Crazy love triangles... squares...? Well, there's an abundance of wild love scenarios. Following the initial parental "swap," it's understandable why Miki later becomes so bewildered in matters of the heart.
Swapping partners, parents living together, falling for your 'sibling,' student-teacher dynamics—this manga is brimming with unconventional romantic situations. Despite being primarily comedic, be warned: the characters don't always find happiness. The tale heats up with intense passion and emotions swirling around like a tempest.
I've recommended this to four people since it was suggested to me! Read it for laughs, fun, relatable characters, and a hearty dose of homemade chaos.
Alright, first off, it's a classic story: girl falls in love with boy, boy already liked her, the usual. No idea why, but sometimes those turn out to be the best xD But unexpectedly, these two share a... strange relationship that leads to hilarious outcomes. Along their "journey of love," they encounter many bizarre situations. (Yes, I know this is vague—that's intentional. You should go read it yourself.)
Anyway, although the art isn't the best, it's pretty good. If you're looking for tragic, heart-wrenching stories that make you realize something about yourself, look elsewhere. But if you want a light, cheerful, and hilarious romantic comedy, you've found your match.
I'm re-reading this incredible manga series because I adore the storyline so much! Marmalade Boy consists of a total of eight volumes. However, I'll just discuss the entire series in general and its plot. First, there's a girl named Miki Koishikawa, and her parents tell her they are getting divorced. Miki's parents went on a trip to Hawaii and met their college sweethearts, falling back in love with them. As a result, Miki meets her new mom and dad, the Matsuuras. She then encounters the Matsuura's son, Yuu. Miki instantly falls for Yuu. But then, Miki's best friend, Ginta, confesses his love to her. Most of the series revolves around whether Miki chooses Yuu or Ginta as her boyfriend. The subsequent volumes focus on Miki's romantic life with her chosen partner.
I have an inexplicable penchant for reading forbidden romances, particularly those involving family dynamics, as long as they aren't blood-related. This fascination drew me to Marmalade Boy.
Marmalade Boy stands out with its exceptional artwork for an older manga. It boasts several beautifully illustrated panels that are visually captivating.
The plot follows a familiar path for forbidden romance manga but introduces a unique twist: instead of typical step-siblings, the two main characters' families live together under one roof, and their parents swap spouses. The story initially progresses at a good pace, with Miki, the female protagonist, struggling to accept her new reality. Yuu, the male protagonist, is more reserved, making him intriguingly mysterious. I appreciated the dynamic contrast between them, finding their developing relationship both realistic and endearing. The love rivals in the story added depth, enhancing Miki and Yuu's bond, especially Arimi, who had distinct traits I enjoyed.
However, my enthusiasm waned towards the climax and falling action. Without giving too much away, the drama became somewhat implausible and could have been resolved more easily. The conflict stretched on to a point where it felt absurd, almost laughable. The way the protagonists reached their "conclusion" was perplexing, leaving me questioning their motives. While this critique might be overly harsh, it's the lasting impression I have from finishing the manga just two weeks ago.
In summary, I did enjoy Marmalade Boy despite some issues in the latter half. The family situation, though ridiculous, was unique, and the forbidden romance element was engaging. If you can overlook miscommunication and dramatic misunderstandings, I would recommend it. The bond between Yuu and Miki is undoubtedly strong, and their journey, while challenging, makes for an interesting read.
I struggled with the first book, but it got more enjoyable as I progressed. This series has its dull moments and occasionally the plots are too cliché to take seriously, yet it possesses a certain charm. Numerous characters come across as authentic. (And if mildly incestuous storylines pique your interest, this is definitely worth checking out. :P)
After reading "Handsome na Kanojo" by the same mangaka, I eagerly revisited "Marmalade Boy," having previously dropped it after two reads. This time, I completed it in nearly half a day without stopping.
I likely dropped it twice before because I was immature and disliked love triangles, not realizing most Shoujo manga end with the main couple together. The third time around, having read numerous other Shoujo manga and experienced various genres, storylines, and endings that left me heartbroken yet wiser, my perspective changed. Revisiting this manga, I enjoyed watching the main characters overcome obstacles and develop through their struggles.
The story is somewhat cliché, but I rate it 9/10 for its unique elements and an unexpectedly good final arc. Given the manga's age, societal norms about incest were stricter back then, making the last arc even more surprising. During this arc, I felt deeply immersed in Miki and Yuu’s emotions, almost to the point of tears. Additionally, the supporting characters' subplots kept things fresh, preventing boredom from focusing solely on Miki and Yuu. Each time their stories intersected, it renewed my excitement.
The art style suits my taste, contributing to the 9/10 rating. The mangaka excelled at depicting characters' emotions, inner turmoil, and thoughts using every panel effectively. This enhanced the drama, sadness, and shock conveyed, resonating deeply with me. Especially in the final arc, the portrayal of Miki and Yuu's feelings made me almost cry, particularly Yuu's overwhelming love and despair. Despite the storyline not fully explaining Yuu's feelings for Miki, his depicted emotions left no doubt in my mind about his genuine love for her.
The characters also merit a 9/10. They range from annoying to likable to idol-like, evoking anger and frustration at times due to their decisions. However, their character development made them realistic and relatable. By the end, while some characters remained largely unchanged, subtle shifts occurred. My neutral stance towards all characters by the end, losing initial negative feelings, is a rare achievement in manga.
Enjoyment scores a perfect 10/10. I loved the ups and downs, the romance, love triangles, humor, and drama. Sure, there were flaws, but they paled compared to the fun I had. Old manga holds a special place in my heart!
Overall, it’s a 10/10. The ending provided satisfying closure, the art appealed to me, and the emotional rollercoaster was thrilling. Next, I look forward to watching the "Marmalade Boy" movie to better understand Yuu's love for Miki. Excited! ;D
This is an excellent manga, far superior to the anime. The chapter flow is smooth without any unnecessary dramatic moments or filler content. It's beautifully crafted in just 40 chapters.
The comedy, seriousness, and emotional depth are all masterfully illustrated and written. This is undoubtedly one of the better mangas out there.
The parents were fantastic, and our main lead (ML) and female lead (FL) are great! I found myself gushing over them often and feeling heartache for them as well. The supporting characters were exceptional, each with their own stories and character growth.
I also loved the friendship between Miki and Meiko. And the best part? Arimi and Ginta are well-developed characters who get their own happy endings instead of being annoyingly lovelorn side characters.
Marmalade Boy is a shoujo romance-comedy manga by Wataru Yoshizumi.
Story:
Two couples decide to divorce and swap partners, then marry again. Sounds crazy? It is! But it's also very funny. Not only the adults, but their children, Miki and Yuu, also fall in love with each other. The story features plenty of typical shoujo elements, alongside comedic and touching moments. I enjoyed both the plot and its humor^^
Characters:
The main characters are Miki and her new stepbrother, Yuu. They didn't get along at first, but eventually fell in love. There are numerous supporting characters, such as Meiko (Miki’s friend), Ginta (whom Miki once had a crush on), and Namura (a teacher at Miki’s school and Meiko’s lover). I find the cast charming; all characters are likable.
Art:
I appreciate the mangaka's art style. She beautifully captures both sad and funny scenes^^ In my view, her style sometimes resembles Rumiko Takahashi’s, especially Yuu who reminds me of Ranma 1/2.
My opinion:
At first glance, Marmalade Boy may seem like a standard shoujo story. However, it offers much more. I loved the blend of serious and humorous scenes. I recommend this manga to every shoujo fan. But fans of other genres should give it a try too^^
Popular Reviews
Crazy love triangles... squares...? Well, there's an abundance of wild love scenarios. Following the initial parental "swap," it's understandable why Miki later becomes so bewildered in matters of the heart.
Swapping partners, parents living together, falling for your 'sibling,' student-teacher dynamics—this manga is brimming with unconventional romantic situations. Despite being primarily comedic, be warned: the characters don't always find happiness. The tale heats up with intense passion and emotions swirling around like a tempest.
I've recommended this to four people since it was suggested to me! Read it for laughs, fun, relatable characters, and a hearty dose of homemade chaos.
First review, please be nice ^^
Alright, first off, it's a classic story: girl falls in love with boy, boy already liked her, the usual. No idea why, but sometimes those turn out to be the best xD But unexpectedly, these two share a... strange relationship that leads to hilarious outcomes. Along their "journey of love," they encounter many bizarre situations. (Yes, I know this is vague—that's intentional. You should go read it yourself.)
Anyway, although the art isn't the best, it's pretty good. If you're looking for tragic, heart-wrenching stories that make you realize something about yourself, look elsewhere. But if you want a light, cheerful, and hilarious romantic comedy, you've found your match.
I'm re-reading this incredible manga series because I adore the storyline so much! Marmalade Boy consists of a total of eight volumes. However, I'll just discuss the entire series in general and its plot. First, there's a girl named Miki Koishikawa, and her parents tell her they are getting divorced. Miki's parents went on a trip to Hawaii and met their college sweethearts, falling back in love with them. As a result, Miki meets her new mom and dad, the Matsuuras. She then encounters the Matsuura's son, Yuu. Miki instantly falls for Yuu. But then, Miki's best friend, Ginta, confesses his love to her. Most of the series revolves around whether Miki chooses Yuu or Ginta as her boyfriend. The subsequent volumes focus on Miki's romantic life with her chosen partner.
I have an inexplicable penchant for reading forbidden romances, particularly those involving family dynamics, as long as they aren't blood-related. This fascination drew me to Marmalade Boy.
Marmalade Boy stands out with its exceptional artwork for an older manga. It boasts several beautifully illustrated panels that are visually captivating.
The plot follows a familiar path for forbidden romance manga but introduces a unique twist: instead of typical step-siblings, the two main characters' families live together under one roof, and their parents swap spouses. The story initially progresses at a good pace, with Miki, the female protagonist, struggling to accept her new reality. Yuu, the male protagonist, is more reserved, making him intriguingly mysterious. I appreciated the dynamic contrast between them, finding their developing relationship both realistic and endearing. The love rivals in the story added depth, enhancing Miki and Yuu's bond, especially Arimi, who had distinct traits I enjoyed.
