Exploring the Heart of Romance: Shoujo Manga Marvels and Anime Affectations

Ever wonder if the tender tales woven in Shoujo manga and anime can resonate with a broader audience? Rival Reviews is about to whisk you away into that very world, where I, DJ, a 30-year-old man, recount my unexpected love affair with the genre. Kicking off with "Fruits Basket," I share how its blend of supernatural charm and drama first opened my eyes, and why I prefer the intimacy of manga pages over anime adaptations.

Strap in for a curated journey through romance manga that cuts right to the chase, eschewing the slow burn for immediate relationship sparks. From the heartfelt twists of "Fruits Basket" to the self-discovery and humor in "Bloom Into You," this episode has recommendations for every kind of romance enthusiast. Plus, get a taste of Seo Kouji's interconnected storytelling as his characters navigate from youth to adulthood. And for those who like their narratives neat and complete, we bemoan the agony of waiting for new releases and celebrate the joy of binge-reading.

As we wrap things up, I share those gut-punch moments of anime and manga that leave lasting marks, like the iconic scenes from "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "One Piece." Discover why "Toki Doki" might just be your next poignant read and why Roy Mustang is a character who stands above the rest. With a nod to my latest fascination, "My Gently Raised Beast," I hint at upcoming musings on the isekai genre. Your engagement fuels this podcast, so as we head into the holidays, I'm sending out an invitation to join the conversation—what stories have captured your heart? Tune in next time for another round of Rival Reviews where your thoughts are the highlight.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey there and welcome back to Rival Reviews, a podcast for anime and manga recommendations and reviews. As always, I'm your host, dj, and let's just get into it. So, kind of going back to how we went with the first episode, this second episode is still kind of on the same kind of wavelength of thought where I'm going to share kind of some more of my picks into a certain kind of demographics, kind of slash genre, to kind of give you guys an idea of what my taste is, because, like I said, the idea kind of going into the future is hoping to get your opinions on, you know, current series and current, you know animes and everything else for the season and stuff like that. But I feel like I can't exactly jump right into that at first because I feel like, you know, we kind of got to get to know each other first. So, that being said, last episode we went into Shonen and kind of like how I didn't really follow the correct definition of what Shonen is supposed to be Very similar to this episode, only we're gonna be talking about Shoujo. So in my mind, like I'm fully aware that the Shoujo is kind of supposed to be, I guess, the direct opposite of Shonen, where the demographic is supposed to be more for, you know, adolescent girls to 18 or something like that.

Speaker 1: 1:22

But in my mind, you know, it kind of goes down to I feel like a lot of these different kind of demographics and everything else have their different archetypes and in my brain when I think Shoujo, I think just, you know romance and you know funny to kind of to some, I'm sure, and everything else like that. But you know I'm a 30 year old man and I I love a good romance story. You know I'm a sucker for it. You know I get teary-eyed at certain romance movies and same thing, you know I love the, the awe moments that some really good Shoujo mangas and anime's can can give you. So yeah, so I guess kind of to give an introduction to this, I guess, first and foremost, I would say the first Shoujo that kind of got me into the genre as a whole was a very good classic fruit baskets. You know, kind of has like a supernatural element to it with, you know, the transformation of animals and everything else and then a strong female lead which I feel like is a really big.

Speaker 1: 2:31

Another, you know, genre specific thing to the Shoujo arc type and you know it could just be, for a matter of fact, that I just, I find it nice to you know, kind of read a story instead of a, you know, overpowered male lead or a male lead that you know becomes powerful over time, you know, gets stronger after every loss, you know, type of thing like that. I just, you know it's it's it kind of reads as, like you know it's, it's okay to be fragile, it's okay to be intimate, it's okay to, you know, be bashful, so on, to so speak, and it's just it's nice to read kind of fluff pieces sometimes in your, you know, as the world goes right now, and everything else like that. Sometimes I feel like we need more of that. So yeah, essentially, the other argument that I kind of wanted to bring to Shojo is that I find and I'd be interested to see, like you said, if you guys want to give me your comments on this is, I find I much prefer watching shonen than reading it. But for a shojo story I'm the complete opposite. I find that a lot of the times and they probably totally do this on purpose, for marketing purposes and everything else like that that you know you get your 12 episodes in a season of a romance or like a you know fluff piece or whatever else, and you know they've they've barely scratched the surface of the of the relationship and you're kind of just stewing there waiting for more and you know that you're not going to get a second season until you know, a couple years down the road, when they've decided that the, the numbers that they were looking for this season, correspond to how much they feel it's worth it to make the second season.

Speaker 1: 4:20

Fruit baskets was actually a really big one on this one and not the original, but I want to say it was like 20, maybe 18, 19, something like that, where the new fruit baskets came out and it only came out with with the, with the first season there, and it kind of just led me on a cliff and I was like I don't know what I was thinking or where. I wanted to know more about the, the main couple and everything else like that. So I was like you know what this, this series has been, you know done since like 2007. I'm sure I could find a translation and and read it and sure enough you can search and there it was and this kind of led me down the path, just a rabbit hole of you know very generic show Joe's. Like you know, our spring ride, there's a whole bunch of them like like, there's just all the generic type of ones that you, you, you can read and everything is like you know, the little tiger, you know fruit baskets, like I said in the original, or in Mia, was another really big one that I that I watched and was like, hey, I need to know more about this, and it kind of just led me to the fact that, like you know, I would much rather just read these stories to completion versus waiting for for another season of the anime to come out.

Speaker 1: 5:39

And I find that, in terms of shonen, I found the exact opposite. Where, you know, I it's cool to see that like, oh, I can't believe, like a good example, like you know all, like you know the, the one piece fights and everything else. That's going to be a great fight and everything else like that. But I'm much more interested in seeing it crazily animated than I am flipping and scrolling down. You know the black and white picture and again, I would love to know your comments on that. But yeah, that was kind of what I kind of wanted to bring up and how I felt about the show Joe genre, kind of like last time what I felt would be really valuable to kind of give my thought on, and everything else was my top five and, like I said, I wouldn't necessarily fit any of these into just the show Joe demographic. So it's kind of like more of like a top five romance slash show Joe, whatever. So, yeah, so I guess in no real particular order, but I will say that this one is probably my top favorite I would honestly argue even manga of all time completed especially in the romance genre, and it's called love, so life.

Speaker 1: 6:55

Again, I'm not sure why this one. I think this one hit me more close to home because I read it right after the birth of my daughter and the story kind of follows the dad raising these two twins and everything else like that, and like the kids are cute and the male lead is doing the best he can to be a dad because like it's not like it wasn't his kids, it was like his brother's kids and his brother kind of like walked out on them and it's a, it's a whole thing. But it was kind of just watching, like you know, the daily struggle of a new dad and everything else like that, with the female lead kind of like the romance being a very slow build. And though I would definitely say that obviously the romance is a really big part of it, it wasn't like the soul focus, like a really big focus on this was also the family aspect which, like I said, maybe it hit me different just because I had just become a dad and everything else like that, but it really hit really well and I appreciated it for what it was.

Speaker 1: 8:00

Next one on my list I believe I kind of already brought it up it would be a Hori Mia again, really cute fluff best way that I can describe it. Cute kind of like couple where, like you know, the Female lead is one of those like moms, that is, like Raising her siblings at home and nobody really knows about it. She just, they just think that she's busy at home but In reality you know she's like this perfect student at school but it's like a total mess at home because of what she has to do in raising her siblings and stuff like that. And then the male lead is like a Total, like you know, loner in the back of the classroom. You know that classic Was it back left at the window, male lead, who was clearly the male lead that you could pick out In the middle of a crowd because of the way that is, like hair is and everything else Kind of like, you know, learns the, the, the, the, I guess, the the secret life that the female lead is is leading and, you know, likes her for it and everything else like that and respects her for it, and it's like a new feeling for her and she feels that she can be more vulnerable for him.

Speaker 1: 9:08

So I feel this one's a really good read and the nice part is too is that I find that it's like it it's not a story, that it was a lot less of a slow burn, like I feel, like. I feel like you know, there's a little bit of free and blow at the beginning, but then they're, like it's more focused on them actually being a couple working through life, versus the whole time you're just like, okay, what are they gonna get to get together? And then, like, 80 chapters later, they're finally together. It's it's not that I want to say like they're probably together by like, like the third chapter or something like it's, it's, it's, it's very early. So if you, if you're more of like you don't want to deal with the slow burn. I would definitely say that this one's for you. Third one that I kind of want to bring up and I've already bought up of well free baskets needs to be on this list.

Speaker 1: 9:54

Like I said, I feel like it has a really good, healthy line of it, finds a perfect balance between drama meets the supernatural element, meets the romance element, and it just kind of puts it all into one and Also has twists that you weren't expecting, which I find that in a lot of romance ones, you know, once the story is kind of set up and the characters are known and everything else and they're developed, you can, though, like you'll still enjoy it, but, like you, you you know where the story is going, though I would say that the the, the Main romance in this is very Predictable. There are also a lot of side Character romances, which I also appreciate that it wasn't just focused on one, and then a whole slew of like background characters trying to get the main characters together. Where this one, there's like a whole bunch of different other Relationships going on, and some of them even you didn't see coming or didn't really expect them to come together, really expect them to work out, but then they did in the end which, like I said, I would say that if you need a nice little introduction to the romance, I I would give root baskets, the, the, the, the gold star of, of introductory kind of shojo Peace, I guess, because it does it really well. And, like I said, the nice part about it is too, is that it's also completed. A lot of the fluff pieces and or seasons that are coming out as of right now. They're all still continuing, so there is no finish and then by the time that you catch up, you're you're looking at monthly releases, which Can be daunting, especially depending on how big your, your, your library already is.

Speaker 1: 11:48

For the monthly releases, um, so yeah, number four, um, the reason I kind of wanted to input this one into the list was due to the fact that it was actually the first. I guess. What was the first Yuri um on the list? Um, so it's called bloom into you. Uh, fairly short but very cute and, I think, very well done. Um, again, I read this one. I didn't watch this one. I know that there is an anime out, but I I did not partake in that one, but I did read it, um, and I did enjoy it.

Speaker 1: 12:25

What I kind of liked about this one is that both of the characters are. Best way that I could describe it is that they're very deaf to their emotions. Um, they don't really. It's kind of one of those they learn what love is and then realize that what they had the entire time was sitting right in front of them, which, again, you can kind of see it as kind of uh lame and uh, you know, uh Like, like you can, you can really like see where it's going and everything else like that. But I find that it's Due to the fact that it is a shorter one, like I think it's only like 50 chapters or something like that. Um, you can call it a slow burn, but it's a slow burn that does progress.

Speaker 1: 13:12

I Don't want to give any spoilers, but essentially it what I would. Why would? What I would say is that they they were essentially almost in a relationship the entire time, but they didn't Know that the feelings that they had were what they were, and it's just it's. It's not meant to be funny, but it is kind of funny in a way and that is really the best way that I can put it. So, like I said, if you want a nice little quick read, like honestly, I'm pretty sure I read that one in like an afternoon. Yeah, just give it a. Just give it a read. I would definitely. I would definitely give it a chance. Like I said, it's it's it's short and I think I maybe read it like Six years ago and it's still in my top five, so I think that in itself speaks volumes. Last, but certainly not a lot, not least, is I couldn't put one title here Due to the fact that so number five what I put is anything by COG um, and the reason I did this is because he has created this universe of characters that actually sometimes like kind of make like Appearances and other pieces and everything else like that, and you don't know that it's gonna happen until you get really deep into it.

Speaker 1: 14:24

And I find that he does like the realism of Relationships really well, like it's not. It's not supposed to be fluffy, it's not supposed to be like like. I feel like he really tags into the Actual emotions of these people. And what I like about his characters too is that a lot of his pieces like Suzuki, fuka, cafe, terrace, everything, every, all those type of things that actually kind of goes with the characters like you, you grow up with them, if that makes sense. So like you like, basically like they can start all the way back from high school and then you watch them all the way until like a and be characters like have kids of their own and stuff like that. And like I said, I just I find that out of all the romance that I've read, he's the one that does it the most realistic and it's also really really good in my opinion, of like the traditional, like rom-com, like I'm talking.

Speaker 1: 15:28

Like you know, adam Sandler drew Barrymore kind of rom-com, hilarity and in my mind, so yeah, so like basically anything, if I, if I find out that it's by CO coji, I'm gonna read it and I what I think about, like about it too, is that it ties really well of I Guess he himself was also a high school like like really big athlete. So he puts, he incorporates sports and romance together. So it's not all focused on Just the romance, like I said it, that the romance though I wouldn't necessarily say the romance takes a backseat, but it's not the primary focus. It's either could be sport related, like Suzuki, or, if you're talking about Fu Fuca, it was more about, like the music industry and everything else like that and actually kind of took a deep dive into like the, the drama and the Life hardships that come out of that and stuff like that's. Like I said, just trust me is especially, if you want, like a realistic look at Relationships and what they were, especially in like modern times, anything by coji it does it. Well, that's. I'll leave it at that. So, yeah, so that's my top five again From the current season.

Speaker 1: 16:49

Like I said, I know last time I kind of brought up the fact that we're pretty much at the end of this season. Like I said, you might be catching up on on the holidays that are that are currently happening and everything else like that. So if I had to give a recommendation of something that is currently streaming, I would give it to our dating story. Again, this story is very cutesy in the fact that it's a very innocent male lead and, well, I guess the traditional sense you could call her a gal, I guess, or a guy, roo, I Guess is the best way to put it, but she's more experienced. But, like it was, it's kind of one of those things where, like, he learns how to love and she learns what love actually is, versus what she has thought, what it has been this entire time. But like she's obviously just basically been with nothing but jerks, and this is the first like actual, genuine guy that doesn't just want to, you know, do things with her and it's a very cute story and they both kind of learn what love is. It is a slow burn. I will give you that.

Speaker 1: 17:48

I'm actually ahead of the anime currently because I've, I've I read the manga first. I'm sure the the anime is great. If you're not really huge into into reading manga, you'd much rather watch it, but I do find that the romance is very cute. Of course, I also want to give a special shout out to the ridiculousness that is the. I'm not even sure how many times they say but the hundred girlfriends that really, really, really, really love me, or whatever. It's the most ridiculous premise. I Still read it weekly. I don't know why it's it's it's so dumb, but it's so funny and it's so ridiculous. So if you want like, if you want more of like not a story, rich romance, but just the most Ridiculous thing you've ever watched Go ahead and watch that. That's the only piece of advice I can give on that. So, yeah, what I kind of want to do now is that funny enough?

Speaker 1: 18:51

First, I want to thank all the people that watched and, I guess, listened to the first episode. I've already kind of gotten a couple questions which, weirdly enough, I got the questions off my email, which I thought was going to be the least used thing. If I'm being honest, I thought maybe you know Instagram or somebody might reach out to me on Facebook Messenger or something like that, but it was, it was actually an email and I, again, I appreciate you and that's what it's there for. So, yeah, let's get into it. So first question, which is a fair question why are you called rival X reviews? So this one's kind of really simple. My Gamer tag is rival X games. So, in, instead of gaming, right now I'm reviewing. That's basically kind of where the thought process came from us. Long story short, especially for, like, the times when I was playing competitively or, I guess, semi competitively in fortnight and stuff like that, a lot of people that only knew me, knew me in a, in a gaming or Streaming capacity Called me rival. So I kind of just went with that from my original gamer tag and Just tagged on the games, thought it was nice and clever and Everything else like that. So yeah, so, instead of games, its reviews, because this is what the podcast us.

Speaker 1: 20:17

Second question what is an anime or manga that has hit you right in the feels? So I kind of took this as like more of like a moment in an anime or manga. Obviously, for an anime I could go into some obvious ones, as you can tell from the the ones that I've already Kind of listed that I've watched major queues. Is death in the malagment sorry if it's a spoiler, but it shouldn't be at this point. And if it is Sorry and, I guess, another spoiler, if you don't want to hear it, don't go. Blah, blah, blah for a second. Is ace's death in one piece. Both of those obviously hurt real hurt, hurt real bad. 10 out of 10 would not recommend if you're having a bad day.

Speaker 1: 21:04

But if I had to pick like a more of a manga that hurt me in the feels, there's this one shot called toky doky. I don't want to give anything away it. Like I said, it's a one shot. It'll take you like 10 minutes to read it. It crushes you, that's, that's, that's all I gotta say. It is, it is one that will hurt your feelings and, and I feel Anytime somebody is like, hey, what's one that could like make you tear up. Read toky doky. That's, that's all I gotta say.

Speaker 1: 21:39

And then, final question who is your favorite anime character? So this is a Really really big question. Um, if I had to pick one I'm just right off the top my head I would probably go Roy Mustang from Fomalicum's Brotherhood. I Find that he's very likable in the sense that I like that he's a very stoic, calculating kind of kind of leader and everything else like that. But I Can, I can relate to him in the sense that if it comes to Threatening his friends or subordinates or people that are really important to him, again, if you, if you've seen the scene where he, where he's taking out his, his grief about he uses death on envy, you know exactly what I'm talking about and it's probably one of my favorite all-time scenes in all of anime. So, yeah, I'll go with Mustang. Um, so yeah.

Speaker 1: 22:37

So I kind of want to close this off the other thing that I wanted to kind of start doing in these episodes and kind of let you know, I'm always reading something new, whether it's a, it's a mon monwa or a manga or anything. I'm usually always reading something. My current read right now is a tomii isekai called my gently raised beast. If you want to look it up, it's not bad. It's not, you know, the best thing I've ever read in my life, but I find that it's a very good segue into what I'm hoping. My next topic will be next week, which will be isekai as a whole, and I'll be going over the different kind of sub genres in in that realm of things.

Speaker 1: 23:19

Like I said, I you don't have to tell me that it's trash. I'm already, I'm already fully aware and I am here for it. So, like I said before I sign off, I've already gotten a few reviews and everything else like that. I've gotten huge support from a few of my friends and everything else reaching out. I just wanted to give a quick thank you to everybody. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 23:38

The one thing I will say is I hope that in reading this, keep reviewing if you can. They really do help in the grand scheme of things, like and follow any of my things. Like I said, I'm on every social rival X reviews, twitter, instagram. I have a Facebook page where I will, you know, try to post every time that a new episode comes up if you're not already following, and it just it's another way.

Speaker 1: 24:05

Like I said, I want to hear your questions, I want to hear your your comments On, on my reviews and everything else like that. I now would love to open up the conversation with you guys and kind of get a feel as to what you Want to hear from this. So, like I said, reach out on any of those things, and that would be amazing. I know by the time that this comes out, it will probably be either Christmas or very close to Christmas or anything else like that. Whether you celebrate, don't celebrate, I hope you guys are just kind of having a happy holidays and kind of a great end to 2023 and here's to 2024. So thank you for listening to Robin reviews and I will see you next week. Bye, bye, you.