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かげきしょうじょ!! [Kageki Shōjo!!] #0
Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises
The critically acclaimed shoujo manga about the drama of all-women musical theater!
Watanabe Sarasa has always dreamed of being an otokoyaku, an actress who plays male roles in an all-female theater troupe. Narata Ai also has a dream: the disgraced former idol wants to live in a world full of women and not have to deal with men at all. When they both get into a competitive all-girls theater school, the stage is set for Ai and Sarasa to enter the limelight and take their first step toward stardom.
Watanabe Sarasa has always dreamed of being an otokoyaku, an actress who plays male roles in an all-female theater troupe. Narata Ai also has a dream: the disgraced former idol wants to live in a world full of women and not have to deal with men at all. When they both get into a competitive all-girls theater school, the stage is set for Ai and Sarasa to enter the limelight and take their first step toward stardom.
464 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
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May 14, 2022
Kouka is a Takarazuka-like revue in Kobe. Sarasa and Ai are new students at its attached performing arts ladder school who meet by chance on admissions day, are assigned as roommates, and, after some troubles, become friends.
Sarasa and Ai are a typical "buddy" story pair. Sarasa is ebullient, outgoing, and foolish; Ai is withdrawn and morose. Of course, someone like Sarasa is just who Ai needs to pry her out of her shell and help her reach her full potential as a team player in the troupe.
Sarasa is an anime fan, and her callbacks to various anime are on point, here: Rose of Versailles, Dear Brother, Maria Watches Over Us. They evoke Takarazuka's glamour, and all-girls' schools with big/little sister dynamics, which are major threads in Kageki Shojo itself.
Despite that, this rather thick (450+ pages) single volume doesn't come anywhere near matching those titles' emotional intensity and/or melodrama. The major plot arcs here are more like after-school specials, bringing up issues such as stalking and bulimia that plague teenaged girls, and--mostly unconvincingly, in my opinion--resolve them with the power of compassion and friendship. The stalker incident was particularly unsatisfactory in .
I did like how romance is well "off-stage" here. The girls at Kouka are allowed to date, but mustn't let those relationships become public knowledge. (It isn't quite like idol culture with its disturbing sexual purity politics, but there's a common element in the performers' being required to be unmarried, and their public image being "single women.") Sarasa has a boyfriend, but their only contact is via Twitter DMs.
The relationships between the girls are the main focus, here. Unfortunately, those dynamics are often flat and stereotypical, whether between Sarasa and Ai, between them and the secondary characters in their friendship group, or between the big and little sisters.
There are a lot of balls being juggled here: cozy friendship story, hard-hitting teenaged issues, dance and vocal performance training, sempai/kouhai relationships, Takarazuka glamour, mean girl stuff. Unfortunately, I don't think this one quite hits the right balance, or its focus is on elements that aren't all that interesting to me, the teenaged issues in particular. I was expecting to be enthralled, and instead it was only "pretty good." That's more disappointing than it might have been with a shonen title or some other thing that I'd read once, shrug about, and set aside. This is early goings, though, and this is off the beaten path enough that I'm willing to keep on with it.
I can't stop turning back to the frontispiece of Ch. 2, though. So intense! It's a great portrait of Ai from her idol days, including the dead-eyed expression. (Apologies for the terrible framing. I didn't want to damage my book.)
The book itself is a nice product, with light embossing of the title on the cover, and a repeat of the "candy" motif on the cover illustration, in pink, on the cover's obverse side.
Sarasa and Ai are a typical "buddy" story pair. Sarasa is ebullient, outgoing, and foolish; Ai is withdrawn and morose. Of course, someone like Sarasa is just who Ai needs to pry her out of her shell and help her reach her full potential as a team player in the troupe.
Sarasa is an anime fan, and her callbacks to various anime are on point, here: Rose of Versailles, Dear Brother, Maria Watches Over Us. They evoke Takarazuka's glamour, and all-girls' schools with big/little sister dynamics, which are major threads in Kageki Shojo itself.
Despite that, this rather thick (450+ pages) single volume doesn't come anywhere near matching those titles' emotional intensity and/or melodrama. The major plot arcs here are more like after-school specials, bringing up issues such as stalking and bulimia that plague teenaged girls, and--mostly unconvincingly, in my opinion--resolve them with the power of compassion and friendship. The stalker incident was particularly unsatisfactory in .
I did like how romance is well "off-stage" here. The girls at Kouka are allowed to date, but mustn't let those relationships become public knowledge. (It isn't quite like idol culture with its disturbing sexual purity politics, but there's a common element in the performers' being required to be unmarried, and their public image being "single women.") Sarasa has a boyfriend, but their only contact is via Twitter DMs.
The relationships between the girls are the main focus, here. Unfortunately, those dynamics are often flat and stereotypical, whether between Sarasa and Ai, between them and the secondary characters in their friendship group, or between the big and little sisters.
There are a lot of balls being juggled here: cozy friendship story, hard-hitting teenaged issues, dance and vocal performance training, sempai/kouhai relationships, Takarazuka glamour, mean girl stuff. Unfortunately, I don't think this one quite hits the right balance, or its focus is on elements that aren't all that interesting to me, the teenaged issues in particular. I was expecting to be enthralled, and instead it was only "pretty good." That's more disappointing than it might have been with a shonen title or some other thing that I'd read once, shrug about, and set aside. This is early goings, though, and this is off the beaten path enough that I'm willing to keep on with it.
I can't stop turning back to the frontispiece of Ch. 2, though. So intense! It's a great portrait of Ai from her idol days, including the dead-eyed expression. (Apologies for the terrible framing. I didn't want to damage my book.)
The book itself is a nice product, with light embossing of the title on the cover, and a repeat of the "candy" motif on the cover illustration, in pink, on the cover's obverse side.
November 2, 2020
CW: sexual assault (remembered on page), pedophilia (remembered on page), fatphobia, eating disorder
I ADORED this graphic novel! Please tell me there is more coming soon, because I need it. After finishing this manga I was reading another book and I kept thinking things like "Oh, Watanabe would really like this," or "I wonder what Naracchi will say when..." My brain refused to be finished with this book just because I'd turned the final page.
I adore an opposites attract trope, especially when it's the grumpy/cold one likes the sunshine one. Watanabe Sarasa is so amazing and I want to be her best friend, and I just want to give a big hug to Narata Ai.
