Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 198 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1603-0 (ISBN-13)
Neo Takigawa lives in the 23rd century and wants to be a pop singer, although her constant singing annoys people. Neo’s other problem is that she really doesn’t fit in with the 23rd century. She prefers to let the ways of the 21st century guide her. In the 23rd century, young women are more modest than they are in the 21st century, and Neo’s extra-short skirts bring her ridicule. An accident sends Neo back to the 21st century, where she inadvertently falls in with another wannabe pop star, Saya Kuduo, whom Neo calls “Sayaya.” Now, they’re a duo trying to get a recording contract.
In Mikansei No. 1, Vol. 2, Neo and Saya’s act (Clap-Equals-Star) is getting more and more attention. After a training retreat in the woods, Ebisu, president of Ebisu Productions, begins to warm up to his latest hot act. Ebisu’s little brother, Nozomi Tsubame, even becomes Neo and Saya’s manager. Just when they are about to have their biggest moment – a much anticipated concert in the park, Neo gets word from the 23rd century. They can open a time portal for her to return to the future, but this may be the only portal that the folks from the future can provide for Neo for quite awhile. And the portal opens at the exact time the concert begins. Will she choose the past or the future?
Mikansei No. 1 is a fun kid’s comic book. There is enough of a love story to attract girls, but not so much that it will put off boys. What brings the series together in a way that attracts a broad base of readers is the comedy. This is slapstick comedy geared towards young readers, but it does have moments when older readers may have a reason to chuckle.
I think that this may be the final volume of Mikansei No. 1, which is strange because this series seems to have a lot of story left to tell in both its past (our present) and future settings.
B
Buy Mikansei No. 1 Volume 2
