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Mink #1
Mink, Vol. 1
When Mink accidentally picks up a mysterious CD from the future, she upgrades into a virtual pop idol version od herself! Discovered as the next "It" girl, she's got the Cyber World at her feet. However, she can't blow her cover—or else she'll be deleted!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Megumi Tachikawa
26 books30 followersMegumi Tachikawa (立川恵) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist, best known for the manga Saint Tail, which was also adapted into an anime series. She made her manga debut in 1992 with 16-sai no Tiara, which was nominated for the 'New Face' manga award.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 17, 2017
Keeping up with the habit of revisiting manga that I read in my teen years, this was one I hadn't initially considered returning to but I'm glad I did.
Mink is a fluffy little slice of life story about a teenaged girl named Mink (no, I'm not making that up and it's not just her stage name, her actual name is Mink,) who is struggling to figure out how a celebrity crush differs from a regular crush and she stumbles across software from the future while out to by her celebrity crush's newest CD. The software has the power to more or less get magical girl all up in this shiz, and can temporarily turn Mink into a cyber idol. (There's a three-hour time limit on her transformation.) Ultimately, accidentally being in the wrong place at the right time results in shenanigans and Mink is swept along at high speed into the Japanese idol scene. And again, more shenanigans and crush confusion occur along the way.
As far as shoujo manga goes, this is the epitome of feel-good fluff. The pacing is a little awkward at times, but it's still an enjoyable read and a relatable story with a protagonist able to fulfill the dreams of being a superstar that many of us entertain when we're a lot younger. So if you're into this kind of diabetes-inducing sort of cute story (and not to mention Megumi Tachikawa's super-cute art style) I do recommend giving this series a try! (I'm definitely looking forward to slowly collecting the rest of them when I can.)
Mink is a fluffy little slice of life story about a teenaged girl named Mink (no, I'm not making that up and it's not just her stage name, her actual name is Mink,) who is struggling to figure out how a celebrity crush differs from a regular crush and she stumbles across software from the future while out to by her celebrity crush's newest CD. The software has the power to more or less get magical girl all up in this shiz, and can temporarily turn Mink into a cyber idol. (There's a three-hour time limit on her transformation.) Ultimately, accidentally being in the wrong place at the right time results in shenanigans and Mink is swept along at high speed into the Japanese idol scene. And again, more shenanigans and crush confusion occur along the way.
As far as shoujo manga goes, this is the epitome of feel-good fluff. The pacing is a little awkward at times, but it's still an enjoyable read and a relatable story with a protagonist able to fulfill the dreams of being a superstar that many of us entertain when we're a lot younger. So if you're into this kind of diabetes-inducing sort of cute story (and not to mention Megumi Tachikawa's super-cute art style) I do recommend giving this series a try! (I'm definitely looking forward to slowly collecting the rest of them when I can.)
July 15, 2019
I read this series several times when I was younger, and felt like going through it again just for the fluff feels and nostalgia factor. As far as shoujo magical girl goes, this one is definitely on the lighter/happier side, haha. (For those who don't know, magical girl genre can often be pretty dark.)
The art style is cute, though can be a little much at times, and I get lost in the lines, but otherwise it works just fine. The story, as another reviewer mentioned, can be a little weird with pacing, but I think it's fine for the age of the audience the author was shooting for. This is definitely for young teens, as our protagonist is in love with her idol star Illiya, and after becoming an instant pop sensation (with the help of technology from the future), she starts to develop feelings for her high school manager.
LOTS and lots of cute fluff. Silly moments. Adorable art. If you're into that kind of stuff, this is right up your alley.
The art style is cute, though can be a little much at times, and I get lost in the lines, but otherwise it works just fine. The story, as another reviewer mentioned, can be a little weird with pacing, but I think it's fine for the age of the audience the author was shooting for. This is definitely for young teens, as our protagonist is in love with her idol star Illiya, and after becoming an instant pop sensation (with the help of technology from the future), she starts to develop feelings for her high school manager.
LOTS and lots of cute fluff. Silly moments. Adorable art. If you're into that kind of stuff, this is right up your alley.
August 20, 2018
Well, this seems ancient! Really, a completely different world from... But it reminds me of the anime I watched as a kid. That's a real walk down memory lane.
I had this manga - all six volumes - at home for a couple of year. But I didn't read them because they were... tattered copy. The series was already out of print when I first heard of it and I had to buy second hand copies. The first one was really the worst. So yesterday I tried to fix it a little bit and I started reading it.
The story is super-silly: a girl - thanks to a CD from the future - can turn into a pop idol but no one can know it apart her two best friends. The same plot as Creamy Mami and thousand of other manga series.
I'll keep reading: let's see what happens to Mink.
I had this manga - all six volumes - at home for a couple of year. But I didn't read them because they were... tattered copy. The series was already out of print when I first heard of it and I had to buy second hand copies. The first one was really the worst. So yesterday I tried to fix it a little bit and I started reading it.
The story is super-silly: a girl - thanks to a CD from the future - can turn into a pop idol but no one can know it apart her two best friends. The same plot as Creamy Mami and thousand of other manga series.
I'll keep reading: let's see what happens to Mink.
April 10, 2026
Reading Mink by Megumi Tachikawa is definitely a blast from the past I love seeing the difference between current manga styles compared to the early 2000's. Everything is so bubbley and cute with more extra scenes to express the characters emotions
Unfortunately Mink is not the series for me I am a big fan of the author's other creation Saint Tail it is one of my first manga series I read as a kid. So I could continue to recommend manga lovers to read Megumi Tachikawa work for a more nostalgic feeling.
Unfortunately Mink is not the series for me I am a big fan of the author's other creation Saint Tail it is one of my first manga series I read as a kid. So I could continue to recommend manga lovers to read Megumi Tachikawa work for a more nostalgic feeling.
January 25, 2018
Haha, this books computer references are so dated now, its pretty funny. But a cute series none the less. 3.5 stars!
May 16, 2020
First manga I ever owned (it was a present for my 10th birthday I think). Probably the only reason I still remember the name.
December 8, 2020
I mean, the plotline is cute, nothing special. However, I adore Tachikawa's drawing.
March 14, 2022
While the story was really cute, the typical little girl becomes magical girl sort of story, I felt tired trying to read it. The characters are super young or at least act so young that there were times their energy tired me out. I guess I can blame that this is for younger Shojo audience and I'm much older. The characters feel like they are in elementary school with both design and character personalities though I don't think they actually say how old they are.
July 11, 2014
Complete Series Review: no spoilers.
This is the most bubble-gum pink science fiction to ever grace my book shelf. Mink is aimed at a younger audience of manga readers that are looking for something that is a cross between Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 and Hannah Montana.
The story is a little odd so bare with me here. Mink is a young sugar-sweet girl who accidently finds a computer program called "Wanna-Be". Little does she know it is a computer program from the future that allows users to become the person he or she wants to be. It transforms you in any way you wish so that you are able to do anything you want.
Let me stress: ANYTHING YOU WANT. It's like a magic lamp with infinite wishes.
So what does Mink wish for? What any young girl would want: To be a pop idol. With the help of the Wanna-Be program she's got the look, can dance, sing, perform, and rockets to the hight of super stardom over night. Of course her two best friends get tangled up in it too, joining her to become a girl group and they have this adorable little robot side-kick. Of course they must keep this all a secret switching between the lives of normal girls and futuristic pop stars. There's also young love, problematic glitches in the program, fame shenanigans, the time travel cops, and the programs creator that add to the story.
However, Mink doesn't have a lot of depth to it. Unlike the narrative chops of something like Sailor Moon, Mink is a wish fulfilment manga. The art reflects this, sometimes it is beautifully detailed and other times it's just super adorable. I have no complaints there. However, I think I should give some context to my rating. I read this manga back when I first started reading manga. It was a solid, light, intro to the manga-verse and I enjoyed it quite a lot. However, it may not hold up for an older audience. I was quite young at the time and do not know how the experience would be for someone who has read more serious manga or is comparing the story to that of Sailor Moon which I had yet to read at the time. Taking all that into consideration, I really do think this is a fun series if you're looking for a more chibi based manga.
This is the most bubble-gum pink science fiction to ever grace my book shelf. Mink is aimed at a younger audience of manga readers that are looking for something that is a cross between Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 and Hannah Montana.
The story is a little odd so bare with me here. Mink is a young sugar-sweet girl who accidently finds a computer program called "Wanna-Be". Little does she know it is a computer program from the future that allows users to become the person he or she wants to be. It transforms you in any way you wish so that you are able to do anything you want.
Let me stress: ANYTHING YOU WANT. It's like a magic lamp with infinite wishes.
So what does Mink wish for? What any young girl would want: To be a pop idol. With the help of the Wanna-Be program she's got the look, can dance, sing, perform, and rockets to the hight of super stardom over night. Of course her two best friends get tangled up in it too, joining her to become a girl group and they have this adorable little robot side-kick. Of course they must keep this all a secret switching between the lives of normal girls and futuristic pop stars. There's also young love, problematic glitches in the program, fame shenanigans, the time travel cops, and the programs creator that add to the story.
However, Mink doesn't have a lot of depth to it. Unlike the narrative chops of something like Sailor Moon, Mink is a wish fulfilment manga. The art reflects this, sometimes it is beautifully detailed and other times it's just super adorable. I have no complaints there. However, I think I should give some context to my rating. I read this manga back when I first started reading manga. It was a solid, light, intro to the manga-verse and I enjoyed it quite a lot. However, it may not hold up for an older audience. I was quite young at the time and do not know how the experience would be for someone who has read more serious manga or is comparing the story to that of Sailor Moon which I had yet to read at the time. Taking all that into consideration, I really do think this is a fun series if you're looking for a more chibi based manga.
