▪	RELEASED BY:		VIZ MEDIA
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		ARINA TANEMURA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		192
		▪	RATING:		T+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		12/04/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		04/07/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Although Haine comes from a prestigious family, they found themselves in dire financial straits and in exchange for a sizeable loan, gave her up for adoption to the Otomiya family. Haine now attends the exclusive Imperial Academy. Although she is lowest on the hierarchy, based on a family’s finances, she is elevated in status at the private school when she becomes the Platinum, the girlfriend to the much admired and very mysterious student council president Shizumasa, dubbed The Emperor. But the title is only a façade, one to ward off his many admirers. She nevertheless works hard as a student council member and has already come to care deeply for Shizu. Haine has fallen in love, but she’s fallen in love with a young man who has secrets, some which may prove dangerous.

An intriguing dramatic romance, Gentleman’s Alliance is a suspenseful shoujo series. From the creator of Full Moon, this new manga series holds lovely romantic art, wonderful wind swept detail with special attention paid to the appealing uniforms and costumes and looks of the various characters.

In the latest volume, Maguri plans to confess his love to Shizu just when sweet Maora plans to confess to him! It spurs Haine to try to breach the distance between her and the ever enigmatic mercurial Shizu, but the results could be a labyrinth of secrets and hurts that go far deeper than Haine’s confusion and pained heart. A ball, a dance, and Haine feels like Cinderella, but the next day after a  heart felt confession from her beloved ”Emperor” and she is suddenly given harsh words and thrown out of the student council! There is much more than what Haine witnesses. In the shadows of the school a secret lurks, one that Shizu is at the heart of, one that might break her heart even more than it has already.

Tangled feelings, rivals in the shadows, an elusive secret just shy of Haine’s grasp. This is a rare romantic series in shoujo for its compelling mystery. It has a beautiful ethereal art style. And the added character and design detail makes it that much more alluring.

This volume has several bonus stories. One covers Maora’s first love, next is Toya’s true heart revealed, a short tale about Kusame and who longs for him, a heartwarming short about the postman, and Riko’s first love are all touched upon for added character insight. The manga also includes Bonus Funnies.

IN SUMMARY:
A superb shoujo series rich with mystery and romantic intrigue.