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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Good, cheesy fun. A lot of stuff that happens in this is far-fetched, but it's okay cause you're enjoying the ridiculous, funny ride of these two totally opposite girls becoming best friends (and possibly... girlfriends... the subtext is heavy, I highlighted so many lines and emotions these girls feel for each other that I felt as a closeted dyke).
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Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
I absolutely loved this little novel. Every page had me laughing out loud with the occurrences of the main character, a hard-core Lolita, and how a Yanki biker chick comes around to change her every plan and make an extraordinary friendship. I found the Rococo life philosophy depicted very fascinating, as much as the Yanki Japanese sub-culture. I was also captivated by the language used by the main character, for some reason. And though quite light, I thought this novel had, however, profound messages that made me enjoy it even further. The story fully absorbed me as it amused me. And just as many others, I was very surprised to learn it was a guy who wrote this. I was fully convinced it was a woman until I started reading it!
I would love to read the sequel, but it's such a shame it hasn't been translated to English yet. Hope they make it a reality soon. For now I will probably watch the film adaptation because it looks super fun, and continue reading more of the author's work.
I would love to read the sequel, but it's such a shame it hasn't been translated to English yet. Hope they make it a reality soon. For now I will probably watch the film adaptation because it looks super fun, and continue reading more of the author's work.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This must have been at least the 5th time I read this book sins buying it in 2006. So the 5 stars can't be much of a surprise. I love Kamikaze Girls! I love how unlikable the main character Momoko is in the beginning of the book, how sweet the tough looking Ichigo is and most of all I love that the book is basically one big advertisement for Baby the Stars Shine Bright. I have no complaints! It's just a fun silly book that I can not put down!
First time reading - summer 2010. Rating: 3 stars.
7/1 - 11/1 2015
I definitely enjoyed Kamikaze Girls more the second time around. For one, it's likely that my taste has changed in a way that I enjoyed the wit to a greater extent. For another - and here's a disclaimer for anyone planning on reading it; I have an interest in lolita fashion, embroidery, and Japan in general. I did have interest for all of these the first time too, but probably not as much as I do now. And it really helps to be interested in these things if one hopes to enjoy this book. Because there's many detailed passages in the book that would likely be very boring, if you're not into the subjects. Anyway, part of the reason I love this book is because of the themes it touches on, lolita fashion is in general very rare in media, but I liked the other themes too like the unexpected friendship between Momoko and Ichigo. I really love the story and both characters, and I love them both through reading them, and watching the movie adaption and seeing the on screen. Another big plus is that this book is actually really funny. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, which is why I couldn't recommend it to everyone - but I personally love it. It's funny, witty, it touches on themes I adore and rarely find in media, and it is also very inspiring to me. Also, I could see myself rereading this in the future again and again and that says something to me. Love.
7/1 - 11/1 2015
I definitely enjoyed Kamikaze Girls more the second time around. For one, it's likely that my taste has changed in a way that I enjoyed the wit to a greater extent. For another - and here's a disclaimer for anyone planning on reading it; I have an interest in lolita fashion, embroidery, and Japan in general. I did have interest for all of these the first time too, but probably not as much as I do now. And it really helps to be interested in these things if one hopes to enjoy this book. Because there's many detailed passages in the book that would likely be very boring, if you're not into the subjects. Anyway, part of the reason I love this book is because of the themes it touches on, lolita fashion is in general very rare in media, but I liked the other themes too like the unexpected friendship between Momoko and Ichigo. I really love the story and both characters, and I love them both through reading them, and watching the movie adaption and seeing the on screen. Another big plus is that this book is actually really funny. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, which is why I couldn't recommend it to everyone - but I personally love it. It's funny, witty, it touches on themes I adore and rarely find in media, and it is also very inspiring to me. Also, I could see myself rereading this in the future again and again and that says something to me. Love.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm into Lolita fashion, and of course I watched the movie some time ago - so when this book was gifted to me, I was so excited to read it. It starts a bit slow, but before I knew it, I couldn't stop reading. I adore Momoko's narration (even if she's pretty rude!) and the book is just as fun and zany as the movie. I even started to cry a little at the end of it, half because of the story itself, half because it was over and I just felt so much emotion in my little frill-covered heart. I hope more of Takemoto's novels are translated for the US market.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This might be one of my favorite books.
Strong female leads, an intriguing look into Japanese subcultures, and witty writing.
I am also very much invested in the overall theme of the book, one I think which is universal to girls around the world, the struggle between living for others and living for yourself.
We need more stories like this one in the world.
Strong female leads, an intriguing look into Japanese subcultures, and witty writing.
I am also very much invested in the overall theme of the book, one I think which is universal to girls around the world, the struggle between living for others and living for yourself.
We need more stories like this one in the world.
What an odd, sweet little book. I say odd because firstly the summary of this book, to me, is a little misleading. Particularly this bit:
Together, this unlikeliest of duos strike out on a quest to find a legendary embroiderer, a journey on which they encounter conniving pachinko parlor managers, legendary street-punks, and anemic costumers. Who knows, they might just make it big...if only Ichiko would stop head butting Momoko in the forehead.
It gives the impression that this "quest" is the main plot of the novel and pachinko parlor managers and legendary street-punks are foes or allies they meet along the way, while really though all those things are present in the story, it's not as adventurous as that blurb makes it sound. This book is really simply about two girls, both misfits in their own right, coming together to form an unlikely and hilarious and heart-warming friendship. That's it. And it was truly adorable. I'm really, really into stories about people becoming unlikely friends, I pretty much live for it. Especially when it's between two females. Those types of stories just really get me. So, if you like that sort of thing, this book will not disappoint as it flawlessly depicts the journey of two characters who appear outwardly to be opposites when they actually are very similar. We've got our narrator, Momoko, who strives to uphold the Rococo and Lolita lifestyle with every fiber of her being. And we've got Ichigo, who strives to uphold the Yanki (roughly: a punk) biker lifestyle with every fiber of her being. As they grow closer their philosophies begin to blend together in a lovely but predictable way.
Momoko's character was incredible. From the first page it is clear that she's going to be absolutely insufferable. She is totally absorbed in her own little world and in herself and it's amazing. Her inner monologue is hilarious. She refers to her father only as "The Loser", with good reason of course, and when Ichigo comments on how shitty her personality is, Momoko simply responds with "I know." And her little asides to herself whenever Ichigo would say something ridiculous, or really whenever Ichigo would say anything at all, had me in stitches. With lines like:
"Shit, girl. You look even dumber than usual."
Allow me to return those words verbatim to your good self.
I was giggling constantly.
Ichigo was too perfect for words. Oblivious and somewhat naive, her child-like logic captures the reader's heart instantly. Even with her filthy mouth and fiery temper, she comes across as this adorable little thing that just wants to belong somewhere. She's constantly threatening to kick Momoko's ass, and I think there's hardly a sentence directed from her to Momoko without the word bitch in it, but it's clear from the beginning the admiration she has for her. The growth of their friendship made my teeth ache, expecially being told from the ever refined and utterly blasé Momoko's point of view. Her love for Ichigo creeps up on her as well as the reader, and her dedication to her by the end of book surprised even me.
Now, aside from the supreme cuteness of Ichigo and Momoko's relationship, the story overall leaves something to be desired. There's quite a big introduction about Momoko's father and their past together, which I really loved, but then after that he just disappears for the meat of the book, and shows up conveniently again at the end. It wasn't hugely annoying but it did bother me a little bit. And I'm probably just a little too accustomed to the action-adventurey stories that are all over the place right now but the whole time I was reading this book I just kept waiting for something exciting to happen. Spoiler: it doesn't. There's quite a tense scene toward the end but there was no lead up to it, it literally came out of nowhere, but it is a pretty great ending. The first 80% of the book is really just all about Momoko's past, a little look into Ichigo's past, and the two of them going to random places and arguing with each other. Boring as that sounds, somehow this book was a very engaging and funny(though very light)read. Also, the author's afterword was really lovely. I was always fascinated by Lolita fashion when I was younger and it's nice to feel like I have a deeper insight on it after reading.
Together, this unlikeliest of duos strike out on a quest to find a legendary embroiderer, a journey on which they encounter conniving pachinko parlor managers, legendary street-punks, and anemic costumers. Who knows, they might just make it big...if only Ichiko would stop head butting Momoko in the forehead.
It gives the impression that this "quest" is the main plot of the novel and pachinko parlor managers and legendary street-punks are foes or allies they meet along the way, while really though all those things are present in the story, it's not as adventurous as that blurb makes it sound. This book is really simply about two girls, both misfits in their own right, coming together to form an unlikely and hilarious and heart-warming friendship. That's it. And it was truly adorable. I'm really, really into stories about people becoming unlikely friends, I pretty much live for it. Especially when it's between two females. Those types of stories just really get me. So, if you like that sort of thing, this book will not disappoint as it flawlessly depicts the journey of two characters who appear outwardly to be opposites when they actually are very similar. We've got our narrator, Momoko, who strives to uphold the Rococo and Lolita lifestyle with every fiber of her being. And we've got Ichigo, who strives to uphold the Yanki (roughly: a punk) biker lifestyle with every fiber of her being. As they grow closer their philosophies begin to blend together in a lovely but predictable way.
Momoko's character was incredible. From the first page it is clear that she's going to be absolutely insufferable. She is totally absorbed in her own little world and in herself and it's amazing. Her inner monologue is hilarious. She refers to her father only as "The Loser", with good reason of course, and when Ichigo comments on how shitty her personality is, Momoko simply responds with "I know." And her little asides to herself whenever Ichigo would say something ridiculous, or really whenever Ichigo would say anything at all, had me in stitches. With lines like:
"Shit, girl. You look even dumber than usual."
Allow me to return those words verbatim to your good self.
I was giggling constantly.
Ichigo was too perfect for words. Oblivious and somewhat naive, her child-like logic captures the reader's heart instantly. Even with her filthy mouth and fiery temper, she comes across as this adorable little thing that just wants to belong somewhere. She's constantly threatening to kick Momoko's ass, and I think there's hardly a sentence directed from her to Momoko without the word bitch in it, but it's clear from the beginning the admiration she has for her. The growth of their friendship made my teeth ache, expecially being told from the ever refined and utterly blasé Momoko's point of view. Her love for Ichigo creeps up on her as well as the reader, and her dedication to her by the end of book surprised even me.
Now, aside from the supreme cuteness of Ichigo and Momoko's relationship, the story overall leaves something to be desired. There's quite a big introduction about Momoko's father and their past together, which I really loved, but then after that he just disappears for the meat of the book, and shows up conveniently again at the end. It wasn't hugely annoying but it did bother me a little bit. And I'm probably just a little too accustomed to the action-adventurey stories that are all over the place right now but the whole time I was reading this book I just kept waiting for something exciting to happen. Spoiler: it doesn't. There's quite a tense scene toward the end but there was no lead up to it, it literally came out of nowhere, but it is a pretty great ending. The first 80% of the book is really just all about Momoko's past, a little look into Ichigo's past, and the two of them going to random places and arguing with each other. Boring as that sounds, somehow this book was a very engaging and funny(though very light)read. Also, the author's afterword was really lovely. I was always fascinated by Lolita fashion when I was younger and it's nice to feel like I have a deeper insight on it after reading.