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I'm on a major manga kick right now. Three weeks ago I felt the invisible thread of Naruto tighten around me once again and suddenly I was tossed back headfirst into manga scanlations. I've been blazing through chapters 89-457 like a woman possessed. Then last week it was Loveless' turn, and I spent an entire night with volumes 1-8 by my side, rereading each book and sighing (at times with content, at times with despair) at the relationship between Ritsuka and Soubi.
Otomen was next, then Switch, followed by Crimson Hero, which I read through back issues of Shojo Beat. And it was through SB that I discovered Kimi ni Todoke and I'm in love with it, oh god I'm so in love. This is my type of romance manga.
Kimi ni Todoke
by Karuho Shiina
I know, I know, the Sadako-looking character in manga has been done before (see: Perfect Girl Evolution), but trust me, Kimi ni Todoke is a series worth checking out. To me this series is about true friendship, true love, honesty, and innocence. I love that the characters are very true to heart; the girls aren't extremely outrageous, the boys aren't complete pervs, which are qualities I see in other manga. Maybe this won't appeal to everyone, but I like this sort of thing. I like the quietness of each chapter, I like the slow pacing of the story. It makes me feel as if I, too, am sitting there in that classroom along with everyone else, living out the comedy and drama with them.
Sawako has the type of personality that simultaneously touches me and breaks my heart. Similarly, I adore Kazahaya's friendly nature that makes him reach out to Sawako. And when Sawako and Kazahaya smile at each other--oh god, their smiles--its like my world stops and everything becomes alright.
Equally endearing are the characters that Sawako befriends as she begins to open up: Ayane is perceptive and intelligent, but quick to anger when Sawako is hurt; Chizu is the lovable Yankee tomboy with a soft spot for innocent-mannered people; Ryu is the stoic best friend of Kazahaya that somehow gets his feelings across without speaking much.
I'm getting so kinda mushy over this series, aren't I? But I assure you, there's more to Kimi ni Todoke than what I've talked about above.
On an unrelated side note, for some reason I'm suddenly in the mood for Tezuka/Ryoma (Tenipuri) fanfic. I'm currently resisting the urge to open up all the bookmarks in my Tezuryo folder because, seriously, I'd be here forever reading and rereading and sighing with happiness. I LOVE THOSE TWO. Pillar Pair, fuck yeah.
Otomen was next, then Switch, followed by Crimson Hero, which I read through back issues of Shojo Beat. And it was through SB that I discovered Kimi ni Todoke and I'm in love with it, oh god I'm so in love. This is my type of romance manga.
by Karuho Shiina
Sawako Kuronuma, called Sadako by her classmates for her resemblance to the character from Ring, has always been feared and misunderstood because of her appearance. There are rumors that Sawako can see ghosts and curse people. But when her idol, popular boy Kazehaya, begins talking with her, everything changes. She finds herself in a new world, trying to make friends and talking to different people and she can't thank Kazehaya enough for giving her these opportunities.
--summary from mangafox
I know, I know, the Sadako-looking character in manga has been done before (see: Perfect Girl Evolution), but trust me, Kimi ni Todoke is a series worth checking out. To me this series is about true friendship, true love, honesty, and innocence. I love that the characters are very true to heart; the girls aren't extremely outrageous, the boys aren't complete pervs, which are qualities I see in other manga. Maybe this won't appeal to everyone, but I like this sort of thing. I like the quietness of each chapter, I like the slow pacing of the story. It makes me feel as if I, too, am sitting there in that classroom along with everyone else, living out the comedy and drama with them.
Sawako has the type of personality that simultaneously touches me and breaks my heart. Similarly, I adore Kazahaya's friendly nature that makes him reach out to Sawako. And when Sawako and Kazahaya smile at each other--oh god, their smiles--its like my world stops and everything becomes alright.
Equally endearing are the characters that Sawako befriends as she begins to open up: Ayane is perceptive and intelligent, but quick to anger when Sawako is hurt; Chizu is the lovable Yankee tomboy with a soft spot for innocent-mannered people; Ryu is the stoic best friend of Kazahaya that somehow gets his feelings across without speaking much.
I'm getting so kinda mushy over this series, aren't I? But I assure you, there's more to Kimi ni Todoke than what I've talked about above.
On an unrelated side note, for some reason I'm suddenly in the mood for Tezuka/Ryoma (Tenipuri) fanfic. I'm currently resisting the urge to open up all the bookmarks in my Tezuryo folder because, seriously, I'd be here forever reading and rereading and sighing with happiness. I LOVE THOSE TWO. Pillar Pair, fuck yeah.
