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Translucent #2
Translucent, Volume 2
Dark Horse Manga steps into shojo with a daring, imaginative series that puts a sci-fi twist to typical gakuen mono! Shizuka Shiroyama is an eighth grader with a mysterious disease that periodically turns her somewhat transparent... and occasionally completely invisible! She needs support from her friends and family to stay solid, both literally and figuratively, and this teen-centric romantic comedy explores both Shizuka's struggles as she copes with the incredible Translucent Syndrome and her struggles with personal insecurities, early career aspirations, and BOYS! In this volume, Mamoru and Shizuka finally go on an official date, Okouchi - their friend and the student body president - decides to be a pushy cupid, and a trip to the beach leads to some heartbreaking moments. Writer and artist Kazuhiro Okamoto crafts an excellent shojo series that is both smart and sensitive, with plenty of humor and a dash of angst.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 4, 2009
This volume was hilarious! There is a bit more nudity in this book, but they only show outlines and never the whole body. Okouchi-san, Tadami and Shizuka's friend practices with Tadami before they go on their first real date. But she is constantly frustrated at him for doing the wrong thing. Tadami shows up 20 minutes late to his actual date and then they end up doing separate things. Okouchi-san, who is watching is furious, and only gets more so when he decides to stop and spend all his money on a huge bag of plastic car models, and she decides to come flying through the air to kick him. The scene was classic. Tadami makes up by taking up for her when some kids are teasing and Shizuka is pleased that he thinks she's pretty. Okouchi-san realizes that she likes Tadami, but tries to hide it. Keiko and Koichi take Tadami and Shizuka to the beach, and right as Keiko's about to break up with Koichi again for depending on him too much, he proposes marriage. She literally shines. Shizuka's doctor, Dr. Takazawa is trying hard to get Tadami and Shizuka together as she thinks about her lost opportunity for love. Tadami is reading up on Translucent Syndrome and is afraid of losing Shizuka, esp after she falls and sprains her ankle. He carries her on his back all the way to the hospital b/c the ambulance wasn't getting there quick enough. And then of course the best part, Tadami makes the middle school into a Transformer. Crazy book, but my favorite so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2011
reminds me of love roma, but with a lighter touch. beautiful observation, with just enough comic spin, of the 14-year-old in its natural habitat, and it wears its moral lightly.
March 3, 2018
Just as good as the first volume! The storyline is very sweet, and for once I am not put off by the relationship between two MCs. Shizuka and Mamoru are cute together, and they do not act inappropriate with each other, especially considering that they're supposed to be 8th graders.
Shizuka is "shown" (if you can call it that) naked a couple times, but she's transparent at those times, so we don't see anything inappropriate. They are not sexual situations either. Once she and Keiko (who is always fully transparent anyway) are skinny dipping, and another time she falls off the raft when she and Mamoru are looking for the 'monster' [which turns out to be an iguana] and then doesn't have her clothes on while they dry, and she has a blanket part of the time anyway. I didn't find those bits offensive since again, you don't see anything (and neither do the other characters) and they're not sexual, but I figured I should point them out.:)
I do not care for Shizuka's doctor's attitude for some reason...she annoys me. I find her slightly inappropriate.:P
Okouchi's efforts to get Mamoru to do the "right" date things in the first chapter were hilarious. Mamoru goes and spends all his money on plastic models and then asks Shizuka if he can borrow money from her for lunch, among other things. I found it absolutely hilarious and cute. He genuinely cares about her and tries to help, but he's such a scatterbrain and seems younger than he's supposed to be sometimes. Anyways!
I a hundred percent recommend this series for anyone ages 13+. I do think most girls will probably be more likely to enjoy it than boys. The characters are nice, and I like the overall "feel" this manga gives off, if that makes any sense. I like Shizuka's quiet personality that comes alive when she is acting, too.
9.5/10 from me.
Shizuka is "shown" (if you can call it that) naked a couple times, but she's transparent at those times, so we don't see anything inappropriate. They are not sexual situations either. Once she and Keiko (who is always fully transparent anyway) are skinny dipping, and another time she falls off the raft when she and Mamoru are looking for the 'monster' [which turns out to be an iguana] and then doesn't have her clothes on while they dry, and she has a blanket part of the time anyway. I didn't find those bits offensive since again, you don't see anything (and neither do the other characters) and they're not sexual, but I figured I should point them out.:)
I do not care for Shizuka's doctor's attitude for some reason...she annoys me. I find her slightly inappropriate.:P
Okouchi's efforts to get Mamoru to do the "right" date things in the first chapter were hilarious. Mamoru goes and spends all his money on plastic models and then asks Shizuka if he can borrow money from her for lunch, among other things. I found it absolutely hilarious and cute. He genuinely cares about her and tries to help, but he's such a scatterbrain and seems younger than he's supposed to be sometimes. Anyways!
