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Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus #4
Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 4
The night of the fashion show for Tsukimi and Kuranosuke’s Jelly Fish brand has finally arrived. They pulled out all the stops to make Amamizu-kan into an enchanting wonderland–even Mayaya has transformed into a chic model! The show brings some much-needed attention to the retro building, but will the exposure be enough to save the Amars and their home? When their fashion line becomes a hit success, the girls scramble to satisfy their customers. With the help of their new colleague Nisha, a savvy Indian expat who knows all about the textile industry, they just might make it work!…But is Tsukimi ready to leave her quiet life behind for good?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2017
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502 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
June 11, 2017
I'm always on the verge of giving Princess Jellyfish 5 stars, but then settle on 4. This time, though, I'm going with the full five, thanks to these things:
1) Minimal amount of evil blackmailing landshark lady. Hurrah!
2) Lots of scenes of Tsukimi and Shu together.
3) The flashback to Shu and Kuranosuke as kids! ;_;
4) Just Shu feels all over the place, basically.
The minus point this time goes to Kuranosuke thinking that all girls must like frills and ribbons. But he would be the one to think something like that, I guess.
1) Minimal amount of evil blackmailing landshark lady. Hurrah!
2) Lots of scenes of Tsukimi and Shu together.
3) The flashback to Shu and Kuranosuke as kids! ;_;
4) Just Shu feels all over the place, basically.
The minus point this time goes to Kuranosuke thinking that all girls must like frills and ribbons. But he would be the one to think something like that, I guess.
June 13, 2017
My favorite scene in this book is the one where Kuranosuke tallies up how much his current outfit costs, $3000, and falls on the floor when the Amars gals tally up their own outfits and it cost $50... for all of them.
The Amars, unmotivated at the best of times, get discouraged when they start to learn just how much effort their budding cottage fashion house will take. Their cozy, nerd-friendly living space is at stake, so they'd better get their act together! That situation isn't entirely resolved as of the end of this book, but I have confidence that, as usual, they'll resolve things in their own silly way.
I loved the discussions of fabrics in the latter half of this volume. While I'm more on the Amars end of the spectrum when it comes to dressing myself, the luxury of well-made, fancy clothes is appealing, even if that appeal never manages to find its way into my real life.
The Amars, unmotivated at the best of times, get discouraged when they start to learn just how much effort their budding cottage fashion house will take. Their cozy, nerd-friendly living space is at stake, so they'd better get their act together! That situation isn't entirely resolved as of the end of this book, but I have confidence that, as usual, they'll resolve things in their own silly way.
I loved the discussions of fabrics in the latter half of this volume. While I'm more on the Amars end of the spectrum when it comes to dressing myself, the luxury of well-made, fancy clothes is appealing, even if that appeal never manages to find its way into my real life.
July 24, 2017
A bit of progress this time. I'm glad that they don't make creating a fashion label seem easy like so many shows/movies.
One overlooked feature of this series: The translator's notes. They really take the time to explain anything the reader may not understand due to cultural gaps.
One overlooked feature of this series: The translator's notes. They really take the time to explain anything the reader may not understand due to cultural gaps.
May 29, 2017
I'M JUST SO HAPPY BUT ALSO I NEED MORE please give me more...
June 3, 2018
Gosh I love this series so! Try it if you are at all interested! So many amazing things and characters throughout the story so far! I'm ready for more!
February 5, 2024
FUCK THE UGLY ASS BROTHER!!!!!!! KURANOSUKE FOR THE WIN!!!
September 6, 2021
Well I was getting a little burnt out on this series, but I loved this volume. It was my favorite yet - great characterizations all around, a page-turning storyline, and some nicely emotional moments with a lot of the characters.
We start out with the first Jelly Fish fashion show, where the continually delightful Hanamori absolutely smashes it as the emcee. Kuranosuke also introduces himself to the world as a prominent politician's crossdressing son, which causes some complicated political drama. There are dodgy bits in here - Shu and the rest of the political team do a lot of damage control by fielding phone calls from prominent backers and explaining that Kuranosuke isn't gay or trans (different terms are used in Japanese culture), he's just a "normal" guy who dresses up in women's clothes as a hobby.
I can see how this could be a stumbling block for a lot of current-day readers. I do wish that this storyline was balanced by having characters who are LGBTQA+ mixed in. (I mean, I'm definitely on board the Mayaya/Banba ship after seeing their close friendship at so many points in this volume, but I'm certain that's not going to be an actual Thing in the series.)
At the beginning of the first volume, they had some applications from gay men hoping to move into the empty room, but Chieko turned them down - no men, no exceptions. It's kind of a necessary plot point for this story, but if she'd said yes, there could've been some nice additional depth to the world being built here. Alas, it's not meant to be. While their mysterious manga-drawing resident publishes popular BL, fictional men kissing seems to be entirely separated from Reality - which I think is fairly realistic for the setting but also sad.
The scrambling around Kuranosuke showing up on camera in dresses is also realistic. It's something that would get fairly messy behind the scenes, especially if the "reveal" was that dramatic and public and came during the middle of a really difficult time with tanking popularity and pending reelection campaigns.
I did find Hanamori's speech interesting, though. Fashion is for everyone, and everyone has a right to be beautiful, and to pursue that any way they like. Kuranosuke can be a straight cis guy and enjoy wearing makeup and pretty dresses. That's boundary-breaking in its own way, and it fits into the positivity of the messages being conveyed so far: you don't have to fit into the specific patterns the world sets out for you. Kuranosuke has created his own beautiful world, and Tsukimi is slowly crafting one for herself.
She makes a lot of progress in this volume, actually; I loved the scene where her original jellyfish dress got stained with grape juice, and she ran door to door to ask Stylish people to loan her their hair dryers. She conquered the petrification running joke and was even able to invite them to her fashion show. That's a huge step forward, and she's making a lot of those in the process of developing this brand.
While things are still fast-paced and possibly not all that realistic, they do feel plausible enough for fiction. I really liked the introduction of Nisha, who helps her older brother run a fabric shop that's connected to a textile factory in India. This is a necessary step for actually producing clothes that they can sell - because the prototypes being put together by the Amars are too cheap and messy to actually hold value.
Nisha is fantastic, too, and I really enjoy her. I wish the anime had kept going, because she would've been great to see in action - and there was also a lot of other fantastic stuff in this volume.
The big drama now is that the household is getting run too ragged; even though they're putting together this fashion brand to save their home, it's still a ton of effort for an area where they don't have any interest or talent. Mayaya's complaining is kind of annoying, but when she sits down by the river with Banba, I kinda get it. They're not good at this. Is it really worth it to give up all their time and money and sleep to save their home...where they're not even enjoying themselves anymore?
It looks like there's going to be a semi-resolution, thanks to Jiji running into Kuranosuke's father at an old man cafe and having an inspiring conversation with him about business, but we'll see how that turns out.
It's interesting, by the way, that Kuranosuke's father is portrayed as such a comedic character, when he's actually a Pretty Awful Person. There are a lot of moments where he's hitting on various women, and it's all presented as a sort of "teehee what a funny joke" scenario, except...when you remember that Kuranosuke is the child of an affair, and when you actually see his wife. She's very quietly present in various dinner scenes and in the background sometimes when they're all at home, but there's an amazing flashback in this volume.
We finally get to see Shu and Kuranosuke interacting when they were kids - the night, in fact, where Kuranosuke's mother brought him to their house to live. The scene starts off with Shu's mother explaining that he should be kind to his new brother, and that it will be a nice, exciting thing to liven up their household. She leaves the house for the night to make things less awkward...until her husband's mistress has departed again.
Shu, who as a kid saw his dad and Kuranosuke's mother having sex in a theatre dressing room, and who grew up with his illegitimate half-brother, and who clearly loves his mother, must really hate being by his father's side while he continues to cheat on her what looks like every single day.
I'd like to see Shu break away from the family tradition and forge his own path, like his brother's been doing. I don't know if that's likely, but he is making some steps here...quietly loaning his brother immense amounts of money to kickstart the fashion brand, and linking Tsukimi up with a local anti-development shopkeeper (which could be a blow to Shu's political career if anyone found out he was moving behind the scenes like this).
The relationship between Shu and Tsukimi is progressing so nicely, by the way. Love love LOVED the scene in the diner; that's something I super wish I'd been able to see animated. So funny and fantastic and really shows the growth in their relationship, as their mutual crushes start to turn into an actual friendship. That's my favorite kind of relationship development - friends to lovers - and it's delightful to see it happening.
I mean, there's the whole implication that Kuranosuke is probably supposed to be Tsukimi's Actual True Love, but I'm still not buying it. As Tsukimi herself describes him: "He's more beautiful than anyone...more selfish and egotistical. But...Kuranosuke-san has the power to move people."
He's brilliant and fascinating and I am really enjoying him, especially after seeing him as a kid, with those wonderful little bonding moments between him and Shu. But I still prefer him and Tsukimi as friends, definitely at the current stage.
