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ウルトラマニアック [Ultra Maniac] #5
Ultra Maniac, Vol. 05
Shy Ayu Tateishi has just made a new friend at school. But this new friend, much to her surprise, is no ordinary classmate. Nina Sakura may look like a normal middle school girl, but she's got a big secret.She's a witch.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Wataru Yoshizumi
192 books312 followersWataru Yoshizumi (吉住渉) is a Japanese mangaka. She was born as Mari Nakai (中井 真里, Nakai Mari) on June 18, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated with a degree in economics from Hitotsubashi University.
Yoshizumi started her career as a mangaka while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a yomikiri (short story) called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social mangaka, and is a good friend of fellow mangakas Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa.
Yoshizumi currently (as of 2007) has her works published in both Ribon and Chorus.
Yoshizumi started her career as a mangaka while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a yomikiri (short story) called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social mangaka, and is a good friend of fellow mangakas Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa.
Yoshizumi currently (as of 2007) has her works published in both Ribon and Chorus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 25, 2021
Que prontito se acaban los mangas. El recuerdo que tenía ha sido tal cual con esta relectura jajaja. Este último tomo, me ha gustado, pero quizás los hechos se han dado con demasiada prisa. Debería haberse dividido en dos tomos.
La historia nos narrará la vida de Ayu y Nina, sus amistad, la magia de la segunda y los amoríos en el instituto. Un manga sencillito y tierno, pero con momentos muy divertidos. Muy en la línea de Wataru Yoshizumi.
La historia nos narrará la vida de Ayu y Nina, sus amistad, la magia de la segunda y los amoríos en el instituto. Un manga sencillito y tierno, pero con momentos muy divertidos. Muy en la línea de Wataru Yoshizumi.
June 17, 2018
On one hand, this volume wraps up the series pretty well and has good art.
On the other hand, there’s little to no humor and this was one of the happier comics I read (my typical comic reading involves stuff like Berserk and Garth Ennis so even though I don’t mind twisted stuff like that (I wouldn’t read it if I did) this was a nice change) this volume was often sad as f***. There was even a sad little kitty!
3/5
On the other hand, there’s little to no humor and this was one of the happier comics I read (my typical comic reading involves stuff like Berserk and Garth Ennis so even though I don’t mind twisted stuff like that (I wouldn’t read it if I did) this was a nice change) this volume was often sad as f***. There was even a sad little kitty!
3/5
October 31, 2023
Por favorrrrrrr, qué monada!!! No quería terminarlo nunca🥺🥺🥺🥺💖
Mil gracias a Sofi por dejármelo 😭❤️
Mil gracias a Sofi por dejármelo 😭❤️
October 26, 2025
Review for the complete series
Ayu is regarded as the cool girl at school - an image she'd like to maintain. But once she meets the bumbling exchange student Nina, she seems to stumble from one embarrassing incident to the next. Not only is Nina clumsy, but she also turns out to be a witch! One missed spell leads to another and soon Ayu's school life is in chaos.
Ultra Maniac is the only fantasy story this author has written so far. And it's a shame too! This author likes adding some crazy things to her stories which I always find hard to swallow. Adding magic to the story is a simple but clean way to deal with that issue - this was one of her few works where I did not feel as though I had to ignore my disbelief.
Ayu and Nina are both great characters. Nina was particularly cute and the way she always wants to help people is very loveable. I loved how their friendship developed. Ayu was quite stand-offish in the beginning and one can see how she grows to really care about Nina throughout the story - even to the point of giving up something that is dear to her for the sake of her friend.
While the author did a great job with portraying their friendship, I found the romance less convincing. I actually liked that romance took a backseat and that the main focus was on the friendship and magic. Nonetheless, I wish the romance was handled differently. It starts off quite nice and natural - I like how the characters slowly notice each other rather than falling in love too fast. But while the romance was really slow during the first few volumes, it turned fast very suddenly in the final volume. I could see the romance budding, but then it just took off like a rocket and I found it hard to comprehend.
Seeing as the romance was really not the main point, though, I can't complain too much. The magic system was never explored all that much, I think it would have been nice to know a little more about the Magic Kingdom. The comedy is much in the style of Yoshizumi and very enjoyable - the art is also adorable and just nice to look at!
November 10, 2025
Instead of reviewing each volume individually, I'll let my review for this volume serve as my review for the entire series. Note that, despite this manga being pretty old, I read this for the first time just this year (2025), so I am not biased by any nostalgia.
Very fun and entertaining story and I enjoyed the characters. I can tell just by reading this manga that Yoshizumi-san is very creative and has a lively imagination. I really wanted to see what the Magic Kingdom looked like though. When Nina transported herself and Hiroki to France or Canada or wherever, I was getting excited because I initially thought it was the Magic Kingdom, but then was disappointed to realize that it was just another country here on Earth.
The artwork was a little bit dull or mediocre in my opinion. I enjoyed things like the character's facial expressions, the detail on clothes and hair, etc., but I found the environments (hallways, classrooms, homes, outdoor spaces, etc.) to be rather dull. This manga is from the early 2000s so the artwork does have some of that warmth and charm you'd expect from that era.
Very fun and entertaining story and I enjoyed the characters. I can tell just by reading this manga that Yoshizumi-san is very creative and has a lively imagination. I really wanted to see what the Magic Kingdom looked like though. When Nina transported herself and Hiroki to France or Canada or wherever, I was getting excited because I initially thought it was the Magic Kingdom, but then was disappointed to realize that it was just another country here on Earth.
The artwork was a little bit dull or mediocre in my opinion. I enjoyed things like the character's facial expressions, the detail on clothes and hair, etc., but I found the environments (hallways, classrooms, homes, outdoor spaces, etc.) to be rather dull. This manga is from the early 2000s so the artwork does have some of that warmth and charm you'd expect from that era.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2020
This is the kind of manga you'd pick up if you want a very, very light material. This story is just cute and all. Not dramatic and not too funny either. It's something you want to read to relax your mind.
If compared to the anime, I think the anime has a better storyline compared to this one. This seemed to be the lighter storyline of the anime, even though it's the original one.
Maya was seen on the final chapter but only in Nina's PC, so there's really no portrayal of Maya, who is the supposed rival of Nina in the anime (and my favorite character too!)
Although to be frank, this is a bit bland compared to the story, I'd still give it a perfect rating because it's not boring and no fillers were needed to fulfill the plot of the story.
If compared to the anime, I think the anime has a better storyline compared to this one. This seemed to be the lighter storyline of the anime, even though it's the original one.
Maya was seen on the final chapter but only in Nina's PC, so there's really no portrayal of Maya, who is the supposed rival of Nina in the anime (and my favorite character too!)
Although to be frank, this is a bit bland compared to the story, I'd still give it a perfect rating because it's not boring and no fillers were needed to fulfill the plot of the story.
May 7, 2012
This is the end of the series, and I have to say that I really liked how it ended. The second to last chapter is the original, intended ending, and it's bittersweet. The actual last chapter is an epilogue, set three years later, and it wraps up the characters' stories nicely. Overall, I really enjoyed this series for the characters, the light romance, the magical backdrop, and the pretty art.
February 10, 2008
This is one of my favorite series of manga. Its sad that it had to end here.
December 6, 2008
sigh...such a good series :D
**SO in lala land** :P
**SO in lala land** :P
October 4, 2025
I'm so glad to still have this series. It's sweet and wholesome. I want more!
June 7, 2017
One Word Rec.: BORROW
Rating: 3 ☆彡
Yoshizumi, Watasu; ULTRA MANIAC [Ultra Maniac]
e/read online; genre: { manga, shoujo }; shelves:
This is a shoujo manga series. I am only placing my actual review for V. 1 & V. 5, as my review sorta covers the entire series. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me.
General Synopsis:
Nina Sakura is a witch. The problem is, she failed at her school in the Magic Kingdom, so she has come to Earth as a transfer student. Soon after transferring, she meets Ayu Tateishi, a fellow 7th grader, who has a crush on Tetsushi Kaji. After their initial meeting, Nina decides she can trust Ayu and reveals to her that she is witch. As you can imagine, hijinks ensue.
Ultra Maniac is 5 volumes & has an actual conclusion.
Characters:
Ayu Tateishi, the primary female protagonist. Popular, plays tennis & has a crush on Tetsushi
Nina Sakura, the second female protagonist. Witch-in-training
Tetsushi Kaji, the boy Ayu has a crush on
Hiroki Tsujiai, Tetsushi's best friend &
Yuta Kirishima, a childhood friend of Nina's from Magic Kingdom
Leo, Nina's pet cat, who can also take the form of a young boy
Sayaka Nakamura,
Mito Kirishima, Yuta's older sister, who becomes a new teacher at their middle school
Personal Opinion:
Well, first off, this IS a shoujo manga, so it was cute.
I have to be honest here. Although I enjoy shoujo manga, I find that my individual taste tends to lean more toward the shounen genre. Still, my favorite shoujo series are Skip Beat!, Vol. 01, Sailor Moon, #1, & basically ANYTHING by CLAMP . So I believe my standards are very high when I am judging shoujo titles. I do hope I have not offended anyone by my rating or my opinion.
When I began this series, I couldn't decide if I wanted to rate it 2 1/2 STARS, or 3. Usually if I think a book is only worth 2 STARS, I tend to drop it if it's a series, but I am reading Ultra Maniac in a reading challenge and had decided since there are only 5 volumes, I was going to read the complete series. As I continued the series, I began to become a little more involved and finally decided Ultra Maniac deserves to by rated 3 STARS, which for me means GOOD, POSSIBLE RE-READ WORTHY = to Buy on DVD.
I would happily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys shoujo manga. To anyone who wants to something light and easy to breeze through.
Rating: 3 ☆彡
Yoshizumi, Watasu; ULTRA MANIAC [Ultra Maniac]
e/read online; genre: { manga, shoujo }; shelves:
This is a shoujo manga series. I am only placing my actual review for V. 1 & V. 5, as my review sorta covers the entire series. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me.
General Synopsis:
Nina Sakura is a witch. The problem is, she failed at her school in the Magic Kingdom, so she has come to Earth as a transfer student. Soon after transferring, she meets Ayu Tateishi, a fellow 7th grader, who has a crush on Tetsushi Kaji. After their initial meeting, Nina decides she can trust Ayu and reveals to her that she is witch. As you can imagine, hijinks ensue.
Ultra Maniac is 5 volumes & has an actual conclusion.
Characters:
Ayu Tateishi, the primary female protagonist. Popular, plays tennis & has a crush on Tetsushi
Nina Sakura, the second female protagonist. Witch-in-training
Tetsushi Kaji, the boy Ayu has a crush on
Hiroki Tsujiai, Tetsushi's best friend &
Yuta Kirishima, a childhood friend of Nina's from Magic Kingdom
Leo, Nina's pet cat, who can also take the form of a young boy
Sayaka Nakamura,
Mito Kirishima, Yuta's older sister, who becomes a new teacher at their middle school
Personal Opinion:
Well, first off, this IS a shoujo manga, so it was cute.
I have to be honest here. Although I enjoy shoujo manga, I find that my individual taste tends to lean more toward the shounen genre. Still, my favorite shoujo series are Skip Beat!, Vol. 01, Sailor Moon, #1, & basically ANYTHING by CLAMP . So I believe my standards are very high when I am judging shoujo titles. I do hope I have not offended anyone by my rating or my opinion.
When I began this series, I couldn't decide if I wanted to rate it 2 1/2 STARS, or 3. Usually if I think a book is only worth 2 STARS, I tend to drop it if it's a series, but I am reading Ultra Maniac in a reading challenge and had decided since there are only 5 volumes, I was going to read the complete series. As I continued the series, I began to become a little more involved and finally decided Ultra Maniac deserves to by rated 3 STARS, which for me means GOOD, POSSIBLE RE-READ WORTHY = to Buy on DVD.
I would happily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys shoujo manga. To anyone who wants to something light and easy to breeze through.
March 3, 2018
The cover's illustration perfectly sums up the last volume of the series with the text on Nina and Ayu's shirts: "Don't forget me" and "Final", a bittersweet send-off especially reflecting on how its US publication company branch, Shojo Beat closed down a mere three years after this issue's release.
Possibly because of my 30-year-old self's view on the world has an edge of a cynical realism, rereading the rushed conclusion and epilogue where all central characters paired off perfectly together just didn't cut it with me anymore... least of all with its low level of believability that all couples' relationships had the staying power throughout all of high school. Though the hopeless romantic in me didn't mind this when I first read this at age 18, nor the other times I read this in subsequent years. I suppose that, though this is something that the older, life-experienced self would judge now, back then I had learned to accept the fantasy and just enjoy the end to a simple story. With that in mind, I shouldn't question it too much and just accept it for the fluffy manga it is.
The quality matches the rest of the series, so there really isn't anything to complain about with its uninvolved ending. For anyone who wanted a shojo manga that is cute and elementary, this would be your speed.
Possibly because of my 30-year-old self's view on the world has an edge of a cynical realism, rereading the rushed conclusion and epilogue where all central characters paired off perfectly together just didn't cut it with me anymore... least of all with its low level of believability that all couples' relationships had the staying power throughout all of high school. Though the hopeless romantic in me didn't mind this when I first read this at age 18, nor the other times I read this in subsequent years. I suppose that, though this is something that the older, life-experienced self would judge now, back then I had learned to accept the fantasy and just enjoy the end to a simple story. With that in mind, I shouldn't question it too much and just accept it for the fluffy manga it is.
The quality matches the rest of the series, so there really isn't anything to complain about with its uninvolved ending. For anyone who wanted a shojo manga that is cute and elementary, this would be your speed.
January 16, 2018
When Ayu does a favor for Nina, Nina decides to repay her by telling her her secret: she's really a witch from another world called Magic Kingdom. She wants to help Ayu out by doing some spells for her, but unfortunately the reason she's at Ayu's school is because she was flunking out of her magic school, so nothing she does quite goes as planned.
I wasn't that thrilled with the plot of this because I'm not that big a fan of magical stories, but the magic is really in the background here. Mostly this is the story of Ayu and Nina's friendship and their respective romances, and by the end I found I was enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.
I wasn't that thrilled with the plot of this because I'm not that big a fan of magical stories, but the magic is really in the background here. Mostly this is the story of Ayu and Nina's friendship and their respective romances, and by the end I found I was enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.
December 19, 2022
I first picked up Ultra Maniac at a book fair in elementary school. I begged my mom to buy me the series because I loved the art so much and I wanted to read and draw it all! I spent hours drawing these characters and they were a big part of my development as an artist when I was so young. My mom only bought me 4 out of 5 of the series(the last may have not been out yet) and so I never got to read the ending. Not until now at 27 years old 💖 this is a more simple story with heartwarming characters that I will always love! (And will probably draw again because I grew up to be an artist and my art journey and love for reading and manga continues❤️)
April 8, 2023
The ending seemed rushed. And that bonus chapter was strange. 3 years later, and we needed random drama??? That was resolved almost instantly?
And it was the typical shojo ending. Everyone that was coupled up, was still coupled up 3 years later. Not realistic. Like no one broke up? Yeah, we all know a lot of “high school sweethearts “ LOL.
Anyway, I give this series a 4/5 stars overall.
It started strong and ended weak. Too much drama was added. Not enough romance. Probably because they were 14. It was a cute series though. I really loved the art!!!! This makes me want to reread Marmalade Boy again!!!
And it was the typical shojo ending. Everyone that was coupled up, was still coupled up 3 years later. Not realistic. Like no one broke up? Yeah, we all know a lot of “high school sweethearts “ LOL.
Anyway, I give this series a 4/5 stars overall.
It started strong and ended weak. Too much drama was added. Not enough romance. Probably because they were 14. It was a cute series though. I really loved the art!!!! This makes me want to reread Marmalade Boy again!!!
August 29, 2021
ultra maniac is genuinely good, i'm really impressed considering the last time i've read it was in elementary school.
it still bummers me out that my favorite couple, nina and yuta, didn't even had a confession scene but i can understand how hiroki feels right for her, specially after the bonus chapter... i'm still bummed out tho lol
it still bummers me out that my favorite couple, nina and yuta, didn't even had a confession scene but i can understand how hiroki feels right for her, specially after the bonus chapter... i'm still bummed out tho lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2023
Such a cute ending, and one that felt right for all the characters. I know the author didn't intend to write the bonus story at first, but I'm glad she did. It was great to see all of them years later, especially seeing
March 13, 2018
magic girl romance manga
October 28, 2018
Ahhhh it's over :(
Ending was pretty weird, but I really enjoyed this little series <3
Ending was pretty weird, but I really enjoyed this little series <3
August 27, 2020
Cute ending!
November 12, 2022
ART - 5/5
It was an enjoyable read.
It was an enjoyable read.
July 26, 2023
Believe in Wataru Yoshizumi’s supremacy! Such a lovely series published by m&c when comics’ prize was only idr 11K - 12K. TT__TT
March 6, 2024
such a sweet ending. I LOVE their older designs, they're so well though out!!! seriously one of my favorite series ever
July 23, 2024
3.5-- rating for the whole series!
