Marmalade Boy, Vol. 4

ママレード・ボーイ [Marmalade Boy] #4

by Wataru Yoshizumi

And you thought your family was strange? Miki's world gets turned upside down when her parents swap spouses with another couple and all decide to live together under one roof. It only gets weirder when Miki falls in love with her new stepbrother Like a dysfunctional version of the Brady Bunch, Marmalade Boy will hook readers with its odd premise and wacky relationships.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Comics, Shojo, Young Adult, Comics Manga

187 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1994

About the author

Wataru Yoshizumi (吉住渉) is a Japanese mangaka. She was born as Mari Nakai (中井 真里, Nakai Mari) on June 18, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated with a degree in economics from Hitotsubashi University.

Yoshizumi started her career as a mangaka while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a yomikiri (short story) called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social mangaka, and is a good friend of fellow mangakas Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa.

Yoshizumi currently (as of 2007) has her works published in both Ribon and Chorus.

Reviews

[Yukino · Rating 4 out of 5]

MARMALADE BOY GOLD, VOL 4

Lettura di gruppo E&L

Letteralemente divorato
Ho riso troppo all'inizio Meiko e Miki che investigano per sapere se Yu e Miwa sono gay. Giuro che avevo le lacrime agli occhi.
Le cose iniziano ad farsi serie la famiglia di miki e yu vanno via un weekend e Miki scopre che anche li Yu si è visto con Miwa. E non riesce proprio a capire cosa stanno combinando. Mi diverte un casino che lei e Meiko fanno le investigatrici XD
Miwa nel frattempo corteggia Meiko. Mi fa troppo ridere, ma allo stesso tempo è troppo tenero. Miki e Meiko seguono un giorno Yu e Miwa, e scoprono che si sono visti con il padre di Miwa archietto. E così Meiko rivela a Miki che pensa che Yu foglia fare archiettura, e la dolce Miki capisce di non conoscere affatto Yu e così quando rientra a casa va in camera di Yu ma lui arriva e bisticciano. Povera Miki sentirsi dire che non sono affari suoi la distrugge, ha distrutto anche me intendiamoci, quindi figuratevi lei. Così nei giorni successivi evita Yu fino a che non vanno in gita insieme. Tenero Yu che la "rapisce" e poi le spiega tutto perchè non vuole che questo segreto li divida. E che segreto! Yu in realtà è il fratellastro di Miwa ! e quando incontra il presunto padre Miki va con Yu (tenerissima, e la faccia di Yu quando lei dice che vuole accompagnarlo è davvero impagabile) Ma come finisce? quindi non è lui il padre? e chi è il padre di Yu? io lo so, ma sto male lo stesso al pensiero di quello che succederà a breve. >_<
Avevo messo quattro stelle, e anche se mi è piaciuto confermo. Sempre bello, ma rispetto agli altri manca qualcosina. Sono un 4.5 stelle


Prima rilettura

SONO PICCOLI PROBLEMI DI CUORE, NATI DA UN'AMICIZIA CHE PROFUMA D'AMORE...

E' inutile che io mi illuda, questo manga mi piace quanto allora, e poi alcuni passaggi me li ero dimenticati! Che emozione rituffarsi nelle vicende di Yu e Miki.

Insomma per farla breve l'ho divorato. Pagina per pagina, e Yu, ma quanto sei bello???Così enigmatico, glaciale e dolce allo stesso tempo, ma come fai? Ah...l'amour!

Volume pieno di sorprese e di divertimento assicurato, anche se una lacrimuccia qui ci è scappata.

Ad ogni modo, lo consiglio? Certo! da leggere e da avere assolutamente.Per tutti i romanticoni a cui piace la storia con un pò di intrighi alla beautiful (anche meglio a dir la verità).

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

La storia si fa intrigante, questo capitolo è tutto dedicato a Yu.
Il fatto che trascorra molto tempo con Satoshi ha fatto nascere strane voci sul vero rapporto che c'è tra i due.
Miki, ovviamente, cerca di scoprire cosa c'è veramente tra di loro... anche se mai può immaginare la verità!

Ammetto che non ricordavo affatto questo il colpo di scena (nè il colpo di scena finale)!
La storia è avvincente, i personaggi mi piacciono (anche se le dinamiche tra i genitori di Miki e Yu continuano a sembrarmi assurde).

[Natalia Bas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña del manga: ''Marmalade Boy'', de Wataru Yoshizumi (manga, relaciones varias, romántico, juvenil...) Serie de 8 tomos. PANETA-DeAGOSTINI COMICS.

Hace media vida, en un momento en que me tomé un tiempo para mí... descubrí en una cadena de televisión que se ha quedado algo atrás, con tanta cadena comercial actual..., una serie de dibujos japoneses que me encantó; aún con sus tintes de telenovela... La llamaron ''La familia crece'', y hasta llegué a imitar la voz de la protagonista, se entiende: la voz de la actriz de doblaje ^^

La veía junto a mi felino...

Tenía un colorido llamativo, una historia desternillante y a la vez adulta, para sus jóvenes personajes, y una melodía preciosa, que se solía reservar para las apariciones de la amiga de la prota.

Resultó que había un manga, por tomos, que compré religiosamente, y disfruté un montón. Se podría decir que de esta manera volví al manga; ya que empecé hace aún más tiempo, de peque (cuando no tenía idea de lo que era un manga...), con los tomos de ''Candy Candy''...

Recuerdo que la autora confesó que la historia iba a ir al revés, y que su editor le aconsejó el cambio...

Una historia que me pareció muy alegre, original, interesante... en esos momentos ya.

Con unos dibujos preciosos que intentaba conseguir en mis ratos de ''dibujanta''... y que; aunque no con el ''romanticismo'' de las autoras más veteranas, entonces, mantenían un encanto singular.

La historia comienza con dos familias que empiezan a vivir juntas, después de que cada pareja de padres se divorcie y se case otra vez: esta vez, cambiando de pareja... ¿A que parece una telenovela?, pues la historia continúa con los hijos de estas parejas... y sus amigos, en la escuela, y de fiesta... pero no olvidemos a los padres, y sus ''secretos''...

Evidentemente tiene que haber amor, y celos, y enredos, y confesiones ¿a tiempo?...

También se toca el tema de las relaciones entre profesores y alumnos, que está muy bien, y en general me parece que en su momento, y más en la cultura japonesa, por lo que se dice de otras culturas..., fue una ''bomba''.

¿Qué creéis que pasará con los hijos de estos 4 padres?, ¿lo sabéis?, ¿visteis la serie, o la leísteis?, ¿cuál fue vuestro personaje..., o pareja favoritos?

Continuará...

[ayaaa__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estoy súper enganchada con estos mangas!! Sólo quiero que mis padres hagan un cambio de pareja para en contarme a un Yú... Creo que ha sonado un poco raro...
De todos modos, creo que el volumen 4 y el 2 son los mejores!!

[Brooke O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

If they could just kiss once more that would be greatttt

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Ginta! 4, I feel badly for him, stars.

[Judyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5/5
[Also available at my blog.]



I am really enjoying this series. It just seems to get better every volume. It’s complete shojo, and for a junkie like me, it’s fantastic. I am so glad that I was able to get them all at one time, because it would be hard to find all the volumes, and I would be so disappointed to have to stop at any point.

The last volume stopped with Yuu planning to do something with Miwa. And this one starts with everyone at school gossiping about how they might be having a secret love affair with each other. This is mostly because they’ve been hanging out together a lot lately, and neither of them were really all that close with another male before that. Meiko is intrigued for her own amusement, and Miki is outraged. Miki is not happy about this rumor at all, or the possibility it might be true, and so strikes up a competition with Miwa. He realizes what she’s thinking and does it just to mess with her, and ends up winning. From there, there’s some hanging out, some shopping, and we find out that Miwa has an interest in Meiko.

And then Yuu and Miki’s parents decide that they are going away for the weekend, on a trip that they are sure one of them told the two about. This is something that I find really fun to watch: their parents. They’re still getting used to living together and are just having fun together, and it’s obvious they’re enjoying it, and this isn’t the first time they thought someone else had informed the kids of something.

After a moment, the kids agree and they arrive. The family plays some tennis together, and then Yuu starts acting a little weird. When Miki tries to follow him, she gets lost and then in some trouble, and later when she talks to Yuu, he freaks out a little bit.

In the next chapter, the group goes to the movies together, courtesy of Miwa. Of course, they end up separated, with Miwa and Meiko together, and Yuu and Miki together. Miki and Yuu end up holding hands and going on a walk, including stopping by an arcade. While Miwa kind of forces Meiko into hanging out with him, getting something to eat, and then walking her home and kissing her on the cheek, which makes her all flustered.

Later, Meiko and Miki follow the boys, and find out that Miwa’s father is some famous architect, which frazzles Miki, because she didn’t know that he was interested in that stuff. Miki and Yuu have a bit of a fight, their classes go on a trip, they run into Arimi and Rokutanda, we see Ginta some more… We find out that Arimi has given up on Yuu and is trying to get over him.

In the last chapter, we find out that – dun dun dun! – Yuu is not his father’s son. This is absurd, and distracts Miki from everything. Miwa starts going after Meiko more seriously (and I wasn’t bought on Miwa’s long hair until I saw him with short hair). Miki disappoints Ginta by not going to his big tennis match because she decides she’s going to join Yuu and Miwa to talk with Miwa’s father. Where we find out that Miwa’s father is not Yuu’s father, because he didn’t have that kind of relationship with Yuu’s mother. So, if he isn’t his father’s son, he’s the son of someone else.

Drama is happening, you guys. I wasn’t all that thrilled with this plot twist, but I’m hoping that it turns out alright, that something not-too stereotypical happens. I like Miki and Yuu and hope something happens with them soon. I feel a bit bad about Ginta, and wonder if something’s going to happen with him. I really like Meiko’s character and just want to know what’s going to happen with her next, and I don’t mind her and Miwa together.

I am looking forward to starting the next volume.

[Giulia ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totalmente innamorata di questo manga! *O*

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, man... just when you thought it couldn't get any weirder or more complex, a character's paternity is thrown into question! Yay!

[Annuccia Palmeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi sto divertendo un sacco a leggerlo 😍

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Not only do Miki's parents announce that they are getting a divorce, but also that they will remarry and both new couples are to share a house. Although Miki is dead set against it - her new stepbrother, Yuu, makes her think it might not be so bad after all.

Marmalade Boy is probably the most popular work of Wataru Yoshizumi - and rightly so! It stays true to many of her typical elements while leaving out a lot of things that are weaker in her other works.

The art is adorable - it is much more refined compared to older series. I never liked her style in terms of male characters particularly much, but her girls are all the cuter. I love how her style is so simple and yet charming - I feel as though I can appreciate this style more than I did when I was first introduced to this author.

I love the pacing. It is so rare that a romance manga is neither rushed nor dragged out. And that, in particular, is something I always find to be the case with Yoshizumi's works. There was not a single moment in the series where I felt there was a lack of or too much of anything. This, and the characters, gave the story a very natural flow.

Putting aside the strange starting point of the story where the parents have a partner switch, Marmalade Boy felt unusually realistic for a shoujo manga. The characters' interactions seemed very believable. There were, as typical for Yoshizumi, a lot of rivals for all the romance - but it was always dealt with quite nicely without adding too much drama and characters knowing when it was time to give up.

The romance between the main characters was adorable. The romance developed at a steady pace that kept it interesting enough for the reader and plausible enough for them to eventually get together. The romance between the supporting characters was no different - one could easily relate to why characters liked each other.

Quite untypical for Yoshizumi was the fact that not all characters ended up with partners. Usually, everyone ends up in a pair - but I think the story profits by not following that route. I think that is one of the things that always tend to drag out her stories.

Then, as is usual for Yoshizumi, Miki has a best friend, Meiko. And their friendship is wonderful. They are both very different kinds of characters but always watch out for one another in their own way. I think Miki and Meiko are true friends - Meiko is more than just a supporting character who Miki can confine to. And Meiko has her own life and issues which Miki actively supports her with.

Yuu and Miki are also nice lead characters. Yuu remains a bit of a mystery for about half of the series but he is never too closed up to be your typical untouchable shoujo male lead. Miki is a happy, feminine but strong girl. She speaks her mind, cares for her friends, cries when she is sad but gets up again when she knows she needs to be strong.

Miki and Yuu's story is definitely one of most fun 90's romance that I've read and it is one that is always fun to go through again. It would probably be my first recommendation in regards to Wataru Yoshizumi!

[Chiara.L · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'inizio è la parte che mi è piaciuta meno, anzi mi ha proprio dato sui nervi.
Non so quanto dipendesse dal fatto che Miki fosse gelosa o quanto la cultura nipponica abbia influito, ma tutti quei commenti omofobi mi hanno davvero infastidita.
Dire che Yuri deve essere normale implica che se fosse gay questo lo renderebbe diverso, strano, anormale.

Detto ciò, Volume carino.
Yuri e presidente del consiglio sono convinti di essere fratelli. Miki è gelosa del loro rapporto (finisce anche in infermeria perché investe un palo della luce durante una maratona contro il presidente del corpo studentesco, di cui davvero non ricordo il nome).
Meiko torna a scuola, tra le occhiatacce dei compagni di istituto.
La famigliola allargata va in vacanza, dove Yuri si incontra con presidente e Miki li segue, perdendosi e venendo quasi aggredita da due collegiali ubriachi. Per una volta i genitori fanno qualcosa di buono.
Miki scopre da Meiko che Yuri è appassionato di architettura e si rende conto che pur avendo condiviso casa per un anno, non sa niente di Yuri, eppure se ne è innamorata (Mistero!).
Decide di affrontarlo e lui le dice che non le ha confidato nulla perché non è una cosa che la riguarda. La sua reazione: evitarlo! Come al solito. Miki reagisce come una bambina.
Si arriva alla gita scolastica dove: Miki si perde così incontra Yuri, i due iniziano a discutere (Miki schiaffeggia Yuri), Arimi si attacca a Yuri ma poi confessa a Ginta che ha mollato la presa. Ginta ammette di aver perso le speranze.
Dopo di che Miki e Yuri chiariscono e Yuri le confessa che crede che il padre di presidente sia anche suo padre.
Intanto presidente ci prova con Meiko: senza molto successo.
Appuntamento a quattro al cinema.

[Natali TabaiBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Al fin, algo de avance en esta historia de amor. Pero Si! Miwa! Como me gusta este personaje, es perfectamente divertido.
Yuu por su lado, a pesar de querer avanzar con su relacion con Miki, tambien tiene en mente su futuro y las cosas que le interesan, como la arquitectura. El problema es que Miki a pesar de vivir bajo el mismo techo con el por masde un año, no tiene idea de las cosas que le gustan a Yuu y ahora nuevamente es algo triste y complicado para ella.
Hay un viaje de estudios a Hokkaido y ellos siguen tensos y distanciados. Pero en este mismo viaje hay una gran confesion por parte de Yuu… problemas de paternidad??? Cuando el mundo no puede estar mas revuelto llega Yuu para hacerlo mas complicado.

[Saya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madre mía, la cantidad de red flags que tiene este manga, eh. Lo veo ahora con la perspectiva que dan más de dos décadas de experiencias de reguleras a malas a mis espaldas, y bufff... ¿Por qué es Miki la que se siente mal y se disculpa cuando claramente es Yuu el que está siendo un egoísta que necesita ir al psicólogo? Al menos Meiko intenta poner mucha distancia entre ella y el niñato de Satoshi Miwa, pero aun así ellos siguen insistiendo, erre que erre, engatusando, agarrando del brazo, besando sin consentimiento, sin aceptar un "no" por respuesta. En fin, red flags everywhere. Pese a todo, me gusta cómo está escrito este manga: las viñetas, el humor, las transiciones... Tengo conflicto con eso, no lo voy a negar...

[♡Kayla♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh finally!! The last two volumes (mainly vol 3) left a lot to be desired from the characters, story, and romance, and in this one we get so many new developments! The cliffhanger was quite something too, it definitely makes me look forward to the next one. My favorite thing that happened was definitely the progress of Miki and Yuu's relationship, and not just romantically (nothing too romantic happened at all really), but their friendship grew, and as we all know a good friendship is an important foundation to any healthy romantic relationship. It really makes me like them more together.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the abnormal family just got more abnormal! With the additional twist of Yuu’s dilemna over his parentage, the story got a little more serious and less romantic and all. However for the character growth, I do think this issues are necessary. It can show how Miki will react if Yuu is facing something.

The “gay” theme was a bit funny though. And that Miwas liking Meiko? Ha! That is nice too.

[Priscilla Pereira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esse volume tem uma boa melhora do casal principal e um bom drama acontecendo em paralelo com o protagonista masculino. Mas Marmalade é um romancinho água com açúcar não tem muita coisa além disso. É bom pra quem gosta do gênero, mas eu não me encaixo muito nesse público, então acaba sendo meio meh pra mim.

[Valentina Vasapolli · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Durante la prima cena tutti insieme, cominciasti a piangere e ti opponesti con tutte le forze alla decisione dei tuoi. Al contrario di me, reagisti con estrema spontaneità e lottasti per far valere le tue idee. Invece di tenertele per te, ne parlasti apertamente con tutti noi, è per questo che ti amo."

[Samy Sanzana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ignorando que se haya hecho más escandalo por la relación "peligrosa" entre Yuu y Miwa (increible), que por el profe y Meiko, pues que haya tanto enredo familiar esta super random TIENE COMO 6 PAPÁS EL CHICO YA BASTA

[Em Mirra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pending.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Miki figures out she likes Yuu, but Yuu is spending more time with a cute boy instead of her? Hehe!

[Benny Leoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://ioamoilibrieleserietv.blogspo...

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read it without knowing what it is about but it's entertaining, if i read it when i'm in middle school i would definitely love it and get emotional as i read it. I still have fun reading it.

[María José · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es que no puedo parar de leerlos!! Me encantan!!

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT?! Two plot twists in one volume???? Well... who’s Yuu’s father then?!?!

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes! We finally get to know who the mystery guy is!
Things seem to be calming down a bit, with a nice school trip with friends.
But then, family drama and ... it ends in a cliffhanger!

[karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

new character Miwa, i like him. but WHAT?? two plot twists in one volume??? who’s Yuu’s father then?!?

[d★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

todo el drama con el padre de yuu se me hizo muy ??? aunque la aparición de miwa (el presidente de la clase) se me hizo muy linda <333 otro personaje que creo que será de mis favoritos

[asreadbystevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 for all the homophobia

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets and counter secrets revealed. Always a smooth read that compels you to want to continue.