Shugo Chara!, Vol. 4: Character Swap!

しゅごキャラ！/ Shugokyara! #4

by Peach-Pit

日奈森（ひなもり）あむに、4つめのしゅごたまがあらわれた。どんな子が生まれるのか、おどろきと期待の新学期のはじまり～。でも同じガーディアンだった相馬空海（そうま・くうかい）は卒業しちゃうし、親友の藤咲（ふじさき）なでしこは海外留学に。しかも、新Q（クイーン）の真城（ましろ）りまは、超くせもので……。すっかりブルーになったあむの4つめのたまごに、×（バツ）がついていなくなっちゃった！！　代わりにほしな歌唄（うたう）のしゅごキャラ・エルが家出してあむのもとへやってきた！？　番外編では、なでしこの秘密が！

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2007

About the author

Peach-Pit (ピーチ・ピット Pīchi Pitto) is a female manga artist duo in Japan, made up of Banri Sendo (千道 万里 Sendō Banri) and Shibuko Ebara (えばら 渋子 Ebara Shibuko). Their group name derives from the diner hangout Peach-Pit from the TV show Beverly Hills, 90210. Although both have similar styles, with some artwork it is possible to identify which artist drew it. Both are known for their bishōjo styled works. As noted in their books, they are both Geminis and have "Almost flushed our phones down the toilet...twice."

The two of them grew up together and went to the same elementary school and have been best friends ever since. Both started as doujinshi manga artists, but not as Peach-Pit. Then they were scouted by Dengeki Comic Gao!. In 2008, one of their manga, Shugo Chara!, was awarded the Kodansha Manga Award for best children's manga. Shugo Chara was also turned later into an Anime television series.

Reviews

[Popuri ⍟]

Worst volume so far, but I still really liked it. This was kind of a transitional volume, where we introduced some new characters and plotpoints, but still didn't get the time to properly flesh them out and get invested.

I remembered from the anime that Utau and Ikuto where somehow related, I just didn't remember how... Turns out my brain blocked that piece of information out for a very good reason! Utau needs to chill and quickly.
Also, I don't remember the anime hinting at Amu having any sort of crush on Kuukai..? Maybe it did, but I truly wish this had just been written as a platonic relationship from beginning to end.
That being said, I still really liked the extra story at the end of the volume, where we get to see Nadeshiko again <3 ngl... I was always 100% for Amu and Ikuto, but... Nadeshiko/Nagihiko and Amu might be a vibe??

Anyway, this is still an incredibly good series! Can't wait to keep devouring it.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing change of pace from what I have been reading.

[Kayla Brunson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most complex volume yet. We really got to see more of an emotional side of Amu here. She's feeling insecure and also going through some changes that a new school year can bring. She's trying to find her place in the new order of the Guardians and also her love life is coming into play.

Side note, not this manga full of 5th and 6 graders being deep and giving eye opening advice and dialogue!

This ended with a big reveal! I was shocked and am left excited to see where the next volume leads.

[mikael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The side story was 5 stars but a certain reveal had me gagging

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always liked the side story in this one, but I forgot about a certain reveal and was gagged especially going through the series now that I actually understand things that went over my head as a kid💀

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ll be able to finish this series now. It turns out that Ikuto and Utau are siblings. So Utau is madly in love with her brother and she jumps him before starting to kiss him. It’s treated like a joke when it shouldn’t be and it just ruined the entire series for me

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read 2022: Ah yes, this volume. People should just talk. All the unnecessary drama and Amu who should know what happened before and shouldn't worry so much. Instead she should be proud of having a new egg. And I understand that things are scary and new, but come on girl. Now your egg has an X. :| Also disappointed in Utau, I thought she would be better, but she is just doing cheap stuff now. Such a shame.
And I am not a fan of Rimu yet, plus, I would have rather have only Amu and Utau transform fully instead of suddenly more and more peeps doing it. That would make it a bit more special and also fit with them having more than one egg.
Still happy that Kukai came back for a bit! He is much more fun than the new Jack.
The sidestory was good but I hope that Nadeshiko becomes honest to Amu, because it is a tad unfair now.

