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Pretear #4
Prétear, Vol. 4
Now that her father is gone, Himeno is all alone. With nowhere else to go, the homeless Pretear will finally accompany her Leafe Knights to Leafeania - but the path is slippery. Enemies abound and the stakes are rising, and Himeno faces more than an angry stepmother in the fourth and final volume of Pretear!
(*****Additional Text****)
From the creator of Kaleido Star and Princess Tutu Himeno's father, her last bit of family and only link to her past, has run away from home. Left alone to battle the whirlwind of accusations and abuse from her stepmother, the young Pretear is kicked to the curb. Now she will join her new family, the Leafe Knights, as they journey to Leafeania, but the path is slippery and the enemies are in hot pursuit. - One of the best-selling shojo anime series of 2004!
180 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 12, 2023
Pretear is such a beautiful written manga which deserves so much more love than reviewers are showing the final volume. I prefer the manga to the ending I can feel the raw emotions of the characters more than the anime in my opinion is a little bit more of a cheesy soap opera feel than a heart warming tale of acceptance.
I love to see a longer short story of how the characters are progressing at the end but I am glad there is a happy clear ending where white snow falls again.
I love to see a longer short story of how the characters are progressing at the end but I am glad there is a happy clear ending where white snow falls again.
September 29, 2019
Overall: 3.5 stars, rounded up for pretty art.
Thanks to the YouTube channel, Anime America, I decided to finish the early 2000's anime title Pretear for funsies several months ago, when previously, I never really moved past the first episode (mainly due to crappy quality online). I devoured pretty much the entire series in one day, and I'm glad I did. It's a silly, cheesy, but entertaining little anime that actually got me kinda choked up in the end (despite knowing the infamous anime-only spoiler, thanks to watching too many of Anime America's videos). Then, a few weeks ago, I decided to give the manga a go, considering I heard it's quite different from the anime.
And it is. Really, other than the premise and Himeno and Hayate's incredibly "tsundere" romance (and Mayune's bitchiness), the manga is QUITE different from the anime. It has a far more serious tone, and I think the lack of pastel colors in the black-and-white manga pages helps add more to the atmosphere than the anime did. Plus, the "villain" is VERY different here, but both the anime and manga play into people's weaknesses of the heart (namely love and jealousy), so it's nice that the anime didn't steer TOO far from the original source, even if it did take a different route.
I recommend reading the manga more than watching the anime, though both are entertaining in their own rite. The manga has beautiful artwork that isn't spoiled by awkward budgeting in the animation, and the stakes seem a lot higher despite the more intense final battle of the anime. That said, it is rather rushed towards the end, especially the finale itself, but the beauty of the art and the emotions of the characters almost makes it worth the awkward pacing. Whereas, the anime has a generally more lighthearted appeal with an unexpected twist, and a more satisfying finale, so really, it's a matter of tastes and preferences of the mediums. Both have their pros and cons and I'm glad I gave them both a try this year.
(But yeah, I definitely prefer the manga.)
Thanks to the YouTube channel, Anime America, I decided to finish the early 2000's anime title Pretear for funsies several months ago, when previously, I never really moved past the first episode (mainly due to crappy quality online). I devoured pretty much the entire series in one day, and I'm glad I did. It's a silly, cheesy, but entertaining little anime that actually got me kinda choked up in the end (despite knowing the infamous anime-only spoiler, thanks to watching too many of Anime America's videos). Then, a few weeks ago, I decided to give the manga a go, considering I heard it's quite different from the anime.
And it is. Really, other than the premise and Himeno and Hayate's incredibly "tsundere" romance (and Mayune's bitchiness), the manga is QUITE different from the anime. It has a far more serious tone, and I think the lack of pastel colors in the black-and-white manga pages helps add more to the atmosphere than the anime did. Plus, the "villain" is VERY different here, but both the anime and manga play into people's weaknesses of the heart (namely love and jealousy), so it's nice that the anime didn't steer TOO far from the original source, even if it did take a different route.