However, my enthusiasm waned towards the climax and falling action. Without giving too much away, the drama became somewhat implausible and could have been resolved more easily. The conflict stretched on to a point where it felt absurd, almost laughable. The way the protagonists reached their "conclusion" was perplexing, leaving me questioning their motives. While this critique might be overly harsh, it's the lasting impression I have from finishing the manga just two weeks ago.
In summary, I did enjoy Marmalade Boy despite some issues in the latter half. The family situation, though ridiculous, was unique, and the forbidden romance element was engaging. If you can overlook miscommunication and dramatic misunderstandings, I would recommend it. The bond between Yuu and Miki is undoubtedly strong, and their journey, while challenging, makes for an interesting read.
I struggled with the first book, but it got more enjoyable as I progressed. This series has its dull moments and occasionally the plots are too cliché to take seriously, yet it possesses a certain charm. Numerous characters come across as authentic. (And if mildly incestuous storylines pique your interest, this is definitely worth checking out. :P)
After reading "Handsome na Kanojo" by the same mangaka, I eagerly revisited "Marmalade Boy," having previously dropped it after two reads. This time, I completed it in nearly half a day without stopping.
I likely dropped it twice before because I was immature and disliked love triangles, not realizing most Shoujo manga end with the main couple together. The third time around, having read numerous other Shoujo manga and experienced various genres, storylines, and endings that left me heartbroken yet wiser, my perspective changed. Revisiting this manga, I enjoyed watching the main characters overcome obstacles and develop through their struggles.
The story is somewhat cliché, but I rate it 9/10 for its unique elements and an unexpectedly good final arc. Given the manga's age, societal norms about incest were stricter back then, making the last arc even more surprising. During this arc, I felt deeply immersed in Miki and Yuu’s emotions, almost to the point of tears. Additionally, the supporting characters' subplots kept things fresh, preventing boredom from focusing solely on Miki and Yuu. Each time their stories intersected, it renewed my excitement.
The art style suits my taste, contributing to the 9/10 rating. The mangaka excelled at depicting characters' emotions, inner turmoil, and thoughts using every panel effectively. This enhanced the drama, sadness, and shock conveyed, resonating deeply with me. Especially in the final arc, the portrayal of Miki and Yuu's feelings made me almost cry, particularly Yuu's overwhelming love and despair. Despite the storyline not fully explaining Yuu's feelings for Miki, his depicted emotions left no doubt in my mind about his genuine love for her.
The characters also merit a 9/10. They range from annoying to likable to idol-like, evoking anger and frustration at times due to their decisions. However, their character development made them realistic and relatable. By the end, while some characters remained largely unchanged, subtle shifts occurred. My neutral stance towards all characters by the end, losing initial negative feelings, is a rare achievement in manga.
Enjoyment scores a perfect 10/10. I loved the ups and downs, the romance, love triangles, humor, and drama. Sure, there were flaws, but they paled compared to the fun I had. Old manga holds a special place in my heart!
Overall, it’s a 10/10. The ending provided satisfying closure, the art appealed to me, and the emotional rollercoaster was thrilling. Next, I look forward to watching the "Marmalade Boy" movie to better understand Yuu's love for Miki. Excited! ;D
This is an excellent manga, far superior to the anime. The chapter flow is smooth without any unnecessary dramatic moments or filler content. It's beautifully crafted in just 40 chapters.
The comedy, seriousness, and emotional depth are all masterfully illustrated and written. This is undoubtedly one of the better mangas out there.
The parents were fantastic, and our main lead (ML) and female lead (FL) are great! I found myself gushing over them often and feeling heartache for them as well. The supporting characters were exceptional, each with their own stories and character growth.
I also loved the friendship between Miki and Meiko. And the best part? Arimi and Ginta are well-developed characters who get their own happy endings instead of being annoyingly lovelorn side characters.
Marmalade Boy is a shoujo romance-comedy manga by Wataru Yoshizumi.
Story:
Two couples decide to divorce and swap partners, then marry again. Sounds crazy? It is! But it's also very funny. Not only the adults, but their children, Miki and Yuu, also fall in love with each other. The story features plenty of typical shoujo elements, alongside comedic and touching moments. I enjoyed both the plot and its humor^^
Characters:
The main characters are Miki and her new stepbrother, Yuu. They didn't get along at first, but eventually fell in love. There are numerous supporting characters, such as Meiko (Miki’s friend), Ginta (whom Miki once had a crush on), and Namura (a teacher at Miki’s school and Meiko’s lover). I find the cast charming; all characters are likable.
Art:
I appreciate the mangaka's art style. She beautifully captures both sad and funny scenes^^ In my view, her style sometimes resembles Rumiko Takahashi’s, especially Yuu who reminds me of Ranma 1/2.
My opinion:
At first glance, Marmalade Boy may seem like a standard shoujo story. However, it offers much more. I loved the blend of serious and humorous scenes. I recommend this manga to every shoujo fan. But fans of other genres should give it a try too^^