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A review by absentminded_reader
Marmalade Boy, Volume 1 by Wataru Yoshizumi
4.0
My introduction to this series by Wataru Yoshizumi was with the anime, so the manga lacks the pastel moments that made the anime stand out for me. In fact, comparatively the manga art never rises above competent. Yet, the manga has its own charm found in the strong character of Miki.
In this volume we learn Miki's parents met another couple on vacation and decided to swap partners. This is shocking enough until Miki learns the other couple has a teenage boy named Yuu and that both couples have decided to live together while their divorces settle so that the children can be with their parents. It's complicated.
To make it even more complicated, of course Miki and Yuu begin to fall in love.
What I find amazing about this story is that Yoshizumi makes it all seem so happy and normal. Perhaps this is because we never saw Miki's parents act as a romantic couple so we buy the new pairing, but I feel it is mostly because Miki's character is so strong. Headstrong, in fact. Prone to outbursts. Outspoken. And passionate. However, she is very grounded. Although this allows her to play the straight character to her parents' twisted ones, it also makes her feelings—those of a normal teenage girl—set the tone for the series.
A shoujo manga wouldn't be complete without other suitors or Miki and Yuu, but Miki is the character that sets the pace in this first, excellent volume.
In this volume we learn Miki's parents met another couple on vacation and decided to swap partners. This is shocking enough until Miki learns the other couple has a teenage boy named Yuu and that both couples have decided to live together while their divorces settle so that the children can be with their parents. It's complicated.
To make it even more complicated, of course Miki and Yuu begin to fall in love.
What I find amazing about this story is that Yoshizumi makes it all seem so happy and normal. Perhaps this is because we never saw Miki's parents act as a romantic couple so we buy the new pairing, but I feel it is mostly because Miki's character is so strong. Headstrong, in fact. Prone to outbursts. Outspoken. And passionate. However, she is very grounded. Although this allows her to play the straight character to her parents' twisted ones, it also makes her feelings—those of a normal teenage girl—set the tone for the series.
A shoujo manga wouldn't be complete without other suitors or Miki and Yuu, but Miki is the character that sets the pace in this first, excellent volume.