For such a fun and fluffy manga, this book also deals with a lot of really heavy issues. There is one plus-sized girl in their year group and one of the teachers is really horrible to her. Another character deals with PTSD because of a sexual assault as a child. Of course Sarasa, as the sunshine main character, loves them and accepts them and helps them deal with their trauma - not by telling them to forget about it or by minimizing it, but by offering her own philosophy that if you shove enough happy memories into yourself they help balance out the bad ones and help to blunt some of those hard edges from cutting as deeply.
I really love this manga and will be watching ravenously for another volume.
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I ADORED this graphic novel! Please tell me there is more coming soon, because I need it. After finishing this manga I was reading another book and I kept thinking things like "Oh, Watanabe would really like this," or "I wonder what Naracchi will say when..." My brain refused to be finished with this book just because I'd turned the final page.
I adore an opposites attract trope, especially when it's the grumpy/cold one likes the sunshine one. Watanabe Sarasa is so amazing and I want to be her best friend, and I just want to give a big hug to Narata Ai.
For such a fun and fluffy manga, this book also deals with a lot of really heavy issues. There is one plus-sized girl in their year group and one of the teachers is really horrible to her. Another character deals with PTSD because of a sexual assault as a child. Of course Sarasa, as the sunshine main character, loves them and accepts them and helps them deal with their trauma - not by telling them to forget about it or by minimizing it, but by offering her own philosophy that if you shove enough happy memories into yourself they help balance out the bad ones and help to blunt some of those hard edges from cutting as deeply.
I really love this manga and will be watching ravenously for another volume.
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
December 29, 2020
I was swimming through a sea of manga and this sunken TREASURE is 2020's best revelation. A story about teen girls living their lives and trying their best! A story about friendship, ambitions & dreams, insecurities, growth, and finding a way to move past trauma. It's the sweetest one-volume series and I'm so, so hopeful that Seven Seas Entertainment will bring us the sequel series in the next year.
"Kageki Shoujo! The Curtain Rises" is an omnibus reprint of the original "Kageki Shoujo" miniseries that ran in magazines in 2012. After its serial magazine was canceled, the author went on a short break and then wrote for another magazine by the same publisher. That second series is much longer and has two exclamation points: "Kageki Shoujo!!" (literally: Musical Girls!! But "musical" as in a musical stage production like a Broadway show, only Japanese and with an entirely female cast, i.e. Takarazuka Theatre).
The story: we follow two young girls who pass the notoriously difficult entrance exam for THE elite academy for Takarazuka-style musical theatre, Kouka High School.
The first girl (named Ai) is a former teen idol from one of those large teen idol groups (think "Morning Musume" with ~30 members). To put it mildly, Ai does not like men and had to quit her idol group after a scandal where she told a fan she didn't want to hold his hand. She's withdrawn, guarded, and uninterested in making friends at school. She just wants to be in an environment where she doesn't have to mingle with guys for a few year (with the exception of her supportive uncle, who teaches at the school).
The second girl (named Sarasa) is tall, tall, TALL. Sarasa is excited about making the cut for the school and dreams of playing the star role in her favorite production someday! Raised by her grandfather, a tatami merchant, Sarasa grew up on period dramas and (in her own time) a lot of vintage anime & manga. She's happily childish and doesn't know as much as musical theatre as she maybe should. Also, she's completely unsuited for the cattiness expected at these all-girl competitive schools where the students vie for limited spots in plays--and it's GREAT that Sarasa is so nice because it changes the whole class dynamic for the better.
Ai and Sarasa become roommates and clash immediately. Sarasa wants to be friends but Ai can't bring herself to make a connection. As the story goes on, we learn about Ai's troubled childhood and the environment her uncle helped her escape. Meanwhile, Sarasa struggles to stay positive while working to catch up to her classmates in her weaker subjects.
The author & artist Kumiko Saiki shows so much empathy for her characters (and also the supporting cast) that it's impossible for readers not to support them. I loved Ai and Sarasa's personal struggles and also the classmates we get to know better along the way. I loved seeing young people engaged by their dreams but also learning what kind of work it would take to achieve their goals. I just loved the whole experience in spite of the tough subject it touches on midway.
Recommended if you want a feel-good story where teen girls can pursue their dreams and live their lives while also confronting their insecurities and fears to grow and be happier. Did I mention I really like this series?
"Kageki Shoujo! The Curtain Rises" is an omnibus reprint of the original "Kageki Shoujo" miniseries that ran in magazines in 2012. After its serial magazine was canceled, the author went on a short break and then wrote for another magazine by the same publisher. That second series is much longer and has two exclamation points: "Kageki Shoujo!!" (literally: Musical Girls!! But "musical" as in a musical stage production like a Broadway show, only Japanese and with an entirely female cast, i.e. Takarazuka Theatre).
The story: we follow two young girls who pass the notoriously difficult entrance exam for THE elite academy for Takarazuka-style musical theatre, Kouka High School.
The first girl (named Ai) is a former teen idol from one of those large teen idol groups (think "Morning Musume" with ~30 members). To put it mildly, Ai does not like men and had to quit her idol group after a scandal where she told a fan she didn't want to hold his hand. She's withdrawn, guarded, and uninterested in making friends at school. She just wants to be in an environment where she doesn't have to mingle with guys for a few year (with the exception of her supportive uncle, who teaches at the school).
The second girl (named Sarasa) is tall, tall, TALL. Sarasa is excited about making the cut for the school and dreams of playing the star role in her favorite production someday! Raised by her grandfather, a tatami merchant, Sarasa grew up on period dramas and (in her own time) a lot of vintage anime & manga. She's happily childish and doesn't know as much as musical theatre as she maybe should. Also, she's completely unsuited for the cattiness expected at these all-girl competitive schools where the students vie for limited spots in plays--and it's GREAT that Sarasa is so nice because it changes the whole class dynamic for the better.
Ai and Sarasa become roommates and clash immediately. Sarasa wants to be friends but Ai can't bring herself to make a connection. As the story goes on, we learn about Ai's troubled childhood and the environment her uncle helped her escape. Meanwhile, Sarasa struggles to stay positive while working to catch up to her classmates in her weaker subjects.
The author & artist Kumiko Saiki shows so much empathy for her characters (and also the supporting cast) that it's impossible for readers not to support them. I loved Ai and Sarasa's personal struggles and also the classmates we get to know better along the way. I loved seeing young people engaged by their dreams but also learning what kind of work it would take to achieve their goals. I just loved the whole experience in spite of the tough subject it touches on midway.
