Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish, Volume 3, by Akiko Higashimura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: 2016

Volumes: 17 Volumes/9 Omnibus.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

CHIC COUNTER-ATTACK

Inari, the aggressive vixen of redevelopment, ramps up her efforts to buy out Amamizu-kan, where Tsukimi and her friends live. But Kuranosuke has a fabulous plan of attack--turn Tsukimi's jellyfish designs into a reality! Will becoming real fashion designers be more than Amars can handle? Meanwhile, Shu's interest in Tsukimi drives Kuranosuke to confront some feelings he's never dealt with before...

Review:

It's been a while since I read the last volume, and I'm not quite sure why I waited, but now I definitely want to catch up.

Halfway through this volume is where the anime ended, so most of this was new content to me, and it was very exciting. I'm so glad we finally get to see more of the story, how things are really going to turn out.

Now that the possibility of Amamizukan being torn down is more plausible, we're getting more of the story. Originally, I wondered why it was such a huge deal—why couldn't the owner just buy a new rental/house with the money she's given? She'd probably still make a profit.

But, now I see that the owner is Chieko's mother, who has been letting them live there despite their being NEETs, and I see that she's sick of supporting them. And, that, I completely understand. They shouldn't really get to live there if they can't afford it; they should just get jobs. I'm not sympathetic to that, honestly.

And still, I don't see why they can't just find somewhere else to live. This might be a great deal, but they can find something else.

Despite all that, it looks like they're working hard to make these jellyfish dresses a real thing, and I respect that. The dresses are really pretty, and they're a very good idea. The work they put into it is also admirable, and I like seeing Kuranosuke help and push them and make them grow for this.

I really love the crazy characters in this series. Mayaya is still one of my favorites, and I love seeing her be bribed to model. Jiji kind of bothers me. We met a new doll-obsessed girl, who is very odd, and a little disturbing as well. Then there's Tsukimi and Kuranosuke, and Shu, all who I really like. I'm really enjoying the development between those three, in particular.

This series is crazy and so much fun. I'm excited to read more.

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish, Volume 2, by Akiko Higashimura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: 2016

Volumes: 9.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

ARMED WITH STYLE

With the geeky paradise of Amamizu-kan threatened by redevelopment plans, Tsukimi and the Amars must spring into action. Buy the wily Inari and her hold on Shu forces Kuranosuke to pull out all the stops: money, blackmail, and...fashion?! Though Amamizu-kan still struggles with Kuranosuke's stylish ways, the neighborhood fashionista has too much to lose, whether it's a hidden identity or priceless friendships. Tsukimi gets the chance to make her jellyfish dreams into a glamorous reality, but that means breaking out of her bubble! Can these misfit princesses save their castle?

Review:

I was thinking that the Saving-Amamizukan story line would be resolved relatively early and then they would move on to something else, but I'm starting to think that this plot is going to last the series. I think I'm okay with that, though.

There's a surprising amount of romantic undertones in this series. I didn't feel this much in the anime, so I didn't expect it. But there are quite a few moments between Kuranosuke and Tsukimi, mostly where they later freak out and deny it. Tsukimi is very much crushing on Shu, as well. So it's very complicated, and I'm not actually sure who I prefer. I like all of them quite a lot.

The Amars are also very much in denial—I don't see how they accept Kuranosuke's crazy stories to believe he's still a girl. I do love them, though. They're crazy otaku and they're so funny. Especially Mayaya—she's so over-the-top and it's great.

I love seeing Tsukimi get to work on the jellyfish dresses. She gets so passionate, and they truly are beautiful. They make an attempt, and then they get a success—and it's so pretty! I can't wait to see more of them, and I'm intrigued by where the plot will go next for that crazy plan. Kuranosuke's ideals are pretty vague.

I love this series. It's crazy and dramatic and cheesy. It's so much fun and I'm so glad it's being released. I can't wait to read more.

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish, Volume 1, by Akiko Higashimura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4-4.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Volumes: 15+

Spoilers?: Not really.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

THE LONG-AWAITED STORY OF FANGIRLS TAKING ON TOKYO!
Special large-size 2-in-1 edition of over 400 pages!

