Babe My Love, Volume 2

愛してるぜベイベ [Aishiteruze Baby] #2

by Yōko Maki

Kippei Katakura n'avait qu'un but dans la vie : draguer les filles... Jusqu'à l'arrivée de Yuzuyu, une adorable petite fille de cinq ans abandonnée par sa maman ! Mais alors que Kippei s'habitue à sa nouvelle vie de super-nounou, la mère de Yuzuyu refait surface...

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Drama

180 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

槙ようこ, Maki-sensei speaks of herself in the third person. Has a mangaka sister, Aki Mochida.

Pet: Leo, dog
Height: 164.5 cmv

Reviews

[Radwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder what will happen to Kippei and Yuzu when her mom comes back? I hate to see them growing so used to each other like this to be separated later. Yuzu is definitely scarred, she's afraid of being left alone and afraid of becoming a burden, and at the same time, she's helping Kippei understand a bit more about how girls think and behave, and how to be a responsible human being.

On a side note, a little romance started to flourish on the side, and I like it.

[Ibu-Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuo con su relectura, sigue siendo una historia tierna sin mucha complicación. La relación de kippei y Yuzu me parece lo más adorable del mundo.

[Ris Sasaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved to see how Kippei and Kokoro´s relationship progressed in this volume!
And also loved the depth that all of the characters are getting. It´s so sweet!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my most favourite manga series. It is about a boy who has to learn to take over responsibility instead of living a rather careless, carefree life. The relationship between him an his cousin is so sweet and tender I was really hoping she would stay with Kippei for ever. I almost cried when she had to leave him for good. The relationship Kippei then establishes with his classmate Kokoro felt real and did not have the cliché Shoujo-mush. All in all, this is a Manga that can be enjoyed by everyone, because it lacks the said cliché plot-line and -characters. It is just a Slice-of-life story.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually more of a serious manga that I originally thought. It deals/touches on abandonment, loss, abuse, manipulation, deception and love (and that's only in the first two mangas!).

Yuzu has been abandoned by her mother and the care of the child has gone to 17 year old Kippei who is known to be a playboy. Which he is, but while he's raising Yuzu he is beginning to grow up himself.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is definitely developing nicely. Characters are starting to flesh out, too. In particular, I think Kippei is leaps and bounds better as a character in this volume. I love seeing how he's being changed by his relationship with Yuzu, and it was exciting to see a bit of progress with Kokoro. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Kippei has a reputation of being a playboy and for not caring all too much about school. His whole daily routine is thrown upside down when his 5-year old cousin Yuzuyu is delivered to his home. After the death of Yuzuyu's father, her mother has found herself unable to care for Yuzuyu and has thus sent her to live with her relatives. Kippei doesn't know much about childcare but he finds himself enjoying his time spent with Yuzuyu and the two form a bond.

Although I really like Maki Yōko, I have never read this early work of hers until now. I appreciate Maki's works not only for the art but also for often breaking free of shoujo norms. Aishiteruze Baby was no exception in this regard, although that was probably also part of the reason why I hadn't picked it up sooner. When this was originally published, I'd be lying if I'd say I cared much for stories about childcare. In addition, I found the covers very unappealing - I'm afraid I still do as they are so awfully busy and crowded. Nonetheless, after years of reading Maki's works I thought it was finally time to give this one a go.

I don't think this manga will work for everyone because similar to me a couple of years ago, not everyone will be interested in the childcare aspect of this manga. I imagine many people will pick up a shoujo romance expecting exactly that: romance. And while this manga does have some romance, its focus is without a doubt on the relationship between Kippei and Yuzuyu as well as how she deals with feelings of abandonment. As a whole, this is a very heartfelt story with great relationships. A lot of the side characters initially come across as rather annoying but the plot takes some time to let us get to know them and this is one of the few manga I've ever read where pretty much all characters are likeable.

I really liked Kippei as a main character, although I'm tempted to say that he was unrealistically kind to everyone which also made his bad reputation seem a bit weird. There is a generally degree of things not being very realistic in this story to begin with: it's certainly not unheard of but I do find Yuzuyu's mother's behaviour a little questionable. Kokoro - Kippei's love interest - also seems to have a rather odd relationship to her parents and I found it a tad unrealistic how she could just up and move in with people in the blink of an eye.

Otherwise, this was a really nice plot that explores various aspects of childcare and family issues. And while those might sound like heavy subjects, this is mostly a lighthearted feel good manga. Yuzuyu is a little ray of sunshine, Kokoro seems a little stoic but turns out to be really cute once she loosens up a bit. The romance between Kippei and Kokoro initially seemed to come a little out of nowhere but I actually really enjoyed how their relationship developed.