Recommended if you want a feel-good story where teen girls can pursue their dreams and live their lives while also confronting their insecurities and fears to grow and be happier. Did I mention I really like this series?
December 6, 2020
Update - with the announcement that the full series has been licensed by Seven Seas, I have gone back and rounded this up to 4 stars. I will definitely be there for subsequent volumes.
Narata was drummed out of her idol group in disgrace. Watanabe is trying to live out her dream of doing the male lead in an all-female theatre troop. Thrown together at theatre school, these two are set on the path to stardom along with a raft of other characters. Everybody’s trying to get their Versailles in a Rose in Kageki Shojo!
This is complicated. It’s very complicated. First, hefty trigger warnings for eating disorders, bullying, body shaming, child abuse, and molestation. So, needless to say this goes to some places.
And it’s also funny? It is. There are some decent jokes in here - Narata’s reaction when she learns Watanabe is her roommate is delightfully timed in particular. There’s definitely a lot of jumping around in terms of tone, so consistency can be a bit of a thing.
What we do have are two interesting leads - Watanabe can be exhausting, she’s a real Pollyanna at times, but it’s fascinating watching her cheer bump up against Narata’s endless quest to just be left alone, especially by men.
Narata feels like a real black hole where joy goes to die and while she isn’t particularly likeable for large chunks of the book, it is very clear (and very harrowing) why that is the case. It’s hard not to feel bad for her extensive PTSD, even as she’s lashing out at everything.
Narata is the reason this book works for me, even though I think the author wants it to be Watanabe. Watching Narata’s journey is very satisfying and it treats her issues as issues - they aren’t just magically solved for her. Sometimes getting better takes effort you might not always be able to put out.
The art is pretty good - you can tell who everybody is (more on that in a second). The one problem I have is Watanabe’s single line smile, which I don’t think works the way it’s intended. I think the author wants to show cheer, when in actuality it looks like she’s been possessed by demons from hell and is five seconds away from grabbing a straight razor and putting on a female-led Sweeney Todd revival. It is off-puttingly creepy to me.
The problem with everybody else is that there is too much everybody else. The cast quickly explodes and outside of our two leads we only get one very poignant subplot (which gives us yet another nominee for Teacher of the Freakin’ Year), which is well handled, but everybody else is just sort of there.
It’s partly because this series got stopped and resumed elsewhere and this contains those first parts and the follow-up, to my knowledge, is yet to release over here. That also explains why the story grinds to a complete halt rather than actually ends. There’s a little catharsis but it feels like it just ends with a whimper and so much left to say. And with one brief exception, you barely get any theatre!
A very difficult book to review. At 400+ pages this is a frigging tome and it does some good work but it also gets mired in some things it shouldn’t and stuff that may never pay off for the reader (yes, there’s an anime coming but I shouldn’t have to hop mediums to finish a story) - I’m looking at you, kabuki school.
Characterization is top-notch for the leads and the general writing quality makes me want to give this a 3.5 or a 4, but it doesn’t feel complete (because it isn’t) and not knowing where we’re left standing as readers is frustrating.
Narata was drummed out of her idol group in disgrace. Watanabe is trying to live out her dream of doing the male lead in an all-female theatre troop. Thrown together at theatre school, these two are set on the path to stardom along with a raft of other characters. Everybody’s trying to get their Versailles in a Rose in Kageki Shojo!
This is complicated. It’s very complicated. First, hefty trigger warnings for eating disorders, bullying, body shaming, child abuse, and molestation. So, needless to say this goes to some places.
And it’s also funny? It is. There are some decent jokes in here - Narata’s reaction when she learns Watanabe is her roommate is delightfully timed in particular. There’s definitely a lot of jumping around in terms of tone, so consistency can be a bit of a thing.
What we do have are two interesting leads - Watanabe can be exhausting, she’s a real Pollyanna at times, but it’s fascinating watching her cheer bump up against Narata’s endless quest to just be left alone, especially by men.
Narata feels like a real black hole where joy goes to die and while she isn’t particularly likeable for large chunks of the book, it is very clear (and very harrowing) why that is the case. It’s hard not to feel bad for her extensive PTSD, even as she’s lashing out at everything.
Narata is the reason this book works for me, even though I think the author wants it to be Watanabe. Watching Narata’s journey is very satisfying and it treats her issues as issues - they aren’t just magically solved for her. Sometimes getting better takes effort you might not always be able to put out.
The art is pretty good - you can tell who everybody is (more on that in a second). The one problem I have is Watanabe’s single line smile, which I don’t think works the way it’s intended. I think the author wants to show cheer, when in actuality it looks like she’s been possessed by demons from hell and is five seconds away from grabbing a straight razor and putting on a female-led Sweeney Todd revival. It is off-puttingly creepy to me.
The problem with everybody else is that there is too much everybody else. The cast quickly explodes and outside of our two leads we only get one very poignant subplot (which gives us yet another nominee for Teacher of the Freakin’ Year), which is well handled, but everybody else is just sort of there.
It’s partly because this series got stopped and resumed elsewhere and this contains those first parts and the follow-up, to my knowledge, is yet to release over here. That also explains why the story grinds to a complete halt rather than actually ends. There’s a little catharsis but it feels like it just ends with a whimper and so much left to say. And with one brief exception, you barely get any theatre!
A very difficult book to review. At 400+ pages this is a frigging tome and it does some good work but it also gets mired in some things it shouldn’t and stuff that may never pay off for the reader (yes, there’s an anime coming but I shouldn’t have to hop mediums to finish a story) - I’m looking at you, kabuki school.
Characterization is top-notch for the leads and the general writing quality makes me want to give this a 3.5 or a 4, but it doesn’t feel complete (because it isn’t) and not knowing where we’re left standing as readers is frustrating.
June 18, 2021
Excellent!
I was expecting a Revue Starlight but more slice of life contemporary story and I definitely got it, but also it has such strong vibes of Blank Canvas by Akiko Higashimura, of coming of age, growing and finding your place in the world of creative professionals. This manga also has a hard-hitting contemporary side to it, the story portrays and discusses sexual assault on the minor and the resulted trauma, unsafe home environment and long lasting affects on your entire self, dealing with eating disorder (bulimia in particular).
This being said, at the heart of this manga is a story about Sarasa and Ai, two polar opposites who through tribulations become friends. It is about the girls in the prestigious all-female theatre academy and the first year there.
