Kare First Love

 Title: Kare First Love
 Creator(s): Kaho Miyasaka
 Publisher(s): Shogakukan Inc., VIZ Media
 Year: 2001
 Genre(s): Shoujo, romance, drama
 Length: 10 volumes
 Reviewed by: Jenny on December 19, 2006

Synopsis

Karin Karino is a pushover who spent most of her time working hard to please her family and friends. Her dull life takes a sudden change in direction when she met Aoi Kiriya on the train to school one day. Their first meeting ends with bad impressions of each other, but Kiriya later discovers what a beautiful girl Karin is beneath her thick glasses while Karin discovers that there is more to Kiriya than his charming playboy exterior. As their relationship grows, Karin goes on a journey of self-discovery and experiences her first love.

Review

"Kare First Love" won't be the most original series you'll ever come across but don't let that stop you from reading it. What this series lacks in originality, it makes up for in execution. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you follow Karin on her journey through love and self discovery.

After the completion of just the first volume, I was struck by how realistic Miyasaka's story and characters were. I could relate to Karin's doubts and fears in being able to trust. I could feel her struggle to understand what she later discovered to be love. When she felt pain... or even when she felt happiness, I felt it along with her. I understood her when she felt useless or helpless at times. Karin felt very real to me; as if she could someone I know or a close friend. In fact, I found a little bit of Karin in myself.

While most other shoujo series end with a couple confessing their love for each other, "Kare First Love" explores the trials and tribulations of Karin and Kiriya's relationship after the fact. While the series doesn't touch on anything you might not already know about making a relationship work, it looks at it in great detail with a lot of heart. Not only does the series deal with troubles couples might face in a relationship, it also deals with distinguishing friends from enemies and overprotective parents who have expectations that become increasingly difficult to meet. On the other side of the coin, it also deals with Kiriya's family troubles after the loss of his older brother and conflicts with his dad over pursuing his passion to become a photographer instead of taking over the family business.

The storyline in "Kare First Love" is as cliché as it could possibly be, but the author manages keep it refreshing through a knack for storytelling and realistic characters. Although it seems to drag a bit especially during the middle of the series, it's not enough to prevent it from being an enjoyable read.

Final note: I do not recommend this series to anyone under the age of 14 due to some mature content. Certain scenes that are necessary to tell the story are not suitable for younger readers.

Overall Rating: 4/5