Short-Tempered Melancholic and Other Stories

 Title: Kanshakudama no Yuutsu (Short-Tempered Melancholic and Other Stories)
 Creator(s): Arina Tanemura
 Publisher(s): Shueisha Inc., VIZ Media
 Year: 1996
 Genre(s): Shoujo, romance
 Length: 1 Volume
 Reviewed by: Yukari on November 07, 2008

Synopsis

"Kanshakudama no Yuutsu" is a compilation of Tanemura's works that includes four short stories.

Kanshakudama no Yuutsu (Short-Tempered Melancholic)
Kajika Yamano is a fiesty kunoichi (female ninja) who vows to protect her family's legendary weapon from rival ninja Hayato. However, when Fujisaki, her senpai at school, tells her to become more feminine, she tries to change her ways as a ninja. But Yuga, Kajika's childhood friend, thinks that there is more to Fujisaki senpai then meets the eye...

Kanshaku dama no Yuutsu - Kimi ga Inakucha (Short-Tempered Melancholic - Without You)
Yuga and Fujisaki both love Kajika so they challenge each other to a duel. However, Yuga is not a ninja so he asks for Kajika's grandfather's help. Kajika misunderstands and gets upset because she thinks Yuga is fighting for Fujisaki's little sister.

Kono Koi wa Non-Fiction (This Love is Non-Fiction)
Yuri sends her pen pal, Ryo, a picture of her best friend Karin and tells him that it's her. She forces Karin to meet Ryo and explain the situation, but things get more complicated when Karin finds herself falling for him.

Ame no Gogo wa Romance no Heroin (Rainy Afternoons are for Romantic Heroes)
Minori has a crush on the boy who lets her share his umbrella on rainy afternoon. Since then, she prays for rainy afternoons and pretends to forget her umbrella to be with him.

Ni Banme no Koi no Katara (The Style of Second Love)
Mana secretly likes her best friend's boyfriend, but the most popular boy in school likes Mana and does not give up trying to win her heart!

Review

"Kanshakudama no Yuutsu" contains Tanemura's first works, include her debut manga and three other stories written after her debut. I did not like the title manga because I did not find the plot too interesting. "Kono Koi wa Non-Fiction" was the fourth manga written after her debut and had the potential to become a great piece because of the creative storyline. I really liked the idea of the pen pals swapping. However, the actions and emotions expressed by the characters in the story are a little too over the top. "Ame no Gogo wa Romance no Heroin" was not bad - I thought the story was cute. But that was all there was to it. "Ni Banme no Koi no Katara" is Tanemura's debut manga. She published it when she was only sixteen years old! I personally enjoyed reading this one more than the rest. It's the only one that I thought had its genuinely funny moments. Perhaps I like this one simply because I like the Nakamura character. I love how he changed the label, "mono" to "mana" on his eraser (Tanemura revealed later that she got this idea from a true story).

You can also see a transition in the drawing style as you read from the first manga to the second. I have heard some complaints about the art, but I don't think Tanemura's older drawings are necessarily ugly. I find them unique in their own way. The stories in this book were predictable and did not evoke any emotions from me. It is difficult to relate to such unrealistic characters. However, if you're looking for a very light-read, something safe for all ages, and stories full of girliness and corniness, this book is for you!

Overall Rating: 2.5/5