Art is so lovely, Kumiko Saiki utilizes the medium to the max!
I was expecting a Revue Starlight but more slice of life contemporary story and I definitely got it, but also it has such strong vibes of Blank Canvas by Akiko Higashimura, of coming of age, growing and finding your place in the world of creative professionals. This manga also has a hard-hitting contemporary side to it, the story portrays and discusses sexual assault on the minor and the resulted trauma, unsafe home environment and long lasting affects on your entire self, dealing with eating disorder (bulimia in particular).
This being said, at the heart of this manga is a story about Sarasa and Ai, two polar opposites who through tribulations become friends. It is about the girls in the prestigious all-female theatre academy and the first year there.
Art is so lovely, Kumiko Saiki utilizes the medium to the max!
December 16, 2023
This one really surprised me. I picked up the first volume and got this one—the prequel is turns out?—as a gift. Definitely immersed me in the story and makes me interested to continue. Loved it! (Tho I dock one star just because it’s only an introduction and there’s no incredibly clear driving plot elements yet, aside from characters wanting the leading roles of course.).
April 8, 2023
I expected for this to be an easy read but it was the exact opposite as it delved into topics that I didn’t expect.
It’s definitely meant for a mature audience
( it does have a teen rating after all)
It is now sitting happily next to my copy of
“Boy meets Maria” Because they both have gorgeous covers and both sucker punched me emotionally.
3.6 stars ⭐️
It’s definitely meant for a mature audience
( it does have a teen rating after all)
It is now sitting happily next to my copy of
“Boy meets Maria” Because they both have gorgeous covers and both sucker punched me emotionally.
3.6 stars ⭐️
August 3, 2022
Art: 4*
Characters: 4*
Plot: 4*
Total: 4*
I've been a Takarazuka fan and scholar for many years, so Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this manga that deals with this exact topic: all-female theatre in Japan!
This manga is a prequel to the Kageki Shojo!! Vol. 1 series which follows the lives of newly admitted Kouka theatre students. The prequel introduces the main characters, Sarasa and Ai, as well as a slew of classmates, seniors, and teachers at the school. Ai is an ex-idol with little to no motivation in life other than to be in a place far from men (hence why she chose to join Kouka). On the other hand, Sarasa has always dreamed of being a Kouka actress, especially in the iconic role of Oscar in The Rose of Versailles, Omnibus 1. Soon, we discover that these two have many secrets and often dark reasons for joining the school, as do the other girls in their class.
Above: The girls attend a Kouka show of Romeo and Juliet and are dazzled by what they see.
I was surprised that this manga introduced hard-hitting topics such as eating disorders, sexual abuse, and the dark world behind the glitzy façade of entertainment. The girls at Kouka all have different motivations for being there, but they are all unified by their love of Kouka theatre and the allure of the stage. Even though they don't always see eye-to-eye, the girls can agree on the fact that Kouka is all but lifesaving to them.
All in all, I really enjoyed this volume, and I'm excited to read the main series from here on out. If you're already a Zuka fan, then this is a must-read or you. If you're new to the glamourous world of showbiz in Japan, then maybe this will be a good entry point for you to discover this fairly niche cultural area.
Characters: 4*
Plot: 4*
Total: 4*
I've been a Takarazuka fan and scholar for many years, so Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this manga that deals with this exact topic: all-female theatre in Japan!
This manga is a prequel to the Kageki Shojo!! Vol. 1 series which follows the lives of newly admitted Kouka theatre students. The prequel introduces the main characters, Sarasa and Ai, as well as a slew of classmates, seniors, and teachers at the school. Ai is an ex-idol with little to no motivation in life other than to be in a place far from men (hence why she chose to join Kouka). On the other hand, Sarasa has always dreamed of being a Kouka actress, especially in the iconic role of Oscar in The Rose of Versailles, Omnibus 1. Soon, we discover that these two have many secrets and often dark reasons for joining the school, as do the other girls in their class.
Above: The girls attend a Kouka show of Romeo and Juliet and are dazzled by what they see.
I was surprised that this manga introduced hard-hitting topics such as eating disorders, sexual abuse, and the dark world behind the glitzy façade of entertainment. The girls at Kouka all have different motivations for being there, but they are all unified by their love of Kouka theatre and the allure of the stage. Even though they don't always see eye-to-eye, the girls can agree on the fact that Kouka is all but lifesaving to them.
All in all, I really enjoyed this volume, and I'm excited to read the main series from here on out. If you're already a Zuka fan, then this is a must-read or you. If you're new to the glamourous world of showbiz in Japan, then maybe this will be a good entry point for you to discover this fairly niche cultural area.
December 27, 2021
TW sexual abuse flashbacks, eating disorders, emetophobia in this manga
I’m a huge fan of the Kageki Shojo and this prequel series does much to illuminate Narata Ai’s character, which I deeply appreciate. The way this manga treats her trauma and how it shaped who she’s become means so much to me (I can relate to her fear of being touched by strange men) and unlike many portrayals does not feel sensationalized or taken lightly. While this manga won’t be for everyone, it feels like a fully developed world and will always have a place in my heart.
I’m a huge fan of the Kageki Shojo and this prequel series does much to illuminate Narata Ai’s character, which I deeply appreciate. The way this manga treats her trauma and how it shaped who she’s become means so much to me (I can relate to her fear of being touched by strange men) and unlike many portrayals does not feel sensationalized or taken lightly. While this manga won’t be for everyone, it feels like a fully developed world and will always have a place in my heart.
September 6, 2023
it's sweet but also sad. The fact that Ayako Yamada has bulimia and Narata Ai was sexualy harased is heartbreaking. I don't want to miss that Watanabe Sarasa had many rumours about her boyfriend and one student(sadly forgot her name) spread a picture online with a Kouka student, that being Watanabe(which is also aganist school rules, but it wasn't her account, it was a fake one soo yeah) with a weirdo that was Ai's fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2022
A fun prequel but hopefully all the terminology will stick in my head when I continue reading the series. Pretty art and episodic.
September 24, 2024
so funny so pleasant and easy to read so good I love shoujo manga and I love boarding school media and I love fictional takarazuka
February 21, 2025
Adoré el anime cuando salió, y ahora vengo a adorar el manga!