I struggled a little with Maki's art in the first chapters - I love her style but this earlier work often leaves characters with oddly blank eyes. I think in the beginning Yuzuyu was the only character I found aesthetically well done. By the end of the series, the art isn't quite what it is in her latest works but it's definitely beautifully drawn and featuring characters with expressive faces where no text is required.

The ending was a tad rushed and I wouldn't have minded a more detailed epilogue, but it doesn't take away from the over all experience reading this manga. As long as you aren't looking purely for a romance manga and enjoy stories revolving around little children, this is definitely a cute and worthwhile pick.

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, I feel like this was better than the last. But there were also elements that I didn't enjoy or thought were annoying/creepy/etc.

I found it was surprising that Yuzu can read already, but then again I don't know the schooling system in Japan. I really hated that Kippei was flirting around with the girls even when he needed to be taking care of Yuzu. Come on, is it that hard to babysit?! Goodness.

In a panel, the author described Kippei as 'always desperate' for girls. I agree. He is pretty desperate. It's gross, to be honest.

The bonus story was pretty random. Dunno how I feel about it other than that.

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kokoro can relate to Yuzu.. My heart hurt when she said that she didn’t like Kippei. I know she only said that to make Yuzu feel better… Reassuring her that she wasn’t going to take Kippei away… It makes me sad that Kokoro is lonely but everyone just assumes that she WANTS to be alone..

Also, that bonus chapter with Kippei being 5 was HILARIOUS! I loved it!!! I really like this series so far! I never knew it was this good!!! I’ve been on an “older” shojo manga kick lately!

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute second volume. It was worth the money to buy it. I like Yuzuyu and Kippei, and Kippei's sister. I'm on the fence about Kokoro. She's an interesting character. I loved the bonus story. It was super funny! This manga is pretty different from a lot of stuff out there, and I really like it. Onto volume 3!

[Barbara Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo Cute!

by Barbara Kelley

This second volume was very much like the anime! It is adorable with a teenage boy taking care of his little five-year cold female cousin after her Mama abandons her to "find herself". This is a great and fast read. I gave this volume 5 stars!

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 4 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 5 ★★★☆☆ (3.5)
Vol. 6 ★★★☆☆ (2.5)
Vol. 7 ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)

Re-read April 2023:
Very cute, if a bit over-dramatic at times. Kippei and Kokoro seem good for each other. The scene when Yuzu brings Kippei a bento at school was one of my favorites as a teen, though I find it a little cringey now (why would Kippei's mom and big sis have encouraged that?).

TW: child abandonment

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was 1000% times better than the first one. Really like the Kokoro romance. It's cute when Yuzu makes lunch for Kippei.
Boy howdy, is it normal in Japan to have 5-year-olds walk home by themselves? Keep a better eye on that girl!

[katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich glaube langsam das es meine Neue Lieblings Manga reihe wird ich liebe sie jetzt schon sooo *-*

[Eve Healy]

Spoiler-Included Review

[Jules.Bookverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

soo cute. Definitely one of my favorite mangas/anime.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This manga was cute overall but not really memorable in my opinion. My favorite character was Yuzuyu just because she was so cute and friendly to everyone. Even though I understand the attitude of Kippei and what he is supposed to be portraying I never like him, not even when he was with Yuzuyu. Overall it was a pleasant and nice reading experience. I would check out the anime though because I felt it to be a great deal more entertaining than reading the manga.

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a girl who didn't want to be treated like all the other Kippy girls, (okay Kippei) she's certainly not acting like it. Plus, why isn't the family interacting more Yuzuyu so she can feel loved by more than just Kippy? Oh well, it's still cute and I guess I can't complain too much

[Jenny Derochemont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hm, I can't believe they'd even let her go out alone. I mean Kippei's sister was watching her, but still whose the kid here?

And Yuzu's mom is back?? Wonder how that will all play out? I know there is five more novels so Yuzu isn't leaving yet.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume had some sad and touching moments of an emotionally scarred child trying her best not to be a burden. On a lighter note, the former playboy raising her seems to be settling into more of a steady romance with a girl who has high standards!

[Melissa Velez Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volumen of Aishiteruze baby tells us more about the new Kippei's life with Yuzuyu. The growing of that maternal feeling between the funny problems which have a playboy while try to be a "one-woman man". May be all the families would be better with a Kippei in them.

[Amy]

Aishiteruze Baby, Volume 2 (Aishiterurze Baby) (v. 2) by Yoko Maki (2006)

[Melainebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chacun essaie de trouver sa place.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I remember, the manga's very similar to the anime I saw a few years ago.

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

see full review @ Katie's Corner

[Sara Galisteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un tomo más de la historia tan tierna de Kippei cuidando de su primita Yuzuyu ^^