SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

August 11, 2010 by Snow Wildsmith

Review: Dengeki Daisy, vol. 1

August 11, 2010 by Snow Wildsmith   Leave a Comment

Teru’s older brother died, leaving her an orphan. But he didn’t leave her alone. Before his death, he arranged for a friend of his–the mysterious man called “Daisy”–to be on call through Teru’s cell phone. Teru tries not to worry Daisy when she talks to him, but as her life starts to fall apart, she’s not sure who else she can turn to. A broken school window forces Teru to work for the grumpy young school custodian Kurosaki and soon Teru finds herself relying on Kurosaki almost as much as she relies on Daisy. He just always seems to be there when she needs him…

Dengeki Daisy, vol. 1
Kyosuke Motomi
Age Rating: OT/Older Teen/16+
VIZ, July 2010, ISBN 978-1-4215-3727-6
192 pages, $9.99

On the one hand, Motomi’s story is nothing new in the world of shojo. There’s the usual blend of comedic elements, sexual tension, overly dramatic pronouncements, a heroine who always needs rescuing, school uniforms, etc. Even Motomi’s art is shojo-standard–big eyes, floppy hair, plenty of screen tones, etc. In a few places Teru’s cluelessness can be frustrating. Is she really that unaware of how computers work? And it really can’t be that big a leap to guess who Kurosaki is. Readers looking for something new and fresh might think about skipping right over this one.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

However, on the other hand, in Dengeki Daisy Motomi uses those familiar elements capably, crafting both a story and a relationship that slowly build, gradually bringing together threads to weave into a whole. Teru is a typical spunky manga heroine, but she’s likeable and realistic. She doesn’t feel like the type of leading lady who is secretly amazing. Readers will see her as any other girl just trying to survive a terrible situation. Kurosaki is the prickly leading man who often shows up in shojo romances, but by the end of the volume readers will realize that he may well have good reasons for his terrible attitude. The people who surround Teru are the usual mix of school character types, but Teru’s resistance to caving into the popular kids brings a fresh reality to the setting.

Even though there are a lot of dramatic shojo school romances out there, Dengeki Daisy is still a good addition to a collection. It is an enjoyable read with a traditional “girl falling for boy who must use his ‘powers’ to save her” type romance. And if the popularity of Twilight has proved anything, it is that that type of romance still resonates with readers. Pair this with Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji or Beauty is the Beast by Tomo Matsumoto (both also from VIZ) for older teen manga reads that will make romance readers’ hearts beat just a little faster.

This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © VIZ Media LLC.

Filed under: Manga, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Snow Wildsmith

Snow Wildsmith is a writer and former teen librarian. She has served on several committees for the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association, including the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She reviews graphic novels for Booklist, ICv2's Guide, No Flying No Tights, and Good Comics for Kids and also writes booktalks and creates recommended reading lists for Ebsco's NoveList database. Currently she is working on her first books, a nonfiction series for teens.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

June 2022

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

June 2022

The Elusive Samurai, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

May 2022

Sakamoto Days, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

May 2022

Orochi: The Perfect Edition, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

April 2022

Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Notes on June 2022

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Review of the Day: Listen to the Language of the Trees by Tera Kelley, ill. Marie Hermansson

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Banana Fox and The Gummy Monster Mess | Review

by J. Caleb Mozzocco

Heavy Medal

Mock Newbery Update – Our List of First Half Suggestions

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

by

The Classroom Bookshelf

by

The Yarn

Shark Week, Vanilla Ice Cream, and the Honda CRV: Bob Shea and Brian Won Team Up for ADURABLE

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Saturday Morning Comics | Stellar Panels

Graphic Novels for Armchair Campers | Stellar Panels

10 Standout Graphic Novels by AAPI Creators

The Publishing Industry Adapts to COVID-19 While Offering Support

LGBTQIA+ Graphic Novels for Young Readers | Stellar Panels

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2022


COPYRIGHT © 2022