G.C's Japanese-language Shoujo Manga Page #3
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Shoujo Manga Page #3

On this page I will review more Japanese manga, in particular Shoujo manga.
Note that the quality of the images, reproduced here for bona fide review purposes, has been affected by the scanning and compression processes, so if you want to see how the originals look, you'll have to buy the books!

Reviewed:
REVIEWS
A, A' (A, A prime) by Moto HAGIO (Viz Graphic Novel), ISBN 1-56931-238-9, 208pp, $15.95, 14x21 cm.
This is one of the few shoujo manga to appear in translated form, and contains four loosely connected stories, <>A, A', 4/4 (Quatre-Quarts), X+Y Part 1, X+Y Part 2. The stories display many of the most intriguing features of shoujo manga, both in innovative design and layout (compare the text placement and framing of A, A' with , say, Appleseed, and in the themes. How would you feel if your lover died - and was replaced by a clone who was physically identical but had no memories of you? In 4/4 Mori meets Trill , a beautiful Unicorn (race of genetically modified humans), and his latent psychic abilities are triggered, with disturbing results. In X+Y, Hagio uses science fiction to explore sexual identity, as Mori's past is revealed and he finds himself inexorably attracted to another member of the Unicorn race - but both of them are male!
A,A', Page 21 (Tr. by Matt Thorn.)

All these stories are beautifully drawn and are quite moving.

Get original scan (higher resolution, 108K)

REVIEWS
EARTHIAN by Jun KOUGA (Wings Comics), 1988, ISBN 4-403-61154-0, 192pp, Y490, 11x18 cm.
This is about two "angels" or aliens who are sent to Earth to judge whether mankind, the "Earthians" of the title, are fit to survive. See also my notes on the anime version. The artwork is quite prettily done in a distinctly shoujo style, and the anime storylines probably don't follow the manga that closely. The manga has a much more obvious shoujo look than the anime.
The artwork is worth a look, and the covers are beautiful, but it is not possible to make anything of the story without a translation. (GC).

Page 104 Dialogue, from top left

Chihaya: Ouchy... Kagetsuya, you're so mean...
Kagetsuya: What're you doing... get up from there.
Chihaya: Don't say it like it was simple! I can't get up! (And in a place like this...)
Kagetsuya: Fly, then
Chihaya: Eh? What if someone sees me? (We won't just be chewed out if that happens)

(Tr. by Matthew J. Francis.)

To Index

Fushigi Yuugi by Yuu Watase (Flower Comics), (vol.2),1992, ISBN 4-09-134352-X, 190pp, Y390, 11x18 cm.
This is a story about two schoolgirls who discover an old book in a library and by reading it are sucked into a fantastic adventure in a set of countries rather resembling ancient China. Most readers will come to the manga via the anime version, and will already be familiar with the story of how Miaka and Yuu each become the titular maiden of a cult which has the summoning of a goddess as its aim. The two girls, once friends, become bitterly estranged as their rival groups (and countries) battle for control of vital religious artefacts, and thus ultimate power. It's not all gloom, as there is a fair admixture of comedy. But then, in contrast to most other fantasy comedy-dramas, some of the experiences of the girls are neither pleasant nor funny.
The artwork is quite excellently done in a distinctly shoujo style. It will be obvious to fans of the anime that the anime character designs are exactly the same as those in the original manga. Even if you don't read the Japanese, this is a very attractive book for fans of the anime to thumb through. The anime storylines probably don't follow the manga that closely, but elements of it are clearly recognisable. I bought this volume on a very expensive anime/manga shopping trip to London, and this �1.80 second-hand manga was my most pleasing purchase of the day.

See also my notes on the anime version. (GC).

Page 21, vol.2 Dialogue, from top left
"Yeah! Thankyou! And keep it a secret from Tamahome and the others, OK?" (Tr. by MF.)


Show Cover

To Index

NAGI by Rinko NAGAMI (Horror House Comics),220pp,Y500, 12x17cm. ISBN4-8033-2366-6
I think I am correct in calling this a shoujo horror manga, as all the main characters are female and if it were shonen it would undoubtedly be a lot more unpleasant. The artwork is quite interesting, though it does have rather a lot of staring eyes. And the story looks like it drags in all the Haunted House of Horror cliches. (GC).

NAGI,p.? Dialogue (from top left)
A: What time was the telephone call?
That's strange,the school's not open
Yes, this...(illeg)
A:Yes, what's it mean? Only one person here.
B: 3 days ago 1 person (illeg.) Where does he/she live?
B:The reason.. didn't go to the school
B: Clothes gone, expression on face. Because of the time interval it wasn't necessary to go to the school
Tr. by GC
Show Cover

To Index

REX by CLAMP, 192pp, 15x21 cm.
This is about a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex which hatches from an egg.
The artwork, as usual with CLAMP, is worth a look, but it is not possible to make much of the story without a translation. Anyway, I suspect it's fluff. The cover wrapper is a distinctive pink. (GC).

Page 104 Dialogue, from top left
That's it. Father
Father, you explained it.
(Tr. by GC.)

To Index

{G.Cowie, 30.12.98}