I recommend reading the manga more than watching the anime, though both are entertaining in their own rite. The manga has beautiful artwork that isn't spoiled by awkward budgeting in the animation, and the stakes seem a lot higher despite the more intense final battle of the anime. That said, it is rather rushed towards the end, especially the finale itself, but the beauty of the art and the emotions of the characters almost makes it worth the awkward pacing. Whereas, the anime has a generally more lighthearted appeal with an unexpected twist, and a more satisfying finale, so really, it's a matter of tastes and preferences of the mediums. Both have their pros and cons and I'm glad I gave them both a try this year.
(But yeah, I definitely prefer the manga.)
November 8, 2009
I felt like the [XspoilerX:] of a certain character was done purely for shock value, especially when it was like "Ha, just kidding, not really" later. Overall, though, I enjoyed the manga a lot more than the anime based on it. The story is cleaner, more solid, more sensitive, and doesn't wallow in negative/sappy emotions like the anime did. This is a nice finale, although in the end it's not crystal clear who's going to get Himeno. XD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2019
It was a fitting ending, but I think it was missing just a bit of oomph. It was good, and while I can't put my finger on what it was missing, I think if it had that thing, it would've been great. Maybe a little more drama? The "final battle" was just a little too quick, I guess.
I liked it, and like I said, it was a good ending that fit with the series as a whole.
So overall, this is a short magical girl series that I wish was a little longer. The characters were developed enough to be good, but I think if it was a little longer, the large ensemble could have been a bit better defined and have been great. I think the Princess of Disaster could have been a bit better developed (I was under the impression that ).
It's a good series with a fairy tale flare, and if you liked Princess Tutu back in the day and other magical girls who don't necessarily fight evil by moonlight but push it back with all things good, this is a series you'd like.
I liked it, and like I said, it was a good ending that fit with the series as a whole.
So overall, this is a short magical girl series that I wish was a little longer. The characters were developed enough to be good, but I think if it was a little longer, the large ensemble could have been a bit better defined and have been great. I think the Princess of Disaster could have been a bit better developed (I was under the impression that ).
It's a good series with a fairy tale flare, and if you liked Princess Tutu back in the day and other magical girls who don't necessarily fight evil by moonlight but push it back with all things good, this is a series you'd like.
December 29, 2025
This is genuinely such a fast read it flies by. I got through this in probably less than 20 minutes, maybe even less than 15.
The first time I read this years ago, I remember being emotionally devastated by this volume. While not permanent, there is a character death here that I remembered impacted me pretty hard, and I also recall the entire ending and reconciliation making me cry a lot. As an adult, it's easier to see where the writing trips over itself a little bit and rushed to the finish, but I think, for what this was trying to do and the story that it was trying to tell, I still find it very sincere and heartfelt. While my nostalgia goggles certainly have come off, there's absolutely a beautiful aspect to this series regardless, and it is one that I am glad that I own and took the time to hunt down.
The first time I read this years ago, I remember being emotionally devastated by this volume. While not permanent, there is a character death here that I remembered impacted me pretty hard, and I also recall the entire ending and reconciliation making me cry a lot. As an adult, it's easier to see where the writing trips over itself a little bit and rushed to the finish, but I think, for what this was trying to do and the story that it was trying to tell, I still find it very sincere and heartfelt. While my nostalgia goggles certainly have come off, there's absolutely a beautiful aspect to this series regardless, and it is one that I am glad that I own and took the time to hunt down.
February 5, 2024
Fantastic volume! I love that there is positive resolution.
December 27, 2024
The ending of the manga didn't make as big of an impact on me as the anime. Volume 3 & 4 felt a bit rushed.That said, I enjoyed reading the series, and the art is absolutely GORGEOUS. 💖
July 20, 2009
i really like how mawata's character developed in this series. she came off believable, and not annoying at all. let me explain:
in the anime, the princess of disaster disguised herself as himeno's maid. once she was discovered, sesame quit being a knight, tricked mawata into thinking that he loved her (then broke her heart), mawata being in a great amount of despair became the core of a huge leafe tree under the control of the princess of disaster. yes, that is not the half of it, all mawata would say about her feelings is that she's so lonely and no one gets her and blah blah blah. you end up thinking that she's a whiner, and you just want to strangle her so you don't have to hear anymore about the nonsense spewing out of her mouth! um, i appear to have digressed.
mawata's character comes off understandable, and even some one just about anyone could relate to. the selection of the natsue being possessed by the princess of disaster was brilliant. it added much needed depth to her character. but what i don't get is that why don't we see takako again? did himeno destroy her from leafe overload, or will she reappear? did takako become natsue? don't understand!
oh, and everyone admitted to hating himeno, but no one came up with the idea to giving it another shot at liking himeno. won't that be awkward for himeno to stay in that house?
it was nice to see shin actually be in some use (as he only created barriers in the anime). it was a nicer aspect to see him be sacrificed for something he believed in instead of sesame for takako coming to her senses late.
you almost expect himeno and sesame to get together instead of the hinted at (very lightly) himeno and hayate. what i thought the anime did well was put the white pretear as the climax of the entire series, and put weight behind that importance. you really don't see the toll that it takes on himeno, even in the epilogue. you don't see how her family really cares for her, you don't see hayate worry. none of that. but regardless, this series was hands-down better than the anime.
in the anime, the princess of disaster disguised herself as himeno's maid. once she was discovered, sesame quit being a knight, tricked mawata into thinking that he loved her (then broke her heart), mawata being in a great amount of despair became the core of a huge leafe tree under the control of the princess of disaster. yes, that is not the half of it, all mawata would say about her feelings is that she's so lonely and no one gets her and blah blah blah. you end up thinking that she's a whiner, and you just want to strangle her so you don't have to hear anymore about the nonsense spewing out of her mouth! um, i appear to have digressed.
mawata's character comes off understandable, and even some one just about anyone could relate to. the selection of the natsue being possessed by the princess of disaster was brilliant. it added much needed depth to her character. but what i don't get is that why don't we see takako again? did himeno destroy her from leafe overload, or will she reappear? did takako become natsue? don't understand!
oh, and everyone admitted to hating himeno, but no one came up with the idea to giving it another shot at liking himeno. won't that be awkward for himeno to stay in that house?
it was nice to see shin actually be in some use (as he only created barriers in the anime). it was a nicer aspect to see him be sacrificed for something he believed in instead of sesame for takako coming to her senses late.
you almost expect himeno and sesame to get together instead of the hinted at (very lightly) himeno and hayate. what i thought the anime did well was put the white pretear as the climax of the entire series, and put weight behind that importance. you really don't see the toll that it takes on himeno, even in the epilogue. you don't see how her family really cares for her, you don't see hayate worry. none of that. but regardless, this series was hands-down better than the anime.
August 4, 2014
While Himeno defends against the possessed Mayune, The Leafe Knights are searching hard for the Princess of Disaster before she can resurrect. Meanwhile, the darkness in Mawata's and Natsue's hearts are deepening, and as the darkness becomes thicker, Himeno and the Leafe Knights will see that the Princess of Disaster was closer to Himeno than any of them could ever have dread...
Pretear has given me so many feelings to hold on to. It makes me feel comfortably warm at times, and at other times, I feel frigid. I love everything about Pretear. The concept, the characters, the world, the poetry, the art, the romance, the love triangle at the end, the unsatisfactory ending, everything. Although, the manga ended very, very different from the anime. I'm a little sad that Sasame wasn't able to be with Takako... But maybe it's better this way. Well... No... Both ways are just as good. They're both amazing, and they are both worth as much time as you'll need to soak it all in. I will love and treasure Pretear to the end of my time here in this world. Perhaps, one day, it will get a sort of spin-off just like Saint Seiya did. Normally, I don't appreciate things like that, but I would really like for it to happen with Pretear. While it is a masterpiece as to how it ended, I wouldn't be unhappy if they made not a second season, but another part to it.
Pretear has given me so many feelings to hold on to. It makes me feel comfortably warm at times, and at other times, I feel frigid. I love everything about Pretear. The concept, the characters, the world, the poetry, the art, the romance, the love triangle at the end, the unsatisfactory ending, everything. Although, the manga ended very, very different from the anime. I'm a little sad that Sasame wasn't able to be with Takako... But maybe it's better this way. Well... No... Both ways are just as good. They're both amazing, and they are both worth as much time as you'll need to soak it all in. I will love and treasure Pretear to the end of my time here in this world. Perhaps, one day, it will get a sort of spin-off just like Saint Seiya did. Normally, I don't appreciate things like that, but I would really like for it to happen with Pretear. While it is a masterpiece as to how it ended, I wouldn't be unhappy if they made not a second season, but another part to it.
July 15, 2012
My recommendation was too long again, so here it is: for people who like magical girl series focused on dealing with ordinary pain, with romance in the background or just portrayed as part of the bigger relationship issues characters are having.
I label this romance but it's not really that important in and of itself, and the heroine's romance is integrated into the rest of her emotional journey along with that of the other characters. Of course it's been a long time since I've read manga like this so it's hard to compare, but I think this is a decent fluffy magical girl series with a focus on dealing with loneliness.
Minor spoilers!
It can be quite sad sometimes, but ends with hope. Himeno's relationship with most of the female characters isn't positive, but it's presented for the most part without making them seem evil - one of them gets no hint at depth, unlike the anime, and does something pretty heinous in volume 2 - and starting positive ones is how it ends, even if in some ways it's not that different than from where the series began. That's because part of the message is that even if you're suffering and lonely, others are too, and people hurt each other more when they don't realize that.
I label this romance but it's not really that important in and of itself, and the heroine's romance is integrated into the rest of her emotional journey along with that of the other characters. Of course it's been a long time since I've read manga like this so it's hard to compare, but I think this is a decent fluffy magical girl series with a focus on dealing with loneliness.
Minor spoilers!
It can be quite sad sometimes, but ends with hope. Himeno's relationship with most of the female characters isn't positive, but it's presented for the most part without making them seem evil - one of them gets no hint at depth, unlike the anime, and does something pretty heinous in volume 2 - and starting positive ones is how it ends, even if in some ways it's not that different than from where the series began. That's because part of the message is that even if you're suffering and lonely, others are too, and people hurt each other more when they don't realize that.
April 2, 2023
A nice ending to a beautiful manga. Overall, I think the anime is more fully developed than the manga ended up being, especially when it comes to the ending. However, this manga is absolutely gorgeous and remains one of my favorites. Even though it's been like 15 years since I first discovered this series, it still manages to make my heart race.
May 16, 2014
I really liked this series, even though it was very short. I enjoyed a lot of the differences between the anime and the manga - and I mean the ways they sort of swapped around the plot a bit. I really wish it had been given the chance to grow and develop more!
September 14, 2014
Series Review: Pretear is a short but enjoyable manga that puts a unique twist on a old tale. The characters are enjoyable and the plot is interesting. Things happen very fast with twists well executed. This manga is a great option for a quick read.
November 4, 2015
I love reverse harem type of manga storyline and coupled with the magical girl aspect I thought this series was pretty entertaining. Even though the heroine was whiny (no surprise there) there was still a good overall story.
April 12, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this series up until the very end and I felt that the plot and characters were all really well thought up.
March 23, 2017
Cute, fun read!
January 29, 2013
Great ending:)
January 18, 2013
In all honesty I liked the anime more than the manga.
October 17, 2017
I’m really glad I finally read pretear I enjoyed it a lot but I think I like the way it ended in the anime better but still it was really good
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews