Kimi wa Shoujo

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As you can probably tell from the cover art, this manga features sexual acts between a middle aged woman and a teenage girl. The girl is bored with adolescent life, wants to become an adult as soon as possible and has that naivete taken advantage of in ways she never expected.

If you haven't puked yet, then there are some details about Kimi Wa Shoujo that make it a solid read. Such as the commentary on how rape is not simply a matter of a consent when a victim is immature. Maki doesn't reject the advances, but does that make it any less assault? No. ...

There is very little comedy in this manga. The tone is generally somber matching the taboo subject matter and Maki's demeanor reflects that seriousness after she loses her virginity. There is no frontal nudity and no attempt to use the illicit nature of their relationship as a point of fanservice. In all, you have an attempt to handle a controversial subject manner in a tasteful way.

This is not to say that the substance of Kimi Wa shoujo is dense with themes and ideas - the only commentary made is on female age anxieties from older/younger perspectives, and the permanence of early sexual relationships. There is little to no consideration of the societal wrong for a 30 y/o entering a relationship with a teenager. Perhaps because of their gender and the perception (key word - perception) that female rape is less damaging than the other way around. This is disappointing, considering there would be ample room to discuss and even dispel those myths. You do get a small glimpse into how Maki's rape influences her life in adulthood - there is a time skip in the final chapter, but alas it is only one chapter. Being that this is a short manga of only six chapters you do understand why there wasn't more exploration, but it is nevertheless a demerit that leaves you wanting more.

As far as I'm concerned, if you make it through the synopsis + that cover image without barfing you will find some value in this manga. It may appear to be porn on the surface (and certainly don't blame those for writing it off as such), but there are expressed themes and character conflicts that will clearly separate it from one dimensional smut in the genre if given a fair chance. Certainly worth reading if you enjoy taboo topics that push the envelope and have a serious tone. And of course if you already care to read yuri works.

This review contains spoilers (not that you'd actually be tempted to read anyway)

Have you ever had a fantasy of yuri and lolicon? Well, if you're that type of fetishist, this manga is perfect for you, I recommend it with all of my... hormones? Oh, and here's the thing. You can stumble across it even if the thought never crosses your mind (it did cross my mind several times, tho I was merely looking for a yuri manga, I swear; I'll even write this in my declaration when the FBI grabs me). And what's more beautiful than a little NTR and Forced to spice up a ... bizzare romance (was it even a romance in the first place?). Nothing, I tell you.

Kimi wa Shoujo is the story of Maki, a 14 years old girl who's moved with her mother from Tokyo into a small village after her parents divorced. Of course, the change in pace left her quite vulnerable, so she sought comfort in the first friendly person she met, a strange woman named Kousaka Natsume (not that her name matters, much like the protagonist's, they're forgettable anyway). It kinda all begin when Maki saw Kousaka naked bathing in the river and a nice friendship was starting to form.

Oh, you think it takes the classical route towards a romance thing? Nope. Maki's finding herself at Kousaka's place more and more often, one day even taking shelter from rain. Of course, she has to change clothes. Of course, Kousaka's the one dressing her up. And when the older woman saw the "pale white skin" of the 14 years old girl, her desire built up. After all, adults can be pretty submissive to their lust, right? Oh, that's right, merely a few scenes later, Kousaka's already on top of her. And if you think this is one of those girls you usually see in anime/manga who know about sex at 14, you're wrong. That's precisely why she just let the older woman do anything she wanted. Never mind the questionable consent, if it was a guy doing it, things could've gotten a lot messier.

Then comes in play some sort of Stockholm Syndrome. Could Maki fall in love with Kousaka after being raped by her? Absolutely. Even after she got a grip of what she experienced. Could she start a relationship with the woman? Is there any need to ask? Thing is, Kousaka then breaks up with her and leaves the village without a word. Great.

Then we have a time skip in Tokyo. They met again, adult Maki haven't gotten over that Stock-... those feelings, and Kousaka being implied to still have some sort of affection after all the years. And then the Maybe Forever After ending.

Props to the mangaka for writing such an original and beautiful concept as Kimi wa Shoujo. Best yuri manga out there!... Well, at least it wasn't boring. Not too much.

The author clearly didn't put much love or effort into writing this manga, so I'll also put in the same amount of effort in this review. I'd like to mention that my dissatisfaction with this story has nothing to do with their ages.

I have read many oneshot's that not only have more conclusive and satisfying endings than this, but also a much more gripping story. This manga has to have one of the most non-ending endings I've ever read. **Spoilers from this point on** I can summarize the entire story in two sentences; Girl that wants to become an adult moves to rural area ... where she meets a beautiful woman and they have sex. Woman suddenly leaves and we time-skip to where they meet again and they have a brief talk basically explaining that being an adult doesn't really change shit, also she had sex with her just because she was horny. The end. There's nothing deep or profound in this manga, it's purely someone's fetish haphazardly given a "story". If you're OK with that, go crazy champ. If not, don't waste your time