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Marmalade Boy #1
Marmalade Boy: Collector's Edition 1
The shojo rom-com manga classic that inspired the beloved anime--now in a large-trim omnibus edition with a new translation and bonus color content!
Miki’s life was pretty ordinary until the day her parents told her they were swapping spouses with another couple! Thanks to this unconventional arrangement, Miki now has two new stepparents and a hot new stepbrother, Yuu! Miki isn’t exactly thrilled with her new situation, and though Yuu is super cute, he’s also kind of a jerk. Can Miki sort out her complicated feelings for him and come to terms with her new family?
Miki’s life was pretty ordinary until the day her parents told her they were swapping spouses with another couple! Thanks to this unconventional arrangement, Miki now has two new stepparents and a hot new stepbrother, Yuu! Miki isn’t exactly thrilled with her new situation, and though Yuu is super cute, he’s also kind of a jerk. Can Miki sort out her complicated feelings for him and come to terms with her new family?
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2023
8 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Wataru Yoshizumi
192 books312 followersWataru Yoshizumi (吉住渉) is a Japanese mangaka. She was born as Mari Nakai (中井 真里, Nakai Mari) on June 18, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated with a degree in economics from Hitotsubashi University.
Yoshizumi started her career as a mangaka while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a yomikiri (short story) called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social mangaka, and is a good friend of fellow mangakas Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa.
Yoshizumi currently (as of 2007) has her works published in both Ribon and Chorus.
Yoshizumi started her career as a mangaka while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a yomikiri (short story) called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social mangaka, and is a good friend of fellow mangakas Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa.
Yoshizumi currently (as of 2007) has her works published in both Ribon and Chorus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 13, 2023
I remember enjoying Ultra Maniac by the author and wanted to try this out.
And it's sort of research for something I am working on. *coughs*
And it's sort of research for something I am working on. *coughs*
February 22, 2023
Marmalade Boy I confess was a shoujo that I said I would stay away from due to some things I had heard about years ago. Yet when the Collector's Edition was announced, I checked out the first chapter and REALLY enjoyed what I read! Since I enjoyed it so much, I decided to go ahead and preorder this volume and it was a lot more enjoyable than I expected!
Well, I THOUGHT it would be good when I preordered it, but then a friend shared how much she disliked it and then I got nervous I wouldn't like it either. Ha! Despite one situation that was a HUGE no-no for me (and does have me a little nervous for volume two), this was a fun and easy-going story!
Miki is definitely the spotlight in this story and absolutely love her character! Her reactions to this crazy situation with her parents is actually what had me wanting to read more because I felt her words and actions were 100% realistic! Even when there were parts I was a little uncertain of, I still loved her character because her expressions were always so funny and she's just a sweet heroine.
Yuu definitely wasn't what I expected him to be and have found the love triangle an interesting development. I'm still undecided about Yuu and Miki potentially being in a relationship because while I feel their family situation is wayyyyy too bizarre to be step-siblings, it's still a little…weird…at times? Like when I think about it?
In a way, it reminds me of Takane & Hana in that if you don't think too hard about the story and just enjoy it for what it is, it's a lot of fun to read. Marmalade Boy honestly seems the same way because there are a lot of fun elements to this story that I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of! ()
So overall, I really enjoyed this! I already preordered the second volume because even if there are some things I'm a little unsure of, I would still like to continue reading because of how much I like the characters.
Well, I THOUGHT it would be good when I preordered it, but then a friend shared how much she disliked it and then I got nervous I wouldn't like it either. Ha! Despite one situation that was a HUGE no-no for me (and does have me a little nervous for volume two), this was a fun and easy-going story!
Miki is definitely the spotlight in this story and absolutely love her character! Her reactions to this crazy situation with her parents is actually what had me wanting to read more because I felt her words and actions were 100% realistic! Even when there were parts I was a little uncertain of, I still loved her character because her expressions were always so funny and she's just a sweet heroine.
Yuu definitely wasn't what I expected him to be and have found the love triangle an interesting development. I'm still undecided about Yuu and Miki potentially being in a relationship because while I feel their family situation is wayyyyy too bizarre to be step-siblings, it's still a little…weird…at times? Like when I think about it?
In a way, it reminds me of Takane & Hana in that if you don't think too hard about the story and just enjoy it for what it is, it's a lot of fun to read. Marmalade Boy honestly seems the same way because there are a lot of fun elements to this story that I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of! ()
So overall, I really enjoyed this! I already preordered the second volume because even if there are some things I'm a little unsure of, I would still like to continue reading because of how much I like the characters.
May 10, 2023
There were elements of Marmalade Boy that I liked and other elements that I didn’t. For starters, let me just say that if I had read this when I first got into manga at 13, I probably would have thought it was hilarious and loved it. However, reading it as an adult without the nostalgia glasses on, it was just okay.
The Good: I really liked Miki. She was the only one aware of how bizarre her family situation was, and she spoke her mind about it! It was refreshing to see if perhaps a little meta. I personally prefer shojo leads that openly express themselves as opposed to demure, quiet types who just let people walk all over them. My favorite line in this whole book was when her friend asked her which of the two love interests kissed better. And Miki said, “Neither was good! They both ignored my feelings!” (This is in regard to the fact that consent was nebulous in both cases).
I was also interested in learning more about Yuu as the writing seemed to indicate that there was something mysterious going on about him. Despite him kissing Miki while she was pretending to be asleep, I still wanted to know more about his backstory, and why he seems so aloof about he and Miki's shared family drama.
The Bad: I don’t like Teacher / Student relationships. Even though it seems like a small part of the story and that plot point is about side characters, it is presented so early on in the series makes me feel like it's going to be a major plot point later. If it were written in a realistic way, and the mangaka actually wanted to say something meaningful with the depiction of an age-gap romance, then I would be more interested. However, I strongly suspect that this relationship is going to be romanticized by the narrative, rather than establish any kind of discourse on the subject. So to that end, it's just not for me.
Aside from that both of Miki’s love interests are…upsetting. Yuu is her new stepbrother and kisses her non-consensually and out of nowhere! I'm not even sure how it could be seen as romantic as there was no lead up to it at all. Ginta also seems like a brute when he shows up at Miki's house to yell at her and make a scene. I'm really glad that Miki stood her ground with him and didn't put up with his nonsense.
It is very, very important to remember that much of this story is clearly written as a comedy with a few dramatic elements thrown in. So it's best not to take anything too seriously. Unfortunately, though I just didn’t find it all the funny. Miki is my favorite though, and the fashion and art are an absolute delight.
Outcome: I probably wouldn’t read more of this classic unless people really wanted my brutally honest review of it. It’s very 90s, and maybe better left in the past. That being said, I can see why it would appeal to some readers.
The Good: I really liked Miki. She was the only one aware of how bizarre her family situation was, and she spoke her mind about it! It was refreshing to see if perhaps a little meta. I personally prefer shojo leads that openly express themselves as opposed to demure, quiet types who just let people walk all over them. My favorite line in this whole book was when her friend asked her which of the two love interests kissed better. And Miki said, “Neither was good! They both ignored my feelings!” (This is in regard to the fact that consent was nebulous in both cases).
I was also interested in learning more about Yuu as the writing seemed to indicate that there was something mysterious going on about him. Despite him kissing Miki while she was pretending to be asleep, I still wanted to know more about his backstory, and why he seems so aloof about he and Miki's shared family drama.
The Bad: I don’t like Teacher / Student relationships. Even though it seems like a small part of the story and that plot point is about side characters, it is presented so early on in the series makes me feel like it's going to be a major plot point later. If it were written in a realistic way, and the mangaka actually wanted to say something meaningful with the depiction of an age-gap romance, then I would be more interested. However, I strongly suspect that this relationship is going to be romanticized by the narrative, rather than establish any kind of discourse on the subject. So to that end, it's just not for me.
Aside from that both of Miki’s love interests are…upsetting. Yuu is her new stepbrother and kisses her non-consensually and out of nowhere! I'm not even sure how it could be seen as romantic as there was no lead up to it at all. Ginta also seems like a brute when he shows up at Miki's house to yell at her and make a scene. I'm really glad that Miki stood her ground with him and didn't put up with his nonsense.
It is very, very important to remember that much of this story is clearly written as a comedy with a few dramatic elements thrown in. So it's best not to take anything too seriously. Unfortunately, though I just didn’t find it all the funny. Miki is my favorite though, and the fashion and art are an absolute delight.
Outcome: I probably wouldn’t read more of this classic unless people really wanted my brutally honest review of it. It’s very 90s, and maybe better left in the past. That being said, I can see why it would appeal to some readers.
May 18, 2024
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this! Classic shoujo and I find the dynamic between the different charters entertaining. It's also interesting with Miki and Yuu being step-siblings and their weird home situation...definitely going to continue :)
I really enjoyed this! Classic shoujo and I find the dynamic between the different charters entertaining. It's also interesting with Miki and Yuu being step-siblings and their weird home situation...definitely going to continue :)
September 30, 2024
Miki and Yuu are stuck in a situation which makes Miki twitch (is Yuu really that easygoing?) The idea that their families should be united is just...weird. How they cope with living together (and the growing attraction between them) is fun and oddly satisfying as a manga.
June 7, 2023
4/4.5 stars. The nostalgia hits with this
December 28, 2024
I feel rejuvenated
May 2, 2025
I really love ❤️ this story between Miki and Yuu a students that sharing house as their parents swapped spouses . Miki can't stand on that fact . Such interesting story . In the end will Yuu loose the tennis 🎾 match is he gonna shave of his hair if he looses ? can't wait to read the next one it's a funny story I love the characters. Is Miki falling for Yuu ?
February 24, 2023
The first time I read Marmalade Boy was in the late 90s? Early 2000s? And I genuinely didn't remember much besides just loving the series and the art.
That seems to have remained very true starting this reread. It's fun, cute, the art is just old-school enough to be adorable and I loved it.
All that being said - the weird icky teacher/student relationship is more weird now then it was then so there is that to take into account. The age difference is something like 8 years? I know this was a big trend in that era but it's very ick. So if you can't look past that and want to start that beware? Otherwise it's very delightful and fun.
That seems to have remained very true starting this reread. It's fun, cute, the art is just old-school enough to be adorable and I loved it.
All that being said - the weird icky teacher/student relationship is more weird now then it was then so there is that to take into account. The age difference is something like 8 years? I know this was a big trend in that era but it's very ick. So if you can't look past that and want to start that beware? Otherwise it's very delightful and fun.
April 17, 2023
*:･ﾟ66/ 100
I used to read the original English translation of this back when I was younger but unfortunately lost all of my volumes. I was shelving manga away at work the other day when I came across these new editions! I'm so happy to be rereading Marmalade Boy for probably the 80th time.
I will say that this is my first time reading it past the age of 11, so a lot of it hasn't exactly aged well in terms of content and relationships, but the art and storyline are so nostalgic that I can't help but love it!
I used to read the original English translation of this back when I was younger but unfortunately lost all of my volumes. I was shelving manga away at work the other day when I came across these new editions! I'm so happy to be rereading Marmalade Boy for probably the 80th time.
I will say that this is my first time reading it past the age of 11, so a lot of it hasn't exactly aged well in terms of content and relationships, but the art and storyline are so nostalgic that I can't help but love it!
May 4, 2023
This was delightful. It's much more a comedy drama than a romance, just to be clear, and this edition is gorgeous – though I haven't read the previous translation to compare. I've always known this manga
as "the pseudo-incest manga" that is well beloved even though it's problematic. But in this first volume, that aspect was actually not very important in my opinion. It's less that they're step-siblings (which they're not technically yet) and more that they have a very off the wall meet-cute (meet-weird?). But, like I said, it isn't strictly a romance – side characters get a lot of page time and hilarious endeavors amongst each other. I had a great time reading this. Miki is a very fun protagonist – she's not afraid to speak her mind. The rest of the cast is equally fun, with a lot of chemistry with the other characters and with their own drama I'm curious about unraveling.
The art style... What can I say. I'm super biased towards 90s art. I think it's perfect. And this edition has loads of little colored extras and colored chapter pages – that super creamy 90s pastel coloring, and the huge, huge sparkly eyes, and the delicate curls...
I can't give full stars though because of that surprise-attack teacher/student age gap and the non-consensual kissing (although characters are very vocal about not liking that).
as "the pseudo-incest manga" that is well beloved even though it's problematic. But in this first volume, that aspect was actually not very important in my opinion. It's less that they're step-siblings (which they're not technically yet) and more that they have a very off the wall meet-cute (meet-weird?). But, like I said, it isn't strictly a romance – side characters get a lot of page time and hilarious endeavors amongst each other. I had a great time reading this. Miki is a very fun protagonist – she's not afraid to speak her mind. The rest of the cast is equally fun, with a lot of chemistry with the other characters and with their own drama I'm curious about unraveling.
The art style... What can I say. I'm super biased towards 90s art. I think it's perfect. And this edition has loads of little colored extras and colored chapter pages – that super creamy 90s pastel coloring, and the huge, huge sparkly eyes, and the delicate curls...
I can't give full stars though because of that surprise-attack teacher/student age gap and the non-consensual kissing (although characters are very vocal about not liking that).
February 15, 2023
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Marmalade Boy was always one of the better titles from the 1990s - beloved among those who grew up with it. At 8 volumes, it doesn't run too long and has decent pacing. Yes, it does skew rather young (middle grade) but it is a sweet romance with fun characters and a lot happening.Story: Miki is horrified to find out that her parents are divorcing - and swapping partners with another couple! Turns out, the other couple have a son her age - a very smug and somewhat cool guy. Things are about to get a lot more complicated for Miki!
This has some nice side characters who are given their own backstories. The art is very 1980s/1990s but is solid and enjoyable. It does have all the drama and melodrama of the era but that is what makes it so beloved to so many. If you've never read this title and like contemporary, high-school set shoujo romances, this is a keeper. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
April 4, 2024
It's so nice that marmalade boy is back in print and gives old fans a chance to relive a classic story. I read all 8 of the single volumes back in high school, and it was easy to relate to all of the messy drama that ensues as teens, such as your very first crush, being rejected by said crush, the crush dating someone else.. But as a 34 year old, it doesn't have the same impact on me that it did when I was 16. What is nice about this edition is the colored pages which is why I am giving the book 4 stars. Towards the end of this volume I was disappointed to feel no desire to buy the other volumes of this collection in a hurry.
Updated Review:
I also had a problem with the parents of Miki and Yuu. Sure following their hearts is one thing, but I don't think they even considered how Miki truly felt about the situation, or rather even listened to her thoughts and feelings when she opposed it. I honestly felt like the parents were very selfish about the whole thing. Sure later on in the volume Miki has a cozy moment with everyone and she does start to get used to her new family, but I don't know.... and this is something I completely glossed over/ hadn't noticed as a teenager when I first read this.
Updated Review:
I also had a problem with the parents of Miki and Yuu. Sure following their hearts is one thing, but I don't think they even considered how Miki truly felt about the situation, or rather even listened to her thoughts and feelings when she opposed it. I honestly felt like the parents were very selfish about the whole thing. Sure later on in the volume Miki has a cozy moment with everyone and she does start to get used to her new family, but I don't know.... and this is something I completely glossed over/ hadn't noticed as a teenager when I first read this.
