Viz Media's new manga magazine Shojo Beat features titles marketed primarily towards girls. One of the titles being serialized in the magazine is Matsuri Hino's MeruPuri. For those of us who don't subscribe to Shojo Beat, the first volume of this series is now available.
The heroine of MeruPuri: Märchen Prince is Airi Hoshina, a strong-willed teenage girl who longs for a modest, stable family life when she gets older. While on her way to school, she encounters a mysterious little boy. She later finds out that the boy, named Aram, is a prince from a magical kingdom who entered into her world via Airi's star-shaped mirror, a trusted family keepsake. Aram escaped through the mirror to get away from his half-brother Jeile. Jeile cast a spell on Aram and Aram is forced to stay with Airi because he cannot get home. However, the spell has another surprising effect on Aram. When he is put into darkness, Aram ages dramatically.
Aram's transformation from little boy to hunky teenager leaves Airi scrambling as she tries to hide him from her friends (who mistake him for her new boyfriend) and deal with the unique problems of a little boy in a teenager's body. One hilarious situation has Airi trying to control Aram while at a "Sparkle Rangers" live show. However, with the transformation comes the revelation that the only way to break the spell is with a kiss from "one's beloved maiden." To Aram, Airi is his "beloved maiden" and only her kiss can break the spell and return Aram to his normal age.
MeruPuri is a title that balances humor and romance very well. The first chapter of the manga is cute as Airi, who lives alone, enjoys the company of the young Aram. However, things change one the transformation comes into play. Gradually, Airi finds herself developing romantic feelings for Aram even though she knows that he's really a boy underneath the exterior. It seems that for Aram, Airi is his first love, even if he doesn't really realize it yet. There are also other possible suitors for Airi. Nakaouji works with Airi in school on the Class Committee and represents the ideal that Airi is supposedly looking for. Also, after a violent encounter with Airi, Aram's half-brother Jeile declares his love for Airi even though he has multiple wives.
Article comments
1 - todd
I think I got a scan of the first chapter of this a while back from some scanulator group, it was pretty good. I could be wrong, its hard to keep up with the ones with Japanese names.
Guys, don't write off girl's manga, it can be pretty good sometimes.
And manga makes better reading than most of the crap thats in the young adults section in American libraries.
2 - Kathami
I read most of volumes 1-3 from a scanalator group a while back and it was quite awesome. It is definately worth it. I'm glad that the general opinion is that the translation does the story justice. The story is sweet with some great humor and amazing artwork, I would strongly recommend this series.
with luck and love,
-Kathami
3 - Mochisan
I've read the first 2 volumes of the series last week (got them at Barnes & Noble)and I love it. The art work--which is amazing compared to many other manga series--and the main character's personality are the main reasons I'd recommand it to people who are interested. Now I'm waiting for the 3rd volume to come out. I don't feel like reading scanlation, well if I could keep this up till January.
4 - roniG
hey, i really like these mangas. They're awsome. I can't wait till the third volume comes out. The artwork is so amazing! And I loke the flow of the 2nd book. Alot more happened and it's a great pace. I read the 1st book last year. And i just read the 2nd book because my friends bought it and let me borrow it. I love theses books! Till next time, I'll be waiting...(for the 3rd book, and the others, of course)
RoniG
5 - Helen
I cant wait for the rest to come out! i love this!
6 - yuimadoka
this serie(merupuri)is very very good^^ i'm like this drawing =D