Beauty Pop

I seldom find school stories enjoyable. But, surprisingly, after reading four chapters translated into Russian, I found myself searching the Internet for more of "Beauty Pop".

What do I like most about this manga?

The story, the art, Kiri, and the reverse harem.

The story is fantastic. It has far more unexpected twists than you'd expect from a tale centered around hairstyling.

The art is very appealing. It appears simple but it's just right to enjoy the cuteness without getting lost in each picture and forgetting what you're reading.

Kiri is drawn marvelously. Her smiling face is incredibly cute! What I also love about her is how she often seems sleepy and acts indifferent, even though she genuinely cares. She’s also very kind, always ready to help others.

The reverse harem aspect is also quite enjoyable. In fact, I think "Beauty Pop" is somewhat similar to "Ouran High School Host Club" (which I also adore), but with a much better main heroine. And that childish guy doesn't have Bun-Bun x) So don’t be surprised if while reading you exclaim something like, "Tamaki! What are you doing here?"

This manga is about hairstylists, and initially, I was a bit anxious. Honestly, I'm afraid of them x) You see, there's a hairstyling department where I study, and students there always try to get me for their training because I have long hair. But after reading "Beauty Pop," I realized they aren't so bad (though that doesn’t mean I’ll let them cut my hair short).

So, I strongly recommend "Beauty Pop" if you're scared of hairstylists. Or if you’re a fan of "Host Club." Or if you simply want some fun.

One of my all-time favorite manga, this is my second time reading it and I adore it immensely. The main character's dynamic is just fantastic. I can see myself revisiting this story again in the future.

Art 9 - The artwork is incredible; I especially enjoyed the scenes where they cut hair. The meme faces added a hilarious touch.

Characters 8 - While the characters didn't undergo significant changes, there's something comforting about that. They've shared so much together, and I appreciate how their bond deepened over time. Kiri's parents and cat are delightful additions to the story.

Story 9 - The ending wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't terrible either. It felt somewhat fitting for the narrative.

Overall, this is a charming slice-of-life manga that I wholeheartedly recommend.

There is only one reason I'm not giving this manga a perfect score—listen up.

The story centers on Koshiba Kiri, a somewhat distant girl who appears self-centered. However, she has an extraordinary talent for hairstyling. This doesn't sit well with the resident 'genius' stylist Shougo Narumi, who vows to outdo her with the help of his club, The Scissors Project.

So yes, you might be reading this thinking it's your typical shoujo fare. To be honest, that's what I initially expected too. But trust me, you couldn't be more mistaken. It's almost as if the characters have been flipped. Instead of the male lead being aloof, calm, and collected (which is rare in shoujo), and the female lead being impulsive and ruled by her heart, it's completely reversed. This freshness significantly contributes to the manga's appeal.

One thing that might deter some readers is that Koshiba doesn't fit the mold of a typical shoujo heroine. While some shoujos feature a girl who is 'ugly,' 'shy,' or 'insecure about her looks,' they all have their transformation moments—someone dresses them up or circumstances force a change.

Warning: That doesn't happen here.

But I think that's a huge plus for this story. It makes it feel more authentic. How many of us on MAL will ever undergo a radical transformation that makes everyone fall madly in love with us? Most of this story revolves around how Koshiba and Narumi transform other girls, so why mess with Koshiba—who is genuinely herself?

I only had a few issues with the story. They were mostly technical and not major plot holes, so nothing significant enough to dissuade you from reading. The relationship between Koshiba and her mother didn't quite resonate with me, and I found the ending too abrupt.

Besides those minor quibbles, this is a story that makes your heart race, makes you laugh out loud, and gets you rooting for the two main characters as they battle it out till the end. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this mangaka!

Kiri, in most of the volumes, refuses to take after her father ever since she accidentally cut her mother's ear while trimming her hair. However, she eventually accepts that she can't waste her talent and recalls saying when she was little that she wanted to make people look beautiful. This is where men start liking her. Further into the volumes, Kiri compliments Ochai's makeup skills and smiles at him, which is when he begins to fall in love with her. Meanwhile, Naru accidentally trips and kisses her, leading him to fall for her too. With both Ochai and Naru in love with the same girl, Ochai finds out his friend loves Kiri as well. Because of this, they start fighting for Kiri's love. In the end, she chooses Naru, which made me overjoyed because Ochai isn't worth it and he is often a jerk to Naru when it comes to matters involving Kiri.

I found Beauty Pop to be quite enjoyable. My favorite genre is rom-com, and although Beauty Pop does have elements of both romance and comedy, it leans more towards the latter. If you enjoy laughing and prefer subtler romance, this manga is definitely for you. Don't get me wrong, the romance isn't absent, but it's not the primary focus.

Overall, the story is intriguing with likable characters who don’t really get on your nerves. The artwork is pretty good, and the storyline is decent. However, one significant issue is its pacing. It shifts from being somewhat slow to incredibly energetic almost instantly. Some arcs leave you wanting more details, only for the story to move on without answering all your questions. On the flip side, some arcs linger a bit longer than necessary.

Despite these pacing issues, I highly recommend giving Beauty Pop a chance. The comedy more than makes up for any shortcomings in pacing. So, if you're looking for an entertaining read with humorous moments and engaging characters, check it out!

I can't really explain why I enjoyed a manga about hair cutting, but I did. The story wasn't particularly unique, yet I managed to read the entire manga in just two days, which suggests it wasn't bad either. While I wished it had delved more into inner beauty rather than focusing solely on outer appearances, given that it's about teens giving makeovers, this focus isn't surprising.

Kiri, the main character, was quite likable. She was smart and attractive in a distinctive way compared to most shoujo heroines. Despite expecting her to end up with a certain someone, overall, I liked her character. Most of the other characters were fairly typical for a shoujo manga, but three stood out. There was Gen, an enigmatic character you can't help but love; Billy, who evokes both hatred and heartbreak; and Chisami, a cute little girl whose role in the story turns out to be more significant than initially thought.

The artwork was decent, nothing extraordinary.

In summary, while not the best manga out there, it certainly wasn't the worst. I found it enjoyable, and perhaps you might too.

Beauty Pop -

A manga filled with laughter, seriousness, and subtle hints of romance. It's a fantastic and enjoyable read, and I'm surprised it hasn't received more reviews. The story primarily centers on Kiri Koshiba, a girl gifted with the talent for hairstyling and the daughter of renowned hairstylist Seiji Koshiba. Her life transforms after she meets the S.P (Scissors Project), three popular guys at Ryokufuu High School who give selected girls a beauty makeover. I really enjoyed this manga because of its style and humor.

Art -

I appreciated the art; it was cleanly drawn and also humorous. The characters' appearances truly match their personalities, making it easy to tell right away if a character is good or bad.

Characters -

Haha, my favorite aspect of Beauty Pop. I adore the characters, especially Kiri. She has an 'I-don't-care-just-go-with-the-flow' personality, and she mostly seems to live inside her own mind. That's what makes her so enjoyable and funny x3 Each character has a unique personality, but that doesn't diminish the joy they bring.

Enjoyment

Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. It's the kind that keeps you hooked from the very first chapter. I wish it would never end, but obviously, that's not possible.

Overall, I liked it a lot. Although the romance isn't very prominent, the comedy makes up for it. I want everyone to read it since it's not very well-known : (

Thanks for listening. ^_^

Beauty Pop is an enjoyable read. The main character: I absolutely adored her. Her attitude was the most appealing aspect for me. That cool, indifferent demeanor hooked me from the start. I often wish more female characters were like her - not caring about gossip or others' opinions. She's delightful to follow, and every time I reread the manga, I find myself smiling.

I have a fondness for competition-themed manga. I enjoy challenges and similar themes. Thus, Beauty Pop, with its central theme revolving around beauticians, really resonated with me.

In the school that Kiri attends, there's a monthly event where a group of boys transform a random girl into a "swan." Kiri couldn't care less about them. She doesn't aspire to be a beautician due to something in her past.

However, when she transforms a girl that the boys didn't want to work on, she gets thrust into their world. Even though she has no desire to be involved and pays them no mind.

Narumi, the male lead, heads this group of boys. He cuts hair flawlessly and loves doing so. He despises that Kiri surpasses him in haircutting skills. I think it's not genuine hatred; rather, he fears she'll leave him behind in the beauty industry. I believe he genuinely regards her as a rival.

Moreover, I appreciated how they had clear goals from the outset. They knew what they wanted to achieve in the future and were determined to succeed. They weren't afraid and kept striving, which is what I loved most about this manga.

Short Overview:
The main character, Kiri Koshiba, is an exceptionally talented hairstylist. She isn't keen on leveraging her extraordinary skills for fame or recognition. However, she encounters three popular boys at school who run the "Scissors Project," abbreviated as S.P. Their ambitious goal is to become Japan's premier makeover team. They offer spontaneous makeovers to selected girls during their sessions. Initially, Kiri tries her best to avoid the Scissors Project but eventually finds herself adding a touch of 'magic' to people's lives.

My Reaction:
[Please note that this might change once the series concludes. These are my current impressions ^^;]

Story:
9/10
I adored this story immensely. It's an excellent shoujo manga. I hope it gets adapted into an anime someday because I believe it would be enjoyable to watch. I also recommend it to fans of Ouran High School Host Club. Why? Because there are characters reminiscent of those in the Host Club! If you're curious, read the manga. I initially thought a manga about hair styling would be dull, but the mangaka makes it incredibly engaging and thrilling. Even if fashion isn't your thing, you'll likely appreciate this one.

Art:
9/10
The artwork is quite pleasing at times, making it tolerable for those with discerning tastes in art. The style resembles most shoujo manga, like Ouran and others.

Character:
9/10
The characters were intriguing. As mentioned earlier, many reminded me of Ouran characters, so while stories involving a girl surrounded by handsome guys have been done before, they still manage to craft a compelling narrative. Most characters hail from affluent backgrounds and are popular at school. Despite the familiarity, it still delivers a good story.

Enjoyment:
9/10
It's a rather enjoyable read despite its similarities to other manga. In fact, I was drawn to this manga precisely because of those similarities. If you're seeking a shoujo manga akin to Ouran but less mainstream, give Beauty Pop a try.