December 31, 2024
See Vol. 1 for review.
December 2, 2025
Je mets une note globale pour les 5 tomes.
C'est très sympa à lire. Je me suis bien attachée à Nina.
Je les avais adorés étant plus jeune.
C'est très sympa à lire. Je me suis bien attachée à Nina.
Je les avais adorés étant plus jeune.
December 11, 2025
encore des livres trouvés au bonheur la chance, qui ont finit par se faire une petite place dans mon cœur <3
October 2, 2019
Junto al primero este ha sido mi tomo favorito!!!
En cuanto a la nota de toda la obra diría que es un 3,75/5 (un 7,5 vaya) y es que la obra me ha gustado mucho y también me ha sorprendido. Es una obra que se lee muy rápido (en mi caso en un solo día xD) y es que es fresca y divertida. Wataru Yoshizumi para mi hace obras muy amenas de leer y muy sencillas, aunque en este caso nos ha metido algo de magia y fantasía que le da un toque especial a la obra.
Puntos a favor:
-La comedia (sobre todo en el primer tomo y esas referencias a Doraemon. No podía con mi vida JAJAJAJA).
-El dibujo que, aunque es el típico dibujo shojo me parece maravilloso. Y ay esos conjuntos. Los quiero todos.
-Drama sorprendentemente bien llevado.
-Que Nina no se pensase ni un segundo (bueno casi) lo de irse a estudiar porque es su SUEÑO y no dejó que su novio/amiga se interpusieran en su camino.
-La amistad de Ayu y Nina <3
-Tsujiai de mayor ASDFGHJKL
-El capítulo extra y verlos a todos de mayor AW.
-Las últimas páginas casi me hacen llorar 3
Puntos en contra:
-Los líos amorosos... (osea lo del amigo de Nina vale pero la chica mestiza pfff me sacaba de quicio y la historia tampoco es que me tocara mucho. Creo que solo aparece para darle algo de misterio y que la prota despierte su poder. A parte de que se enamora de los 3 chicos de la serie y me quedé wtf)
-Me hubiese encantado ver cómo era y funcionaba el Reino Mágico pero no se nos da apenas información y jo.
-A los personajes les gusta uno y al pasar la página les gusta otro (amigo de la infancia de Nina, la propia Nina... incluso Tsujiai un poco. Y como no la mestiza xD)
-Me encanta Tsujiai pero su historia con Nina no me convencía sorry not sorry.
-Esperaba ver a Nina con su traje rojo pero eso es solo cosa del anime y decepción :(((((
-Kaji es un Yuu 2.0 y encima a partir de la segunda mitad de la serie ya no tiene protagonismo y sólo sale para ir de cita con Ayu xDDD. Además el pobre no se entera de nada.
En cuanto a la nota de toda la obra diría que es un 3,75/5 (un 7,5 vaya) y es que la obra me ha gustado mucho y también me ha sorprendido. Es una obra que se lee muy rápido (en mi caso en un solo día xD) y es que es fresca y divertida. Wataru Yoshizumi para mi hace obras muy amenas de leer y muy sencillas, aunque en este caso nos ha metido algo de magia y fantasía que le da un toque especial a la obra.
Puntos a favor:
-La comedia (sobre todo en el primer tomo y esas referencias a Doraemon. No podía con mi vida JAJAJAJA).
-El dibujo que, aunque es el típico dibujo shojo me parece maravilloso. Y ay esos conjuntos. Los quiero todos.
-Drama sorprendentemente bien llevado.
-Que Nina no se pensase ni un segundo (bueno casi) lo de irse a estudiar porque es su SUEÑO y no dejó que su novio/amiga se interpusieran en su camino.
-La amistad de Ayu y Nina <3
-Tsujiai de mayor ASDFGHJKL
-El capítulo extra y verlos a todos de mayor AW.
-Las últimas páginas casi me hacen llorar 3
Puntos en contra:
-Los líos amorosos... (osea lo del amigo de Nina vale pero la chica mestiza pfff me sacaba de quicio y la historia tampoco es que me tocara mucho. Creo que solo aparece para darle algo de misterio y que la prota despierte su poder. A parte de que se enamora de los 3 chicos de la serie y me quedé wtf)
-Me hubiese encantado ver cómo era y funcionaba el Reino Mágico pero no se nos da apenas información y jo.