Qué fantasía de dibujo, y qué barbaridad de temas importantes se tratan en la obra🩷
Está en eBiblio, chicas! Así que ya sabéis ✨
Qué fantasía de dibujo, y qué barbaridad de temas importantes se tratan en la obra🩷
Está en eBiblio, chicas! Así que ya sabéis ✨
December 11, 2023
Qué obra tan maravillosa. Sobre todo para las personas que nos gusta el mundo del arte escénico como el teatro. Bien documentada, personajes atrayentes, muchos mensajes, muestra de la cara oculta del mundo de la fama... Grandísima lectura muy recomendable.
Lee la reseña completa aquí:
http://unabibliotecaentremundos.blogs...
Lee la reseña completa aquí:
http://unabibliotecaentremundos.blogs...
November 7, 2025
Esta historia es mi primer acercamiento a la mangaka y me ha gustado mucho.
La historia nos presenta a Sarasa y Ai, dos chicas completamente opuestas mientras Sarasa es alegre y extrovertida Ai por el contrario es reservada y esta muy enfocada en lograr ser una top star sola. Las dos logran ingresar a la prestigiosa Escuela de música y artes Kouka. Las dos deben ser compañeras de habitación y al principio no se llevan nada bien pero con el pasar de los capítulos su relación ira poco a poco mejorando.
Me han gustado mucho los personajes en general y como la mangaka en este tomo introductorio logra mostrarnos un avance en el desarrollo de personajes, especialmente Ai tiene un un cambio muy significativo al lograr poco a poco superar su trauma de la infancia que hace que rechace a los hombres fuertemente y su relación con Sarasa será un factor fundamental para que ella se comience a abrir más emocionalmente.
También nos demuestra lo competitivo y exigente que es el mundo del espectáculo japones, las chicas deben enfrentarse a arduas clases de canto, baile y actuación pertenecer al exclusivo grupo de las top star quienes serán las próximas grandes estrellas de teatro musical de la compañía y lo que las hará darse cuenta que el trabajo en equipo es vital. El manga esta lleno de referencias a animes y mangas muy populares como One Piece y La rosa de Versalles un clásico japones que a mi personalmente me encanta.
Me gusto mucho la entrevista final que la autora le hace a una antigua top star y como ella cuenta su propia experiencia al ser una estrella y lo duro que tuvo que luchar y prepararse para interpretar papeles tan icónicos como Oscar en La rosa de Versalles.
Quede con mucha curiosidad de seguir leyendo a las chicas y ver su largo y duro camino para llegar a ser top star.
La historia nos presenta a Sarasa y Ai, dos chicas completamente opuestas mientras Sarasa es alegre y extrovertida Ai por el contrario es reservada y esta muy enfocada en lograr ser una top star sola. Las dos logran ingresar a la prestigiosa Escuela de música y artes Kouka. Las dos deben ser compañeras de habitación y al principio no se llevan nada bien pero con el pasar de los capítulos su relación ira poco a poco mejorando.
Me han gustado mucho los personajes en general y como la mangaka en este tomo introductorio logra mostrarnos un avance en el desarrollo de personajes, especialmente Ai tiene un un cambio muy significativo al lograr poco a poco superar su trauma de la infancia que hace que rechace a los hombres fuertemente y su relación con Sarasa será un factor fundamental para que ella se comience a abrir más emocionalmente.
También nos demuestra lo competitivo y exigente que es el mundo del espectáculo japones, las chicas deben enfrentarse a arduas clases de canto, baile y actuación pertenecer al exclusivo grupo de las top star quienes serán las próximas grandes estrellas de teatro musical de la compañía y lo que las hará darse cuenta que el trabajo en equipo es vital. El manga esta lleno de referencias a animes y mangas muy populares como One Piece y La rosa de Versalles un clásico japones que a mi personalmente me encanta.
Me gusto mucho la entrevista final que la autora le hace a una antigua top star y como ella cuenta su propia experiencia al ser una estrella y lo duro que tuvo que luchar y prepararse para interpretar papeles tan icónicos como Oscar en La rosa de Versalles.
Quede con mucha curiosidad de seguir leyendo a las chicas y ver su largo y duro camino para llegar a ser top star.
December 9, 2020
A sweet prequel story about an all girls’ musical theater school. Based on Japanese women’s only theater, this story follows a new group of freshman looking to become the next star. Not everything is roses as this book touches upon sexual abuse, eating disorders, and mean girl bullying. It brought me in mind of the movie Center Stage. Soon friendships begin to form and I look forward to reading the main story line which follows Sarasa our too tall and super cheerful heroine once it’s published.
December 14, 2024
All my friends were raving about this manga and it’s sequel.
At first, I thought it was a case of an overblown hype, but after finally picking it up, I see why they were so enamored with it; and rightfully so.
The Takarazuka Revue, woman only space were they create magical musicals based on literature with musicals, over dramatic monologues, and flamboyant dresses; and, above it all, beautiful androgynous figure playing the masculine role in a romantic plot.
The revue is the source of inspiration behind Princess Knight, that lead to the inspiration of Lady Oscar, and later to Utena.
The dramatic narratives with strong emphasis on gender deconstruction and overly sapphic tone is what made the revue and the Shojo literature that much colorful and richer than it counterpart; and even influenced so of it heavy hitters; berserk * despite the awfulness in a certain Arch* is heavily influenced by the formers.
With that being said, Kageki Shojo, is about the few chosen girls who were able to enroll on the elite theatrical school that molded the finest Takarazuka actresses, their struggles and hardships to overcome through the next year before their graduation.
Sounds cliche and awfully plain? The premise does sound so, but the story is not.
It’s one of the most recent poignant Shojo I read in a while, dealing with sophistication and tenderness the bitter issues of sexual abuse, bulimia, bullying, gender enforced abuse without lessening their impact or playing them for shock value.
just as much as it portrays the struggle to overcome trauma and the friends that close one’s that back you up through the journey into self discovery without making it cheesy and pretentious.
These are the themes that makes a Shojo comic a rewarding read. And it’s there from the very first chapter.
Being a girl is a complicated matter that Sofia Coppola
Made a statement of with her movies, and like her movies that are devoted to the themes of girlhood, adolescent and dreams, Thai manga embodies all the strength of the genre and none of to weakness.
I’m so excited for finally picking such a mesmerizing series. I can’t recommend it enough, and I hope more get to read it too.
At first, I thought it was a case of an overblown hype, but after finally picking it up, I see why they were so enamored with it; and rightfully so.
