xx me!, Band 4

わたしに××しなさい! / Watashi ni XX shinasai! #4

by Ema Tōyama, Antje Bockel (Translator)

»Ich bin nämlich nicht an einer Beziehung interessiert und brauche daher keine Unterstützung.« Die schwächliche, zarte Mami ist in puncto Raffinesse Mädchen wie Jungen überlegen. Sie spricht Yukina direkt an und schlägt vor, ihr mit Shigure zu helfen. Doch Yukina hat nicht nur keine Ahnung von der wahren Liebe, sondern sie versteht auch rein gar nichts von den Manövern und Intrigen unter Mädchen. Wird Mami ihr Shigure ausspannen?

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2010

About the author

Japanese Name: 遠山 えま

She made her debut in September 2003 in the monthly manga magazine Nakayoshi with her story, Tenshi no Tamago ("Angel's Egg", no relation to the anime movie of the same name). Gokkun! Pūcho is considered her best representative work. Tokyopop has licenced it under the title Pixie Pop. All of her works are published by Kodansha, and they are enjoyed mainly by preteen and teen girls. None of her series have yet become anime.

Reviews

[Henz · Rating 3 out of 5]

read up to Chapter 74 ... *sigh* shoujo manga is my weakness ... LOL^^ .. typical story but loved every page of it ...

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will write a full series review after I catch up with the the final chapters but...

Dear Mizuna,

STOP BEING SO FUCKING ANNOYING ANG CLINGY!!!



Why the hell that boyfriend-stealer fake girl-friend character had to show up?! Those characters make mangas always so cliche. I AM SO PISSED!!! There isnt one single good female character in this manga besides Yukina.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for the complete series



Yukina's classmates avoid her for the cold look she gives everyone. And that suits her just fine: she loves to observe people as it gives her ideas for the novel she's been writing under the penname Yupina. Yupina's novel has become widely popular but there's one thing her readers are in want of: romance. As this is new terrain for Yukina, she decides she needs some first-hand experience. Coincidently, she finds out that her popular classmate Shigure isn't as nice as he lets on. Yukina decides that he will be the one to teach her romance through her missions of love or else she'll let the school see Shigure's true colours.

Missions of Love is an engrossing and addictive manga whilst also being problematic: people who like to crush things by pointing out all its social and moral impropriety will have a field day with this one. My personal main issue with it, though, is that it suffered from its length. I am very sure that this manga was dragged out after the first volumes proved to be such a success.

This manga starts off very strong in which Yukina and Shigure playing out a perfect high school enemies to lovers scenario. Both of them are strong characters and they're constantly trying to get the upper hand in their power struggle which is also filled with lots of chemistry and tension. At times they are perfectly mean to each other, at other times true feelings start to surface and they begin to care. Rivals are thrown in one after the other and while a lot of people might not like this, I believe it was rather necessary in this particular case as neither Yukina nor Shigure would be willing to confess how they really feel without some jealousy or sense of loss involved.

Tōyama has the tendency to make rival characters come across as creepy psychopaths, it's actually something I never liked about her works. Be that as it may, the first two rivals are Yukina's cousin Akira and Shigure's childhood friend Mami. They are both rather possessive and for the most part feel like meddlers. As the story progresses, though, both of them become more fleshed out and start to move away from their obsessions. This turns both of them into likeable characters who actually have really cute and warm sides to them. Mami in particular really grew on me once she stopped being the little psycho she was introduced as.

I would have much preferred this series to have wrapped up with just those characters and with only half the amount of volumes it actually amounted to. The story seems to progress naturally when suddenly the kindergarten teacher arc is introduced: Yukina's former teacher has left her with insecurities she still struggles with today. Although this was already mentioned early on in the series, the appearance of the teacher seemed to derail the plot. That whole arc feels random and cutting it out wouldn't change the outcome of the series one bit. It almost feels like Tōyama was trying to create new tensions, realised it wasn't going well and opted to drop it in favour of a different plotline. It was over and done with as fast and sudden as it came. I faintly remember even thinking of dropping the series at that stage during my first read.

However, while not as strong as the first volumes, Missions of Love catches itself again and makes a turn for the better - mostly in any case. Another rival character is introduced and it adds both pros and cons to the remainder of the story. Hisame is Shigure's younger brother (through marriage, non-blood related) and boy do they not see eye to eye. This adds some much-needed insight to Shigure's life and why he is the way he is. The problem is that Hisame is yet another psychotic little jerk who, unlike Akira and Mami, stays that way. Sure, he certainly does have a few nice moments and cute scenes, but ultimately, he's a creepy little shit.

Putting aside Hisame's creepy ways, the latter volumes mainly deal with the characters' inner feelings which is particularly important in regard to Yukina. She is a tricky character in the sense that a lot of her behaviour seems odd. I can easily see her coming across as a character who is impossibly oblivious to love when it's standing right in front of her. You could read this manga and ask yourself time and again, why is she being so dense? In that same sense, you might wonder how she can share intimate moments with multiple characters without understanding why it's wrong or why it would bother others. While it's never actually spelt out, it is highly implied that there is more to it than just poor characterisation. I don't know much about the different sexual identities, so I won't go ahead labelling Yukina as something I know nothing of, but it's clear that while Yukina feels sexual attraction, she struggles with the concept of love. She is genuinely trying to understand what's inside her heart and beats herself up over not succeeding. She loves different people around her but she doesn't seem to understand the differences between the love one has for friends, family members and the romantic type.

People who have only read the first few volumes and criticise this manga over Yukina blackmailing Shigure into playing love games, this problem does actually get addressed in the latter volumes. Although Yukina is generally speaking a confident girl, there is something about her that prevents her from reading certain social cues, and I suspect it's the same that prevents her from understanding the different kinds of love. Yukina is often seen doing things that either stand out or just makes others around her feel awkward. She herself doesn't feel any of this awkwardness and it's usually done out of complete innocence. Once again, I am no expert, but there is definitely a complexity behind why Yukina is the way she is and a lot of this manga's ultimate question is whether or not Shigure can love and accept her for who she is.

Missions of Love does have a couple more things sprinkled throughout that rub me the wrong way: I can't get my head around when Yukina, Shigure and Akira get intimate at the same time, I wish there would have been more closure to what became of Mami and Akira (I can't say I care what became of Hisame) and what is it with Yukina's breasts?! I love Tōyama's art but can we take a moment to look at how material hangs over breasts - Yukina seems to have rather large ones but it doesn't mean her clothes should stick to her.

Drawing 101:



Here I'm just nitpicking but Yukina's breasts are definitely drawn like the former.

Missions of Love has it's issues - no doubt there. But it's nicely drawn and really brings out what you'd expect from an enemies to lovers plot. For the most of it, it's an enjoyable read and one that you don't put down easily. I'd definitely recommend it to romance lovers who can turn a blind eye to the issues that come with Yukina and Shigure's story.

[Jinghay (these.blank.pages) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The manga is alright, but I don't think I'll be continuing with the rest of the series :/

[Lou (Lou and Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah this series is getting better. It's official, I am more invested in the series after starting and finishing this volume. I was worried between volumes 2 and volume 3, but reading this volume lifted my fears as the romance is getting better and marginally healthier between Yukina and Shigure. I am still uncomfortable about Akira liking his cousin Yukina, and Yukina be willing to do anything to get ideas for her novel, but apart from that this series is getting better, especially with the introduction to the love rival of Yukina for Shigure. I am enjoying this series, I will buy the next volumes soon and read them as soon as I buy them. I don't know if I would recommend this series though, because it is unhealthy. I think I would recommend it but heavily warn that it doesn't show what a healthy relationship should be like.

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhh, Mami è uno di quei personaggi che mi stanno sulle scatole dalla prima vignetta in cui appaiono. Perfettina ma falsa quanto una banconota da 21€.

Che strano il rapporto che lega Yukina e Shigure... Una volta tanto, mi sa che faccio il tipo per il protagonista maschile e non per l'anatra zoppa, ovvero Akira. Difatti, il cuginetto mi sembra un po' senza personalità rispetto a Shigure.

Che poi, esperienza o no, Yukina è tonta al cubo! Come puoi fare una scommessa così stupida con Mami?! GRRR!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like the whole “make each other jealous” trope and “discover these new feelings” thing, there are some problematic things in this series:

1. Her FIRST cousin is in love with her and Yukina is okay with that. She’s willing to let him cuddle her for the sake of learning about love. In America, that’s illegal...so it’s hard for me to accept it. The worst part is that I actually like Akira the most. If they weren’t related, I’d totally ship that.

2. The covers are VERY sexual and the characters haven’t even KISSED yet! The kids in this manga are literally supposed to be like 14/15 years old. They’re in “middle school” in Japan, which is like a Freshman in high school in the USA. It’s kinda weird...

The rest of it is forgivable. I’ll keep reading the series and keep imagining Akira as Yukina’s childhood best friend who is not related to her in any way.

[Bryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Shigure and Yukina and how he keeps being surprisingly honest with her. And Mami's motivations are fairly obvious but there's enough room for doubt to make it interesting. There was nothing really 'wow' here but it was fun shoujo manga. Onward to the next volume!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that it was cute that she was a fanfic writer and some of the "missions" were alright, but the fact that her first cousin is in love with her and keeps asking to kiss her is a little weird. I got bored, but for some reason kept reading. Maybe I was hoping it would change?

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is getting interesting!

[Melrose's · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm supposed to be a sleep by now. But this manga is just ridiculously addicting. Moreeeeee!!!

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 2 out of 5]

2020 Read #225

Sadistic characters ahoy, yet I can’t stop reading about them because they’re all twisted in a rarity for shojo manga...

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, so glad my teenage years weren't as melodramatic as this.

[Kelli Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akira is best guy 100%.

15 year olds should not be this kinky gaaaah. Nobody has even kissed yet.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I'm reading rather than watching, or Mami's constant "hee hee hee" would drive me insane. She is one creepy girl.

[David Doel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not very fond of the characters but I must admit the story keeps dragging me along. I guess I'll classify this as another guilty pleasure.

[Mad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boah ich kann Mami nicht leiden

[Josephina · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5 stars

[Story of a Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's getting spicy

[nightmarebees (jackie)]

they don’t make insane plotlines like this anymore

[Judyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5-4/5

[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]

This volume definitely kicked up my enjoyment quite a bit.

First, I’m finding Yukina’s frustration and annoyance with Mami, and then her frustration with her writing, very entertaining. It even had me smiling and laughing a little bit throughout the volume. How very uninterested Yukina is in Mami’s drama is just the best. She still gets upset at Mami and Shigure a few times, but overall she’s just very uninterested, and I liked that. It just happens so little in stories.

Akira is still a sweetheart. He’s possessive of Yukina, but I kind of like that. He’s always eating something, which adds to his charm for me. And I like that, even though he’s confessed his love to Yukina and tried to move their relationship forward, they’re still just friends and cousins who hang out. That’s just nice to see, I guess. There was also a scene in this volume where the two get a little (almost) hot’n’heavy, and I loved how he incorporated Yukina’s novel and his role in that story. That scene just really had me smiling.

Shigure is frustrating me. He’s just so adamant about not liking Yukina—and she’s doing the same about her feelings for him—and it would just be so much easier if they were honest already. Mami is definitely causing some problems, but she’s also still a bit of a mystery. We don’t know yet why she’s doing these things, what her motivation is, why she’s still acting all happy and smiley with Yukina and Akira. I just don’t quite understand her yet.

The romance, or at least the steamy scenes have really kicked up a notch, with some biting and then a little finger sucking. It was nice, I’ll be honest. I really liked it. And I really look forward to more.

This series is definitely getting better. I’m enjoying it more, and I’m even looking forward to reading the next one.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:

FRAIL FLOWER

Now that she's back after a long sick leave, Mami Mizuno, the girl every boy in school has a crush on, never leaves Shigure's side. Never, that is, except for when she's pestering Yukina. She claims to want to help Yukina win Shigure's heart, but what is she really after?

My Thoughts:

In this volume, we see even more of Shigure's childhood friend Mami and she's doing whatever she can to make sure Yukina doesn't get to be alone with Shigure. She keeps trying to devise ways of getting Shigure to see that getting serious about any girl (other than her) will only get his feelings hurt. It seems to me that his feelings only get hurt because of the stupid things she's doing to make him watch Yukina with Akira or make Yukina ignore him.

Shigure, though, seems to be realizing what his feelings really are when it comes to Yukina. He knows it's not just a game for him. He knows that he could get serious about her. I think he's ready to step up his game. The scene in the library pretty much shows that.

Yukina still doesn't seem to understand what she's really feeling. She knows that she doesn't like it when someone interrupts her when she's alone with Shigure. Her heart hurts when Shigure ignores her. Her heart races when his face is close to hers, but she doesn't understand what any of it means. How long before this isn't just about her novel, anymore? How will Shigure react when he finds out why she was doing all of this in the first place?

Akira knows, but he doesn't seem to mind. I think he'll do whatever it takes to get Yukina to love him. I don't think he would resort to dirty tricks the way Mami does, though. Be careful, Akira. I think Shigure is winning.

[Lesedelfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auf den ersten Blick wirkt Band vier der Mangareihe xx me! schon ein wenig sexistisch - zumindest wenn man sich das Cover anschaut. In Kombination mit dem Titel könnte man da schon auf gewisse Ideen kommen, aber ich kann versichern, dass sich hinter xx me! etwas eher harmloseres versteckt.
Verlieb dich in mich, ist die Mission, die Yukina verfolgt - rein zu Rechecherezwecken, da sie Handyromane schreibt und keine Ahnung von Liebe hat.

Ema Toyoma packt im vierten xx me! Band die Intrigenkeule aus! Mit dem Mädchen Mami hat sie schon im letzten Band eine Sandkastenfreundin von Shigure hervorgezaubert, die sich wie selbstverständlich an ihn gehangen hat.
Yukina, die Shigure immer noch für ihre Buchrecherchen benötigt, ist verwirrt, weil er Mami gegenüber auch dieses liebevolle Gesicht zeigt, doch weiter weiß sie damit nichts anzufangen.
Auch das Mami ihr eine Freundschaft anbietet ist Yukina ziemlich fremd und wird von ihr nicht gerade freundlich erwidert. Mami zieht alle Register und Yukina ist so herrlich naiv ahnungslos, dass ich wie gebannt an der Story kleben geblieben bin.

Die Story fesselt wirklich, denn sie ist auf eine gewisse Weise unberechenbar. Die Charaktere spielen ein Spiel, aber keiner beherrscht es mehr so richtig - oder doch?
Aus der anfänglichen Herausforderung "Verlieb dich in mich" ist längst etwas größeres geworden und nach dem der letzte Band nicht so ganz bei mir punkten konnte, war Band vier wieder amüsant, schräg unterhaltsam und sogar ein wenig knisternd.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is with YA and Shoujo manga these days and the "all other female characters are beotches" trope?

This manga is the perfect example. Except for Yukina, all other female characters are portrayed as "hateful beotches" and/or "boyfriend-stealing beotches." Case and point, Mami.

She shows up pretending to be nice to Yukina, but is really a manipulative backstabber. She tries to keep Shigure all to herself and make Yukina look bad by setting up Yukina and her cousin and then having Shigure spy. She promises Yukina information in exchange for not speaking to Shigure a whole week, and then tells Shigure that Yukina's such a horrible person for not speaking to him. She's possessive and manipulative when it comes to Shigure, and just all around a two-faced jerk.

There's also the fact that in the first (or was it the second?) volume that every girl in class was portrayed as hateful beotches because HOW DARE YUKINA GET CLOSE TO SHIGURE WE MUST DESTROY HER. Yukina has no female friends. Not a single female is shown in a positive (or even neutral) light. It's Yukina against the world. And even if Yukina isn't the "nicest" person or would otherwise come off as a beotch herself, the story justifies her actions while making Mami and all other female characters just spiteful.

And that's a disturbing trend I've seen in Shoujo and YA in general.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my God. Ema Tōyama finally did it, didn't she? I'm so pissed off with this volume of Watashi ni xx Shinasai!. But I have the tendency to finish something once I started it - be it a book or a manga series - so I might as well continue reading this one. I have very little to say regarding this installment, except for a few exclamations of dismay. There has hardly been any development and the plot has advanced very slightly. Yukina's stupidity has reached the extremities, and I remember that this is the reason why I've stopped reading shoujo mangas and have buried myself in shounen titles instead. Now, Shigure has the hand in their relationship; the initial power of the female protagonist completely vanished and I don't like it one bit. I thought the heroine was a hell of a strong girl that was why I was eager to read this but I was so wrong - she's no different from the others.

P.S. And what with Shigure saying: "What are you going to do if I fall in love with you after kissing you?" Oh really. So kiss is a determinant for falling in love now? Lovely.

[Miss Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

this manga gets a lot more entertaining when you realize everyone in the love triangle is playing a bizarre game of sex chicken crossed over with LARPing

shigure really needs to step it up tho, like yukina straight up has to instruct him in how to get his vampire on? he shows absolutely no initiative otherwise. sure he's ahead of the game in the sex chicken component but i'm not seeing him committing to the count role. bro there are points for style and akira is definitely ahead of you there

2 stars

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, that Mami girl is ANNOYING! I'm amazed someone as series as Shigure is even friends with her. But at least her scheming is actually working against her lol
Yukina doesn't care about her and her pushing Yukina away from Shigure only made him want her more 😂

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read/Rated in High School.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars