About the Mangaka
Not a lot of information on Tamaki Nozomu, she has done several other works, the most notable being Femme Kabuki.
About the Manga
What can I say, other than this is one of the best manga I’ve read. Though it has some rather questionable content, but that makes all the more awesome.
This series has some really amazing art to it, and the covers are a prime example of it. Admittedly though the art is not perfect through out the volumes, and on a few occasions Nozomu does struggle to get the feel of certain scenes.
However I felt these few bits were easily over come by how strong her art was at other times.
What I especially liked from early on was the minor details, such as backdrops and settings, which all have a lot of work and time spent on them. This is especially so in volume one, and then again in volume five.
However where this series is truly exception is in the character designs and personalities. Especially those of Hime and and Akira.
This is also where the first questionable content comes in, when we’re first introduced to Hime she’s resembles a very young child, which wouldn’t be an issue, except for the fact she’s frequently almost fully nude. We frequently see her topless and in a thong set set of panties, which while I feel works well with the story, a lot of people may find a bit to much.
The relationship she builds with Akira over the five volumes is really well done. Nozomu has worked a really astounding relationship between the lead characters. One aspect I liked was the fact that the love relationships are set in stone really early, so it doesn’t get in the way of the story.
But the way the story unfolds, and we get to see the depth of that relationship is another aspect that really makes this series stand out. Watching Hime and Akira fumble through their relationship makes a novel change. From finding their friendship again, to the issues they have to face.
The end of volume four and volume five are really amazing as we get to see Hime at her true best. The hate that infuses this volume, and the love that is clearly shown left me wanting volume six right away.
It is worth noting however that the series not only has the loli aspect in the form of Hime, but also has a shota aspect, which while not overt, is pretty clear. Which again some will not like. Yet I liked this aspect as well, and liked the way the story revolving this aspect came out.
Akira is an excellent lead character and a perfect match to Hime. He’s got a bit of an attitude problem, but he’s not the usual idiot, or belligerent hero. Rather he’s a strong character with a harsh past that does make him a bit brusque, and not really into frivolity. I liked that this also part of the story and is brought out slowly, but not to slowly.
The story is currently at five volumes, and we’re still barely getting going, as we’ve been getting a lot of character development and set up. It’s only now at the due date for volume six that we’re getting to the real story.
As I’ve always said about Seven Seas, they do put out high quality releases. The covers are high gloss and high quality, the pages are a good quality and with very minimal guttering. The translation is amazing, and I especially loved that we have the honorific’s, and especially the ‘Hime’ title.
I was also impressed that they left in a lot of regionalisation and just added translation notes at the end.
The 4koma at the end of every volume are really funny, and I found them a nice release, and interesting change from the main volume.
Overall I highly recommend this series, it’s definitely well worth buying.
Where to Buy
January 11, 2010 @ 17:20.
I’ve been debating getting this series. Some of the scenes, especially in volume 1, put me off. (I’m sure you know the ones I mean.) But the later volume covers are super attractive. And the story sounds interesting. Your review puts me more in the “Will try” category than I was before.