Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge♥
The Wallflower: Yamatonadeshiko Shichihenge

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Hilarious premise -- Sunako, the \"wallflower\" of the title, is not just shy but a certifiably insane horror movie maniac -- but eight volumes later this manga STILL shows absolutely no movement towards any kind of resolution, either of the main plot or of the romantic subplot. I love the characters, but I can only take so many gag chapters. Recommended if you\'re a Japanese horror movie fan or love parodies, but you have to accept that humor takes precedence over the plot.

This is a hard one to review, because it's so variable in quality. The best bits are really good, while the worse bits are really annoying.

The premise and overall theme are great. It's a quite different take on the whole ugly-duckling-becomes-a-swan storyline that should be familiar from things like "My Fair Lady", "Pretty Woman", and all the other stories that have a man turn a girl into a lady. Here, even four highly motivated pretty-boys have a heck of a time with just one very difficult young woman. She doesn't want to change, not in the least, and while the boys ... can often find a way to persuade her to play the part of a lady for a particular reason, she pretty soon snaps back into her reclusive, horror-movie-loving, not-taking-care-of-herself nature.

It's these snap-backs that make it a little hard, sometimes. Quite often, they're used as a method of hitting the reset button so that the next episode can start from the exact same place the previous one started with, like your average saturday morning cartoon. Real character development is agonizingly slow, and all too often an episode is "Let's have the boys cart Sunako off to some other place where nobody knows her, so that she can freak out, scare everyone around, and totally ruin the boys' plans before it's all resolved at the end with a heartwarming moment."

It feels to me that the creator is dragging out the story much more than it really should be. On the other hand, Sunako does manage quite a bit of character development over time, as do the boys - especially main interest Kyohei. I like that acceptance of Sunako's weirdness becomes as much the theme as her changing; she grows and evolves, but doesn't simply get remade into something different.

The art is mixed. When the artist could be bothered to actually draw the characters properly, which tends to be in more dramatic scenes, especially fights or contests, or opportunities for the boys to look hot, it's excellent. However, Sunako especially spends much too much time being rendered as a chibi (perhaps because this is supposed to be Sunako's own self-image) which gets a bit tiresome.

Overall, a flawed execution, but for me the good episodes were good enough to recommend it strongly but with caveats.

When I first started reading Wallflower, I had made the assumtion that it would just be one of those mangas where they turn the girl into a perfect lady, all of the guys fall in love with her along the way, and she picks one of them at the end to make your average shoujo manga. A few chapters in, I realized this would not be the case. While it starts off with the simple plot of the boys having to turn the girl into a perfect lady, it slowly evolves into an even greater message that I think can be simply put by a ... line said by Kyohei, "You're okay just the way you are." I like this manga because it isn't typical or simple. Though overexagerated and completely illogical at times, the message stays true throughout the series.
One asspect of the story that I personally like but many people hate is that the plot and developement is slow. This is not a manga to read if you're just looking for a quick fix and I can honestly say I don't see it coming to an end very soon. I for one like the slow flow; it's easier to digest the manga and it feels like I'm growing alongside the characters. I find that with the slower pace, Sunako's character developements seem more realistic.
The art is decent and gets better throughout the story(in the beginning I couldn't tell the difference between Kyohei and Ranmaru). One thing that grows boring after awhile though is the fact that Sunako is almost always drawn in chibi form. The purpose of this is to emphesize her true beauty when she is drawn normally, but seeing simple chibi after simple chibi can get boring as you read. Overall, the art is beautiful, but could use work.
Lastly, the characters. There is such a variety of unique characters throughout the story and I've fallen in love with them all. While the main focus is Sunako's developement, all of the main characters subtly change along with her.
If you have the patience, I highly suggest reading this manga. It's funny, romantic, and like nothing you have ever read before.

I don't know about you, but for me, the years 2002-2005 were all about punk rock. Even though I grew up in New Jersey, USA, and this manga was written in Japan, The Wallflower, a punky-gothic-shoujo manga, really captures that time period. Oh nostalgia...

This manga series is a difficult one for me to review. Mostly because, while I enjoy it immensely, it is hard to recommend it to others.

The uniqueness of this series does not appear to be unanimously appreciated, so I plan to do my best here to explain what this series is, and what it is not, ... in the hopes that the people who would enjoy it will be able to find it.


The Plot

At its core, this is an Ugly Duckling story, but it's definitely a different take on it. Sunako Nakahara, 15 years old, is the niece of a very wealthy widow and moving into her mansion to attend the high school nearby. The preexisting tenants, four 15 year old bishounen, are tasked by Sunako's Aunt with turning her into a lady.

If they succeed, their rent will be free. If they fail, they will owe 3x the amount of the rent. The Aunt is never home, instead she extravagantly travels the world and will check in on their progress randomly throughout the series.

Kyouhei, the most beautiful and most desired of the four boys, feels the pressure of this deal the most because he is poor, unable to work, and essentially homeless.

The catch? Sunako is the furthest thing from the ideal proper lady. She's a recluse who loves slasher horror movies, talks to her anatomical figure named Hiroshi-kun, has a phobia of attractive people, and is not interested in changing.


The Misconception

Hm. Why this manga loses readership...

I think many readers go into this series with expectations which will not be fulfilled. The story being told, and the method of storytelling used, in The Wallflower is atypical for a shoujo manga.
It seems the most common complaint about this series, by those who have dropped it, is it's lack of progression.

This is a valid critique in the sense that, yes, there is a lack of linear progression in character development, romantic relationships, and plot development.


However, the reason for that is because this manga is not telling a linear story. Instead, it is playing on reader expectations by subverting all the tropes. And how punk rock is that?

This series is not a romance, its a comedy. A crude, over the top, sometimes slapstick, comedy told in an episodic style for 36 volumes. Character and plot progression is often reset when a chapter concludes in a comedic fashion. Its like a punky Saturday morning cartoon where the monster of the week is nearly always Sunako.


There are romantic tensions and subplots within this series, but they are not the focus. The focus is the comedy that ensues when these strong personalities clash while trying to live together in the mansion.

I completely understand why some readers found its lack of progression and character development frustrating, but if you can come to see this story in the light of what it actually is, rather than what you might have expected it to be, its really quite charming.

I was sad to see it end even after 36 volumes, because I missed being with the characters. And I can assure you that the instances of character growth and romantic tension, while small, are there.


Why I think it's Actually Quite Refreshing

From the synopsis you would assume that the four boys turn Sunako into a lady, that all of them fall in love with her, and by the end of the series she must choose only one. But that is not what happens at all.

First off, the boys are not perfect whatsoever. Kyouhei is a brute, Ranmaru is a womanizer, Takenaga is a stick in the mud, and Yuki is childish. They all know each others flaws, but they act like brothers.



Each of the characters have romantic plot lines, but each relationship develops slowly, and in a manner that is very true to the characters' unique personalities and situations.

They do not all fall in love with Sunako, but they do all come to value her for exactly who she is. Even with her stubborn, selfish, fearful, nature.

The truth that this manga pursues for its characters is that not all of them are ready for romance.

Some have had traumatic past experiences with love and family relationships that have damaged them. And this new found friendship among the residents of the mansion, no matter how bizarre it seems, is enough for them right now.



I love this valuing of friendship, especially between males and females.

The boys can often get Sunako to pretend she is a Lady to achieve a certain goal, but afterwards she goes right back to being a goth with a bad attitude.



Sunako has serious issues with body image, self worth, and human connection. The boys seem to realize this about her, as well as, the fact that they can only do so much to help her with it.
The bulk of the work is on Sunako's end and needs to start with her realizing she has an issue, and becoming willing to work on herself to better her life.

Sunako thinks there is something fundamentally different between her and the so called 'Radiant Ones'. So when the boys focus on getting her to change her self image while still accepting her for who she is it hits me right in the feels.

That being said, the boys will also hit her with a reality check when necessary, which also hits me in the feels.

And yet, despite their efforts, Sunako continues to resist change.

I love this aspect of the story, because rather than seeing it as a dead-end, it feels very true to Sunako's character.

Sunako is not miserable. In actuality, she lives an extremely comfortable, indulgent, life. Her only misfortune is that she has to go to school and has nosebleeds when the boys are too handsome around her.


There isn't actually any catalyst for her to change her ways at 15 years old.

Sunako is not a lost cause. She is good at plenty of things other than the one thing her Aunt wants for her. And even the girls in the series whom she befriends adore her for her talents and friendship despite the rest of her quirks.


The Crude Humor

The comedy, and general storytelling, in this series is rather brutish and unrefined.

Along with the fact that these princes are NOT Prince Charmings comes Kyouhei constantly calling Sunako a bitch, and Sunako repeatedly threatening to murder them.

Sunako makes references to how much she would like to see a crime scene and a dead body.
The boys endure an absurd amount of sexual harassment, like when their adoring female fans attack them in a mob formation.

This manga feels like its about real (rude) teenagers.

Even if so much of it is absurd. These characters are very young, living unsupervised in a mansion, and combating a whole slew of unrealistic, extreme, altercations which are often as bizarre as they are entertaining. Their selfish, stubborn, unwise, and childish behavior feels quite realistic.

C'mon didn't you curse a lot and do stupid things as a teenager too?

And as someone who generally prefers sweet, relaxing, nonabrasive stories, the irony of my enjoyment of this series is definitely not lost on me.


The Art

The art style and quality is all over the place in this series. Most of the characters spend the bulk of the time in chibi form, which to me makes sense because that is often used to demonstrate comedy and the bulk of the series is comedy.

Even when characters are out of chibi form they are often looking slightly off. Almost like they are monsters. Hands and feet might be HUGE and attached to stick skinny arms and legs. Faces might be extremely pointed with eyes positioned in ways that really throw off the perspective.

Sometimes the boys look alike, but they have such distinct personalities that I usually had not issue telling them apart.

It is not a favorite art style of mine at all. Even when the characters are in their bishounen glam shots, like on the covers, I'm not into it at all. That being said, I do feel like it fits this story perfectly.


Kyohei and Sunako

The friendship that blossoms between these two gets very close to love. By the end of the manga it is hard to argue that they will not end up together in the future. And thats okay. It doesn't feel like an inconclusive love story because neither of these two are ready for a romantic relationship.

They both need a friend they can trust first.

In Conclusion

This manga is not going to give you anything you would typically expect from a shoujo manga, and that is what is so fantastic about it.

If you're a sucker for unlikely friendships, like me, then read this series.

If you like series' with crude humor, read this series.

The absurdist humor included in The Wallflower is sure to make you laugh, and you don't need to read it all straight through, so I highly recommend you try out a couple volumes for yourself.

MORE ANIME REVIEWS: nerdificationreviews.com

This is my first time reviewing a Manga, and one of the few I've read.

Story 7/10

Now when I started reading The Wallflower, it was after I saw all the episodes and wanted to know more and what happened next. I found out that there were much more in the manga than in the Anime.

Honestly the manga is 1000000000 x better. The story is filled with comedy and more romance scence.

So why did I give it a 7? Because at some parts, I was like wait what just happen. I don't know if it was because of poor transilation but I really couldn't understand ... anything. One character would say this then the next box would not even correlate. It just didn't make sense, and that reallly irritated me.

Art. 10/10

I absolutely loved the art no matter what anyone says. Sure, at a few points it was off. and they are extremly skinny. But it seemed so beautiful how could I not give it a 10?

Characters 10/10.

Perfect in there own way. Each of them were funny sexy and amazing.

Enjoyment. 9/10

I really did enjoy most of the chapters, aside from the messed up ones. (Maybe it was the translator) but I loved all the sunako and kyohei moments.

Over all 9/10

As long as you can get over those chapters that don't really make sense, the rest of it is outstanding. I recomed the manga over the anime.

I first stumble upon the anime and enjoyed so I decided to read the Manga and.....After 96 chapters, the story line is sooooooooooooo slow paced. It is funny through out out the manga, but there isn't really a continuous story( i hope that makes sense) Alot of the chapters are funny but some don't have anything to do with a story line. Also the relationship between Noi and Takenega, even between the Princess and the other guy develop more than the main characters sunako and Kyohei. not that it has to happen fast like most shoujo manga lol, but it still hasn't really taken ... off after 96 ch. the art is ok I just wish Sunako wasn't in chibi form so much.Anyway I laughed out loud a lot and it had some cute moments but I'm kinda giving up on this manga cuz its just too slow. it's almost like the author writes a ch for everyday of one year. that's how slow paced it seems. hope this helps

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (I hope I got that right), or the Wallflower, or Perfect Girl Evolution (just pick one) is a romantic comedy about four boys' attempts at transforming the strange Sunako Nakahara into a lady. Unfortunately for them, Sunako proves to be a stubborn, tomboyish girl with an odd liking of gory, horrific stuff (such as torture tools). She and the other four are always getting into funny, or romantic, mishaps that are usually because of Sunako misunderstanding things/or being weird. She and Takano get into a lot of romantic situations but she, or him, usually ruins the mood (much to both of ... their relief).

I like this manga because of it's very different characters (especially Sunako), it's funny plot, and it's unexpected twists and turns. However, it can be kind of perverted (not too much but enough for me to say so) and sometimes I don't understand what's happening. All the same, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the manga whenever I get around to it.

-kemmec

I love this manga and it's my favourite ever in the whole entire world so pls give this a chance and hold on. It's literally so funny and I can come back to it all the time. Go watch the anime because that's hilarious as well. At first, I was put off by the feminine-looking character designs but eventually, I fell in love with all the characters especially kyouhei <3 It deals with body issues and romance and comedy and nosebleeds and skeletons. I love everything about this manga!

Story = 10/10

Characters =10/10

Art = 8/10 (i love it but even i must admit that it aint ... great all the time)

Enjoyment - 10/10

Well this is hard because at times this anime is super funny and at other times its abit boring and has unimportaint parts. The comedy was great and enjoyable so thats fine but the character oh boy The main female role Sunako was funny and a very liked character while two of the boys that are also main are boring and pointless the other two are not as boring and pointless so the characters are abit hard to write a review about. The romance was light at most and the comedy was heavy but the anime wasent horrible to watch it had you laughing at ... parts and enjoying it too plus the boy characters werent hard to look at ;) They were cute and abit dramatic but i suppose thats part of the comedy.
Thank you and i hope you enjoy Yamato Naheshiko Shichi Henge!

This manga is so good!, I mean, when I begun to read it I though it will be like Ouran, a girl who doesn't care much about appearance and that at the end almost all the guys are in love with her-don't get me wrong I totally love Ouran-but yamato nadeshiko it's so different. The girl and her hate to the ''radiant creatures'', the personalities of the four guys: the serious one, the playboy, the cute one, and...I don't even know how to describe Kyohei, the...stupid one? haha, all this things are hilarious! Well, in short, I totally recommend this manga ♥

It's just a great storie abaut a real girl and funny guys, the characters' development are fantastic specially Sunako, she isn't typical main character, she is wonderful and strong lady and really really funny girl.
This manga is one of my favorites manga ever
It's true that the story is moving slowly, but at least for me I love that 'cause there is more chapter hahahaha :)
However, the characters' drawing get a little worse, just a little, and the situations are the most, in something cases for me, ilogical, but, well, the storie still good and wonderful.
I'm still waiting for Kyohei to say what he feels

Going into this manga it’s important to know that it’s a comedy series first and foremost. When people see a shoujo manga of this length I think it gives them certain expectations going in and it’s best to get them in order before starting such a lengthy manga. For one, I’m sure people would expect the leads to have gotten together by the end or half-way through the story at least. That’s not what happens in The Wallflower. It’s unconventional and this is true from beginning to end.

A young girl living in a mansion with 4 hot guys certainly sounds like a dream come true, ... but the protagonist of this story, Sunako, is far from your normal shoujo heroine. Her best friend is an anatomical model and she sits in her room giggling at the gory scenes in horror movies. After being rejected and called ugly by her crush, she's become extremely reclusive and thinks of herself as a hideous creature of the darkness, whilst calling the beautiful men she lives with "radiant creatures of the light". Hearing a premise like this I think it’s easy to imagine the story going in a certain direction. Maybe Sunako will slowly become a normal girl? Maybe she’ll finally realize she’s beautiful? Eh nope, that doesn’t really happen and I love it for that. The characters try over and over to change her into something she’s not and she resists this every step of the way. Sure a lot of this is for comedic effect, but I think being true to who you are is a big part of this story.

As the manga goes on it’s clear to the audience and many of the characters that the two leads, Kyouhei and Sunako are perfect for each other. They’re just not ready for a relationship at this point in their lives. For anyone worried this means there’s a lack of romance, don’t be. 2 of the 4 main guys have established relationships with some very cute scenes together. Whilst I don’t think you should read this just for the romance element, there is some of it here and it’s nice to see characters actually in relationships for a change.

The art seems to be a real issue for many people. Whilst I agree the art didn’t translate well into the anime adaptation, the manga art is super pretty. We get a lot of chibi depictions of characters, but I found the detailed drawings of the men and women to be stunning. The author has certainly perfected the ultimate bishonen look.

Whilst I had no problems marathoning this manga, I’d probably recommend others not to do that. It’s very episodic in nature so it doesn’t require a reader's undivided attention for the whole 36 volumes. I’d say give it a few chapters here and there and leisurely make your way to the end. Give it a go if you want a more wacky shoujo that doesn’t follow the norms of the genre.