Doubt!! Vol. 1 Paperback – March 1, 2005

Let's get it out of the way that the characters are shallow, problematic, and all-around bad role models, but they were entertaining. There was an eccentric enough tone that none of it felt serious in intent. My main complaint is the male love interest is the flirty playboy archetype that kills all incentive for further reading.

I've been reading manga for a looooong time (we're talking more than a decade), and this series is still one of my favorites! I just felt that the struggles and doubts that the protagonist experiences were incredibly realistic, and written in such a humorous and heartfelt way. She enters high school thinking that a gmakeover is going to solve her problems--but not only does it add to her problems, her old insecurities are still there! Really well done, I wish the artist had done more than six volumes.

This was an enjoyable, entertaining manga featuring Ai Maekawa and her journey to transform from a nerdy, plain "jimi" (Japanese slang for a plain, studious girl) to a cute, popular girl. Following a rather pained journey through middle school Ai studies for her high school entrance examinations with exuberance determined to change her life. After an extreme diet and beauty regiment she enters a high school where she doesn't know anyone hoping for a fresh start...but she keeps receiving anonymous notes from someone who claims to know her past. Will Ai be able to keep her secret without losing her head or her dignity? Find out!! This was a good, quick read and I could definitely identify with the character's desire to make her life better. New series from Izumi Kaneyoshi.

Auf den ersten Blick dachte ich, Ai wäre bloß ein typisches unbeliebtes Mädchen, dass mit etwas make-up zum hübschen (aber dummen) Schwan wird... und eigentlich ist sie das auch, aber dennoch ist sie liebenswert und benimmt sich natürlich. Ihre alltäglichen Problemsituationen, sind solche, die der Leser gut nachempfinden kann und sich auch selbst darin wieder erkennen kann.Die Kernaussage des Mangas ist auch nicht "Schmink dich und du wirst beliebt." sondern "Wenn du unglücklich mit deiner Situation bist, dann steh auf und tue etwas dagegen.".Die Zeichnungen sind sehr gelungen, von wunderschöner Strichführung bis hin zum geschicktem Einsatz von Rasterfolien.Die Randkommentare der Mangaka sind auch einfach nur genial, lebensnah und sehr sympathisch.