Family Complex

Have you ever felt like the black sheep in your family? Like you are less intelligent, less attractive, or less athletic than everyone else? You don't share the same qualities as the rest of your kin, leading you to question whether you truly belong or if you're even worthy. This feeling can lead to self-hatred or even disdain for your own family.

Akira Sakamoto experiences this very dilemma, primarily because he is the only 'ordinary' looking member in his family. He hails from a sizable family of six, being the third eldest among four siblings. In contrast to his relatives, Akira appears quite plain. However, his family is strikingly beautiful, from his youngest sister to his seemingly ageless parents. Initially, Akira didn't mind his appearance until others started pointing it out.

The manga delves into not just Akira's life but also those of his parents, older brother Harumi, older sister Natsuru, and younger sister Fuyuki, highlighting their daily struggles mostly related to appearance, social influence, and behavior. Each chapter focuses on a different family member, presenting their unique perspectives and stories.

The narratives introduce intriguing ideas, including classic values such as 'true friendship,' 'beauty lies in the eye of the beholder,' and 'be true to yourself.' While somewhat exaggerated for a slice-of-life manga due to the Sakamoto family's almost inhuman beauty, these elements are balanced well. The fact that the Sakamotos resemble a supermodel family becomes a minor detail in the broader narrative.

The artwork is undeniably strong. Bold pen strokes create crisp images without any fuzziness. Characters are distinctly defined: Tsuda skillfully contrasts Akira’s average physique with the extraordinary beauty of the other Sakamotos. Backgrounds are sparse throughout the manga, often absent, but when present, they are excellently rendered.

Family forms the core of the story. The familial atmosphere is a delicate theme rarely explored in manga, especially one depicting a well-functioning family instead of a dysfunctional one.

This manga undoubtedly stands as Mikiyo Tsuda's (known for 'The Day of Revolution' and 'Princess Princess') superior work. The latter has been adapted into an animated series where Akira and his family also feature. Compared to her other works, Family Complex isn't overly fantastical. Despite its unrelatable premise, the concept of feeling out of place resonates universally.

While Family Complex lacks the depth to be considered a profound slice-of-life manga, as a single-volume piece, it performs adequately. It's a light read filled with comedy and uplifting tales, making it an easy time-killer. For the sentimental reader, it may hold deeper significance. Regardless, it leaves a memorable impression.

Family Complex is yet another masterpiece by Mikiyo Tsuda that I continue to enjoy to this day. Published before the main story "Princess Princess," this manga centers around the Sakamoto family, who are unusually beautiful except for 14-year-old Akira, who feels quite "ordinary" compared to the rest.

The narrative takes on various perspectives from different siblings and parents, exploring life within the family and what it means to be "beautiful." It cleverly shows that beauty isn't as glamorous as it might appear. The story also delivers strong messages about appearances and family life in general, while incorporating a touch of comedy that enhances both the plot and the characters' likability.

The artwork is excellent, as expected from Mikiyo Tsuda, with just the right balance of background and detail, perfectly complementing the story. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the manga is the unique personalities of the characters and the overall humor of the family.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga, as well as Tsuda's other works, and would highly recommend it to everyone. :)

As the first manga I've ever read, it wasn't terrible. It revolves around a boy who has extraordinarily beautiful family members, constantly juxtaposed with his average appearance. The narrative follows the protagonist, Akira Sakamoto, through various scenarios that highlight the awkwardness of adolescence combined with the unfortunate situation of being ordinary in a family brimming with beauty.

The story features plenty of light-hearted humor with bishounen and bishoujo characters. However, the plot itself is somewhat dry, as the main character frequently complains about not being as attractive as his family, alongside occasional glimpses into how challenging it can be to be beautiful. Overall, it wasn't the best of the best, but it wasn't a waste of time either.