Fushigi Yuugi

Yuuki Miaka's mother wants her to enter a famous high school. So Miaka studies hard but she is much more interested in eating than studying.
The day she is at the library with her best friend Hongo Yui, they open the book Shijintenchisho that transports them into it. In a world looking like medieval China, as they are being assaulted, bishounen Tamahome comes to the rescue.
The day after, back to the actual world, Miaka has an argument with her mother and decides to go back to the parallel universe by herself.

Miaka Yuuki is an ordinary junior-high student who is suddenly whisked away into the world of a book, The Universe Of The Four Gods. There she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku, and is charged with finding all seven of her Celestial-Warrior protectors.

Fushigi Yuugi is a very good, epic romance tale. By mangaka Yuu Watase, this is most likely her most popular and famous work. It consists of 18 volumes, 106 chapters. There is an anime of the same name, consisting of 52 episodes. The anime follows the manga very closely, being volumes 1-13. There are also 3 OVA's for Fushigi Yuugi, the 1st being completely made for the anime in order to fill the gap between volume 13 and 14 since they did change the ending of the original anime series slightly. Volume 14-18 is seen in the Fushigi Yuugi OVA 2. Fushigi Yuugi 3 is a story made just for the anime, and it certainly not necessary to understand the entire series. Fushigi Yuugi is a wonderful love story, and has great art and a interesting plot.

Rating:

Imadoki

For Tanpopo Yamazaki, life at the elitist Meio Academy seems way out of her league. The daughters of wealthy families snub her, other students make light of the fact that she actually tested into Meio instead of relying on family connections, and the cute boy she saw tending a dandelion the day before wouldn't even acknowledge her existence. Hoping to make friends and have some fun, Tanpopo starts up a gardening committee, but will this help her survive in a school where superficiality and nepotism reign supreme?

Imadoki is a good, 26 chapter, manga by the great mangaka Yuu Watase. It is short, but very sweet. It is reminiscent of Watase's other works, with the main characters looking similar, and love blooming slowly. The fruitation is not really found until the end, but it's a very nice ending.

Rating:

Land of the Blindfolded

When Otsuka Kanade touches someone, it's like a "blindfold" falling, and she's able to see the person's "future". She tries her best to change her best friend's future, but Arou, the person who sees the "past" doesn't agree with her. What is Arou thinking....?
Tomorrow never knows?

Land of the Blindfolded, aka Mekakushi no Kuni, is a 40 chapter shoujo manga by Sakura Tsukuba. It has a very unique and interesting concept, and the story/characters are very engaging. Romance is a key factor. At times the scenes are stolen by a puppy, which is very adorable. The characters are certainly very addictive, and the reader cannot help but be concerned about them. The ending is somewhat abrupt, but leaves good feelings behind.

Rating:

Sai Natsu

This a story of a need so terrible she'd use the very boy she loved to fill it. Yet even as she savors the bliss of being with him, her actions could well destroy any chance of future happiness...

Sai Natsu is a oneshot manga, meaning there's only one chapter. It is a short story by Shiho Watanabe. It is sexually graphic in nature, but tells a very sweet story. The ending is ideal, and the emotions realistic. Please note this manga is for a mature audience.

Rating:

Real Fake Princess

The story begins during the Sung Dynasty of ancient China. The country is in great chaos due to the infamous Jin Kang Rebellion. Fearing the possible destruction that is sure to ensue, Concubine Liu tearfully entrusts the care of her baby daughter, Princess Yi Fu, to a common citizen named Tang Hui. Tang Hui immediately escapes with the princess to the south. And so, Princess Yi Fu's whereabouts become a mystery.
Now, ten years later, the Tang have returned to power and the great family wishes for all exiled family members to return. But Zi Li is happy with her life. She knows that returning means giving up her love; for a peasant could never court a princess. And courtship between a princess and a palace warrior is equally frowned upon. But that does little to quell the fire that burns inside Zhong Lu—a famed warrior charged with the task of finding and restoring the princess to the throne.

Real Fake Princess is a 15 chapter manua by Yi Huan. It is a very good story, with in depth romance and suspense. It is somewhat confusing at times with various titles, names, and places being used. At times it is confusing as to the relationships of people according to their history and status. But, it is a true love story. The last chapter brought me to tears, and almost made me very mad and disappointed. Yet it does fulfill me with a happy ending. Although not everything is perfect for Zi Li, she does end up happy and that is enough for me.

Rating: