KISSED BY THE DARK ALPHA

Claudine – Spoiler Free – Recommended  

TLDR  
Story – 7/10 – 7 x 0.275 = 1.925  
Art – 5/10 – 5 x 0.2 = 1  
Characters – 4/10 – 4 x 0.225 = 0.9  
Enjoyment – 6.5/10 – 6.5 x 0.3 = 1.95  
Total: 5.775 -> 6  

Story – 7/10  
Claudine is a trans manga classic published in 1978 by Riyoko Ikeda, the mangaka behind The Rose of Versailles. This manga holds the distinction of being one of the first to feature an openly trans character in manga.  
Claudine was assigned female at birth but always identified as a boy from an early age, though most characters, including Claudine herself, use female pronouns when referring to her.  
Much of the story is narrated through her therapist.  
This brief narrative quickly shifts into a series of romantic entanglements involving Claudine. Beyond these relationships, there isn't much else to the plot—no overarching storyline beyond the romances she experiences. The relationship with her father could have been explored further, and the pacing at the start has some issues.  
However, Claudine constantly grapples with an undefined pain: it's explicitly stated that it was a mistake for God to give her a woman's body but a man's heart. She must navigate the complexities of falling in love with other women while being assigned female at birth, and living with a female identity while feeling like a boy. This resonates with themes found in trans literature—the suffering caused by something the person can't fully articulate yet still feels deeply—a condition known as gender dysphoria. This is undoubtedly the story's redeeming factor, as the rest remains unremarkable.  
In essence, Claudine resembles a trans manga version of The Sorrows of Young Werther in certain aspects, clearly drawing inspiration from it.  

Art – 5/10  
The art style in Claudine feels somewhat dated, creating an unconventional visual experience. However, the page composition is intriguing and innovative, especially considering it's a manga from the 1970s. There are some flaws in character design, but it ultimately serves its purpose effectively, which is what truly matters.  

Characters – 4/10  
Claudine doesn't feature a large cast. Aside from the protagonist, Claudine, the supporting characters lack development. Additionally, the early romantic arcs involving Claudine aren't explored deeply in terms of character dynamics. That said, not much can be expected from a 100-page manga.  

Enjoyment – 6.5/10  
One reads Claudine primarily because it's a trans manga classic, not for its engaging story or flawless execution. The narrative is uninteresting, and there are pacing issues at the beginning. Nevertheless, it's a quick read with the trans element serving as its standout feature. For this reason, and because it's a classic that can be consumed rapidly, contributing to otaku culture, it deserves a recommendation, albeit not an enthusiastic one.

This manga was suggested to me because it supposedly offers a somber and serious depiction of transgender issues.  

That is indeed a rarity. I can only think of two manga that I would classify as somber or serious portrayals of transgender themes. The majority tend to be lighthearted comedies akin to 'Prunus Girl' or 'Boku Girl.' So, when I heard about this one, I was genuinely intrigued.  

So, how would I evaluate 'Claudine'? Well, it is a serious manga, and it does center around a transgender man. However, I wouldn't categorize Claudine as a manga focused on transgender issues. This is because such themes never really surface as significant challenges in the narrative.  

Claudine accepted his identity as transgender at a young age without much doubt. With the exception of his mother, he is universally accepted and cherished for who he is. He is often described as personable, charming, and intelligent. Even the psychiatrist hired by his mother to assess him ends up agreeing with Claudine's self-perception. In short, Claudine doesn't grapple with acceptance or identity struggles. He isn't mocked, bewildered, or alienated because of his identity.  

Now, a manga featuring a transgender character doesn't need to delve into these issues, though it seems improbable given the setting. Nevertheless, shouldn't these themes arise somewhere in the story?  

In Claudine's case, the author ties his transgender identity to his romantic life. Yet again, I question whether this truly constitutes an issue.  

For starters, Claudine has a tendency to fall for women, and he is highly popular among them. One of them is his childhood friend, who adores him deeply and is willing to do anything for him. Other women in his life also hold varying degrees of affection for him.  

In fact, there was only one instance where Claudine's transgender status seemed to pose an actual problem, but the surrounding circumstances made it unclear. The other romantic arcs follow standard love-and-loss tropes. Overall, transgenderism rarely becomes a central issue.  

In conclusion, Claudine is a decent read, but I cannot recommend it if you're seeking insights into LGBT issues. If you're looking for a manga about transgender experiences—understandably so, given their scarcity—unfortunately, Claudine isn't the right choice.  

If you decide to read it, approach it as a brief, enjoyable story with a distinctive character. That way, you'll likely appreciate the manga more.

Interesting as a museum piece and brief enough to read on a whim, which is definitely a plus. In the end, though, I felt the story was somewhat lacking in depth. There isn't much actual conflict since most characters readily accept Claudine's identity as a man without significant resistance. The few characters who do question Claudine's gender typically don't pursue this line of thought for more than a single chapter. Additionally, the tragic ending seemed somewhat contrived because we didn't spend much time with the key characters aside from Claudine.  

The art, however, is truly stunning and impressive. It serves as an excellent example of the Gothic style, which later became less popular compared to the style we now associate with "manga" or "anime."  

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A respectful and fairly early portrayal of a trans man in manga, yet it calls for a bit more depth. Instead of delving deeply into one concept or storyline, Ikeda alternates between several romances, with the tenuous connecting thread being Claude's struggle to make others understand him.

The art is strong, which isn't unexpected from a true shojo star. The backgrounds and fashion are truly the standout features here. While the characters aren't particularly fascinating visually (partly due to Ikeda's role in shaping the shojo style), her backgrounds are rich in detail and portray a more contemporary France than VERSAILLES.

The romances themselves aren't especially engaging, as previously noted. They are affected by "serialized syndrome," featuring some abrupt endings that don't clearly propel the story forward, merely to conclude within the monthly page limit.

Claudine is an intriguing subject for a manga, but it would be far more effective if it focused on one idea for longer than just a chapter. <p>

Claudine is the type of manga that has earned the label "ahead of its time." It tackles discussions we rarely see handled so effectively, even today, when sensitive subjects like transsexuality and homoaffectivity are often fetishized.  

He is a man who frequently asserts his identity as a man (a trans man), yet this does not shield him from the suffering that love can bring, just like any other human being. As with classic romanticism, the reader encounters the tragic theme of either unrequited love or love forbidden by societal constraints, reminiscent of stories like Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde...  

For Claudine, happiness always seems out of reach; there's always an obstacle preventing him from fully flourishing in relationships. However, this does not drive him to settle for anyone, which is a crucial detail in the narrative.  

I look forward to exploring more of the author's works.  

<p>

I came across this manga on TVTropes and read that it's renowned for featuring a character who is a woman but identifies as a man, with the story portraying her in a humane, respectful, and empathetic manner. I wasn't sure if I'd have time to read it, but when my Modern Japan class got canceled and I had nothing else to do, I decided to head to the library and give it a try since it's only one volume long...and wow, they were absolutely right about the manga's respectful portrayal of the transgender main character and the challenges he (I'll refer to Claudine as "he" since he identifies as male) faces...and here's the kicker? This manga was written in 1978, set in 20th century France, and authored by Riyoko Ikeda, famous for The Rose of Versailles! Why isn't this manga more widely recognized?

The plot is relatively straightforward. Claudine de Montesse is the daughter of a French nobleman and the first child to truly resemble her father. At the age of eight, she began identifying as male, asserting that she was born in the wrong body, much to the astonishment of her family. Her well-meaning but bewildered mother takes him to a doctor, unsure of what to do. The doctor and Claudine become friends, though they rarely spend much time together. The only ones who truly accept his gender identity are his father and his clingy childhood friend, Rosemarie. Unfortunately, even with their support, Claudine's attempts to find love and be accepted as a man end in tragedy one after another, especially when he uncovers certain secrets about his family and loves that he may not be ready for.

