Product Description

In return for a business loan of 50 million yen, the prestigious Kamiya family gave their daughter Haine away to the Otomiya family. Haine, now an Otomiya, is appointed to the student council of the exclusive Imperial Academy, a private school for the aristocracy. Even though Haine is of proper lineage to be on the council, she finds herself struggling to find her place among the many secrets of its elite members, especially those of the president who holds her heart--Shizumasa Togu, aka "the Emperor."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #372274 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781421511832
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
As collateral for her family's business debt, Haine has been taken in by the Otomiyas and sent to a fancy rich kids' school where she's at the bottom of the ladder. Still, she's outrageously cheery and somewhat simpleminded. She's also in love with the new student council president and school leader, but their differences in status mean she has to work hard to reach his class (in more than one sense). It's an old-fashioned premise—child swaps as business deals—that might fit in better in an old superhero title than in a modern shojo title. Haine's crush mostly ignores her, but why shouldn't he? She doesn't have much to recommend her, just unthinking determination. Tanemura's busy pages leave little white space, and the characters, drawn in stereotypical cute style, can be difficult to tell apart. All this overheated broad comedy—at one point, student outcasts let loose snakes on the council members—would be more palatable if the story didn't pretend to be set in a realistic present. Fans of Tanemura's previous hits, Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon, will doubtless find more to enjoy in this energetic but broadly comic story. (Mar.)
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About the Author
Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 at the early age of 18,

when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. Tanemura gained

notoriety with the 1997 publication of I-O-N, a high school romance with

a supernatural twist. From 1998 to 2000, she worked on the popular series

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne, about a young girl who is the reincarnation of

Joan of Arc, followed by Time Stranger Kyoko in 2000-2001 and Full

Moon o Sagashite in 2002. Despite Tanemura's intentions to draw in a style

that makes her stories difficult to animate, both Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne

and Full Moon o Sagashite have been adapted into TV series.

Customer Reviews

Cute start, good potential
The main character in this shoujo, Haine, comes across as a bit airheaded, but also incredibly determined and strong. Although the first thing I noticed about the manga was the cuteness and the love story, Haine has a deeper side to her personality - a dark side that I hope will be explored in future volumes (I would love to see her cuteness and toughness co-exist...).

Haine harbors endless resentment for the business deal her father made, trading her for 50 million yen. Although her adoptive family is loving, she can not get over her anger, even after many years. But she hides it well...

Haine is bold, which is what makes her appealing to me. She understands Japanese societal conventions, and does her best to fight them. She is in love with the student council president, Shizumasa, aka "The Emperor". Unfortunately, he doesn't deign to notice her and comes across as a real jerk (hopefully his story will come out too in future volumes!).

Haine has a beautiful friend, Ushio, who loves her dearly and tries to look out for her interests. The assortment of characters also includes the "Postman", who I think is crushing on Haine; token gay guy Maguri, who is in love with "The Emperor"; and my favorite character - eccentric Maora, who walks around with her constantly-growling mini-sheep, Okorimakuri (meaning "always angry").

There is a pervy school doc to add some spice to the story, and I think I detected a bit of romantic tension with Haine's slightly younger adoptive brother.

The art is busy, which I personally find appealing. Backgrounds and effects are details. While this manga may come across as sweet at first, don't let it fool you. There are sad and dark pasts to be explored, sexual situations, and unexpectedly violent outbursts from cute Haine.

I am looking forward to volume 2.

Great Manga!
My friend and I have purchased this book, and we absolutley love it! It has very nice looking art, the scenes are busy, and the story line is pretty good. I was unsure if I would like this or not, but all the strange aspects tie together in the end. I found it to be very unique and the characters are pretty lovable. Word of warning: Hiane and Ushio and a few other characters can be difficult to tell apart when you first start reading, so pay close attention to the character's details. I wish we didn't have to wait untill June 28th for volume 2!

Great Book~
Even though I haven't recieved my copy yet (it's in the mail, on it's way to me right now!), I understand the story very well. One of my Japanese friends, Sayuri, buys the mangabon it's serialized in, Ribon, every month. Even though I don't understand Japanese very well, I have a general idea of what was going on in the chapter. I hope that SHOJO BEAT includes some Cross themed Furoku with their magazine sometime!