-------------------

Re-read 2017: Meh, this was definitely not my favourite volume, I was mostly frustrated and also a bit bored. I hated the new characters and I am definitely not looking forward to the rest of the volumes having these characters. Can’t we get a new character that is better?

Also I am a bit confused as to why the new Queen can also transform. So far it seemed only Utau and Amu could transform, but now this annoying little *insert some strong language* can also transform? Urgh.

Plus add to that the fact that Amu made the same mistake she did when in the first volumes. Denying her true self. And thus her new egg… well… read for yourself. I was just pissed at Amu. You would think that after so long she would know that she shouldn’t act like this.

I hated Utau as well in this one. She is normally quite a bit nicer (though oh so tsundere), but what she did in this one was just disgusting. I thought she didn’t want to use cheap shots to get stuff? But now she is using it… *sighs*

But I had quite a laugh when she started doing that to Ikuto. I already knew what was going on, but it was so fun to see the Guardians’ reactions to it.

The side-story was the best part and also the reason why this one didn’t get a 1 star. I won’t spoil anything, but finally this big thing is revealed. I remember it caused a lot of confusion for Amu though. Can’t wait for her to figure/find it out.

And I hope that Amu will be honest about her new egg. And not keep it away from her friends, the Guardians, for too long.

Plus that twist about character, well then again, since I read the series and saw the series before, I knew about it, but it was still a well done twist.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite volume thus far. The bonus story is especially a piece I enjoyed in the development do the story. The swapping of Guardian characters is definitely an interesting thing to see happen. I do hope things can be fixed so Diamond is back with Amu and Utau can reconcile with El. Though Utau's feelings for Ikuto are a little weird...

[Lesedelfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shugo Chara Band vier vom Autorenduo PEACH-PIT enthüllt wieder jede Menge neuer Möglichkeiten für verschiedene Handlungen. Nicht nur die Hauptperson Amu muss sich mit ihrem tiefsten Inneren auseinandersetzen. Auch ihre Gegnerin Utau, die bereits ihren vielseitigen Charakter gezeigt hat, ist zu Entscheidungen ihres Herzens gezwungen. Alte Charaktere verabschieden sich teilweise, dafür erscheinen aber neue, die ebenso faszinierend wie verwirrend sind und bestimmt noch für viel Chaos sorgen werden.

PEACH-PIT hat es wieder deutlich gemacht, dass Shugo Chara ein einziges Überraschungsei ist, denn Amu findet gleich zu Beginn diesen Bandes ein viertes Shugo Chara Ei, dass noch nicht geschlüpft ist, aber zweifelsfrei ihr gehört. Dass sie mit Ran, Miki und Su bereits drei Schutzengel hat, die Amu's verschiedene Ich's widerspiegeln, sprengt eigentlich schon den Rahmen des Möglichen, aber durch dieses vierte Ei beginnt Amu's innerer Kampf erst recht. Sie fühlt sich zu zwei Jungen hingezogen, die beide geheimnisvoll verpackt sind und ihre Gedanken zum kreiseln bringen. Tadase ist auch ein Guardian wie sie und der König, der auf ihrer Seite ist, während Ikuto zwar ein helfender Kerl ist, aber auch Kontakt zu Easter hat, die Jagd auf X-Eier machen. Easter ist immer noch auf der Suche nach dem Embryoei, mit dem man sich jeden Wunsch erfüllen kann, aber auch Amu muss nach den X-Eiern suchen und sie unschädlich machen, denn das ist ihr Job als Joker.

Die Handlung könnte offener und spannender nicht sein, denn Amu ist sehr zerrüttelt, bekommt Hilfe und Gegenwind gleichermaßen. Und trotzdem ist es wieder eine süß erzählte Geschichte voller Herausforderungen und sehenswerter Momente. Die Zeichnungen reißen wie gewohnt mit und sorgen für Highlights von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite.

Das Ende lässt sehr viel Interpretationsraum und macht neugierig auf den weiteren Verlauf der Reihe. Meine Begeisterung für diese Mangas ist ungebrochen.

[Persy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I wonder where ‘like’ becomes ‘love’. ‘Like’ as a friend. ‘Like’ as respect. There are so many different kinds of ‘likes’. So when does ‘like’ turn into ‘love’? Where is the boundary?”

MY FEELS!! I’m honestly super not pumped on the two newest character additions to the story (but I think that’s how I am supposed to feel?) and wouldn’t you know it, I loved this volume anyways. This story just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. It is such a well thought out coming of age saga that is relatable to boys and girls alike.

I’ll take more Ikuto and Amu though please. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT TWIST WITH UTAU?!

[Beau · Rating 1 out of 5]

That drop in quality though🥲

1. why did we get rid of two established, well written characters for 2 caricatures? Who gives a shit about these annoying ass fuckers?
2. Fucking incest. WHY?
3. One of my fav aspects of magical girl mangas are the female friendships. Naturally one of my fav aspects of Shugo Chara was the friendship between Amu and Nadeshiko. Was, because turns out Nadeshiko is actually a boy who is just really trying get immersed into a role and of course he has a crush on the main character.

I'm going to read volume 5 but the manga has much to make up for.

[Gateway_to_Wonderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan yhä enemmän ja enemmän tykästyä tähän sarjaan 😯 Alun kohellus ja henkilöiden kiireellä tehdyt esittelyt on muuttuneet pikku hiljaa kunnon juoneksi, jossa on mielenkiintoisia käänteitä.

Hahmoille annetaan enemmän syvyyttä ja juonikuviot tarkentuvat. Jotkut juonikuviot saavat kyllä kulmakarvan nousemaan, mutta näillä mennään 😅

Suosittelen tätä kirjaa kaikille, joita manga, itsensä löytäminen, japanilainen koulumaailma ja fantasia kiinnostavat 😊

[Live · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a jam packed Volume. So much happens. The start of the Diamond Arc, some characters leave temporarily, some new characters have been introduced with lots of action and excitement; the characters that are still around continue to be developed. Though... THAT kiss has always been a little strange XD

[Natasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoa, whoa, whoa - why did we need to introduce the incest plot?!! As well as the non consensual incest kiss?!! What the heck, authors???

Also, I don't think that there was the need to reveal Nadeshiko's secret in the side story before its time (even though it was somewhat obvious in the story so far). And the motivation behind the secret is completely bonkers, imo.

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by K.M. : "I just can't get over how cute this manga is. I like to read it because the characters grow up more in every book. Though the story line may be childish it is one of my favorite mangas."

[Melissa]

i do not remember rima's insane internalized misogyny and the grossest boy classmates ever, i used to love rima but now like.... girl get a grip

bonus points for amu and utau's coolest transformations: their angel and devil looks

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don't know what it's like to be my true self..."
"If you don't know, it means you can become anything you want to be, right?"

Loving the introduction of flexibility of identity.

Minus one star for the flash of incest 💀

[Sabrina Wannet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love shugo chara it is an amazing manga and anime. This book was good to read even tho it was in german instead of my normal english.

[Guylaine Boisvert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lecture amusante, ni plus ni moins

[Teriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this wasn’t my favorite volume out of the series . I still enjoyed it very much !

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

High 4 stars

[Ce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love shugo chara! One of my fave manga series, the art, the characters - it’s all perfect 🥺🤩💓💓

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 18.5

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better. I mean, things went crazy in this book. So many twists and turns--this one was hard to keep up!

[gi]

i am processing

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that got weird fairly quickly. Iykyk

[christina ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

excuse me, what

[Inola · Rating 1 out of 5]

J’ai lu ça y a 10 ans. Pour moi à l’époque c’était trop bien mais là j’avais j’ai aucun souvenir mdr. Mais l’histoire et le personnage principal était grave sympa!