Choco Mimi 3
Posted: January 6, 2010 Filed under: Choco Mimi 3 Comments »Konami Sonoda – Viz – 2010 – 4 volumes
At some point, I’m going to have to break down and admit I really like this, even as an adult. Again, there’s no story, and not much substance to the 4-panel gag strips that loosely go through a year in the life of junior high characters, but they’re adorable and completely addictive. Even my roommate reads this series now. It started out as joking about it, since it really is just jokes junior high school kids would appreciate, but at some point we crossed the line and are both just reading it now.
Not in one sitting, mind you. I read this over the course of three or four days, which is perfect. The entire book in one sitting is too much, but this really is the perfect thing to read in small doses.
There are strips centered around going to the beach, the rainy season, Christmas, New Year, birthdays, love woes, studying/doing homework, and just being friends. I love the way all the characters just… hang out. And there’s never any seriously bad stuff or even anything remotely approaching drama between them. They’re just best friends that enjoy hanging out. All the new characters that have been added since the first volume (Choco’s younger brother, his girlfriend, Bambi the stylish girl and sort-of rival for Ando), also work well together. My favorites are still just Choco, Mimi, and Mumu, though. There’s some adorable stuff between Mimi and Mumu in this volume, which really sold it for me.
Again, I like it now, but I would have been nuts for it in grade school, especially with all the cute fashion tips scattered throughout. I like the styles, too. Some of the items are a bit esoteric (tall buckled boots appeared in one), but a lot of it is sort of junk store accessories like hairbands and weird little girl purses, or stuff you can make yourself. The dress style is also layered and modest, even for beach and summer attire, which is something I appreciate too. I’d be the first to warn adults away from this series, as there isn’t much substance to it, but I wouldn’t hesitate giving it to a little girl.
This was a review copy provided by Viz.
[...] Flowers (Comics Should Be Good) Julie on vol. 2 of Captive Hearts (Manga Maniac Cafe) Connie on vol. 3 of Choco Mimi (Slightly Biased Manga) Snow Wildsmith on Ciao Ciao Bambino and La Satana (Fujoshi Librarian) [...]
Hee. I picked up the first volume of this a while back because I needed to meet an amount for free shipping online and I’d been curious. Then a few weeks ago I got volume 2 because I found it on sale somewhere. Now volume 3 is coming out and I’m thinking, “I should get that.” It does grow on you…
You described my thoughts about the series perfectly—best enjoyed over a few days, delightful fashion, fun little characters. If only I had had ChocoMimi to accompany my Lisa Frank addiction back in the day!
I know! That’s exactly what it’s like, it grows on you. And Lisa Frank is a good comparison, they go well together. I nearly forgot all about those folders and stuff. ^_^