November 15, 2023
I first read Marmalade Boy in maybe 2003-2004? It was the first manga I ever read. Like a lot of media from the 90s, it has things that make me now go, "that was weird". Marmalade Boy is so rooted in the 90s, and I don't think it would be written the same if it came out today, but I still really like it. Not because it is the best thing ever written (it's probably just ok if I take my nostalgia into consideration), but I am grateful for it because I doubt I would have grown to love manga the way I did at such an early age without it. I am glad that rereading it as an adult, I still see why I fell in love with manga in the first place. This collector's edition is such a wonderful trip down memory lane for me. If you never read Marmalade Boy as a teen, I don't think you would enjoy it now, and I would not recommend it to teens now, but for those who read it in the past and loved it, you should try reading it again!
March 9, 2023
I've read or seen this story probably five times by now in manga and anime form, and honestly have no idea how to judge this by 2020s standards, since it's so familiar to me. It was originally published in a magazine for middle schoolers, so the characters' personalities and situations aren't as complex as you would see in a shoujo manga for older teens. Stepsibling romance, age-gap romance, and a non-consensual kiss or two would indicate something far more racy or questionable than this actually is. It's a fairly light and simple story, though some more serious topics--such as parents not communicating responsibly with their children when they make life-changing decisions such as divorce or remarriage (or both)--do come up now and then. It's hard for me to take romantic tangles between 16-year-olds all that seriously, though the characters do age up a bit later on in the story.
February 20, 2023
Honestly, I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did. I figured its age would show through too much, but it didn't! I loved it so much! After the first half of the volume it really started to take shape. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves shojo. This series feels like the pure essence of a shojo. Drama, romance, awkward moments, cute artwork...I love it💕 will be continuing as soon as possible!
Read
July 5, 2024It's hard for me to give a star rating to Marmalade Boy, because on one hand, it's not exactly groundbreaking fare. But it is cute. Yoshizumi Wataru perfected the Ribon formula with her charming character art and romantic comedies, and this series is her most famous one by a long shot. Readers will know if something like this appeals to them before they read more than ten pages of it.
July 30, 2023
3.5 stars. the colour pages in this edition are really pretty. as for the story, Yuu is a bit annoying tbh lol but I enjoyed the back and forth. I’m keen to pick up the next volume. massive side-eye to the relationship involving Meiko though yeesh.
October 10, 2024
idk why I’m reading this again? it’s as silly as I remember, it definitely shows its age in some ways, and if I recall it’s going to get very soapy (also the teacher/student romance is 🙅♀️🙅♀️🙅♀️), but also it’s light and cute and sweet and I’m having a good time, so bring on the next volume~
Read
January 2, 2025Series Review: DNF - I tried to read through these, as I vaguely remembered enjoying the first couple volumes when I was much younger, but never finished them. They were not very interesting this time around. The writing was a bit too juvenile.
March 5, 2025
Lepsze to niż anime, mniejsza telenowela, zaś większy nacisk na humor. Zwłaszcza Meiko wyszło to na korzyść (jej postać w mandze i anime to dzień do nocy). Dodatkowo wszystkie rysunki są bardzo ładne+ plus w jednym z nich jest akcent polski
February 16, 2023
So nostalgic🥰🥰
Art is INCREDIBLE
Art is INCREDIBLE
February 21, 2023
I’ve read this series over multiple times already and I had to get the collectors edition!!! I love the bigger size and the colored pages! And the art from the art book are in here!!!!
April 18, 2023
We love!!
April 27, 2023
I swear I’ll read some actual books this year
May 2, 2023
3.5/5
May 28, 2023
Memory lane :') I love this anime
June 26, 2023
Love this series and am so glad to have this new collectors edition. My eyes are not as good as they used to be when I read the previous manga edition by Tokyopop 😆 so I love the bigger font!
August 29, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews