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オセロ [Othello] #1
Othello, Volume 1
HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES
Yaya’s high school friends haven’t been very nice. They call her “Yaya the cry-ya! Yaya the misfi-ya!” But no matter how badly they act, Yaya is just too naïve and trusting to believe the worst of her friends. Hard-rocking, butt-kicking Nana is just the girl to grab hold of Yaya’s timid demeanor and turn it upside down. Nana exposes Yaya’s “friends” as slime bags, doles out punishment, and does it all with style. Can there be anything that terminally shy Yaya and hyper-confident Nana have in common? Well, for one thing, they’re the same person. . . .
Yaya’s high school friends haven’t been very nice. They call her “Yaya the cry-ya! Yaya the misfi-ya!” But no matter how badly they act, Yaya is just too naïve and trusting to believe the worst of her friends. Hard-rocking, butt-kicking Nana is just the girl to grab hold of Yaya’s timid demeanor and turn it upside down. Nana exposes Yaya’s “friends” as slime bags, doles out punishment, and does it all with style. Can there be anything that terminally shy Yaya and hyper-confident Nana have in common? Well, for one thing, they’re the same person. . . .
199 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2003
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747 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 20, 2018
1.5 stars. There was nothing interesting about this really, mostly just stupid talk between two girls. Nothing special and the art was okay. There are likely so many better books with actual plots you can pick up.
September 14, 2025
(Popsugar-25): 37. Two books with the same title
December 28, 2007
I had started this one a few years ago, but never got around to finishing it, so I figured I'd grab it from the library again. The plot is fairly standard shojo--young woman in school with a problem--but the solution is not a new friend or lifestyle change. This time, the girl splits completely, forming an aggressive, assertive personality that takes action---sometimes in violent ways--to do what her normal self cannot.
This story is interesting but has one problem that I have a bit of a problem overcoming, namely that there's not quite enough done to make us see a physical difference when the change occurs. While Nana holds herself differently when she's Yaya, the idea that her friends cannot tell for sure that she's still the same person strikes me as odd. A girl still looks like the same girl, even if she lets her pigtails fall down, you know what I mean?
However, I am willing to overlook that to see how Ikezawa explores the break between the two selves and how it will come to hurt Yaya, who seems to genuinely not know they're occurring. Will Nana take over completely? Will her friends ever figure it out, and if so, will she be more isolated than ever? I for one would like to know, and will keep reading to find out. (Library, 12/07)
Trebby's Take: Recommended.
This story is interesting but has one problem that I have a bit of a problem overcoming, namely that there's not quite enough done to make us see a physical difference when the change occurs. While Nana holds herself differently when she's Yaya, the idea that her friends cannot tell for sure that she's still the same person strikes me as odd. A girl still looks like the same girl, even if she lets her pigtails fall down, you know what I mean?
However, I am willing to overlook that to see how Ikezawa explores the break between the two selves and how it will come to hurt Yaya, who seems to genuinely not know they're occurring. Will Nana take over completely? Will her friends ever figure it out, and if so, will she be more isolated than ever? I for one would like to know, and will keep reading to find out. (Library, 12/07)
Trebby's Take: Recommended.
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November 12, 2008Probably the first interracial marriage in literature. The main characters are a General who is a Moor and his wife who is an Englishwoman. Jealousy and trust are main components of the plot.
August 31, 2022
Read this book so you can tell classic readers you have read Othello* 🤣🤣🤣
But seriously, Othello is about a shy girl named Yaya, whose been bullied and hurt by her peers, feeling extremely lonely. She’s stuck in a bad friendship with two girls who don’t like her. Secretly, she cosplays and hangs out with goths who love the same music. But her friends are out to get her.
After opening a letter she wrote to her future self, finding a mirror left in the package, she is able to turn into Nana, her alternate cool girl persona who takes no shit, though when she changes back she can never remember what just happened. She is able to get revenge on her terrible friends, and might even get the boy she likes…
I basically explained the entire volume 1 to you, and that’s basically it.
I do love the art style, specifically the early 2000s fashion choices, which is probably most of my enjoyment comes from. Having Nana doing cool shit in a bucket hat and bootcut jeans with the biggest belt is so fun to read.
(*It’s a reference to the board game where tiles are flipped from black to white and vice versa, not a reference to the Shakespeare play)
But seriously, Othello is about a shy girl named Yaya, whose been bullied and hurt by her peers, feeling extremely lonely. She’s stuck in a bad friendship with two girls who don’t like her. Secretly, she cosplays and hangs out with goths who love the same music. But her friends are out to get her.
After opening a letter she wrote to her future self, finding a mirror left in the package, she is able to turn into Nana, her alternate cool girl persona who takes no shit, though when she changes back she can never remember what just happened. She is able to get revenge on her terrible friends, and might even get the boy she likes…
I basically explained the entire volume 1 to you, and that’s basically it.
I do love the art style, specifically the early 2000s fashion choices, which is probably most of my enjoyment comes from. Having Nana doing cool shit in a bucket hat and bootcut jeans with the biggest belt is so fun to read.
(*It’s a reference to the board game where tiles are flipped from black to white and vice versa, not a reference to the Shakespeare play)
September 30, 2017
I just finished this book with hope that things might get more interesting but it didn't!
the main idea is good, a girl with two completely different characters but the story plot is boring. Yaya always get bullied by people who calls themselves her friends and then when she gets so angry Nana show up and she do strange and sometimes stupid things. I didn't even liked the drawings that much they are mostly simple.
the main idea is good, a girl with two completely different characters but the story plot is boring. Yaya always get bullied by people who calls themselves her friends and then when she gets so angry Nana show up and she do strange and sometimes stupid things. I didn't even liked the drawings that much they are mostly simple.
September 2, 2013
Thanks to my library, I was able to read this seven volume out-of-print series about a timid girl who copes with bullying in a remarkable way.
Yaya likes goth-lolita cosplay and heavy metal music. But, in social situations and at school, she's reserved and quiet, easily bullied, and cruelly teased. Something inside her finally snaps, and Nana, a completely different personality emerges. Nana is confident and strong, handling with ease the situations that left Yaya so incapacitated. Yaya doesn't realize that she has a split personality, however, though those around her start to discover the truth of the situation.
Othello isn't really a manga about personality disorder (the mental illness is much too complex than a simple exchange of personalities when the going gets rough) so much as a story about a girl learning to come out of her shell and face her fears. That said, at times the story is much too much over-the-top. Nana's physical abilities are impossible to believe, as are the extreme efforts the antagonists take to bring her down.
The art is dated (this series ran from 2001 - 2004), but still quite lovely. My only real complaint is the lack of diversity of expressions among the characters, though the change between Yaya and Nana is done very well from slouching to straight and upright, from timid to confident.
Othello was an enjoyable read, wonderfully translated by William Flanagan (of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles and xxxHolic fame). The end-notes about culture and other references is as always nice at the end of each volume as well.
Yaya likes goth-lolita cosplay and heavy metal music. But, in social situations and at school, she's reserved and quiet, easily bullied, and cruelly teased. Something inside her finally snaps, and Nana, a completely different personality emerges. Nana is confident and strong, handling with ease the situations that left Yaya so incapacitated. Yaya doesn't realize that she has a split personality, however, though those around her start to discover the truth of the situation.
Othello isn't really a manga about personality disorder (the mental illness is much too complex than a simple exchange of personalities when the going gets rough) so much as a story about a girl learning to come out of her shell and face her fears. That said, at times the story is much too much over-the-top. Nana's physical abilities are impossible to believe, as are the extreme efforts the antagonists take to bring her down.
The art is dated (this series ran from 2001 - 2004), but still quite lovely. My only real complaint is the lack of diversity of expressions among the characters, though the change between Yaya and Nana is done very well from slouching to straight and upright, from timid to confident.
Othello was an enjoyable read, wonderfully translated by William Flanagan (of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles and xxxHolic fame). The end-notes about culture and other references is as always nice at the end of each volume as well.
October 6, 2020
Othello 01 von Satomi Ikezawa
Zum Inhalt:
Zwei Seelen schlummern in mir . Die sechzehnjährige Yaya hat es nicht gerade einfach! Zu Hause hält sie ihr Vater an der kurzen Leine und in der Schule fühlt sie sich isoliert und einsam. Ewiges Opfer von Hohn und Spott ihrer "Freundinnen" Seri und Moe, bricht es ihr schließlich fast das Herz, als sich ihre Lieblingsband JULIET auflöst . Doch dieses ganz normale Teenie-Drama hat eine ungewöhnliche Wendung parat! Sieht die unscheinbare, hilflose und schüchterne Yaya in einen Spiegel, verwandelt sie sich in ihr komplettes Gegenteil: Nana! Nana ist das schlaue starke Supergirl und heizt nicht nur den beiden Zicken Seri und Moe gehörig ein!! Bei Othello geht es um die Veränderung der Persönlichkeiten, um Verwirrspiele und Verkleidungen. Mit doppelbödiger Ironie und ihrer eigenen Art von Humor schickt uns die Autorin auf eine Reise zwischen den Welten .
Cover:
Das Cover hat mich ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich angesprochen. Zu sehen sind hier auf Schachbrettmuster zwei Mädchen in Schwarz und Weiß, welche durch ein rotes Band scheinbar aneinander gefesselt sind. Wer die Geschichte kennt, der erkennt hier schnell die Anspielung auf die zwei „Persönlichkeiten“, welche sich in Nana/Yaya wiederspiegeln. Von dem Punkt aus gesehen ist das Cover also doch ganz gut gelungen.
Eigener Eindruck:
Seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter und durch einen überstrengen und peniblen Vater ist Yaya ein sehr schüchternes und verschlossenes Mädchen. Trotz dessen, dass ihre Freundinnen sie immer wieder mobben, scheint das Mädchen nicht zu merken, was um sie herum geschieht – oder sie traut sich nicht dagegen vorzugehen. Als Yaya Post von ihrem früheren „Ich“ bekommt, bei dem sie ihre Träume und Wünsche von damals noch einmal nachlesen kann, erkennt sie, dass sie früher ganz anders war. Da wollte sie gern Sängerin werden und im Mittelpunkt stehen. Doch das war früher und heute ist heute. Lediglich beim heimlichen Cosplay am Sonntag kann Yaya anders sein. Als ihre Freundinnen sie beim Cosplay sehen, versuchen sie sie vorzuführen, doch plötzlich ist Yaya nicht mehr Yaya, sondern Nana und die hat es faustdick hinter den Ohren. Nana schlägt ihre Feinde mit ihren eigenen Mitteln, singt sich die Seele aus dem Leib und schreckt nicht einmal davor zurück irgendwelche Typen zu verprügeln. Dumm nur, dass Yaya nicht bewusst ist, was sie da als Nana tut, denn mit einem Schlag auf den Kopf ist sie wieder Yaya und kann sich an nichts erinnern, bis sie schließlich wieder durch einen Schlag auf den Kopf zu Nana wird und wieder das Leben ihrer Mitmenschen aufmischt….
Dieser Manga ist wirklich gut gemacht. Die Story ist schön dynamisch und wartet mit allerhand lustiger Szenen auf. Während man zu Beginn der Geschichte noch Mitleid mit dem Charakter der Yaya hat und das Mobbing ihrer angeblichen Freundinnen kaum ertragen kann, ist man umso schadenfroher, wenn Yaya als Nana allen zeigt wo der Hammer hängt. Dabei bleibt kaum ein Auge trocken. Bisweilen ist dieser Wechsel von Nana zu Yaya oder Yaya zu Nana doch ein bisschen verwirrend, aber man gewöhnt sich mit der Zeit an das ganze Hin und Her und dann macht die Geschichte einfach Spaß. Dass Yaya/Nana natürlich nicht nur mit ihren unliebsamen Freundinnen auskommen muss und versucht sich selbst zu finden, nein, es gibt in der Geschichte natürlich auch noch einen Schwarm, dem ebenfalls gehörig Hören und Sehen vergeht, wenn Nana wieder einmal kein Auge trocken lässt. Wirklich fabelhaft gemacht diese Geschichte und absolut wert weiter verfolgt zu werden. Einzig der Zeichenstil ist nicht so mein Ding, weshalb ich einen Stern abziehen muss.
Fazit:
Ein schöner Girlie-Manga, welcher es voll in sich hat. Starke Dynamik und jede Menge Humor mit einer Prise Liebe. So muss ein guter Manga sein. Einzig der Zeichenstil ist nicht so mein Ding.
Gesamt:
4 von 5 Sterne
Daten:
ISBN: 9783898859165
Sprache: Deutsch
Ausgabe: Flexibler Einband
Umfang: 164 Seiten
Verlag: Egmont Manga und Anime Europe
Erscheinungsdatum: 01.01.2004
Zum Inhalt:
Zwei Seelen schlummern in mir . Die sechzehnjährige Yaya hat es nicht gerade einfach! Zu Hause hält sie ihr Vater an der kurzen Leine und in der Schule fühlt sie sich isoliert und einsam. Ewiges Opfer von Hohn und Spott ihrer "Freundinnen" Seri und Moe, bricht es ihr schließlich fast das Herz, als sich ihre Lieblingsband JULIET auflöst . Doch dieses ganz normale Teenie-Drama hat eine ungewöhnliche Wendung parat! Sieht die unscheinbare, hilflose und schüchterne Yaya in einen Spiegel, verwandelt sie sich in ihr komplettes Gegenteil: Nana! Nana ist das schlaue starke Supergirl und heizt nicht nur den beiden Zicken Seri und Moe gehörig ein!! Bei Othello geht es um die Veränderung der Persönlichkeiten, um Verwirrspiele und Verkleidungen. Mit doppelbödiger Ironie und ihrer eigenen Art von Humor schickt uns die Autorin auf eine Reise zwischen den Welten .
Cover:
Das Cover hat mich ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich angesprochen. Zu sehen sind hier auf Schachbrettmuster zwei Mädchen in Schwarz und Weiß, welche durch ein rotes Band scheinbar aneinander gefesselt sind. Wer die Geschichte kennt, der erkennt hier schnell die Anspielung auf die zwei „Persönlichkeiten“, welche sich in Nana/Yaya wiederspiegeln. Von dem Punkt aus gesehen ist das Cover also doch ganz gut gelungen.
Eigener Eindruck:
Seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter und durch einen überstrengen und peniblen Vater ist Yaya ein sehr schüchternes und verschlossenes Mädchen. Trotz dessen, dass ihre Freundinnen sie immer wieder mobben, scheint das Mädchen nicht zu merken, was um sie herum geschieht – oder sie traut sich nicht dagegen vorzugehen. Als Yaya Post von ihrem früheren „Ich“ bekommt, bei dem sie ihre Träume und Wünsche von damals noch einmal nachlesen kann, erkennt sie, dass sie früher ganz anders war. Da wollte sie gern Sängerin werden und im Mittelpunkt stehen. Doch das war früher und heute ist heute. Lediglich beim heimlichen Cosplay am Sonntag kann Yaya anders sein. Als ihre Freundinnen sie beim Cosplay sehen, versuchen sie sie vorzuführen, doch plötzlich ist Yaya nicht mehr Yaya, sondern Nana und die hat es faustdick hinter den Ohren. Nana schlägt ihre Feinde mit ihren eigenen Mitteln, singt sich die Seele aus dem Leib und schreckt nicht einmal davor zurück irgendwelche Typen zu verprügeln. Dumm nur, dass Yaya nicht bewusst ist, was sie da als Nana tut, denn mit einem Schlag auf den Kopf ist sie wieder Yaya und kann sich an nichts erinnern, bis sie schließlich wieder durch einen Schlag auf den Kopf zu Nana wird und wieder das Leben ihrer Mitmenschen aufmischt….
Dieser Manga ist wirklich gut gemacht. Die Story ist schön dynamisch und wartet mit allerhand lustiger Szenen auf. Während man zu Beginn der Geschichte noch Mitleid mit dem Charakter der Yaya hat und das Mobbing ihrer angeblichen Freundinnen kaum ertragen kann, ist man umso schadenfroher, wenn Yaya als Nana allen zeigt wo der Hammer hängt. Dabei bleibt kaum ein Auge trocken. Bisweilen ist dieser Wechsel von Nana zu Yaya oder Yaya zu Nana doch ein bisschen verwirrend, aber man gewöhnt sich mit der Zeit an das ganze Hin und Her und dann macht die Geschichte einfach Spaß. Dass Yaya/Nana natürlich nicht nur mit ihren unliebsamen Freundinnen auskommen muss und versucht sich selbst zu finden, nein, es gibt in der Geschichte natürlich auch noch einen Schwarm, dem ebenfalls gehörig Hören und Sehen vergeht, wenn Nana wieder einmal kein Auge trocken lässt. Wirklich fabelhaft gemacht diese Geschichte und absolut wert weiter verfolgt zu werden. Einzig der Zeichenstil ist nicht so mein Ding, weshalb ich einen Stern abziehen muss.
Fazit:
Ein schöner Girlie-Manga, welcher es voll in sich hat. Starke Dynamik und jede Menge Humor mit einer Prise Liebe. So muss ein guter Manga sein. Einzig der Zeichenstil ist nicht so mein Ding.
Gesamt:
4 von 5 Sterne
Daten:
ISBN: 9783898859165
Sprache: Deutsch
Ausgabe: Flexibler Einband
Umfang: 164 Seiten
Verlag: Egmont Manga und Anime Europe
Erscheinungsdatum: 01.01.2004
March 20, 2024
Non lasciatevi incantare dai disegni carini, questo shoujo manga tratta un tema molto serio e spinoso: la bipolarità.
Yaya è una liceale timida e impacciata che non riesce a farsi valere sugli altri. È perennemente oggetto di perfidie da finte amiche, ma ha una valvola di sfogo che la fa stare bene: fare la cosplayer del suo gruppo musicale visual key preferito. Quando però questo suo segreto viene scoperto, lei si rompe e dalle crepe del suo io viene alla luce un'altra se stessa: una giovane di nome Nana, vendicatrice di abusi e ingiustizie.
Un primo volume molto bello, a tratti divertente, ma che ci lascia turbarti per la situazione in cui versa la protagonista. A distanza di vent'anni dalla sua uscita, quest'opera è diventata una lettura interessante anche dal punto di vista della cultura pop giapponese. Yaya abbraccia lo stile gothic lolita, lo stesso della sua band visual key del cuore, ma è oggetto di scherno per questa sua passione di fare cosplay. Sono lontani i tempi in cui travestirsi dai propri idoli è bello e divertente come oggigiorno, quella mostrata in Othello è una moda di nicchia e per lo più malvista. E in quest'ottica dobbiamo osservare Yaya: una ragazza introversa, che come àncora di salvezza ha una passione da outsider, ma che a un certo punto di spezza davanti a una società crudele.
Yaya è una liceale timida e impacciata che non riesce a farsi valere sugli altri. È perennemente oggetto di perfidie da finte amiche, ma ha una valvola di sfogo che la fa stare bene: fare la cosplayer del suo gruppo musicale visual key preferito. Quando però questo suo segreto viene scoperto, lei si rompe e dalle crepe del suo io viene alla luce un'altra se stessa: una giovane di nome Nana, vendicatrice di abusi e ingiustizie.
Un primo volume molto bello, a tratti divertente, ma che ci lascia turbarti per la situazione in cui versa la protagonista. A distanza di vent'anni dalla sua uscita, quest'opera è diventata una lettura interessante anche dal punto di vista della cultura pop giapponese. Yaya abbraccia lo stile gothic lolita, lo stesso della sua band visual key del cuore, ma è oggetto di scherno per questa sua passione di fare cosplay. Sono lontani i tempi in cui travestirsi dai propri idoli è bello e divertente come oggigiorno, quella mostrata in Othello è una moda di nicchia e per lo più malvista. E in quest'ottica dobbiamo osservare Yaya: una ragazza introversa, che come àncora di salvezza ha una passione da outsider, ma che a un certo punto di spezza davanti a una società crudele.
June 8, 2023
"Well... I think we've never been friends. Looking at you makes me wonder what exactly is friendship!"
