Animania

Fall in Love Like a Comic is a short, two volume series from Chitose Yagami that takes a look at high school mangaka (manga writer) who writes shojo manga but as never had a boyfriend. It was originally serialized in Japan's Ciao magazine in late 2002. Viz released the series as two volumes, however the second volume is really a separate sequel that was serialized sporadically in in Ciao and another magazine, Chuchu. Still, the two flow together very nicely, so I can see why Viz made the choice to just release as a whole story. I decided to pick it up after reading the first chapter when it was previewed in an issue of Shojo Beat.

The story focuses on Rena Sakura, a high schooler who hides the fact that she is a successful, professional mangaka from most people. Her best friend teases her about writing smutty manga when she's never even been on date, while her editor has mentioned that having actual experience would only make her writing even better. Enter Tomoyo Okita, a gorgeous schoolmate who stumbles on Rena's secret. With her editor's words still ringing in her ears, Rena impulsively asks Tomoyo to date her so she can gain experience. When he accepts though, she soon finds herself wanting to be more than Tomoyo's fake girlfriend, not realizing he wants her to stop seeing him as some perfect shojo manga boyfriend.

Though short, Fall in Love Like a Comic is a short, but fun series. Rena is cute and her surprising vulnerability and insecurities about her looks and whether Tomoyo really finds her attractive are a nice touch. With her success and popularity, one might have expected her to be more arrogant or aggressive. My only minor annoyance is that Yagami drew Rena in such a way that she looks like a elementary or middle schooler. Very small, short, with big huge eyes and a child-like figure. She's the only character given such an appearance, and its jarring at first to see her then sharing rather heated kisses with Tomoyo, who looks like a normal high school boy. Still,

Rating: B+