The Takarazuka Revue, woman only space were they create magical musicals based on literature with musicals, over dramatic monologues, and flamboyant dresses; and, above it all, beautiful androgynous figure playing the masculine role in a romantic plot.
The revue is the source of inspiration behind Princess Knight, that lead to the inspiration of Lady Oscar, and later to Utena.
The dramatic narratives with strong emphasis on gender deconstruction and overly sapphic tone is what made the revue and the Shojo literature that much colorful and richer than it counterpart; and even influenced so of it heavy hitters; berserk * despite the awfulness in a certain Arch* is heavily influenced by the formers.
With that being said, Kageki Shojo, is about the few chosen girls who were able to enroll on the elite theatrical school that molded the finest Takarazuka actresses, their struggles and hardships to overcome through the next year before their graduation.
Sounds cliche and awfully plain? The premise does sound so, but the story is not.
It’s one of the most recent poignant Shojo I read in a while, dealing with sophistication and tenderness the bitter issues of sexual abuse, bulimia, bullying, gender enforced abuse without lessening their impact or playing them for shock value.
just as much as it portrays the struggle to overcome trauma and the friends that close one’s that back you up through the journey into self discovery without making it cheesy and pretentious.
These are the themes that makes a Shojo comic a rewarding read. And it’s there from the very first chapter.
Being a girl is a complicated matter that Sofia Coppola
Made a statement of with her movies, and like her movies that are devoted to the themes of girlhood, adolescent and dreams, Thai manga embodies all the strength of the genre and none of to weakness.
I’m so excited for finally picking such a mesmerizing series. I can’t recommend it enough, and I hope more get to read it too.
Want to read
August 18, 2021***WHO SUCKED ME IN
Under The Scope on YouTube in their The Real-Life History Behind My Favorite New Shoujo Anime published on 2 augustus 2021
I'm not interested in stories are about movie/music/theatre/stage-culture*. I always try them and I just don't find them interesting. Which I do think is strange because I like stories about people throughout history and you would think stories that take place in setting that bring those stories to life would be interesting to me?
But I do like stories that deals with a part of a culture I'm unfamiliar with and with just the one volume this seems like a good starting point to discover more about the Takarazuka Revue.
Also the video was super engaging and gave a short and brief overview about the history of Takarazuka Revue. Highly recommend. For something I just clicked on impulsively I was very impressed with what I watched.
*
Under The Scope on YouTube in their The Real-Life History Behind My Favorite New Shoujo Anime published on 2 augustus 2021
''Enter the bright lights of the Takarazuka Revue--new summer anime Kageki Shoujo follows a group of first-years entering a prestigious all-girls theatre academy based off the famous Japanese troupe with dreams of becoming a top star. An adaptation of the manga by Kumiko Saiki, it's a grounded exploration of the Takarazuka Revue's structure and cultural significance. As such, let's take a look at the history of this theater style to set the stage for what you can expect to see in Kageki Shoujo!'' ~~from the description box
I'm not interested in stories are about movie/music/theatre/stage-culture*. I always try them and I just don't find them interesting. Which I do think is strange because I like stories about people throughout history and you would think stories that take place in setting that bring those stories to life would be interesting to me?
But I do like stories that deals with a part of a culture I'm unfamiliar with and with just the one volume this seems like a good starting point to discover more about the Takarazuka Revue.
Also the video was super engaging and gave a short and brief overview about the history of Takarazuka Revue. Highly recommend. For something I just clicked on impulsively I was very impressed with what I watched.
*
September 11, 2021
The description of the manga talks about Sarasa, a cheerful tall girl that has always dreamed of performing a particular role (love the reference to Rose of Versailles, Vol. 1!) in an all women musical theatre troupe. However, most of the story focuses on Ai, a talented girl with a deadpan expression that joins an exclusive training school for future members of that all women musical theatre troupe after her fall from grace as part of a teen idol group. You would expect music, dancing and humour, but it was a surprisingly mature story. Ai is not a very sympathetic character at first, but once you learn why she acts the way she does, it is quite harrowing. Instead of the story of stardom I was expecting (something like Skip Beat!, Vol. 01 or Glass Mask, Vol. 1), it turned into a story of healing through friendship. The story is not concluded yet; the manga was originally serialized in one magazine, and when that magazine shut down, it was picked up later by a different magazine; this very long volume collects everything published under the initial magazine. I'm happy to see that Seven Seas will also pick up volumes published under the second magazine.
Note that in spite of the pink cover and the shojo label, it covers very mature topics: eating disorders, body shaming, sexual assault, pedophilia. The treatment of these topics is careful and respectful, and it was great to see most adults acting with genuine concern to protect the students in their charge.
Note that in spite of the pink cover and the shojo label, it covers very mature topics: eating disorders, body shaming, sexual assault, pedophilia. The treatment of these topics is careful and respectful, and it was great to see most adults acting with genuine concern to protect the students in their charge.
Read
November 8, 2022The Kouka School of Musical and Theatrical Arts' prestige comes from its lasting legacy of raising teen girls into the stardom of the Kouka Acting Troupe. The admission process is difficult with a minuscule acceptance rate, but both Narata Ai, a stoic, former pop star, and Watanabe Sarasa, an unknown, naive, 6 ft kabuki prodigy, have been accepted even with no prior theater acting skill. Ai is motivated solely because she can have minimal contact with men at Kouka, while Sarasa dreams of acting as the top star one day. When the two are paired as roommates, Ai pushes the friendly Sarasa away to the best of her ability. With two years of cut-throat training and competition down the line, Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises sets up the challenges, both academic and interpersonal, that the pair must face.
A warning first and foremost: while Saiki Kumiko's artstyle is bright and expressive, the book groundedly explores heavy topics such as sexual abuse towards minors, body shaming, and bulimia. All this said, the work is optimistic, largely resolving conflicts through empathy and acknowledgement.
This "0 volume" contains the chapters published by Saiki before the magazine it ran it was discontinued. Because of this, the plot threads are sporadic and unresolved, with unclear direction of future pacing. The comic itself, however, not only maturely handles tough subjects, but also contains wonderful character expression and gesture work, apt paneling (the art becomes dreamlike during theatrical sections, and the page compositions carry that mood), and future promise. It's also incredibly funny at times. Having read not only this issue, but volumes 1 and 2 as well, the groundwork here pays of wonderfully.