Other good moments in this volume:
* Banba calling Hanamori a Benz otaku (why did this not occur to me before, it's so obvious) and adopting him into their ranks despite him being very much a banned-from-Amars man.
* Shu stepping in to defend his brother - they may not always agree, and he initially didn't even know what Kuranosuke's plan with the fashion show was, but that's his family, and no one's going to hurt his little brother while he's around to stop it. (Honestly, if that scene had been the reason for Inari starting to fall for him, I would've believed it a lot more. Serious hero moment, and way more in line with his character.)
* Tsukimi finally realizing that making clothes is a way to make people happy and to bring them joy, and actually learning about fabric and the fashion industry in a way that isn't scary or Stylish or against her own value system and interests.
* That really sad flashback where Tsukimi remembered how people always leave her when she's too honest about the things she loves - she's too much for "normal" people, and she always has to tone herself down so people won't tire of her and abandon her.
* (Except, while she's crying about that, Shu finds her...and likes her exactly as she is. Yes fine I'm a sucker, but I'm so into this relationship. Please let it end well.)
I'm excited to dive right into the next volume to see how their brand - and their attempt to rescue their home - progresses!
We start out with the first Jelly Fish fashion show, where the continually delightful Hanamori absolutely smashes it as the emcee. Kuranosuke also introduces himself to the world as a prominent politician's crossdressing son, which causes some complicated political drama. There are dodgy bits in here - Shu and the rest of the political team do a lot of damage control by fielding phone calls from prominent backers and explaining that Kuranosuke isn't gay or trans (different terms are used in Japanese culture), he's just a "normal" guy who dresses up in women's clothes as a hobby.
I can see how this could be a stumbling block for a lot of current-day readers. I do wish that this storyline was balanced by having characters who are LGBTQA+ mixed in. (I mean, I'm definitely on board the Mayaya/Banba ship after seeing their close friendship at so many points in this volume, but I'm certain that's not going to be an actual Thing in the series.)
At the beginning of the first volume, they had some applications from gay men hoping to move into the empty room, but Chieko turned them down - no men, no exceptions. It's kind of a necessary plot point for this story, but if she'd said yes, there could've been some nice additional depth to the world being built here. Alas, it's not meant to be. While their mysterious manga-drawing resident publishes popular BL, fictional men kissing seems to be entirely separated from Reality - which I think is fairly realistic for the setting but also sad.
The scrambling around Kuranosuke showing up on camera in dresses is also realistic. It's something that would get fairly messy behind the scenes, especially if the "reveal" was that dramatic and public and came during the middle of a really difficult time with tanking popularity and pending reelection campaigns.
I did find Hanamori's speech interesting, though. Fashion is for everyone, and everyone has a right to be beautiful, and to pursue that any way they like. Kuranosuke can be a straight cis guy and enjoy wearing makeup and pretty dresses. That's boundary-breaking in its own way, and it fits into the positivity of the messages being conveyed so far: you don't have to fit into the specific patterns the world sets out for you. Kuranosuke has created his own beautiful world, and Tsukimi is slowly crafting one for herself.
She makes a lot of progress in this volume, actually; I loved the scene where her original jellyfish dress got stained with grape juice, and she ran door to door to ask Stylish people to loan her their hair dryers. She conquered the petrification running joke and was even able to invite them to her fashion show. That's a huge step forward, and she's making a lot of those in the process of developing this brand.
While things are still fast-paced and possibly not all that realistic, they do feel plausible enough for fiction. I really liked the introduction of Nisha, who helps her older brother run a fabric shop that's connected to a textile factory in India. This is a necessary step for actually producing clothes that they can sell - because the prototypes being put together by the Amars are too cheap and messy to actually hold value.
Nisha is fantastic, too, and I really enjoy her. I wish the anime had kept going, because she would've been great to see in action - and there was also a lot of other fantastic stuff in this volume.
The big drama now is that the household is getting run too ragged; even though they're putting together this fashion brand to save their home, it's still a ton of effort for an area where they don't have any interest or talent. Mayaya's complaining is kind of annoying, but when she sits down by the river with Banba, I kinda get it. They're not good at this. Is it really worth it to give up all their time and money and sleep to save their home...where they're not even enjoying themselves anymore?
It looks like there's going to be a semi-resolution, thanks to Jiji running into Kuranosuke's father at an old man cafe and having an inspiring conversation with him about business, but we'll see how that turns out.
It's interesting, by the way, that Kuranosuke's father is portrayed as such a comedic character, when he's actually a Pretty Awful Person. There are a lot of moments where he's hitting on various women, and it's all presented as a sort of "teehee what a funny joke" scenario, except...when you remember that Kuranosuke is the child of an affair, and when you actually see his wife. She's very quietly present in various dinner scenes and in the background sometimes when they're all at home, but there's an amazing flashback in this volume.
We finally get to see Shu and Kuranosuke interacting when they were kids - the night, in fact, where Kuranosuke's mother brought him to their house to live. The scene starts off with Shu's mother explaining that he should be kind to his new brother, and that it will be a nice, exciting thing to liven up their household. She leaves the house for the night to make things less awkward...until her husband's mistress has departed again.
Shu, who as a kid saw his dad and Kuranosuke's mother having sex in a theatre dressing room, and who grew up with his illegitimate half-brother, and who clearly loves his mother, must really hate being by his father's side while he continues to cheat on her what looks like every single day.
I'd like to see Shu break away from the family tradition and forge his own path, like his brother's been doing. I don't know if that's likely, but he is making some steps here...quietly loaning his brother immense amounts of money to kickstart the fashion brand, and linking Tsukimi up with a local anti-development shopkeeper (which could be a blow to Shu's political career if anyone found out he was moving behind the scenes like this).
The relationship between Shu and Tsukimi is progressing so nicely, by the way. Love love LOVED the scene in the diner; that's something I super wish I'd been able to see animated. So funny and fantastic and really shows the growth in their relationship, as their mutual crushes start to turn into an actual friendship. That's my favorite kind of relationship development - friends to lovers - and it's delightful to see it happening.
I mean, there's the whole implication that Kuranosuke is probably supposed to be Tsukimi's Actual True Love, but I'm still not buying it. As Tsukimi herself describes him: "He's more beautiful than anyone...more selfish and egotistical. But...Kuranosuke-san has the power to move people."
He's brilliant and fascinating and I am really enjoying him, especially after seeing him as a kid, with those wonderful little bonding moments between him and Shu. But I still prefer him and Tsukimi as friends, definitely at the current stage.
Other good moments in this volume:
* Banba calling Hanamori a Benz otaku (why did this not occur to me before, it's so obvious) and adopting him into their ranks despite him being very much a banned-from-Amars man.
* Shu stepping in to defend his brother - they may not always agree, and he initially didn't even know what Kuranosuke's plan with the fashion show was, but that's his family, and no one's going to hurt his little brother while he's around to stop it. (Honestly, if that scene had been the reason for Inari starting to fall for him, I would've believed it a lot more. Serious hero moment, and way more in line with his character.)
* Tsukimi finally realizing that making clothes is a way to make people happy and to bring them joy, and actually learning about fabric and the fashion industry in a way that isn't scary or Stylish or against her own value system and interests.
* That really sad flashback where Tsukimi remembered how people always leave her when she's too honest about the things she loves - she's too much for "normal" people, and she always has to tone herself down so people won't tire of her and abandon her.
* (Except, while she's crying about that, Shu finds her...and likes her exactly as she is. Yes fine I'm a sucker, but I'm so into this relationship. Please let it end well.)
I'm excited to dive right into the next volume to see how their brand - and their attempt to rescue their home - progresses!
February 21, 2018
Another good volume. I like the drama and comedy. They include translation notes after each of the individual volumes (since it's an omnibus), which is helpful, but I really wish manga companies included them after the chapter so that it's easier to remember what they're referencing.
Hope there's some relationship growth between the characters in the next volume.
Hope there's some relationship growth between the characters in the next volume.
January 24, 2022
I like that Tsukimi and co. haven't just dropped their insecurities or interests just because they've been shown they have cuteness potential; not that I wouldn't like to see them become confident, but that's not how insecurities work, no matter what Hollywood movies say about makeovers automatically equalling self-confidence.
There's just so much I love about this series: Kuronosuke's comfort in his own skin and the Amars being realistically uncomfortable in their own, geeky girls who don't apologize for it, people pushing their limits and learning new skills, and one of the most personally relatable MC I've read in novels or manga.
There's just so much I love about this series: Kuronosuke's comfort in his own skin and the Amars being realistically uncomfortable in their own, geeky girls who don't apologize for it, people pushing their limits and learning new skills, and one of the most personally relatable MC I've read in novels or manga.
September 7, 2018
Unfortunately, I had to drop Princess Jellyfish with this volume.
