Shoujo Manga

I don't really read shoujo series, but here are some of a few series that I follow (loyally, zealously, religiously :D). 1. Kaze Hikaru (Watanabe Taeko) I have to admit that this one is my all-time favourite shoujo manga. I always like Watanabe-sensei's works (e.g. Family!). Kaze Hikaru follows the life of Tominaga Sei in the legendary male-exclusive Shinsen corps as Kamiya Seizaburou. A gender bender, you might say. But no, it's more than just that. I learn so much about the history of Japan during the Bakumatsu from this series. Though sometimes Kaze Hikaru falls to justify its characters' deeds somewhere along the line of 'everyone-is-a-good-person-beneath,' it balances the nuances by down-to-earth dan painfully realistic human characters. Hijikata Toshizou-fukuchou for example. How come he's not my Shinsengumi favourite character from what Kaze Hikaru shows me? In fact, Watanabe-sensei really gave her all and more in her dedication to details and historical facts. And, Lord, the humour. It'll just crack you up! I'll be more than happy to talk more about Kaze Hikaru, but that'll consume half of your life. :D 2. Ouran Koukou Host Club (Hatori Bisco) Alright, this one is popular. It's pink, it's crazy and it's craptastic. Although it'll be sad, I'm eagerly waiting to see the (hopefully satisfying) end. 3. Nodame Cantabile (Ninomiya Tomoko) You can't call yourself a shoujo fan if you don't read Nodame. Its characters are all antiheroes, the against-the-dogma, typical characters. They're dorks with dorky problems and dorky lives. And it's not a story about normal people, mind you. And it's sooo good it makes you giddy. And for once in an epic lifetime, a drama adaptation looks a good adaption. Indeed. 4. Mekakushi no Kuni (Tsukuba Sakura) and Kanata Kara (Hikawa Kyoko) I don't really like fantasy shoujo manga, but these two are my exception. If it isn't because of Mekakushi, I won't be a fan of Tsukuba-sensei. From teens dealing with their supernatural (I really, really try to avoid this word, honestly) gifts to problems with parental figures, Mekakushi is one good series that will make you go "Oooh, I see..." in the end. As for Kanata Kara, it makes me think that, well, sometimes, a demon-incarnated hero, dragons and monsters get along with a stranded girl. :) 5. Hanazakari no Kimi-tachi E (Nakajo Hisaya) I'm NOT talking about the drama adaptations (yes, plural). Stop ruining my Hanakimi; I don't need disillusionment, thank you. :D