-A los personajes les gusta uno y al pasar la página les gusta otro (amigo de la infancia de Nina, la propia Nina... incluso Tsujiai un poco. Y como no la mestiza xD)
-Me encanta Tsujiai pero su historia con Nina no me convencía sorry not sorry.
-Esperaba ver a Nina con su traje rojo pero eso es solo cosa del anime y decepción :(((((
-Kaji es un Yuu 2.0 y encima a partir de la segunda mitad de la serie ya no tiene protagonismo y sólo sale para ir de cita con Ayu xDDD. Además el pobre no se entera de nada.
April 11, 2013
This was a good series marred by two things for me: 1) Too large a cast without a lot of character development and 2) an ending that was fragmented and rather dull.
The story telling was solid since Wataru Yoshizumi was a seasoned mangaka by this point. And the situations were often funny. Also, the art was adorable. Nina Sakura was a cute character. I just felt the story felt thin compared to Marmalade Boy. This, I believe, was due to the simplistic conflicts. It was a story about a inept magical girl who found new ways each week to mess up her best friend's life. The similarity to Doraemon was even pointed out by the characters. Unlike Marmalade Boy, this was a short story that wrapped up in five volumes as opposed to Marmalade Boy's eight. I don't feel the story was long enough to balance three couples and a coming of age story arc with a bevy of side characters. Often mangaka will introduce new characters to spike reader interest, but the readers often lose interest when the main characters just aren't that interesting. I feel this was the case with Ultra Maniac.
As for the ending, it felt anti-climactic until the epilogue where things were tied up nicely. Perhaps introducing yet another character was too much to throw in the mix. Each new character took time away from Nina's story and her story was thin to begin with. The truth about Nina's academic capabilities was sprung on us without enough foreshadowing and felt more like a gimmick for ratings than an organic part of the story.
Still, I didn't mind reading the story. Consider Ultra Maniac more of a guilty pleasure.
The story telling was solid since Wataru Yoshizumi was a seasoned mangaka by this point. And the situations were often funny. Also, the art was adorable. Nina Sakura was a cute character. I just felt the story felt thin compared to Marmalade Boy. This, I believe, was due to the simplistic conflicts. It was a story about a inept magical girl who found new ways each week to mess up her best friend's life. The similarity to Doraemon was even pointed out by the characters. Unlike Marmalade Boy, this was a short story that wrapped up in five volumes as opposed to Marmalade Boy's eight. I don't feel the story was long enough to balance three couples and a coming of age story arc with a bevy of side characters. Often mangaka will introduce new characters to spike reader interest, but the readers often lose interest when the main characters just aren't that interesting. I feel this was the case with Ultra Maniac.
As for the ending, it felt anti-climactic until the epilogue where things were tied up nicely. Perhaps introducing yet another character was too much to throw in the mix. Each new character took time away from Nina's story and her story was thin to begin with. The truth about Nina's academic capabilities was sprung on us without enough foreshadowing and felt more like a gimmick for ratings than an organic part of the story.
Still, I didn't mind reading the story. Consider Ultra Maniac more of a guilty pleasure.
October 19, 2015
Ultra Maniac tells the tale of shy student and athlete, Ayu Tateishi, who encounters befriends the new girl at school, Nina Sakura, one day. Little did Ayu know, by befriending Nina, her world would change forever for Nina Sakura is a witch in training. Together, Nina and Ayu develop their friendship by facing both the struggles of everyday life and the extra problems caused by the supernatural mayhem attached to Nina. As the story progresses, I enjoyed the romantic elements because there seems to be a sense of morality and maturity that educates the youth in this series on various topics from how to deal with love triangles to how to deal with bad grades to how to deal with harassment. Ultra Maniac is packed with life lessons, which I think is one of my favorite parts about it. On another note, Ultra Maniac also reminded me of a mix between Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and for some reason, Fruit Baskets (still trying to figure out why). It's definitely directed towards the youth with its focus on friendship and life lessons, but I found myself still interested on what would happen next in the storyline. On the other hand, one downfall of this series is its ending because it seems to be rather rushed, but considering that the series only consists of five volumes, I shouldn't complain. Overall, Ultra Maniac is an adorable series and I could see myself reading this series to my future children (if I have any) as a way of introducing them to manga.
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