Instant Teen: Just Add Nuts, Vol, 03

おとなにナッツ [Otona ni Nuts] #3

by Haruka Fukushima

When the new school nurse discovers Natsumi's secret and the mystery behind the pink nuts, she takes every opportunity to make Natusmi's life miserable, including using her own special blend of nuts to transform into a beautiful woman too.

Genres: Manga, Shojo, Romance, Young Adult, Comedy

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Name in Japanese: フクシマハルカ
She is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She made her manga debut in 1999 in Nakayoshi Magazine with her award-winning manga Sakuranbo Kiss. She considers Otona ni Nuts (Instant Teen: Just Add Nuts) to be her masterpiece.

Reviews

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for the complete series



Eleven-year-old Natsumi can't wait to become an adult and rid herself of all the limitations children are put under. As fate has it, Natsumi comes by a pack of magical nuts that turn her into an eighteen-year-old. Even though she is thrilled, she's starting to see that life as an adult isn't all fun and games. And in the end, it's up to her childhood friend Asuma to help her out whenever her adult-shenanigans have gone wrong.

Instant Teen: Just Add Nuts ended up with a rather embarrassing-sounding title for its English translation. Interestingly, I find this manga's plot to be incredibly similar to Fukushima's other work, Ai ga Nakuchane!, which was never actually translated to English. Natsumi's story focuses on how she becomes older by eating nuts whereas the other work focuses on a girl who becomes more stylish by the use of magical make-up. Not just the premise but the characters, main and supporting, are very similar. Fukushima does rather like plots that tamper with characters' appearances, especially younger characters, and I do have to say that she does it rather well.

I've always appreciated how Fukushima writes younger characters. Natsumi loves the idea of becoming an adult but doesn't quite grasp what that entails. Above all, she doesn't realise that taking these nuts doesn't actually change who she is on the inside: a child. Her friend Asuma seems to understand that better than she does, though, and I appreciate the resulting banter. They're pretty cute together and yes, there's a bit of a romance which I think has a sweet development.

Despite their similarities, I find myself liking Fukushima's Ai ga Nakuchane! a tad more. It probably comes down to length, which might come as a surprise, given that one is a four-volume series whereas the other is a oneshot. Natsumi's story has more time to develop, which I'd generally always consider an advantage, but in this particular case, I really enjoyed the oneshot's pacing and Natsumi's story became rather repetitive.

There's quite a bit of sexualising which I probably could have done without but I would still deem this a harmless manga that can be read by the intended younger audience without worry. Otherwise, it's a fun manga but nothing outrageously special.

[Ceejay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third volume of Haruka Fukushima's manga series is as enjoyable as the first two. Half of this volume is part of the basic series as it appeared in a Japanese magazine, and the second half is a bonus story. In one story the new school doctor is aware of Natsumi's secret ability to become a beautiful adult super model, because she too can transform. Lots of competition and problems develope there! In the bonus story Natsumi's best friend, Asuma, hopes to express his heartfelt affection for Natsumi. It's not easy for a young man who can't transform into an adult. This is a really enjoyable romantic comedy!

[Fhily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Komik dewasa yang saya baca semasa kanak-kanak *lirikpakematasebelah (?) saya ingat sekali saya baca ini sewaktu saya masih kelas 6 SD :O

Saya tertarik waktu baca iklan (?) disalah satu komik kumpulan saya dulu dan baca sinopsis ceritanya. Makanya langsung cari komik ini, sayangnya yang saya dapatkan cuma seri 3 dan 4...

Seri 3 ini menceritakan tentang persaingan Natsumi dan dokter yang memeriksa kesehatan disekolahnya untuk menjadi wanita paling ideal... berbagai cara dilakukan mereka semua untuk menjadi wanita paling ideal... diseri 3 ini terasa pertarungan sengit antara mereka berdua siapa yang akan menjadi wanita paling ideal Natsumi dalam wujud dewasanya atau dokter itu yang kalau saya tidak salah ingat mantan pacar yang sekarang jadi rival profesor pembuat kacang itu... hohoho

[Reader17 Der · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Series. This girl and boy make me laugh

[Cell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this volume as much as the previous two. This one seemed less focused to me. It was still a decent read, but there were times when it felt a little erratic and confusing.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read/rated in grade school.

[Sammi Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got really confused at some parts. Over all I loved this manga. It sucks that they're only 4 in this amazing, cute, and funny series.

[Chrissie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Distasteful. There are only so many times a mangaka can put a ten year old girl into overly sexual outfits and compromising positions before a reader enters a never ending eye roll

[Samantha Ewasiuk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another fucked up lame boring Manga. I don't know why she making all her manga so badly like this. This manga make no sence at all. The story/plot/characters make no sence at all. She was all about growing up and being a adult. It was all about her and only her. She could not even see how her best friend felt/was going through at all. She only cares about being cool/sexy/adult/popular/a star. She think being a adult is all about being popular/sexy/cool nothing else. She does not care about being a chid/enjoying being a kid. She almost lost her best friend and is the only friend she have it seem. She was being hit on by older men and dating them like WTF OMG.