The earlier arcs--the ones the anime and movie adapted--were much more character-driven, with a slice-of-life vibe. The two volumes in this collection are exclusively having to do with the heroines setting up a clothing line, and while it's a worthy storyline, I'm remiss to find out that fashion arcs are the basis of the series going forward.
I got into the series for the rare, nuanced portrayal of female NEETs, but as Princess Jellyfish abandons that approach, so to do I abandon Princess Jellyfish. =(
The earlier arcs--the ones the anime and movie adapted--were much more character-driven, with a slice-of-life vibe. The two volumes in this collection are exclusively having to do with the heroines setting up a clothing line, and while it's a worthy storyline, I'm remiss to find out that fashion arcs are the basis of the series going forward.
I got into the series for the rare, nuanced portrayal of female NEETs, but as Princess Jellyfish abandons that approach, so to do I abandon Princess Jellyfish. =(
May 17, 2020
(TLDR; Another great installment, but now I am hungry for sukiyaki)
Thanks to this volume all I want to eat tonight is hotpot/sukiyaki, but I have to work a night shift so I guess I will starve from disappointment since I cannot get groceries and there is no way I will have the time or space to cook that at the base. Maybe tomorrow? Or in a few weeks? Gahhh that's too long.
Thanks to this volume all I want to eat tonight is hotpot/sukiyaki, but I have to work a night shift so I guess I will starve from disappointment since I cannot get groceries and there is no way I will have the time or space to cook that at the base. Maybe tomorrow? Or in a few weeks? Gahhh that's too long.
July 15, 2019
4/5
Wee! What a great fashion show! Can we talk about how hilarious everyone is? I love the Amars ladies. I love them so much! They make this manga! I also love how it's turning into a fashion label and Tsukimi gets to be the designer. It's sweet to see her open up and realize that she is good at something, and she has purpose. I think she's been so shy and doubts herself a lot. I also really appreciate the other Amars girls start to open up about their feelings, and the way Jiji steps up to the plate after getting some good advice (no spoilers!).
It's interesting, but somehow the age difference between Shu and Tsukimi doesn't get mentioned a lot, and I don't think of it. They are so adorable, can we get more interaction between them, please? Also, how is it that Kurano has more style in his pinky finger than I've ever had in my real human life? Ugh.
Wee! What a great fashion show! Can we talk about how hilarious everyone is? I love the Amars ladies. I love them so much! They make this manga! I also love how it's turning into a fashion label and Tsukimi gets to be the designer. It's sweet to see her open up and realize that she is good at something, and she has purpose. I think she's been so shy and doubts herself a lot. I also really appreciate the other Amars girls start to open up about their feelings, and the way Jiji steps up to the plate after getting some good advice (no spoilers!).
It's interesting, but somehow the age difference between Shu and Tsukimi doesn't get mentioned a lot, and I don't think of it. They are so adorable, can we get more interaction between them, please? Also, how is it that Kurano has more style in his pinky finger than I've ever had in my real human life? Ugh.
January 10, 2021
Princess Jellyfish 4
Hasta ahorita el que más me ha hecho reír.
Se podría decir que el desfile de aquí es el equivalente al desfile del anime, por lo que el anime se quedo corto en cuanto lo adaptado, sorpresas de aquí en adelante.
El desfile, con multitud de problemas, pero logran salir adelante, aunque con un gran detalle que causa caos y problemas para . Pero al mismo tiempo es una publicidad increíble para el desfile y empiezan a tener pedios, y ver como posibilidad lo de la marca de ropa.
Aunque el problema es que solo las chicas Amars no pueden con tanta costura, y al buscar resolverlo, Kuranosuke descubrirá que si bien es posible no es tan fácil como creía.
5 stars
Hasta ahorita el que más me ha hecho reír.
Se podría decir que el desfile de aquí es el equivalente al desfile del anime, por lo que el anime se quedo corto en cuanto lo adaptado, sorpresas de aquí en adelante.
El desfile, con multitud de problemas, pero logran salir adelante, aunque con un gran detalle que causa caos y problemas para . Pero al mismo tiempo es una publicidad increíble para el desfile y empiezan a tener pedios, y ver como posibilidad lo de la marca de ropa.
Aunque el problema es que solo las chicas Amars no pueden con tanta costura, y al buscar resolverlo, Kuranosuke descubrirá que si bien es posible no es tan fácil como creía.
5 stars
February 14, 2025
The story is slowing down a bit here - I think in an effort to make starting a fashion brand more realistic, there are lots of ups and downs. But it’s manga, so it still feels unrealistic. It seems like Kuranosuke’s feelings for Tsukimi took a back seat here, which is a bit of a let down from the previous book. It makes me wondering if it was just a random side track that’s ultimately unimportant.
August 31, 2019
Lo que me río con este manga, no quiero que se acabe xD xD xD Desternillante
January 29, 2022
I'm just not enjoying the series. I was also very put off by the scenes with the manufacturer.
December 28, 2022
I liked the character development of Tsukimi and the Amars standing up for themselves. Yoshio is a funny character in his own way.
This one was funnier than vol. 3
This one was funnier than vol. 3
December 9, 2024
It's wonderful to have friends and a community who gets you. It also means a lot to have someone cheer for you like Kuranosuke does for Tsukimi's talent! Is there someone like that in this world? 🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
Always funny, relatable, and relaxing - the manga equivalent of comfort food. Love it.
April 12, 2017
Another great volume. It's fun to see how this diverges from the anime.
May 25, 2025
4.5/5 stars. I just love this series. It's so good.
May 10, 2017
It's not that I thought this book was worse than the previous three installments because you're probably gonna have to set wild dogs on me and beat me with a stick to get me to stop reading it. It's just this volume was HELLA slow.
The previous volume ended with the girls having to get the Nunnery ready for the fashion show, this volume opens with the show (which takes one chapter), the Nuns and Kuranosuke taking custom orders for the jellyfish dresses and then it just sorta flounders. Kuranosuke is looking for cheaper, easier and faster ways to make the dresses, the Nuns are exhausted of making the dresses, and that's the rest of the volume.
Still though, I absolutely love this series and, since this volume marks the departure of the manga and anime being intertwined, I'm really excited to continue on.
Oh! But I did learn how to get a grape juice stain out of clothes! So there's that. #themoreyouknow
The previous volume ended with the girls having to get the Nunnery ready for the fashion show, this volume opens with the show (which takes one chapter), the Nuns and Kuranosuke taking custom orders for the jellyfish dresses and then it just sorta flounders. Kuranosuke is looking for cheaper, easier and faster ways to make the dresses, the Nuns are exhausted of making the dresses, and that's the rest of the volume.
Still though, I absolutely love this series and, since this volume marks the departure of the manga and anime being intertwined, I'm really excited to continue on.
Oh! But I did learn how to get a grape juice stain out of clothes! So there's that. #themoreyouknow
May 2, 2020
Once I picked up this manga I simply could not put it down. I read this on my birthday and it marked one of the best birthdays I have ever had. Tsukimi is probably one of the most realest anime characters I have gotten the pleasure of reading as I watch her dream of becomming a dress designer I was in complete support. With her mother's passing and how she has coped with that with other women who have been somewhat rejected from society either from looking strange or being a weeb, the crew has great character and spirit. Watching them all become beautiful through the work of Kuranosuke was great. I really enjoyed the contrast between Kuranosuke and the rest of the cast.
I really liked the political undertone of this series with Kuranosuke's father being into politics and how his mother supported his enjoyment for dressing feminine. I feel that Kuranosuke was the type to simply push individuality not only for himself but to also expand the individuality and break the confines for Tsukimi and the neets.
This slice of life is absolutely incredible and the pace was perfect. I never thought the writing was too fast or slow here. The anime art is also bubbly and stylish. I really enjoyed the style of the illustration and fashion that was shown here. I still often remember the jellyfish dress and just how beautiful the cover art was. I recommend this manga entirely.
I really liked the political undertone of this series with Kuranosuke's father being into politics and how his mother supported his enjoyment for dressing feminine. I feel that Kuranosuke was the type to simply push individuality not only for himself but to also expand the individuality and break the confines for Tsukimi and the neets.
This slice of life is absolutely incredible and the pace was perfect. I never thought the writing was too fast or slow here. The anime art is also bubbly and stylish. I really enjoyed the style of the illustration and fashion that was shown here. I still often remember the jellyfish dress and just how beautiful the cover art was. I recommend this manga entirely.
September 20, 2021
Another grand addition to the saga of Princess Jellyfish. Of course the Chauffeur is an otaku for Benz! I really loved how he got to shine a bit more than usual at the start of this omnibus. I was pretty worried when Kuranosuke's started talking about India but that seems to be going pretty well... I know little to nothing about Indian representation in manga and my google skillz are not turning up anything yet. As always, if you know anything or have opinions feel free to share. I guess I do have time before my final series review so perhaps I will remember this question at opportune times to do more digging.
Besides these new characters, it was nice to see the Amar's run into more than a few issues. As someone who complains about magical thinking in storylines, it is important to me whenever characters face believable obstacles. Plus, making clothes is a hobby I haven't be able to indulge in for a while so it's fun to read about the development of a fashion business in a bit more detail even it's still just mostly fun and silly.
Besides these new characters, it was nice to see the Amar's run into more than a few issues. As someone who complains about magical thinking in storylines, it is important to me whenever characters face believable obstacles. Plus, making clothes is a hobby I haven't be able to indulge in for a while so it's fun to read about the development of a fashion business in a bit more detail even it's still just mostly fun and silly.
February 12, 2020
This one is getting a higher rating, because we got to see more development between the characters. I’m loving Banba and Mayaya’s friendship I just feel like I finally really know these girls.
Shu’s driver gives a great speech about how anyone, of any gender, should be able to appreciate fashion and wear dresses if they want to. It gives me hope that the manga will have an inclusive message overall (despite Shu telling the media that his brother isn’t gay, he’s a “normal boy”... ugh. Hoping comments like this are being made to show people how NOT to act just to appease a homophobic society, not because he actually feels that way.)
While I’m not very interested in this fashion business plot line, it is introducing more drama among the Amars and others, which should be interesting! I also like the new character, Nisha, though I’m a little worried about the Indian rep. Idk why she has a different dialect (it’s like in Harry Potter when only Hagrid speaks differently than everyone else and it’s written that way... why is that necessary?)
Shu’s driver gives a great speech about how anyone, of any gender, should be able to appreciate fashion and wear dresses if they want to. It gives me hope that the manga will have an inclusive message overall (despite Shu telling the media that his brother isn’t gay, he’s a “normal boy”... ugh. Hoping comments like this are being made to show people how NOT to act just to appease a homophobic society, not because he actually feels that way.)
While I’m not very interested in this fashion business plot line, it is introducing more drama among the Amars and others, which should be interesting! I also like the new character, Nisha, though I’m a little worried about the Indian rep. Idk why she has a different dialect (it’s like in Harry Potter when only Hagrid speaks differently than everyone else and it’s written that way... why is that necessary?)
February 25, 2022
This series moves from strength to strength. It is interesting seeing which Amars get pulled into the schemes to save their home, and which seem to resent it.
At this point in the story we are also getting a lot of fashion info, which I thought I wouldn't appreciate, but it ends up being really interesting.
At this point in the story we are also getting a lot of fashion info, which I thought I wouldn't appreciate, but it ends up being really interesting.
January 28, 2025
Another great installment. It's been a while since I read the last volume and so it took a little while to get back to the story. At the same time, I wish I had read it slightly slower (though I couldn't because I was enjoying it so much) to enjoy and process more of it. I think I'll read it again at some point.
September 22, 2017
Does anybody in Amars know what they're doing anymore? (No.) Does anybody in Amars realize how awesome they would be if they weren't scared of their own shadow? (No.) Will Kuranosuke ever realize he's spent more money trying to save Amars than he'll ever make in order to save it? (No.)
There isn't a lot of obvious progress for our dear nuns. But here in Volume Four, progress bubbles beneath the surface; just as it was in the beginning, so as it is now: Tsukimi has no idea what she's getting herself into.
The current volume marks an interesting venture into the professional realm. The girls are more studiously trying to meet Kurako's expectations of what it means to be productive (functional) adults, and with few exceptions, they do surprisingly well (especially Jiji-sama!). It's been a long slog, but it's clear to see that Tsukimi's buddies aren't so bad after all. The hilarious mess that was their fashion show aside, it is abundantly clear that order, discipline, and a cool head are what these nuns need right now. The problem? Order, discipline, and a cool head don't exactly come naturally to the Amars. Such is life.
The importance of Volume Four rests in the growth of Shu-san and Kuranosuke, separately. Shu-san takes on the mantle of a protective elder brother. He has an odd relationship with his half-brother, to say the least, but it's evident that Shu-san cares about his family through and through. Volume Four has a surprise "guest" appearance of sorts, and it's all one can do but squeal with joy that Shu-san is the arbiter of common sense (and courtesy) at the big reveal. Now, granted, Shu-san is still a virgin; he is still horribly clumsy around Tsukimi; and he is still remarkably unqualified for wading through the limelight his younger brother summons . . . but all in all, Shu-san is reliable. And in the end, that's all that counts.
Kuranosuke grows, too. He finally stops seeing Tsukimi as a "project" or as a charity effort, and begins treating her as a peer. It's gradual, and there are moments when the young man shakes his head and convinces himself that he's grateful to be doing what's best for her as opposed to what's profitable for himself. When Kuranosuke says, "It's not like I have special feelings for her," he is as much in denial about his affection for Tsukimi as he is mustering the courage to acknowledge that there's something more about this jellyfish otaku other than . . . well . . . jellyfish stuff.
PRINCESS JELLYFISH remains a funny and engaging manga. This volume has a lot going for it. And although one wishes there was some substantive continuation of the previous installment's harder-edged relational drama, what character growth one receives in exchange is well worth the imperative to wait another volume.
There isn't a lot of obvious progress for our dear nuns. But here in Volume Four, progress bubbles beneath the surface; just as it was in the beginning, so as it is now: Tsukimi has no idea what she's getting herself into.
The current volume marks an interesting venture into the professional realm. The girls are more studiously trying to meet Kurako's expectations of what it means to be productive (functional) adults, and with few exceptions, they do surprisingly well (especially Jiji-sama!). It's been a long slog, but it's clear to see that Tsukimi's buddies aren't so bad after all. The hilarious mess that was their fashion show aside, it is abundantly clear that order, discipline, and a cool head are what these nuns need right now. The problem? Order, discipline, and a cool head don't exactly come naturally to the Amars. Such is life.
The importance of Volume Four rests in the growth of Shu-san and Kuranosuke, separately. Shu-san takes on the mantle of a protective elder brother. He has an odd relationship with his half-brother, to say the least, but it's evident that Shu-san cares about his family through and through. Volume Four has a surprise "guest" appearance of sorts, and it's all one can do but squeal with joy that Shu-san is the arbiter of common sense (and courtesy) at the big reveal. Now, granted, Shu-san is still a virgin; he is still horribly clumsy around Tsukimi; and he is still remarkably unqualified for wading through the limelight his younger brother summons . . . but all in all, Shu-san is reliable. And in the end, that's all that counts.
Kuranosuke grows, too. He finally stops seeing Tsukimi as a "project" or as a charity effort, and begins treating her as a peer. It's gradual, and there are moments when the young man shakes his head and convinces himself that he's grateful to be doing what's best for her as opposed to what's profitable for himself. When Kuranosuke says, "It's not like I have special feelings for her," he is as much in denial about his affection for Tsukimi as he is mustering the courage to acknowledge that there's something more about this jellyfish otaku other than . . . well . . . jellyfish stuff.
PRINCESS JELLYFISH remains a funny and engaging manga. This volume has a lot going for it. And although one wishes there was some substantive continuation of the previous installment's harder-edged relational drama, what character growth one receives in exchange is well worth the imperative to wait another volume.
November 1, 2018
Another fun drama, though I'll admit the nuances and challenges of actually setting up a fashion label and producing clothing is a little less interesting to me. I'm glad they aren't just magically making everything work, but I'd rather see more character interactions and relationship developments.
Tsukimi is definitely growing and changing for the better - I really hope she continues to learn that she is a person worthy of love and acceptance. The trust Kuranosuke has placed in her is helping her step up to the occasion. This fashion line has become really important to Kuranosuke as well, and even though she's keeping her distance for now, I'm really hoping he gets to reconnnect with his mother again at some point.
Shu is coming more and more over to his brother's side over time - sure, he gets frustrated when his brother's antics cause him trouble, but he truly has a soft spot for him. He can tell how much Kuranosuke misses his mom, and is willing to help her have something connected to him, perhaps because he knows it would please him. Shu obviously has feelings for Tsukimi, and wants to help her, but I don't think he would loan them the startup money if it wasn't for his care for Kuranosuke. I'm hoping that tricky woman stays far away.
Tsukimi is definitely growing and changing for the better - I really hope she continues to learn that she is a person worthy of love and acceptance. The trust Kuranosuke has placed in her is helping her step up to the occasion. This fashion line has become really important to Kuranosuke as well, and even though she's keeping her distance for now, I'm really hoping he gets to reconnnect with his mother again at some point.
Shu is coming more and more over to his brother's side over time - sure, he gets frustrated when his brother's antics cause him trouble, but he truly has a soft spot for him. He can tell how much Kuranosuke misses his mom, and is willing to help her have something connected to him, perhaps because he knows it would please him. Shu obviously has feelings for Tsukimi, and wants to help her, but I don't think he would loan them the startup money if it wasn't for his care for Kuranosuke. I'm hoping that tricky woman stays far away.
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