I a hundred percent recommend this series for anyone ages 13+. I do think most girls will probably be more likely to enjoy it than boys. The characters are nice, and I like the overall "feel" this manga gives off, if that makes any sense. I like Shizuka's quiet personality that comes alive when she is acting, too.
9.5/10 from me.
August 19, 2018
This is such a cute and fascinating manga. Shizuka's condition is a perfect excuse to talk about all sorts of things that young adolescents worry about, especially the more introverted ones. I also still really like Keiko, the fully transparant adult, who struggles with her relationship because of her own internalised doubts.
May 11, 2018
I am loving this series! So unique and interesting. I love the kanji throughout the volume, so beautiful!
January 17, 2021
I enjoyed the character and story progression in this volume. The character interactions were also really nice. This was an enjoyable and well paced volume and I look forward to the next one.
March 5, 2014
In the 2nd volume of this series, it seems the creator, Kazuhiro Okamoto, took a hint and got more creative with the panels. The art has improved just slightly compared to the first volume, and the overly serious moments have been dropped. That being said, of course it still has serious moments, but not so much as to make you get whiplash from the quirky-to-serious story in the first volume. I hope this series continues to improve, and work on its flaws.
Straight from the first chapter of this volume, Shiroyama and Tadami are going on a date. Shenanigans ensue since Tadami is involved. He literally spends every penny he has on cheap used plastic model while on the date, and has to lend money from Shiroyama to eat and get home. Okouchi followed them around while they were on their date to make sure Tadami didn't mess it up.
In the second chapter Okouchi is starting to develop a crush on Tadami while he helps her build a website for the school, but forgets the notion once she sees Tadami and Shiroyama together.
We see some more of Koichi and Keiko's relationship, which is pretty darn sweet, if I say so myself. It finally gets settled, and they pick up Shiroyama and Tadami for Shiroyama's Hospital appointment, they decide to go the beach and a plastic model shop afterwards (turns out Koichi is interested in them also.)
Though this series is getting slightly better, I still cannot ignore the many clichés this story has. I don't exactly have high hopes for this series, but I wish it well, as it is a moderately-entertaining quick read.
Story: 3/5 - Still has many clichés, and it pretty average.
Art: 3/5 - Is on the road to improvement! Yay.
Characters: 3/5 - Also on the road to improvement; We get a little personal with Shiroyama and Okuchi this volume.
Overall: 3/5 - A pretty solid three out of five isn't bad by my book, but it could use some work.
Thank you for reading, I hope it helps! I give my honest opinion as detailed as I wish and hope to influence your chances of purchasing the subject under review, whether it is positive or negative.
Straight from the first chapter of this volume, Shiroyama and Tadami are going on a date. Shenanigans ensue since Tadami is involved. He literally spends every penny he has on cheap used plastic model while on the date, and has to lend money from Shiroyama to eat and get home. Okouchi followed them around while they were on their date to make sure Tadami didn't mess it up.
In the second chapter Okouchi is starting to develop a crush on Tadami while he helps her build a website for the school, but forgets the notion once she sees Tadami and Shiroyama together.
We see some more of Koichi and Keiko's relationship, which is pretty darn sweet, if I say so myself. It finally gets settled, and they pick up Shiroyama and Tadami for Shiroyama's Hospital appointment, they decide to go the beach and a plastic model shop afterwards (turns out Koichi is interested in them also.)
Though this series is getting slightly better, I still cannot ignore the many clichés this story has. I don't exactly have high hopes for this series, but I wish it well, as it is a moderately-entertaining quick read.
Story: 3/5 - Still has many clichés, and it pretty average.
Art: 3/5 - Is on the road to improvement! Yay.
Characters: 3/5 - Also on the road to improvement; We get a little personal with Shiroyama and Okuchi this volume.
Overall: 3/5 - A pretty solid three out of five isn't bad by my book, but it could use some work.
Thank you for reading, I hope it helps! I give my honest opinion as detailed as I wish and hope to influence your chances of purchasing the subject under review, whether it is positive or negative.
August 17, 2012
This is the 2nd volume in a story that centers around Shizuka Shiroyama. She has Translucent Syndrome with causes parts of her body to turn transparent in monthly cycles until she is invisible. This manga has great multilayered characters and a poignant story that can also be funny at times. Favorite character: Mamoru Tadami.
February 21, 2016
I really couldn't stop laughing. Mamoru is just to hilarious, and when Shizuka and Mamoru hang out, it's just too cute you can't help but laugh. There are emotional moments, but they are amazing life lessons that many can relate to.
April 30, 2015
Three stars instead of four because of the creepy, sexually assualting lady doctor, who spoiled the rest of the volume for me.
July 19, 2012
The book reminds me of a romance when 2 people like each other and don't know it.
December 16, 2012
This keeps the story going. It's really not just about being transparent, it's about learning who you are and what you want from life.
January 2, 2014
Apparently I had already read this... But I don't remember it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews