Shoujo Manga Review: W-Juliet

Over the holidays, I read some mangas that I read a long time ago, but never had the chance of finishing. The one that I remembered wanting to finish reading the most was "W-Juliet" by Emura. The story is about a boy named Narita Makoto, who wants to become an actor. However, since he is the only son in his family, he has to succeed the family's dojo. Because of his passion for acting, he agrees to the following deal set by his father: if Makoto is able to disguise himself as a girl and graduate from high school without anyone finding out, then his father will allow him to be free to pursue an acting career. 

So Makoto changes his name to Amano Makoto and transfers to a new, non-elite, high school in his 2nd year, and immediately joins that school's drama club, which is where he meets Miura Ito, a tall tomboy-ish girl who wants to become an actress in action movies. Things happen, and Ito finds out that Makoto is a boy, but promises to keep his secret. You then follow the two as they dodge obstacles and jump over hurdles as it comes their way such as rivals, fiancées, and those who want to expose Makoto's secrets. 

Cover of volume 1
Ito is on the left with her tomboy-ish short hair, and Makoto is on the right with his long-flowing wig

Even though I am introducing the story through Makoto's point of view (for simplicity), the story is mostly seen through Ito's point of view. What I like a lot about this manga is that you always want to find out what is going to happen next, and you never know when a new rival is going to appear. I also like how the mangaka incorporated many well-known plays such as Romeo & Juliet, and Swan Lake (and sometimes making humourous twists to them). 

Many of the characters introduced are memorable, and somewhat fleshed out, especially the other drama club members and Ito's and Makoto's family members. The romance in this manga is also well-done as it builds up at a good pace with a hint of frustration between the characters, for various reasons, that comes with gender-bending mangas. 

This manga gets a 5 out of 5 for the following reasons:

- The gender bending is well-done, especially since there is a reason for Ito's and Makoto's appearances

- Romance is at the right tone, level, and speed for this kind of manga

- Lots of rivals and situations that need to be overcome

- The drama/theater aspect is kept throughout the entire manga

- Getting to know all the characters introduced, whether from their relationship to the main characters up to their feelings and motives 

- Re-readability 

All in all, I highly recommend this manga, especially for those who like gender-bending and/or high school romance mangas. I just recently found out that the mangaka created a sequel called "W-Juliet II" and it is up to volume 3, and is currently ongoing. I will definitely review it once it has been completed. 

If you have any recommendations for mangas I should read (currently looking for mangas that will make me go "doki doki"), please leave a comment. ;)