The Heiress and the Chauffeur, Vol. 1

Ishihara's first ongoing manga series illuminates the romantic limitations between social classes in the Taisho era of Japan (1912%E2%80%931926). With her mother dead and her father always on business trips, Sayaka Yoshimura has no one but her chauffeur, Shinobu, for emotional support. Though they become increasingly close, they refuse to admit to their feelings. Ishihara capitalizes on the romantic tension throughout this first volume, balancing it with a series of incidents that create a rhythmic push and pull between Sayaka and Shinobu. Ishihara's panels and layout align with the pace and intensity of the scenes, with frenetic and chaotic panels helping capture emotionally tense moments. Throughout, Ishihara includes a short strip or single panel explaining her choices and thoughts about each chapter; these are often insightful but sometimes come too early, denying readers the opportunity to fully enjoy the story on its own. Two bonus stories are included: one a prologue of sorts, and the other unrelated to the main story other than that it replicates similar themes. Ages 13%E2%80%93up. (May)