Boys Over Flowers: Hana Yori Dango, Vol. 1
by Yōko Kamio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tsukushi is a poor girl, from a poor family… and her family has placed her (at great expense) in the most prestigious high school in Japan, in the hopes that she’ll make great connections to benefit her in the future. The student body is made up of kids from Japan’s most powerful families, including the F4 who rank heads above the rest. Not only are they obnoxiously rich, but they are beautiful too. Doumyouji leads the group — and cows the student body with extreme bullying tactics. He sets the entire student body against anyone who “displeases” him. Tsukushi finds herself on the other side of the student body… and becomes a weed that just won’t be trampled.
It’s the classic pride & prejudiced story, modernized, and with a few twists. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. But, I’d take Doumyouji anyday over Mr. Darcy. This series can get a bit arduous at times, with tsukushi’s pride being a major stumbling point for the couple’s relationship. But, it’s still one of my favourite series to date, to the point that I’ve even bought the Japanese role-playing/dating game (among other things).
p.s. Doumyouji really hates it when you tickle him under the chin. Just saying. (。_゜)
manga hoarder 