You might be surprised by the rating I gave this. You might be thinking, "If you really think this manga deserves a 7 out of 10, why are you so enthusiastic about it? Don't you like it?" Well, the reason I ranked this manga rather low is because there are quite a few elements that felt forced or turned me off. The first is the melodrama. It places too much emphasis on certain scenes, making them come off as very contrived, especially the characters' reactions (though I suspect this is due to the way they're drawn). But then again, this was created in the seventies, so melodrama was standard fare at the time. The second thing that really bothered me were some of the twists revealed. I won't go into detail about them and the melodrama, as these twists are VERY FULL OF SPOILERS and have a MAJOR impact on the story afterward. What should be a great manga about the transgender main character is somewhat overshadowed by a strange, convoluted, and unnecessary web of relationships that's much too complex for even me to keep track of, and the actions of some characters made me cringe. I feel that if the manga was longer, it could have developed these elements more and made them subtler. I wonder if the subject matter is why the manga is so short? Maybe Ikeda couldn't extend it beyond one volume?

However, despite the manga's significant and glaring flaws that prevent me from rating it higher, I still deeply respect it. Why? There are so many small details about this manga that I genuinely appreciate. For one, Claudine's father actually accepts her gender identity even though, in the 19th century, transsexuality or homosexuality were considered mental disorders and maligned by everyone back then, and he conveys this with this line: "God made an error in not giving him a male body." If that's not a true sign of love and appreciation, then I don't know what is, even though he has his own issues later on. Normally, fathers are the quickest to hate their children if they decide to be homosexual or transgender. It's just SO INCREDIBLY refreshing to find a fictional father figure who still loves his child regardless of what they decide they are! And in a manga set in the 20th century, no less!

Another aspect I truly admire is Claudine himself. From what I've heard elsewhere, transgender individuals have often been portrayed in manga and anime as flamboyantly gay or just acting gay for the sake of showcasing their sexuality, which is rather insensitive. Wandering Son is an exception to this rule, along with Claudine. Claudine is a remarkable and well-rounded character. He's not flamboyant or flirtatious or any other poorly executed gay stereotype. He's simply a human being with flaws, who makes mistakes, is easily saddened by tragic events in his life, and who deserves as much respect, love, and acceptance as anyone else does, but most people he encounters don't like him because he's "technically" a girl and not a man, which he claims to be. However, I must admit, the final element of this manga that irked me was the ending. Not because it was rushed or poorly done or anything like that. In fact, it's very well done and worth it. But it's just plain sad. Sad sad sad. I won't spoil it, but let's just say that what Claudine does at the end is sadly reminiscent of what young gay and transgender kids are doing today after years of bullying drive them to their limits. I wish it had a happy ending, but still, this ending is well done, so I'll give it some leeway.

Despite all of this manga's problems, this is definitely a guilty pleasure that I'll continue to enjoy. If the forced twists and relationship complications were removed, it would be a masterpiece. But I can fully love it for what it gets absolutely right, and more people should too!

Am really enjoying this book

ah a new challenger, welcome on the path of insanity, the path ahead is a treacherous one full of holes and with unchanging scenery, treading it is certainly dangerous for your well being, but fear not it surely cant be that bad can it ? well... maybe, or maybe not, you probably think youre strong, confident in yourself that u can reach the end, youve read other comments and learned about nature of this path, read tags which piqued your interest but all of that is an illusion trying to lure u into this trap i warn u challenger u might regret undertaking this path if u ever reach 100 chapters mark i wont bat an eye if u reach 200 chapters ill be impressed, if u reach 300 chapters you might already consider if your choice was right or not. if u ever reach 400 chapters ill be amazed. if you reach 500 chapters ill be shocked . if u ever reach 600 chapters ill doubt. if u reach the end youre beyond saving. i challenge u, im at 297 chapters as of 15.11.2023 will u go further ?