Review | Boys Over Flowers, Vol. 1 - 5

Series: Boys Over Flowers
Volumes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Story and Art: Yoko Kamio

Released: 2003

Age: Young Adult

Art Rating: ★★★

Story Rating: ★★★★☆

Tsukushi Makino has been accepted into the snobbish Eitoku academy. From a middle-class background and poor compared to her classmates, Tsukushi is determined to get her diploma. Standing in her way is the gang known as F4 -- four handsome but vicious rich kids who rule the school and attack anyone who gets in their way This popular series features drama, romance, humor, strong girls, and cute boys. When her only friend, Makiko, accidentally offends F4 leader Tsukasa, Tsukushi boldly defends her. Enraged, Tsukushi puts the dreaded red tag in Tsukushi's locker -- a sign that she is now a target for the abuse of the F4 and the entire school. But when Tsukushi fights the gang with their own weapon, Tsukasa finds himself falling for her.

I was itching to read a good manga, but not just any manga. I definitely wanted something that was long (20+ volumes) and I wanted something with romance. At the library, I looked at my options and my choices were between Fruit Basket and Boys over Flowers. I figured that BOF had more romance, so I chose that.

I have to admit that at first I was a bit disappointed. The first volume didn't me the way I had hoped, even the initial controversery that pretty much starts the story off happens within this volume. I didn't want to give up so soon though, and I continued reading. By volume 4 (or maybe 5?) I was hooked and wanted to know so much more!

Tsukushi Makino is a simple and poor girl who attends an elite school for her parents sake, pretty much. She feels out of place, but has a few friends. When she stands up for her friend, who is attacked by the infamous and popular clique, the F4 (which pretty much stands for "flowery foursome"...yuck!) she is immediately outcasted. Not only that, but she is also attacked and bullied by everyone in school, and threatened to be expelled from the school. Not one to be pushed around though (which I really liked about her!) Tsukushi stands up for herself against the leader of the F4, Tsukasa, who also happens to be the richest and most powerful student (towards their peers and faculty alike.) The story really starts when Tsukasa falls in and out of love/hate with Tsukushi, only to discover she might be in love with his best friend, Rui, the nicest of the F4. Too bad he's in love with someone else!

And the story only starts there. Soon Tsukushi's life spirals out of control as she finds herself in wild scenarios revolving around beautiful people and lots of money. I was sucked into the story and Tsukushi's misadventures, and couldn't stop reading.

While I wasn't interested in the art much because it wasn't anything special and I got sidetracked with random notes from the author -- which I learned to avoid eventually-- I enjoyed the beginning of Boys Over Flowers immensely. I was pulled into Tsukushi's life and wanted to learn more. I am sure many will enjoy this fun and unique story of love that is full of drama (yum) and "a whirlwind of love and confusion."