Kitchen Princess

Najika is an aspiring young chef with a flawless sense of taste and a heart of gold. Orphaned at a young age, Najika gravitated toward cooking out of her desire to find her "prince," the mysterious boy who touched her heart and brought light into her life shortly after her parents' death. The only clue to his identity is a silver spoon, which leads Najika to the prestigious Seika Academy, where she faces many challenges on her quest for happiness. Kitchen Princess uses many plot techniques traditionally found in shojo stories. Najika is cast as the lonely heroine, rejected and often humiliated by her peers, while two princes, brothers Sora and Daichi, both dote on her in their own ways. However, where many stories often take a fantastical twist, giving the heroine some kind of magical power that sets her apart, Kitchen Princess continues to develop Najika's cooking abilities, which she uses to reach out to her classmates. This adds a spicy twist to the story, making an old recipe feel fresh and tasty. Ando's art style is romantic and whimsical, making for a delicious start to Najika's story. (Feb.)