Idol Dreams, Vol. 1 (1) - Softcover

Tanemura, Arina

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1421582562 ISBN 13: 9781421582566

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC, 2015

Synopsis

At age 31, office worker Chikage Deguchi feels she missed her chances at love and success. When word gets out that she’s a virgin, Chikage is humiliated and wishes she could turn back time to when she was still young and popular. She takes an experimental drug that changes her appearance back to when she was 15. Now Chikage is determined to pursue everything she missed out on all those years ago—including becoming a star!

About this title

About the Author

Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. Tanemura gained fame with the 1997 publication of I*O*N, a high school romance with a supernatural twist. From 1998 to 2000, she worked on the popular series Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, about a young girl who is the reincarnation of Joan of Arc, followed by Time Stranger Kyoko in 2000-2001 and Full Moon in 2002. Despite Tanemura's intentions to draw in a style that makes her stories difficult to animate, both Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and Full Moon have been adapted into TV series.

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Life hasn't turned out so well for 31-year-old Chikage. In her mind, she's a hard worker but plain and unaccomplished. Like many, she wishes for a second chance at life—then she actually gets it. When an old friend offers her an experimental drug that restores youth, she doesn't hesitate to accept. Adventure crashes into her headfirst, and so begins her unexpected yet exciting idol debut. Sadly, with so much happening, she fails to recognize what is right in front of her. Tanemura's art is as beautiful as ever, with sparkly eyed protagonists, and full of emotional scenes. Fans of her work will appreciate how she tries to deviate from her stock character designs. Chikage's low self-esteem will resonate with teens, but her struggles to live up to the status of an "accomplished" woman make her an unsympathetic character. However, the courage she finds to face her fears and her desire to become a "her" that she can love are admirable. By the end of this volume, readers will be cheering her on. While the style, idol premise, and focus on young love will largely appeal to teens, adults, too, will find this tale enjoyable. VERDICT A promising mixture of romance, fun, and contemplation.—Rachel Forbes, formerly of Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

About this edition

• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1421582562
• ISBN 13: 9781421582566
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192