Princess Jellyfish, Volume 2

November 15, 2016

A reclusive nest of celibate fangirls crosses fates with a rich political family in this appealing josei (women's) manga. Tsukimi adores jellyfish, while her housemates obsess over Ichimatsu dolls, trains, or Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Then two half brothers from the family fall for Tsukimi: the elder Shu, a rising star in politics yet a 30-year-old virgin, and the younger Kuranosuke, an eccentric with an unconventional wardrobe. Yet Shu seems easy prey for Shoko, a glamorous and manipulative real-estate agent who wishes to replace Tsukimi's building with a high-rise hotel. Can loves and lodgings get sorted out? Higashimura's series recalls Paradise Kiss in its Pygmalionesque theme of urchin-turned-princess by a besotted artist. The drawings integrate awkward as well as graceful depictions, and a gentle send-up of girlie cliches, roses, hearts, and romantic fantasies populate the pages. VERDICT With winsome charm characteristic of shojo manga but aimed at slightly older audiences, this cockeyed, award-winning soap opera about not fitting in is up to 16 volumes in Japan. There is also an anime and a live-action film. Note amusing, nonsexual gender switches.--MC

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