Mizuki struggles with insecurities in her relationship with Akira.
Creative Staff
Story: Mayu Shinjo
Art: Mayu Shinjo
Translation/Adaptation: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
What They Say
Mizuki’s neighbor Shinnosuke returns from college for a visit, but the championship boxer is surprised to find the girl he likes involved with someone else. Will Akira be able to compete for Mizuki’s affections against such a manly rival?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
I would like to preface this part of the review by noting that sexual assault is a subject I take seriously, and I really dislike it when it’s treated lightly or unrealistically. As such, the conclusion of the Misaki arc left a bad taste in my mouth. To spin the episode to make it seem like Akira is the victim is, at best, in bad taste and, at worse, irresponsible. There’s no real punishment or repercussions for anyone, and as traumatized as Misaki was during Akira and Rui’s attack, she shows up the next day as if the whole thing was a minor misunderstanding.
Moving on to the rest of the manga, it’s an odd mix of first innocent love on Mizuki’s part and high sexual charge on Akira’s. Their relationship hasn’t gone beyond a lot of groping and hickeys, but Shinjo-sensei includes enough dream sequences and lewd school festival scenes so that the illustrations always seem tilted in a soft porn direction. To add to that are Ran and Rui’s raunchiness, which seem more suited for a boys’ locker room than a Shojo Beat title. It almost feels like a parody the way Mizuki’s fluffy, romantic thoughts contrast with Akira’s single-mindedness for sex all the time, no matter what the situation.
By the way, for those who like to see characters all dressed up, both Mizuki and Akira wear a wide array of costumes in this volume, ranging from prince uniforms, ball gowns, cat ears, and yakuza kimono.
In Summary
Ai Ore walks an odd line between sensitive and raunchy as Mizuki’s relationship with Akira develops. While Mizuki manages to put off Akira’s (extremely) forceful advances, there’s plenty of sexually charged scenes – some more yaoi than shojo in nature – to say nothing of all the innuendo that arises every time Ran and Rui appear.
Content Grade: C
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: C+
Readers Rating: [ratings]
Age Rating: 17+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011
MSRP: $12.99