Hanjuku Joshi [半熟女子 / Petit Wildrose] was published from 2008-2009 on Comic Yuri Hime serialization by mangaka Morishima Akiko. After giving interlude by reviewing Evergreen (manga) on February which is not yuri manga, now I come back to my h̶a̶b̶i̶t̶ yuri manga (looking at some review posts of yuri manga). Several yuri mangas already read by me,and it's time for Hanjuku Joshi review. A few weeks of harsh March for me (I do not like March btw) (March is the month I made this post). I felt grateful to find a good yuri manga as a starter for knock back. Mangaka & Illustrator: Morishima Akiko Volumes 2, Chapter 18 [COMPLETED] Year: 2008-2009 Serialization: Comic Yuri Hime Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Yuri, Shoujo-ai Read it on MangaHere |
The cover of Hanjuku Joshi first volume with indecent exposure might make you think it will be a fan-service only for GL lovers. The mature content is not as much as you would have imagined before. Still it's exciting cause... First of all, lemme give review of the drawing which is fabulous. The characters look so cute, soft outer line with details for face & facial expressions like round eyes, almost everyone there looks chubby and delicious, body is drawn slender like girls but the muscles still visible like boys in a small dose (for tomboy character). For more detailed face features; eyes, eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips; taken from the side angle are picturesque. I rarely found mangas that has good side angle views such as this one. For the comedy part, the characters are drawn with thicker outline, funny enough facial expressions (and chubby), and added with some features as the supporting for comedic part. The manga panels are neatly organized too. |
18 chapters only and with that Morishima Akiko nicely arranged the story to get development and deeper characterization for both of the main heroines. I like the way it involves others like added characters of Chitose's (main heroine) family members. The points of view of main heroines are not elaborated much but the main point about love itself is clearly visible for us while the minor characters can tone up the story and giving us another case of bitter(sweet) example of GL which is more enchanting than the heroines part for me. The teacher and student as minor characters bring more ups-and-downs that is worth to note because of its unusual feature. (I interested much to minor characters kind of background and story)
Hanjuku Joshi made my heart went boom! I discovered good yuri manga. I even quoted a tenderness statement, "Stop abusing your body". It is so touching! It is an honor to read and rate it 9++.
Pros:
- Major and minor characters got their own time to be explained. Having such sad-shocking truth (but ended well) isn't reducing the amount of joy reading this,
- The development is made soft and nice. They're being true to their feelings, I like that the way they are telling it. (It's beautiful how they straightforwardly, finally, can feel blessed by being both girls that fall in love with each other so deep.)
- How gorgeous Morishima Akiko drew them in the theme park, my fav chapter it is absobloodylutely.
Hayami Chitose (main heroine). She is the 1st Year, Class C. Her type is small and delicate girl. A positive-thinking girl towards anyone, sentimental yet solid person. Sakura Yae (main heroine). She is the 1st Year, Class C (wanted to be born as boy but turns out as a "real" girl (biologically and psychologically)). Mari Hanashima. Hanashima-senpai is used to be in Fencing Club. She looks treacherous but actually have a really good side like an adolescent girl in her age too. More mature and badass in appearance. Describes by third person as "a promiscuous women with so many temporary guys". Ran Edogawa. Edogawa-sensei is the homeroom teacher of 1st Year, Class C. Her figure is mature and charismatic with alluring eyes and looked-intelligent aura. Ever loved a girl before. Tsutsui-senpai. Youko. Yae's junior high bestfriend. Kusano-san is her boyfriend (only name mentioned). |
【増原 紀花】