▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		TOMOKO HAYAKAWA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		194
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		09/25/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/24/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN

Will Sunako ever become a lady?  Is 13 the charmer?  Will the pretty boys succeed on their mission impossible?  Let’s just say the story’s not over yet, but the latest volume of THE WALLFLOWER from Del Rey is showing that something may be stirring in the recesses of Sunako’s dark and twisted mind.

Tomoko Hayakawa, the writer and artist of THE WALLFLOWER, has once again filled her work with dry comedy, romance, and some fun insights into aspects of Japanese pop culture that keeps the pages turning for this reader.  The role reversals with the boys trying to civilize the heroine of the story so they can live rent free in her house makes for an entertaining manga that’s like a kind inverted THREE’S COMPANY, only with more housemates and better jokes.  If it sounds a bit like a kind of “Queer Eye for the Straight Manga Heroine,” as one publication described it, you would not be wrong for assuming so, except for the fact that though the four boys in question look like yaoi characters, with their stylish hair, willowy bodies, effeminate eyes (they cry easily and to effect) and mannerisms, they are actually a bit of a tough and very straight bunch- especially the bishonen poster boy Kyohei, who is a brawler at heart.  But they are beginning to make an impact on Sunako, who appears in ‘girl’ clothes on at least a couple of occasions in the story, and actually embraces some of the stereotypes about Japanese homemakers to effect in this story.  Of course, these glimpses are only fleeting.  No one really wants Sunako to become a retro woman, do they?

In Volume 13, the landlady has shown up, not check up on the boys and their progress in the taming of Sunako, but to announce she is becoming engaged to a Japanese business man, and is giving up her jet setting ways.  Sunako, who is very proficient around the house, shows Auntie a few things about the reality of her new life, with predictable results.  Later, Sunako is whisked away to a party with royalty by Auntie and ends up taking refuge in an empty coffin!  There she discovers an exotic jewel which is given to her by the grateful host.  If it seems too good to be true, it is, because the jewel is cursed, and in possessing Sunako has her- among other things, walking zombie-like and naked into Kyohei’s room and straddling him atop the covers.  According to the story, he was so startled, he was ‘stiff as a board’.  Yeah…I’ll bet.  Nice one, Ms. Hayakawa. 

The cursed jewel certainly turns the household upside down, but no sooner is that sorted out when Kyohei announces he is no longer eating dinner with the group, having found instead a Western style restaurant to dine in.  As he is perpetually broke, this piques the curiosity of the other boys and sends Sunako’s culinary instincts into overdrive.  Is she jealous?  What is Kyohei up to this time?  If this was a dish, you might call the answers to these questions ‘les bombes surprise’. 

Once again, Tomoko Hayakawa has put a lot of love into this work, including more tidbits about her personal life and her cat, named Ten.  On the surface the indulgence in these sections seems a little too syrupy sweet, but one cannot resist the little furball once you see him.  The same could be argued about the other inserts, where she also gives us more insights into her favorite bands, complete with artwork and fan girl observations.  Knowing people who are current on these performers, I actually even recognize some of the names.  However, when you look at the performers and the boys in the story, you can see why this book is a very personal piece for Ms. Hayakawa, who, this reviewer suspects, identifies more with Sunako than she is letting on.  The writing, art, and general style of the work is up to the standards set in earlier volumes.  The nice touches like sleeping in a coffin and the talking cursed jewel do lots to help set up Sunako’s love of the dark as an effective counterpoint to the sparkly boy toys and their ways.  Seriously…who would really want to change her?  She’s fine just as she is.

EXTRA:
Del Rey has included its ever helpful translation guide and a preview of the next volume, due out soon.  It looks like ghoulish Hallowe’en fun, though, so fans will not want to miss it.  Also included is a brief introduction to the main characters and the basic outline of the story.  Furthermore, notes from the author with pictures of her cat, her favorite boy band performers, and reflections on her life, love and art are also interspersed throughout the book. 

IN SUMMARY:
THE WALLFLOWER is stepping out from the shadows and into the light with this morbidly funny edition.  Fall under the spell of this jewel in shojo manga.  You will love it.  You will really love it.