
My thoughts...
It was bad enough that
Misaki's father left her and her mother, but he left them with his debt
too. In order to make ends meet and help her mother out, Misaki works at a
cafe where the theme is... you guessed it, MAIDS. They serve their
"masters" while wearing ridiculous maid costumes that are way too
revealing but what can she do? She needs the money. During the day time
though, Misaki is class president at her school, which up until a few
years ago was an all boys school. The population is still majorly male
but that doesn't stop her from cracking the whip and putting those boys
in line. However, one day after school Usui, the schools biggest heart
breaker just happens to walk by her work when she is taking out the
trash in her maid costume. What will he do? Will he keep her secret or
tell everyone, making her the laughing stock at school?
I thought
this was a cute story. Misaki is a really strong willed person due to
previous events in her personal life. She takes charge and puts a lot on
her shoulders both between work and school.
Usui is used to
girls falling all over him. He has never shown interest in any girl
before. However, there is something about Misaki that grabs his attention. He decides to show up to her work place every day, which of
course annoys the crap out of Misaki. He is always watching out for her and always seems to be there to help her out no matter what the problem is.
Favorite part...
Since
Misaki's job is a secret to everyone except Usui she is adamant that
none of the students at her school find out. Usui gets a picture taken
with Misaki at work with her wearing her maid uniform and carries it
around with him. Usui and Misaki are on the roof when he pulls out the
picture and Misaki goes nuts. Which results in her knocking the picture
out of Usui's hand and it blowing off the roof to the students walking
below. Of course she freaks out that someone is now going to know her
secret and Usui jumps off the roof to retrieve it before anyone see's
it.
I loved
this part because it shows how much he cares for her and how he is
willing to do just about anything to make her happy.
(Vol. #1)
By: Yoshiki Nakamura
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Published: July 5, 2006
Genre: YA
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Pages: 184
Rating:
Kyoko always thought that Sho, whose family took her in when she was small, was her prince charming. However, when Sho heads for Tokyo to make it big as a musician, Kyoko goes with him and has to quit high school to support his dream. But soon, being in the big city makes Kyoko realize that she has show business ambitions of her own.
My thoughts...
When Sho decides to leave home and go to Tokyo after junior high to become a singer he asks Kyoko to go with him. Sho is her childhood friend and she would do anything for him, so she drops out of school and goes to Tokyo with him. However, Sho has grown distant since being in Tokyo and is rarely ever around and when he is, he is never happy. Kyoko is sure that when Sho beats Ren in popularity he will become happy again and they will live happily ever after. However, Kyoko's dream is shattered when she over hears Sho at work talking about her and how he views her as a maid and that is why he asked her to come along. Kyoko left her future behind to follow Sho... now what will she do?
This was really just the introductory to the story. You see how hard Kyoko is working with two jobs just to help pay bills and support Sho. She is literally running herself into the ground. When she goes to Sho's agency to surprise him, she see's him being awfully friendly with his manager and overhears what he really thinks of Kyoko. Something inside her snaps and she just lets loose on Sho. She declares that she will become a celebrity too and she will make him eat his words about her being plain and boring. The only thing is, she has to get signed by an agency first... and she doesn't really have any talent. This volume is centered around Kyoko changing her life and trying to get into an agency, but not just any agency, Ren's agency.
I look forward to getting more into the story and finding out what happens.
Favorite part...
When Kyoko finds the truth about Sho. She goes from this meek submissive person to royally pissed off. I don't know why but I loved the drawings of her inner devil coming out.
(Beast Master #1)
By: Kyousuke Motomi
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Published: Jan 1, 2007
Genre: Shojo Manga
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Pages: 192
Rating:
Taming a Beast was never this dangerous!
Leo Aoi looks like a crazy animal with wild eyes--and no one at his new high school will go near him! He does seem to have a special connection with animals though, which intrigues overzealous animal-lover Yuiko Kubozuka. In reality, Leo isn't as frightening as he appears, but Yuiko finds out that he goes berserk whenever he sees blood! Will Yuiko be able to get through to Leo during these violent fits? Or will Leo's ferocious side eventually devour her?
My thoughts...
This is the story of Yuiko, a girl who scares animals and Leo, a boy who scares humans but attracts animals. Leo's looks scare people instantly and even more so when he goes berserk. You see, when Leo see's blood, he blackouts and his primal instincts take over turning him into a raging beast that is unstoppable, that is until Yuiko comes along. She seems to be the only one capable of bringing Leo back when his animal instincts take over.
This story only has two volumes and is very short. Even though there isn't a lot to the story, I still found it enjoyable. The connection with Yuiko and Leo are instantaneous and I think I might have had a tiny issue with it. From the moment that Leo saves a cat that Yuiko unintentionally scared up into a tree they are inseparable. Yuiko tells Leo that she doesn't find him to be scary and those seem to be the magic words to turn him into her loyal puppy dog.
Favorite part...
Leo and Yuiko are on the rooftop when a group of birds fly nearby. Leo hugs Yuiko and tells her not to move so that he can call the birds over to them. The birds not only fly up to them but land on Yuiko hand.
(Vol. #1)
By: Hisaya Nakajo
Publisher: Viz Media
Published: Sept. 7, 2004
Genre: Shōjo Manga
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Pages: 184
Rating:
Japanese-American track-and-field star Mizuki has gotten herself a transfer to a high school in Japan...but not just any school! To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she's going to an all-boys' high school...and disguising herself as a boy! But as fate would have it, they're more than classmates...they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. And her classmates - and the school nurse - must cope with a new transfer student who may make them question their own orientation.
My Thoughts
Mizuki has always wanted to see her favorite high jumper jump in person and that is exactly what she is going to do. She devised a plan to convince her parents to allow her to go to school in Japan. However, she leaves out the part about it being an all boys school. She chops off all of her long hair and pretends to be a boy so that she can get close to Sano. Turns out that they will get even closer than she expected when she finds out that they not only have classes together but they are roommates as well!
I thought that this was a very cute manga. There is no crazy bad guys or any plot twists. Just a funny story about a girl pretending to be a guy to get close to her idol. Sano of course finds out that his roommate is a girl but plays along for her sake, pretending that he is clueless. Meanwhile, Mizuki thinks that she has everyone fooled and in some cases she does. There is a boy named Nakatsu in her school who is fighting his attraction to Mizuki and he is freaking out over it. He's not gay and tries to justify some of his actions with Mizuki. Poor guy has no idea that he really isn't gay, Mizuki is actually a girl.
Favorite part...
The moment when Sano realizes that Mikuki is a girl while he is carrying her unconscious body to the doctors office.