Othello was the manga that started it all for me in high school after I convinced my mom to buy a copy for me from my local Barnes & Noble's humble manga section. Re-reading the series now as an adult, I can see what made Yaya resonate with me so much at that age. What would you do if you could don an alter-ego at will, a personality with the strength, confidence, and courage you could only dream of? Would you confess your feelings to your crush? What about telling off the people who claim to be your friends but thrive off of putting you down for no good reason at all? I'm not going to spoil the surprise of this volume for you but it felt so good to see myself in Yaya Higuchi's experiences, from compartmentalizing herself around Seri and Moe to adopting a different persona to flout their abuse even to the parasocial relationship with Shohei in the poster of Juliet on her bedroom wall.
All in all, I really liked re-reading this after all these years.
Othello was the manga that started it all for me in high school after I convinced my mom to buy a copy for me from my local Barnes & Noble's humble manga section. Re-reading the series now as an adult, I can see what made Yaya resonate with me so much at that age. What would you do if you could don an alter-ego at will, a personality with the strength, confidence, and courage you could only dream of? Would you confess your feelings to your crush? What about telling off the people who claim to be your friends but thrive off of putting you down for no good reason at all? I'm not going to spoil the surprise of this volume for you but it felt so good to see myself in Yaya Higuchi's experiences, from compartmentalizing herself around Seri and Moe to adopting a different persona to flout their abuse even to the parasocial relationship with Shohei in the poster of Juliet on her bedroom wall.
All in all, I really liked re-reading this after all these years.
March 16, 2021
This is the third time I reread it and I'm finally ready to let it go.
This manga is very whimsical, silly, and over-the-top; but behind all the typical shoujo make-up hides a story that tries to tell a few important life lessons. The title itself lends to ''psychomania'': a battle of one soul; where Othello personifies the best part of the soul.
In the story, our main protagonist Yaya seems to have a split personality. Her counterpart Nana is everything Yaya could be; if she would believe in herself and stand-up and embrace her authenticity. No wonder I was so drawn to this manga during my teenage years. It's telling you that the better version; the true version of yourself, will be able to deal with whatever life throws at you. It also embraces the idea that you can fake it until you make it. Don't let fear shape your life.
So why three stars and no five? It lacks execution.
This manga is very whimsical, silly, and over-the-top; but behind all the typical shoujo make-up hides a story that tries to tell a few important life lessons. The title itself lends to ''psychomania'': a battle of one soul; where Othello personifies the best part of the soul.
In the story, our main protagonist Yaya seems to have a split personality. Her counterpart Nana is everything Yaya could be; if she would believe in herself and stand-up and embrace her authenticity. No wonder I was so drawn to this manga during my teenage years. It's telling you that the better version; the true version of yourself, will be able to deal with whatever life throws at you. It also embraces the idea that you can fake it until you make it. Don't let fear shape your life.
So why three stars and no five? It lacks execution.
February 13, 2020
2020 Read #178
Reread in 2020
This manga gives me a lot of nostalgia, but the bullying plot is such a shojo trope, especially from the late 90’s and early 00’s. Even so, I do still enjoy the series. Nana and Moriyama are definitely the highlights as far as characters go as well. I never read the last two volumes, so I hope the ending is a good one!
Reread in 2020
This manga gives me a lot of nostalgia, but the bullying plot is such a shojo trope, especially from the late 90’s and early 00’s. Even so, I do still enjoy the series. Nana and Moriyama are definitely the highlights as far as characters go as well. I never read the last two volumes, so I hope the ending is a good one!
August 20, 2022
Strange that some of these reviews are for Shakespeare’s work. This shojo manga has nothing paralleling or linking it to its namesake play. I’m terms of the actual manga’s quality, the story would have been enjoyable if well written, but that is nearly always the case with any literary work. The art does not make up for the lackluster story either. As a shojo fan, I would not recommend.
September 29, 2017
I've read this series before a LONG time ago and completely forgot how much fun it is. I really enjoy the plot, poor Yaya is bullied by her two "friends" until she receives a letter from younger her and she starts transforming in to Nana. I like the drawings and the band and singing aspect.
December 29, 2023
Honestly I really wanted to drop this series because I couldn't stand Yaya being so dismissive and okay with how her "friends" treated her. Nana was the reason I stayed I loved seeing justice being served to them.
January 2, 2018
Read this years ago, interesting idea but for some reason I didn't stick with the series.
November 17, 2018
Oh wow this is hilarious.
March 20, 2019
3.5
I wasn't too sure about this at first, but it's cute. And some of the facial expressions are hilarious!
I wasn't too sure about this at first, but it's cute. And some of the facial expressions are hilarious!
August 10, 2019
Didn't love the artwork, and the story is strange.
December 29, 2019
Loved it.
May 7, 2021
3.5/5
July 23, 2021
3.5
good for her ?
good for her ?
October 6, 2023
she’s so slay
November 25, 2023
Still really love this series. Re-read.
March 1, 2024
good book would reccomend.
June 7, 2024
I expected more for the end, but I've never came across a manga with a satisfying ending so yeah I love this series haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
Nana la queen 💥. J'ai passé un vraiment bon moment pendant ma lecture ! J'ai un peu de mal avec le perso de Yaya mais par contre Nana je l'adore 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2021
un peu basic et cliché mais mignon et ce lit vite ! j’aime bien les dessins qui sont lègés
June 17, 2015
Have you ever been that girl who is tired of being pushed around, bullied, or taken advantage of because you are too nice and don't stand up for yourself as much as you should?
Then take a lesson from Nana! When things become overwhelming for timid and meek Yaya, Yaya transforms into her alter ego Nana. Taking on a punk rock persona, Nana is a girl who stands up for Yaya and kicks some butt in the process!
Summary of Volume 1:
Meet Yaya who is meek and bullied by her so called "friends." Seri and Moe, constantly put Yaya down. When Seri and Moe take Yaya to a Karaoke Box we see Yaya transform into Nana for the first time when she gets into a dangerous situation with some guys at the Karaoke Box w who try to molest the girls. To protect herself, Yaya transforms into Nana when she looks into a compact mirror and Nana kicks some butt! At school Yaya becomes friends with Moriyama who is in a rock band, but Seri and Moe are a little jealous of Yaya becoming friends with this really cool guy so they often try to break up Yaya and Moriyama's friendship. Nana realizes that Yaya's "friends" were never really her friends at all and they use Yaya for their own benefit, so Nana comes seeking revenge to protect Yaya.
Themes:
Rock, Bands, Music, Friendship, Bullying, Cosplay, Courage, and Split Personalities.
My Thoughts:
I read this book in high school and I still am in love with it seven years later. In junior high and high school I was bullied because I was very sensitive just like Yaya and I didn't learn to stand up for myself until late high school. I'm also too nice and don't know how to say no, even to friends or my bosses at work and that's how I get taken advantage of and in trouble. This is why I can relate to Yaya so much.
There were numerous times in high school where I wish I would have stood up to my bully and imagined things to say to my bully which were nastier than anything she ever said to me. I think this is because we all have someone like Nana inside of us who makes us defensive and protective of ourselves for our own survival and pride. Nana is that person we all really want to be. But maybe not quite so extreme as her...heh heh heh.
FYI: I did finally stand up to my bully and she started leaving me alone.
Audience:
As a school librarian recommend this book to teenage girls with low self esteem or girls who are bullied. However, I want to warn girls about some mature themes. Once or twice in about every volume Yaya or someone is almost molested or raped which is very extreme and unrealistic, so I advise this manga for girls 17+ only.
Overall, this is a pretty kick-ass manga.
Then take a lesson from Nana! When things become overwhelming for timid and meek Yaya, Yaya transforms into her alter ego Nana. Taking on a punk rock persona, Nana is a girl who stands up for Yaya and kicks some butt in the process!
Summary of Volume 1:
Meet Yaya who is meek and bullied by her so called "friends." Seri and Moe, constantly put Yaya down. When Seri and Moe take Yaya to a Karaoke Box we see Yaya transform into Nana for the first time when she gets into a dangerous situation with some guys at the Karaoke Box w who try to molest the girls. To protect herself, Yaya transforms into Nana when she looks into a compact mirror and Nana kicks some butt! At school Yaya becomes friends with Moriyama who is in a rock band, but Seri and Moe are a little jealous of Yaya becoming friends with this really cool guy so they often try to break up Yaya and Moriyama's friendship. Nana realizes that Yaya's "friends" were never really her friends at all and they use Yaya for their own benefit, so Nana comes seeking revenge to protect Yaya.
Themes:
Rock, Bands, Music, Friendship, Bullying, Cosplay, Courage, and Split Personalities.
My Thoughts:
I read this book in high school and I still am in love with it seven years later. In junior high and high school I was bullied because I was very sensitive just like Yaya and I didn't learn to stand up for myself until late high school. I'm also too nice and don't know how to say no, even to friends or my bosses at work and that's how I get taken advantage of and in trouble. This is why I can relate to Yaya so much.
There were numerous times in high school where I wish I would have stood up to my bully and imagined things to say to my bully which were nastier than anything she ever said to me. I think this is because we all have someone like Nana inside of us who makes us defensive and protective of ourselves for our own survival and pride. Nana is that person we all really want to be. But maybe not quite so extreme as her...heh heh heh.
FYI: I did finally stand up to my bully and she started leaving me alone.
Audience:
As a school librarian recommend this book to teenage girls with low self esteem or girls who are bullied. However, I want to warn girls about some mature themes. Once or twice in about every volume Yaya or someone is almost molested or raped which is very extreme and unrealistic, so I advise this manga for girls 17+ only.
Overall, this is a pretty kick-ass manga.
July 17, 2016
Fromm my blog Auntie Spinelli Reads
I read Othello for the first time quite a while ago, and only made it to the 3rd or 4th volume. I recently won the whole set (7 volumes) from Rachel at Fictitious Musings, so decided to re-read it from the beginning so I could finish the series.
Othello is an adorable manga, and it's fabulous because it's different. And brilliant! Have you ever been in a situation where you felt slighted and wanted to get back at someone, but just couldn't? Yaya was in that situation every day. Her so-called friends, Seri and Moe, are total bitches. I wanted to punch them! Yaya has a doormat personality - she has no backbone and won't stand up for herself. She let her friends walk all over her and treat her like shit on a daily basis.
Enter Nana, Yaya's alter ego. She's spunky, kick-ass, and ballsy. She has no problem telling Yaya's 'friends' what for. I loved the parts where she came into play because Seri and Moe got what they deserved - a little bit of karma! Nana stood up for Yaya when she wouldn't stand up for herself.
I liked Moriyama quite a bit. He's cool and laid back, and he actually stood up for Yaya too. When he said, 'I would have punched them in the face,' I wanted to jump through the pages and hug him until he turned blue!
Another reason I enjoyed this one so much was because it has plenty of humor in it. There were quite a few times I giggled out loud while reading!
Good morning, Charlie!
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 3.5/5
I read Othello for the first time quite a while ago, and only made it to the 3rd or 4th volume. I recently won the whole set (7 volumes) from Rachel at Fictitious Musings, so decided to re-read it from the beginning so I could finish the series.
Othello is an adorable manga, and it's fabulous because it's different. And brilliant! Have you ever been in a situation where you felt slighted and wanted to get back at someone, but just couldn't? Yaya was in that situation every day. Her so-called friends, Seri and Moe, are total bitches. I wanted to punch them! Yaya has a doormat personality - she has no backbone and won't stand up for herself. She let her friends walk all over her and treat her like shit on a daily basis.
Enter Nana, Yaya's alter ego. She's spunky, kick-ass, and ballsy. She has no problem telling Yaya's 'friends' what for. I loved the parts where she came into play because Seri and Moe got what they deserved - a little bit of karma! Nana stood up for Yaya when she wouldn't stand up for herself.
I liked Moriyama quite a bit. He's cool and laid back, and he actually stood up for Yaya too. When he said, 'I would have punched them in the face,' I wanted to jump through the pages and hug him until he turned blue!
Another reason I enjoyed this one so much was because it has plenty of humor in it. There were quite a few times I giggled out loud while reading!
Good morning, Charlie!
ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 3.5/5
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