"One of the best anime and manga for beginners. Enthusiasm - geeky and otherwise - is power in Princess Jellyfish. Enthusiasm saves the day and paves the road to the future." - Kotaku

"Princess Jellyfish's ambition is simple: to tell a delightful story in a delightful way... It's a pretty deadly one-two punch." - Anime News Network

"Loaded with heart, soul, humor and insight." - About.com

STINGING BEAUTY

Tsukimi Kurashita has a strange fascination with jellyfish. She’s loved them from a young age and has carried that love with her to her new life in the big city of Tokyo. There, she resides in Amamizukan, a safe-haven for girl geeks who regularly gush over a range of things from trains to Japanese dolls. However, a chance meeting at a pet shop has Tsukimi crossing paths with one of the things that the residents of Amamizukan have been desperately trying to avoid—a beautiful and fashionable woman! But there’s much more to this woman than her trendy clothes! This odd encounter is only the beginning of a new and unexpected path for Tsukimi and her friends.

Review:

I have been wanting to read this for a while now. I watched the anime and was immediately obsessed. I knew it was only a matter of time, and was super excited when Kodansha announced they would be releasing it in two-in-ones. Firstly, it’s a very pretty, big volume. I wouldn’t have minded single volumes, but these are nice as well, and about the same price it would be otherwise, if a couple dollars cheaper. There are also five color pages, and they are gorgeous.

I will say that the anime follows the manga very closely, at least so far. But I don’t mind a bit, and it made me want to re-watch it after reading. The artwork is a little rough at times, but mostly I didn’t mind it at all. It was very pretty in some places as well. The humor was the same as in the anime, exaggerated and adorable and funny.

Tsukimi lives in a house with a group of otaku girls, all of them terrified of other people and going outside and men and stylish women. They call themselves nuns, or amars. When Tsukimi runs into Kuranosuke, who is crossdressing as a stylish woman at the time, he kind of barges into her life. This then proceeds to freak out her roommates, when they don’t even know he’s a guy. But Kuranosuke helps them when they find out their house is trying to be bought and demolished, and he also introduces Tsukimi to his political, extremely shy around women, older brother. We also meet their driver, Hanamori, who is pretty much an otaku for cars, and I like him a lot.

I love how this series deals with insecurities and individuality. All of the characters are insecure about something—the women are pretty much insecure about everything—but they’re also completely themselves. They don’t shy from their obsessions, or their fear of other people. They look how they look and don’t want to change that, are even afraid to. They are how they are, and they don’t know how to be any different, and might not even care to change that, either. On the other side of it, Kuranosuke dresses like a woman all the time, tells people about it and uses it to bother his family. He doesn’t hide who he is or what he wants to do. He’s proud of it, even.

I am just in love with this series. I think it’s hilarious and adorable, quirky in the best possible way, impressive. It reminds me of Ouran High School Host Club, only with college-aged otaku women. If you’re even a little curious, I would recommend picking it up. I would recommend it to anyone, actually. I am eagerly awaiting the next one.

Wishlist Thursday[150]: Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura

Princess Jellyfish 1 by Akiko Higashimura

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Volumes: 15+

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

 THE LONG-AWAITED STORY OF FANGIRLS TAKING ON TOKYO!
Special large-size 2-in-1 edition of over 400 pages!

"One of the best anime and manga for beginners. Enthusiasm - geeky and otherwise - is power in Princess Jellyfish. Enthusiasm saves the day and paves the road to the future." - Kotaku

"Princess Jellyfish's ambition is simple: to tell a delightful story in a delightful way... It's a pretty deadly one-two punch." - Anime News Network

"Loaded with heart, soul, humor and insight." - About.com

STINGING BEAUTY

Tsukimi Kurashita has a strange fascination with jellyfish. She’s loved them from a young age and has carried that love with her to her new life in the big city of Tokyo. There, she resides in Amamizukan, a safe-haven for girl geeks who regularly gush over a range of things from trains to Japanese dolls. However, a chance meeting at a pet shop has Tsukimi crossing paths with one of the things that the residents of Amamizukan have been desperately trying to avoid—a beautiful and fashionable woman! But there’s much more to this woman than her trendy clothes! This odd encounter is only the beginning of a new and unexpected path for Tsukimi and her friends.

Why?:

I absolutely loved the anime for this series, and knew it was just a matter of time before someone licensed the manga. I’m so glad that Kodansha finally did, and that they’re doing it in nice editions, in large format. I’m not sure what all it’s going to entail, and I don’t really care. It’s going to be amazing, no matter how they do it. This series reminds me of a college version of Ouran High School Host Club, and that really says it all.

Admittedly, I am a little afraid about how the art is going to look, compared to the anime, but I’m being hopeful about it. And I'm determined to learn to love it if I don't at first.

Also, this series is available on Crunchyroll already. I only found that out recently, and it’s so hard waiting for the print edition instead.

What’s on your list?