[For the course: this series is a great read for teen readers, especially those interested in graphic novels or theater]
A warning first and foremost: while Saiki Kumiko's artstyle is bright and expressive, the book groundedly explores heavy topics such as sexual abuse towards minors, body shaming, and bulimia. All this said, the work is optimistic, largely resolving conflicts through empathy and acknowledgement.
This "0 volume" contains the chapters published by Saiki before the magazine it ran it was discontinued. Because of this, the plot threads are sporadic and unresolved, with unclear direction of future pacing. The comic itself, however, not only maturely handles tough subjects, but also contains wonderful character expression and gesture work, apt paneling (the art becomes dreamlike during theatrical sections, and the page compositions carry that mood), and future promise. It's also incredibly funny at times. Having read not only this issue, but volumes 1 and 2 as well, the groundwork here pays of wonderfully.
[For the course: this series is a great read for teen readers, especially those interested in graphic novels or theater]
April 26, 2022
This does a great job of addressing how sexual assault and harassment aren’t taken seriously. It also addresses the issue of men being creepy towards underage girls, and the bs of gender assigned roles. In a ideal world men and women could both try out for acting roles regardless of gender. As it is the only way for a girl to do a boys role is to be in a all girl troupe, and vice versa for boys. Outdated traditions that serve no purpose except to cause problems like only men can be kabuki players or only men can become emperors. It also looks at slut shaming, the boys liked looking at a naked woman but turn around and trash talk her to her daughter. It was pretty harsh on single mothers, the only single mother shown only cares about her career, works all the time, never cooks, brings strange men home, doesn’t listen to her child, and won’t tell her child who her father is. It also looks at the fatphobia in society, that there is only one beauty ideal. The one character became bulimic, teachers and peers pressured her into it. There’s a difference between a teacher critiquing you and strangers critiquing you. When a teacher does it they know you, so it hits a lot harder. That one teacher wasn’t being supportive and drove that girl to bulimia, she knew exactly what she was doing. Another teacher though let her know what her strengths are and to focus on those instead of her weight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
This was an interesting glimpse into what life as an aspiring Takarazuka (Ahem, sorry, "Kouka") actress may look like.
Sarasa started out being just as annoying to me as she came off to her classmates. I started melting though, when it became clear just how much she adores Oscar (from Rose of Versailles), and how sincere Sarasa herself is as a character. Despite being deeply unaware of her surroundings at most times, she's such a caring and compassionate person, who will do anything to make someone feel better - whether she knows them or not, and even in the cases where she has every reason to actively dislike them.
Our other main character, Ai, was less interesting to me. But I think it's simply due to her cold and very intentional mask, that she carries at all times. We do learn why it's there in the first place though, and man has she been through some rough stuff.
Speaking of which, this volume comes with a bunch of content warnings. On top of mind right now, for example: Eating disorders, sexual assault of minors, stalking, bullying. And since this is a manga, most of it is on page and can be hard to shield yourself from if it comes unexpected.
What I loved most about this book was, of course, the budding friendship between Sarasa and Ai, but also that we get to see the web of relationships between all of the girls at Kouka, their motivations for being there, and how they all get by.
Going in, I thought this thick volume was a collected short series with an end, but no. This is only the prequel, and there is a lot left to read after this one. Probably a good thing, as now it won't be rushed. I'm along for the ride, and look forward to seeing them all grow and bloom on stage as the new stars of Kouka.
Sarasa started out being just as annoying to me as she came off to her classmates. I started melting though, when it became clear just how much she adores Oscar (from Rose of Versailles), and how sincere Sarasa herself is as a character. Despite being deeply unaware of her surroundings at most times, she's such a caring and compassionate person, who will do anything to make someone feel better - whether she knows them or not, and even in the cases where she has every reason to actively dislike them.
Our other main character, Ai, was less interesting to me. But I think it's simply due to her cold and very intentional mask, that she carries at all times. We do learn why it's there in the first place though, and man has she been through some rough stuff.
Speaking of which, this volume comes with a bunch of content warnings. On top of mind right now, for example: Eating disorders, sexual assault of minors, stalking, bullying. And since this is a manga, most of it is on page and can be hard to shield yourself from if it comes unexpected.
What I loved most about this book was, of course, the budding friendship between Sarasa and Ai, but also that we get to see the web of relationships between all of the girls at Kouka, their motivations for being there, and how they all get by.
Going in, I thought this thick volume was a collected short series with an end, but no. This is only the prequel, and there is a lot left to read after this one. Probably a good thing, as now it won't be rushed. I'm along for the ride, and look forward to seeing them all grow and bloom on stage as the new stars of Kouka.
February 1, 2025
El anime me encantó y tenía muy pendiente pasar al manga y he hecho lo correcto, qué obra tan buena, visibiliza tantas cosas importantes y super necesarias, es un must read.
ADORO a Sarasa, es maravillosa. Me encanta cómo cuando la intentan desmotivar ella dice bueno, pues eso cambiará gracias a mí. Tiene una fuerza y una motivación brutales, ya quisiera yo. Y sus referencias a mangas y animes, son lo más, me veo tan reflejada ahí jajajaja
Ai también me encanta, es como la otra cara, ambas se van a complementar a la perfección. De la madre de Ai mejor ni hablo... qué horror de madre. Y del otro impresentable (no quiero que me censuren la reseña) menos. Menos mal que tenía a Taichi. En fin, tengo muchas ganas de seguir leyendo el crecimiento de Ai, si ya ha avanzado solo en la precuela, aún me queda mucho por descubrir.
Yamada...el claro ejemplo de cómo un comentario te deja marcada y te puede llevar a hacer algo muy peligroso. Otro personaje que tengo muchas ganas de ver avanzar, ojalá llegue a la meta que le ha comentado el profesor, ese puesto tiene que ser para ella.
En resumen, muy buena precuela para introducirte en esta obra!
ADORO a Sarasa, es maravillosa. Me encanta cómo cuando la intentan desmotivar ella dice bueno, pues eso cambiará gracias a mí. Tiene una fuerza y una motivación brutales, ya quisiera yo. Y sus referencias a mangas y animes, son lo más, me veo tan reflejada ahí jajajaja
Ai también me encanta, es como la otra cara, ambas se van a complementar a la perfección. De la madre de Ai mejor ni hablo... qué horror de madre. Y del otro impresentable (no quiero que me censuren la reseña) menos. Menos mal que tenía a Taichi. En fin, tengo muchas ganas de seguir leyendo el crecimiento de Ai, si ya ha avanzado solo en la precuela, aún me queda mucho por descubrir.
Yamada...el claro ejemplo de cómo un comentario te deja marcada y te puede llevar a hacer algo muy peligroso. Otro personaje que tengo muchas ganas de ver avanzar, ojalá llegue a la meta que le ha comentado el profesor, ese puesto tiene que ser para ella.
En resumen, muy buena precuela para introducirte en esta obra!
February 5, 2025
Character 3.5| Setting 3| Plot 3| Art 4| Enjoyment 5
Rating: 3.7
I watched part of this anime( I think I finished it because it was the same material?) and then I read this as I heard it's a prequel to really understand Kageki Shojo as a series.
Saiki made sure you understood Ai and could see something was going on with Sarasa. I love Sarasa so much, stop bullying her Kouka girls!
There is such intense Trauma(yes capital T) these girls face and it hit deep. "What just because some have had it worse means I should count my self lucky" < this caught caught me deep. We are all different and Trauma effects us differently.
It really hit me with calling Ayako a fatty. From a teacher? From an authority figure which then makes kids think they can start to call her other things. I felt for her and this really hit hard for me. She's so sweet and I am glad there are other teachers there that will be concerned for his student's wellbeing. They are just kids man.
I am excited to continue reading about these girls!
Rating: 3.7
I watched part of this anime( I think I finished it because it was the same material?) and then I read this as I heard it's a prequel to really understand Kageki Shojo as a series.
Saiki made sure you understood Ai and could see something was going on with Sarasa. I love Sarasa so much, stop bullying her Kouka girls!
There is such intense Trauma(yes capital T) these girls face and it hit deep. "What just because some have had it worse means I should count my self lucky" < this caught caught me deep. We are all different and Trauma effects us differently.
It really hit me with calling Ayako a fatty. From a teacher? From an authority figure which then makes kids think they can start to call her other things. I felt for her and this really hit hard for me. She's so sweet and I am glad there are other teachers there that will be concerned for his student's wellbeing. They are just kids man.
I am excited to continue reading about these girls!
Read
April 3, 2025This series is actually about the famous all-female Takarazuka Revue in Japan!!!!
Ofc they renamed the troupe, but apart from that, it's all the same.
Since I am a MASSIVE Takarazuka Revue fangirl, I have to read this.
There is also an anime adaptation!
Lady Oscar in the Takarazuka Musical Adaptation
The source material for Lady Oscar is this manga that plays during the French Revolution, btw: The Rose of Versailles, Omnibus 1
Sarasa, the heroine of Kageki Shojo!! wants to play "Lady Oscar", a role from The Rose of Versailles that holds a LOT of prestige in the history of the real Takarazuka Revue Mucial Troupe. It's a role that only the top star can play!
Here is Sarasa in the anime adaptation:
Ofc they renamed the troupe, but apart from that, it's all the same.
Since I am a MASSIVE Takarazuka Revue fangirl, I have to read this.
There is also an anime adaptation!
Lady Oscar in the Takarazuka Musical Adaptation
The source material for Lady Oscar is this manga that plays during the French Revolution, btw: The Rose of Versailles, Omnibus 1
Sarasa, the heroine of Kageki Shojo!! wants to play "Lady Oscar", a role from The Rose of Versailles that holds a LOT of prestige in the history of the real Takarazuka Revue Mucial Troupe. It's a role that only the top star can play!
Here is Sarasa in the anime adaptation:
July 4, 2021
I’m this new fun and exciting manga, we’re introduced to Ai and Sarasa. Both girls have big dreams of being stars on the big stage.
Which leads them both to Kouka, a famous theatre school for girls.
Ai, a former idol who left her career after much sexual harassment and a minor scandal, wants to attend Kouka and join a world of women. Except for her uncle, men have traumatized Ai all her life and have left her afraid. In contrast, Sarasa has always dreamed of playing males roles in a female theatre troupe. She’s been mesmerized all her life.
Will these two be able to realize their dreams? More, will they be able to work together to achieve their dreams? Can they help each other?
So far, this is a really entertaining manga with a whole cast of distinctive and interesting female characters who all have their own motivations and dreams. I’m really looking forward to getting to know these girls better and watching them work towards their goals.
Definitely recommend!
Which leads them both to Kouka, a famous theatre school for girls.
Ai, a former idol who left her career after much sexual harassment and a minor scandal, wants to attend Kouka and join a world of women. Except for her uncle, men have traumatized Ai all her life and have left her afraid. In contrast, Sarasa has always dreamed of playing males roles in a female theatre troupe. She’s been mesmerized all her life.
Will these two be able to realize their dreams? More, will they be able to work together to achieve their dreams? Can they help each other?
So far, this is a really entertaining manga with a whole cast of distinctive and interesting female characters who all have their own motivations and dreams. I’m really looking forward to getting to know these girls better and watching them work towards their goals.
Definitely recommend!
September 12, 2021
I like my stories to have substance. It doesn’t have to be controversial but I like some complexity. Kageki Shojo, at first, does not sound like it has any substance but it does. These aren’t just girls attending a special theater school. They have problems. Real heart breaking problems. Bulimia. Bullying. Sexual assault. Social anxiety. Peer pressure. Pushed perfectionism. Stalking. I was amazed at how deep this was and yet also with sparse moments of it being carefree and refreshing. The only reason this doesn’t get 5 stars is because this introduces a lot quickly. I can tell our main cast is Sarasa, Ai, and Yamada. However so many other characters come in and while they seem important it can get confusing because the girls range in ages, experience, and what year they are in. (This school has girls of many ages within the same “year.”) Otherwise I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the manga.
February 9, 2022
i'm loving this manga so much. this is the prequel but is definitely more like the first book and imo, is necessary to read before reading the rest of the manga for development/understanding of the two main characters. it's got instances of sexual assault and bulimia and doesn't shy away from showing them but i thought it was really well done, realistic and important to show. especially to see what so many young girls who get into competitive performing arts industries go through; the pressures put on them, the images they have to maintain, and creepy and painful interactions they have to sit through. it was really emotional, but i found the dark emotional parts really well balanced with hope, joy, positivity, and encouragement. overall it's a very beautiful and fun manga and has so much charm! the later volumes do seem a lot more lighthearted, but i want to reread them now that i've read the prequel. also it's super fun to read if you love takarazuka, kabuki, or older anime!
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