Shugo Chara!

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Artist/Writer: Peach-Pit

Published in: 1996–2000 (Japan), 2007–present (America)

American Publisher: Del Rey

Genres: Shoujo, magical girl

Premise: Amu has trouble being herself, and finds 3 eggs which hatch into SD versions of who she wants to be

Show x Show: It's Cardcaptor Sakura meets Imadoki!

Volumes: 12, still being released in America

Availability: Del Rey has published nearly all of the manga in America, and the published volumes are readily available on sites like Amazon and RightStuf. Crunchyroll currently streams the anime adaptation.

Manga Review (Volumes 1-2)
What's it about? Early adolescence, and its changes: personality changes, body changes, and blossoming romance.

How obvious are the themes? Very. The little SD versions of Amu (her "Guardian Characters") are precise metaphors for the kinds of person she wants to be: cheerful and energetic, thoughtful and artistic, etc. She can even transform into full-size versions of these. Amu thinks about how to "be herself" a lot.

Then again, this is a manga for tween girls, so tremendous subtlety would be bad.

Is there a plot? Yes! Amu's school has an elite student council, all of whom just happen to have their own eggs and their own Guardian Characters. Meanwhile, a hunt is afoot for a special egg, led by mysterious individuals who, well, create various problems.

How do the characters look? Cute. Everyone here is in elementary school, so cuteness abounds as it should.

How about the art in general? There is a lot of screen tone in this series. Moreover, the manga-ka zooms in and out on panels to an almost schizophrenic degree, which left me dizzy and disoriented at times. Granted, this is probably out of a desire to keep kids' interest, but it was way too busy for me. Combined with the screen tone, the panels are sometimes crowded and confusingly laid out.

Is this one of those manga with sexy elementary school students? No, though the outfits are occasionally a little daring for kids this age. The image below, for example, is one of Amu's transformation outfits.

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There are also some sexual allusions in the dialogue in volume 2, to my surprise. On reflection, though, this is the story of an adolescent girl falling for several guys, and girls in Japan sure seem to be aware of sexuality.

The series studiously avoids prurience, at least.

Are the relationships stupid? They're pretty basic, but props to Peach-Pit: Amu has feelings for both the princely leader and the rogue antagonist, and both relationships have strong reasons for being.

Can I show it to my Mom? Sure.

Can I show it to my kid brother? Nah, too girly.

Can I show it to a non-manga fan? Gender will decide on this one. There are enough girly elements that I think it'll appeal mostly to girls--and smarter girls at that. Boys might get into it.

How's the dialogue? No problems, though it can be a little drab. The main characters do have distinctive voices (helped by their SD versions).

How's the comedy? There's a lot of comedy, more so than in most shoujo I've read. Most of Amu's interactions with her Guardian Characters--at least in these volumes--involves her frustration with them, and comical situations in which they go against her wishes. Which, sure, is part of their purpose: to shake Amu up.

Does it have any memorable moments? Nothing comes to me as I write this review. The story flows along.