Mars - Fuyumi Soryo

Initially serialized in Bessatsu Friend from 1996-2000, Mars is a dramatic shojo manga about the unlikely relationship between teens Kira Aso and Rei Kashino.

Synopsis: Kira Aso is an introverted artist. One day while sketching at a local park, a guy from school Kira doesn't care for, asks her for directions to the local hospital. Instead of telling him, she draws him a map on the back of one of her sketches and leaves. When school starts soon after, Kira discovers that the guy, Rei Kashino, is actually in her class. Rei, training to become a professional motorcycle racer, is only attending school because he promised his father, whom he does not get along with. He's known socially as a playboy, so Kira is surprised when Rei one day interferes while their teacher is attempting to sexually harass her. When Kira offers to let Rei keep the oil painting of the sketch on the back of the map, Rei declares that he will protect her as payment. He flippantly offers her his body too, and is caught off guard when Kira asks him to model for her. Spending more and more time together, Rei and Kira begin to realize their true feelings for one another. As more of their pasts are revealed, readers discover what really draws these two teens together. In search of their dreams, Kira and Rei must deal with these issues in order to move forward towards the future.

Review: As a story this series has more depth to it than a stereotypical high school romance manga. The drama can be reminiscent of a soap opera at times, but it is overshadowed by the characters themselves. Soryo really delves into the characters, creating complex personalities that appear more human than your average manga protagonists. The exposition of Kira and Rei stretches over several volumes, allowing readers to slowly realize the psychology behind the characters. I could complain that Soryo really gives her characters some messed up stuff to deal with, but as dramatic as it may be, it only adds to the mystique of how Kira and Rei will make their relationship last. As far as the drawing goes, the mangaka does a fair job of layouts and composition. She has a good sense of perspective, and knows how to use toning to emphasize mood and emotions quite well. The style dating is evident throughout the series, but not to the point of distraction.

Romance Rating: Lustful - Rei and Kira's relationship provides enough heart warming and intimate moments to satisfy any shojo fan.

Media status: Mars is available in English in 15 volumes from Tokyopop. A live action drama was filmed and aired on the Chinese television system.

Ai Yori Aoshi - Kou Fumizuki

Ai Yori Aoshi is a tale of childhood love, and how it can endure even through time and circumstance. A seinen manga written by Kou Fumizuki, it was serialized in the publication Young Animal from 1999-2005.

Synopsis: The main character Kaoru Hanabishi is a bastard son of Yūji Hanabishi, the head of the Hanabishi Zaibatsu, who dies when Kaoru is only five years old. Due to harsh circumstances Kaoru leaves his wealthy family at a young age and lives on his own. One day he is returning home from his college courses, when he sees a young lady in a kimono that looks lost at the station. It turns out she is his childhood fiance, Aoi Sakuraba, whose family owns the Sakuraba Department Store franchise. Although their engagement became void when Kaoru left the Hanabishi, Aoi has always loved and cherished his memory since childhood and has sought him out now that they are both of a marriageable age. When her family discovers that she has found Kaoru, they demand her return home. Aoi declares that she wants to stay by Kaoru's side, so her parents send her to live on a western style estate with a guardian. Kaoru is to live on the estate too, but as a tenant in a separate building, and Aoi is to appear as his land lady. Kaoru's college friends intrude upon the estate, and eventually the story becomes a harem with several girls living on the estate all falling for Kaoru. He and Aoi are forced to keep up appearances, denying to others their feelings for one another. Eventually the Hanabishi come for Aoi and she is forced to make a choice that changes her life forever.

Review: It is apparent when flipping through the pages of any of the chapters that this manga was definitely aimed at the male population. The fan service abounds....everywhere. You cannot get through a chapter without some cleavage staring you in the face. Plenty of naked females. One of the college girls, Tina, is even a groper. I'm sure it's appealing to guys, but as a girl, it's somewhat obnoxious. However, if you can get past the fan service, there is actually a touching story about some very well developed characters. Aoi comes across as a very naive girl, and rightly so since she has been sheltered most of her life and groomed to become the wife of the Hanabishi heir. Although Kaoru had a harsh childhood, he doesn't let that keep him from being a sweet and caring guy. As their relationship develops as young adults, their experiences together help shape the people that they eventually become. Aoi learns to become a stronger woman, and Kaoru realizes what having a "family" is really all about. I find that Fumizuki is very crafty with flashbacks. The important childhood moments between Aoi and Kaoru are inserted at very poignant times. The panels are well drawn and you'll hear no complaints about the anatomy....well except maybe the excessive breast sizes. :P During the story Fumizuki has to age the characters over four years and while reading you don't really notice it, but if you take a look at the first and last volume the changes are apparent. That truly shows the talent of the artist. Overall the artwork is very nice. I highly recommend this series as long as you don't mind the fan service. The relationship between Aoi and Kaoru is so very sweet.

