I guess I am on the roll with all these manga reviews. With that, we will focus on the first volume of Comic Girls, which focuses on Kaoruko dorms at an all-girls mangaka dormitory.
Author: Hanzawa Kaori (はんざわかおり)
Publisher: Manga Time KR Comics (Serialized in Manga Time Max)
Original Release Date: April 27, 2015
Where to Buy: CDJapan
Synopsis
A high school girl named Moeta Kaoruko (Pen name: Kaos) received a bad result on her reader survey. Amisawa, Kaoruko’s editor suggests Kaoruko to stay at an all-girls mangaka dorm to improve her craft. On the day she arrived at the dorm, Ririko, who manages the dorm shows Kaoruko to her room. Her roommate is Koiduka Koyume, a shoujo mangaka who apparently can’t draw men. Eventually, Tsubasa (Pen name: Wing V.), who is a shounen mangaka and Ruki (Pen name: Big Boobies Himeko), an eromanga Teen’s Love mangaka eventually introduce themselves. Kaoruko and Koyume eventually helps Tsubasa and eventually a sleepy Ruki later on.
Aside from the introduction, Kaoruko and Koyume eventually start their first day of school. Of course, Kaoruko’s introduction didn’t go so well. Also, the girls eventually go to an art supply shop to buy supplies and later went the beach. Kaoruko at some point sneaks out to go to Akihabara to buy a figurine. However, she becomes lost after buying the figurine and exploring a store.
Later on, Koyume tries to get closer with Tsubasa. To do this, she dresses as a maid and tries to do chores for Tsubasa. However, it reveals Koyume’s clumsiness as she stacked boxes instead of organizing them and put too much sugar into the coffee for Tsubasa. She eventually ends up making a big mess. To make up for that, Koyume have Tsubasa dress up in more feminine clothing. Lastly, Kaoruko becomes upset that only her mother as she struggles to even complete one panel. Eventually, her friends decided to help her and she manages to receive two messages excluding the one from her mother. Sadly, these messages only complimented her on the scenery, which her friends helped her out on.
Also, Koyume and Ruki have Kaoruko try out different outfits and hairstyles. Lastly, Ririko tries to figure out what food to cook for Kaoruko and Koyume since they were not eating the meals she provided.
Thoughts
I have to admit that while the anime followed the manga with some additions for the most part, Comic Girls manga is definitely a fun read. It’s mostly because of the characters. Kaoruko, who is a cry-baby, manages to attract animals when she is alone and usually self-depreciates herself, especially given her child-like appearance. While she cries a lot, she is still an enjoyable character. It’s because of her cute appearance, her otaku tendencies and how she interacts with her friends. This is especially the case when Ruki and Koyume eventually have her try on the elementary school girl outfit. This can explain why Ruki get along with her well since she uses her in place of her rabbit plush to nap during break.
Of course, there is Koyume. I have to admit that she is a fun character too mostly because she is energetic and outgoing. Not only she has cute looks, she also has an attractive body that Ruki yearns for. She also attracted to Tsubasa for obvious reason. It’s not surprising since she looks like the ideal prince, especially when she dresses as her main protagonist from her manga.
As you would expect with most Manga Time Kirara manga series, there is a good number of yuri ship-teasing moments, even in the manga. This includes Koyume wearing a roll of masking tape as a ring that Tsubasa bought and not using any of it. Of course, there is the aforementioned chapter where Koyume tries to get closer with Tsubasa. I have to admit that Tsubasa did look adorable in the dress Koyume have her try on.
Also, the chapter where Kaoruko tries to sneak out to buy figurines was hilarious. It’s mostly because a police officer figured that Kaoruko is a lost child. As expected, Kaoruko ran away and hid in a box waiting for her friends to rescue her. But we do learn that Tsubasa watches the same mecha anime that Kaoruko watched when Tsubasa saw figurines from that show. It’s not surprising to see this since she played video games with her in the anime. To me, it’s nice to see Kaoruko have something in common with her friends.
Lastly, there is the artwork. I have to admit the artwork is excellent and pleasing. It’s not surprising since the character designs are pretty and cute. The scenery is also nice along with nice shading in some of the panels. While the manga creation aspect isn’t as technical as there isn’t much focus on the craft compared to something like New Game. To me, it’s more akin to the likes of Stella no Mahou. If you are curious about the manga after watching some of the anime, I would definitely give it a try. With that, I look forward to reading the second volume in the near future.
