Akahori's yuri
(girl love) story, which has spawned anime series, soundtracks and video games since its initial publication in 2004, uses a far-fetched plot contrivance to set its gender-swapping stage. Hazumu is a sensitive boy who would rather spend his time looking at flowers than running with other boys. His unrequited love for the beautiful girl Yasuna sends him on just such a mountaintop trip one day, but it turns out to be the worst possible day for it—an alien ship lands atop him, and when the remorseful aliens put him back together, they accidentally make Hazumu a girl. From trips to a brassiere store to visiting the girls' locker room for the first time, Hazumu learns about young womanhood quickly, with lots of opportunity for gratuitous cleavage and beauty shots. Of course, now that he is a she, Yasuna finds that she loves Hazumu, which leaves the latter grappling with the fact that although he is now one himself, he still likes girls. Artwork and panel design are traditional and uninspiring. Two unnecessary subplots (an alien who takes up residence in Hazumu's house, and Hazumu's father's determination to take a bath with his new daughter) detract from an otherwise entertaining romance. (Dec.)