Romance Rating: Lustful - As if I haven't emphasized it enough already, there's plenty of nudity. Some intimate moments between Kaoru and Aoi, too.

Media Status: Ai Yori Aoshi is rated mature and available in 17 volumes from Tokyopop. There are two anime adaptations of this series, both produced by J.C. Staff and directed by Masami Shimoda. The first one called Ai Yori Aoshi contains a total of 24 episodes. The sequel series is titled Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi and contains 12 episodes that take place three years after the the first episode of the original. Both are available in English dubs from Geneon.

Ceres Celestial Legend - Yuu Watase

Ceres Celestial Legend was originally serialized in Shojo Comic from 1996-2000. In 1998 it won the Shogakukan Manga Award for best shojo manga. A fantasy based on a ten'nyo legend, the story revolves around the Mikage family.

Synopsis: Fraternal twins, Aya and Aki Mikage, discover during a family ritual on their sixteenth birthday their unique heritage. Aya is a reincarnation known as Ceres, a celestial maiden who became trapped on Earth when a farmer stole her hagoromo, or feathered robe. When Aya transforms into Ceres she is bestowed very strong powers, and often forgets what has transpired, thus creating a dual personality. With the revelation of her powers, Aya is deemed a curse of the Mikage family and sentenced to death. Running from her family, she is discovered by Toya, a Mikage employee with no memory of his past. He is assigned to protect Aki from Ceres and also to observe Aya. In his observations he and Aya develop feelings for one another. Meanwhile, Aki is overcome by his own familial "curse" and begins the transformation into Mikagi, the reincarnation of the farmer who stole the maiden's robes. This leads him to seek out Ceres and make her his possession. With the help of allies, and a deal with Ceres, Aya agrees to find the celestial robe in exchange for Ceres not harming her brother or Toya. Her resolve to find the robe wavers as she struggles with the trauma of losing her family, fighting off the advances of her brother as Mikagi, overcoming the complications of her relationship with Toya, and the resulting events created by the c-project, a gene manipulation program that identifies and creates descendants of Ceres. Toya direly searches for his own past and identity, and the comprehension of what draws him to Aya. Together they must fight off the Mikage and return Ceres to her home in the heavens.

Review: Whew...it's a very intricate story, with a long cast of characters. I only mentioned a few, but there are more involved in the production that aid and hinder the main cast. I have to give Watase credit for creating and maintaining the amount of characters used in her story. The story itself is fascinating in its own way. For those not knowing any Japanese legends, the plot familiarizes readers with the stories of the ten'nyo and some of the locations of told sightings in Japan. It has the elements of fantasy, action, romance, mystery, and horror. This is one of the few series that I was completely satisfied with the ending. It is evident that Watase planned out her story and did vast research in order to deliver the chapters with such finesse. She also left some social commentary in there with her views on gene manipulation, and the roles of men and women in society. Her layouts can be boxy at times, due to amount of dialogue, but look nice in the romance or action sequences. The drawings are definitely in her own style, and you can see similarities between these characters and others in her earlier works. The amount of toning and textures definitely add to the scenes instead of detracting from them. Overall the art is appealing for its time.

The relationships in this series are what hold the story together. Aya has three men in her life that support her, her brother Aki, Toya, and Yuhi Aogiri. When things get incestuous between herself and her brother, and her relationship with Toya goes astray, it's Yuhi that stands by her. I find the relationship with her brother the most complex. Being twins they are very close. Then they are separated because Aya is a "threat" to Aki, and then Aki becomes her nemesis. Her feelings of love for her brother always remain in her heart, but his existence is threatened by Ceres. Aya is always trying to protect Aki, but is deeply hurt by his insistence on dominating her as Mikagi. The relationship between Toya and Aya is the main romance, and their relationship becomes intimate. Even though Toya can't remember his past, he feels something right with Aya. His character is vital to the plot. As for Yuhi, he also has deeper feelings for Aya, but Aya is captivated by Toya. Yuhi is the dependable one, her best friend and the shoulder for her to cry on, and his relationship with Aya is the most stable. Watase uses these three character examples of men's relationships with women as being dominating, idealized, or reciprocal. An interesting juxtaposition of characters. I believe any shojo fan who likes fantasy would find this series entertaining and an engrossing read.

Romance Rating: Lustful - There are enough tender and intimate moments to touch the heart of any shojo fan.

Media Status: Ceres Celestial Legend is complete and available in 14 volumes from Viz Media. This series was adapted into an anime. Directed by Hajime Kamagaki and produced by Studio Pierrot, the Ceres, Celestial Legend anime adaptation ran for twenty-four episodes in 2000. It is available on DVD from Viz. Although the art is dated, it is true to the manga.

Absolute Boyfriend - Yuu Watase

Absolute Boyfriend is Yuu Watase's most recent attempt at a comedic, high school life manga. First serialized in Shojo Comic from 2003 to 2005, it ran in English in Viz's Shojo Beat magazine from 2005 to 2008.

Synopsis: The main character Riiko Izawa orders a life-size lover android from a website after being rejected by her most recent crush. The figure, as he's called, is her ideal boyfriend and wants to become her lover. Confused about liking an android and betrayed by her best girl friend, Riiko turns to her childhood friend Soshi for comfort, who then confesses his feelings for her. Torn between her feelings for the figure, Night, and her feelings for Soshi, Riiko must choose which one she truly loves.

Review: If I were interviewing Yuu Watase my first question would be, "What were you thinking when you came up with this one?" I mean, can the premise of the story be any lamer? Don't get me wrong, I like Ceres Celestial Legend and even Fushigi Yugi, but this story is just... STUPID. A high school girl falls in love with an android, and she has to decide if she loves the android or an actual human. Does Riiko even have a brain? Duh! A human vs. an android is an easy decision. Choose the REAL PERSON. The whole plot is ridiculous and a waste of time. Then there's the outcome of the story. I won't ruin it for those who haven't read it, but it's obvious that Watase was just trying to please everyone with the ending. I would have been much happier if Riiko would have faced reality and made the best choice in the first place. The only saving grace of the story, and what kept me from absolutely hating it, is the comedic moments. There are several gags by the author that are laugh out loud funny. But it's obviously a ploy by Watase to make the silly story somewhat more enjoyable.

The drawings are done in Watase's same style. It's apparent when you see Night and realize, "Oh, another Tamahome."* A little variation in character design would be nice. That's not to say that she's not a talented artist. It's just that her designs seem to be rehashed in her newest publication, instead of something fresh and original. Besides that fact, her main boys are still attractive to look at. Which is I guess what keeps fans reading, besides just devotion to the mangaka.

My opinion - skip this one. It's short at six volumes, but not worth the time to flip the pages. It's junk compared to the other mangaka's works. If you want to read Yuu Watase then try Ceres Celestial Legend, Fushigi Yugi, Alice 19th, or even Imadoki. It's time far better spent.

Romace Rating: Lustful - Watase doesn't pull any punches. Riiko and Night make love. There's kissing and some blurred nudity. If you're a parent you'd probably want to know that the teens get drunk at a party towards the end of the story.

Media Status: Absolute Boyfriend is complete at six volumes published by Viz media. There's even a live action adaptation in Japanese.

*For those who aren't familiar, Tamahome is the main love interest in Fushigi Yugi.

Strawberry 100% - Mizuki Kawashita

Serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" from 2002 to 2005, this title is not typical of what I would normally pick up. Regardless, after the first chapter with mystery strawberry panties, I was hooked.

Synopsis: The main character Junpei Manaka is the luckiest guy, period. Starting in middle school Manaka wishes to become a movie director. His encounter on the school roof with an unknown girl in strawberry panties is inspiring enough to encourage his film making pursuit. The mystery girl is one of several nubile teen girls that surround Manaka in this series, making him the head of this "harem" type story. The fan service abounds, but it's not at the disgusting point, unless you think flashing panties and bras is disgusting. Much of it is used humorously and puts Manaka in embarrassing or hilarious situations. After entering high school and starting a film club, the story focuses on Manaka's many relationships with the four main girls, each which has her own endearing and distinct personality. Of course, most of them can be stereotyped - a quiet and book smart school girl, an outgoing and popular sweetheart, an aggressive and athletic sexy babe, and a kid-sister childhood friend who's now older and cuter. What keeps you reading is Manaka's indecisiveness. He tries to be nice to them all, and by doing so, will never choose just one. The mangaka puts him in situation after daring situation with the different girls, building the suspense for the outcome. Like a broken compass that doesn't know which way is north, Manaka spins in all directions trying to follow his heart. Eventually he must make a choice. Most likely, you'll have a favorite you'll be rooting for him to pick.

Review: The artwork in this series is nicely penned and pleasing to look at. Especially if you are a young guy. ;) Mizuki Kawashita writes a coming of age story that may be relatable, but not very realistic, which is what makes it a fun read. So many teenage girls throwing themselves at an average nice guy just doesn't happen. So for guys, this is a fantasy played out to its fullest. This was probably the author's intent in the first place. The character development is Kawashita's strong point. The main character and his harem are very well fleshed out, and watching them change and grow to become young adults is fulfilling for the reader. The character relationships can make you laugh or cry. You may envy Manaka or even sympathize with him at times. You may even feel like strangling him for being so indecisive. It is the author's ability to evoke such emotions that makes the story engaging enough to devour volumes in order to discover which girl Junpei Manaka really loves.

Romance Rating: Lustful - this has its sizzle moments. Several kisses are exchanged. There is implied intimacy between Manaka and one of the girls, and with the fan service this denotes the mature content label.

Media Status: The Strawberry 100% manga consists of 19 volumes, with a total of 167 chapters. Currently there are 8 volumes released in America. It was adapted into a 26-episode anime TV series by Madhouse, directed by Osamu Kebita. We'll have to wait and see if it gets licensed in America.