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KITCHEN PRINCESS (VOL. 1) |
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Saturday, 03 March 2007 |
 | | ▪ | PUBLISHED BY: | | DEL REY | | | ▪ | ART/AUTHOR: | | NATSUMI ANDO / MIYUKI KOBAYASHI | | | | ▪ | FORMAT/COLOR: | | JAPANESE FORMAT/ BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 208 | | | ▪ | RATED: | | OT | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 02/06/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/04/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD | | |
A charming new manga with a lot of warmth, Kitchen Princess will fill you with tender emotions and hope for a young heroine with much against her. Najika has been an orphan since a young age after the death of her parents. About to succumb to loneliness and despair, a boy saves her, feeding her flan that gave her hope, for it symbolized the kindness of his actions and mirrored the gentleness of his words. She never knew his name, only that he left behind a silver spoon with the crest of the elite Seika Academy of cuisinary arts. Years later, she has received a special scholarship to enter into the academy and pursue her two dreams: to be able to cook food that will give smiles to any who eat it, and to give that smile to the prince who saved her all those years ago. Her path to those goals quickly prove difficult as the rich and spoiled students of the academy envy Najika’s magical cuisinary talents – and the attention she’s receiving from the two handsome and most popular young men of the school. The reactions of her fellow students are harsh and though she tries to persevere, it may prove too cruel on her tender heart. Will she be able to stay strong and persevere? And what is the secret behind her acceptance into the academy and the mysterious prince who saved her?
A sweet shojo series, this has magical moments that will touch your heart. Najika is a heroine who inspires with her courage, kindness and generous spirit. The background of the cooking school is kept fun and interesting with the variety of challenges she is presented with in and out of the kitchen. Her two possible love interests, separated brothers Daichi and Sora, add to the romantic drama and intrigue in regards to what their real interests are in Najika and why Daichi lives separated from his family. Could one of these young men be her long-lost prince?
The manga has a fantastic array of extras. There are the standard translation notes, cultural references, and a preview in the original Japanese of the next volume as well as a word from the writer. But most special is the selection of real recipes of the foods shown and discussed in the volume. You can find yourself making the same Flan in a Cup, Onion au Gratin Soup, Christmas cookies and more. This seems like a treat we can look forward to with each volume of this special delight.
IN SUMMARY:
Kitchen Princess is a wonderful recipe for excellence. Exceptional in its warm hearted story telling, it fills you up with good feelings. It is a pleasure to read with lovely shojo artwork done in a soft penciled style. |