September 20, 2015
While at the store buying her idol Illiya's new CD, Mink accidentally picks up a copy of Wanna-Be, a program from 2099 that allows the user to become whoever they want to be. Mink chooses to become a pop star; her career blossoms under the care of Motoharu. This cute, sugary-sweet romantic comedy is perfect for younger readers. The art is pretty; at times, however, it can be a little bit confusing (Mink says she wishes she could be cute like Azumi and look more like her. Uhhhhh, is that possible? They look exactly alike; sometimes I can only tell them apart by their expressions). Some of the art is a little confusing and I'm not sure who is where.
Older readers, or those who have read and enjoyed more serious manga, may pass over Mink. The story is lighthearted and fun; it doesn't deal with anything particularly deep. It relies on tropes and stereotypes instead of allowing its characters to develop into full-fledged people. The one thing worth noting, though, is Tachikawa's mention of the difference between real crushes and famous crushes; for the audience this is aimed at, where some may devote all their romantic energy to celebrities when others are focusing on real-life relationships, this is a cool notion to explore and I wish the focus on it was stronger.
However, the story is cute if you're a fan of rom-coms or enjoyed Full Moon O Sagashite; Mink shares some similarities with Arina Tanemura's manga, though Full Moon is aimed at older audiences. As a middle school student, I loved this manga; rereading it now as an adult proves just how lackluster it is for more experienced readers. Three stars for younger readers, two for older ones.
Older readers, or those who have read and enjoyed more serious manga, may pass over Mink. The story is lighthearted and fun; it doesn't deal with anything particularly deep. It relies on tropes and stereotypes instead of allowing its characters to develop into full-fledged people. The one thing worth noting, though, is Tachikawa's mention of the difference between real crushes and famous crushes; for the audience this is aimed at, where some may devote all their romantic energy to celebrities when others are focusing on real-life relationships, this is a cool notion to explore and I wish the focus on it was stronger.
However, the story is cute if you're a fan of rom-coms or enjoyed Full Moon O Sagashite; Mink shares some similarities with Arina Tanemura's manga, though Full Moon is aimed at older audiences. As a middle school student, I loved this manga; rereading it now as an adult proves just how lackluster it is for more experienced readers. Three stars for younger readers, two for older ones.
August 24, 2010
If you are a fan of Full Moon and want more stories like the then Mink is the next series you should read!
Instead of the impending tragedy you get in Full Moon, Mink has a lighter scenario. In Mink it is technology from the future that transforms this girl into a singer/idol.
The only downside is that if anyone catches her anyone involved will be eliminated.
This is definitely a manga for girls, but it is clean and good for ages 10 and older. If you're into cute things, have dreams of becoming a singer or just want a good series to read, pick this series up today!
Instead of the impending tragedy you get in Full Moon, Mink has a lighter scenario. In Mink it is technology from the future that transforms this girl into a singer/idol.
The only downside is that if anyone catches her anyone involved will be eliminated.
This is definitely a manga for girls, but it is clean and good for ages 10 and older. If you're into cute things, have dreams of becoming a singer or just want a good series to read, pick this series up today!
December 20, 2013
(Full disclosure: I am the English translator of this series, under my legal name, not my pen name of Suzanne Gilbert.)
Japanese is a language rich in onomatopoeias so my daughters, who were the age of the target audience at the time, had fun helping me simulate English versions of those sounds: c-runch, flip-flop, ka-boom.
Megumi is one of the most popular manga artists for tweens and teens and she really builds a connections with her readers by using the page margins to share how she felt, what music she was listening to and which ideas were inspired by earlier readers.
Japanese is a language rich in onomatopoeias so my daughters, who were the age of the target audience at the time, had fun helping me simulate English versions of those sounds: c-runch, flip-flop, ka-boom.
Megumi is one of the most popular manga artists for tweens and teens and she really builds a connections with her readers by using the page margins to share how she felt, what music she was listening to and which ideas were inspired by earlier readers.
November 6, 2025
Originally read: 2010
Reviewed: Oct. 3, 2019
Another blast from the past! The third manga I ever finished and the first I read without any recommendation or request from my high school friend. Let's see how it holds up for me after all these years...
Reviewed: Oct. 3, 2019
Another blast from the past! The third manga I ever finished and the first I read without any recommendation or request from my high school friend. Let's see how it holds up for me after all these years...
April 8, 2013
To me, this plot was pointless, the whole reason for the story was kind of stupid. I was just grabbing off the shelf. If you want an interesting read..... this is a good book for you...... for me it got a little confusing.
November 24, 2013
This story was adorable. Definitely meant for younger people, but still, an enjoyable read. Wish fulfillment stories seem to be a popular type of story for mangas, and this one is no different, but it is well done. The art is done well also, and just overall it was an easy, fun read.
July 16, 2009
a good fantasy book
June 25, 2009
I think my daughter will like it too.
June 29, 2017
Reread for the funsies. This is a very feminine manga with a hint of fresh sci-fi, good for young people.
August 18, 2013
Very entertaining!
October 19, 2021
I remember I gave up on this as a teen, but I don't remember why.
August 10, 2015
Bubble gum cute.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews