I’’s, Vol. 1 Posted May 5, 2005 at 7:04 pm

I came across this little gem in Books-A-Million the other day while browsing the manga section as I usually do in bookstores these days.

I’’s is a another comedy-romance series. It doesn’t break much new ground in the premise. You’ve got your bumbling guy and at least two gorgeous girls for him to pursue. The first volume concentrates heavily on one Iori Yoshizuki, but an old love interest has already been introduced by the end of the first volume. Where I’’s stands alone is in it’s unique style and skillful execution.

Masakazu Katsura’s artwork has a definitive style; I recognized it immediately from time spent browsing online galleries. Katsura’s style comes across as a bit more natural than some of the exaggerated features typical of Japanese manga. The exaggerated emotion is all still there, so you don’t lose any of the manga flavor, but the style of I’’s sets it apart from your typical manga series.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised with the first volume of I’’s. I was enthralled by a charming set of characters and Katsura’s unique style. Better yet, Viz has priced their new Shonen Jump Advanced line, of which I’’s is a part, at $7.99, a good 20% cheaper than the going rate for localized manga.