Mystical Prince Yoshida-kun (aka Sore jaa Yoshida-kun) Vol.#01

By: Eduardo M. Chavez
Review Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Release Date: Wednesday, December 01, 2004



Creative Talent
Writer/Artist:Yoshimura Natsuki
Translated by:Kay Bertrand
Adapted by:

What They Say
The boy who didn't know he would be king...

When King Dark Fleet retires, Kaoru Yoshida never expected to be named successor of a strange and mysterious netherworld! And while he may not be your typical high school student, magic-savvy Yoshida has certainly drawn some otherworldly attention, but will he be able to thwart their demonic attacks? A powerful visitor may prove very persuasive in these matters, as the adventure begins in Mystical Prince Yoshida-kun!, Volume 1.

The Review
Packaging:
Sorry as this is a galley copy I cannot review the printing, extras or cover art as it is all incomplete or of the poorest quality.

Artwork:
Yoshimura Natsuki’s art reminds me of Kunihiro Azusa (Seven of Seven), mainly because of how both artists tend to use SD designs primarily. This is really distracting, especially considering that there are etchi moments done when characters are shrunk and chunked out (not appealing at all). Thick lines, huge eyes, usually no noses and very little shading are typical and characters are short and very round. It is almost a comedic minimalist concept (ha!). Yoshimura does very little to liven up his cast, but that is partially because of the SD format.

Backgrounds are okay. As this is a comedy, they are not really important but I am glad to see Yoshimura makes an effort to draw them in. The layout is average. Nothing special, 5 or 6 panels a page usually in basic parallelograms with tons of close ups on faces. Almost looks like children’s manga.


SFX/Text:
In typical ADV form the SFX are all subbed next to the originals. Fortunately, they no longer sub aside text, which really clears up space in detailed panels like those in this series.

The translation looks pretty good. While there might not be honorifics (which would have been interesting especially with how these characters interact), the context and the flow of the story felt really good.

Contents: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
There are changes happening in the underworld. In a place where the strong rule and the weak are destroyed, there are only a few at the top. And these changes are coming from the top and are causing shockwaves all the way down.

Comments
Huh? Nah, seriously what was that and whom was this intended for? I am not sure if it is for magic lovers, ninja wannabes, rice painters, sentai freaks, or occult fans but right now I just don't get it.

Yoshida-kun is like a modern day renaissance boy. He can do anything he sets out to do. What I listed above is just the tip of the iceberg of what this young man is capable of. Sounds like a good guy huh, but he comes off as aloof and selfish. Yoshida is clueless and self-absorbed and because of his talents he exploits others around him. Basically he is a jerk with ADD, but every other character has their eyes on him.

So much of this title has me confused. I don't get Yoshida's relationship with Ageha. I guess they could be siblings since they live together... They do live together, right? Poor Ageha just plays along with Yoshida's crazy ideas. However she is not the only one that is often left feeling ignored, for with every new chapter a new rival or member of his court is introduced. This has forced the mangaka to divvy up the time spent on each character and has even begun to eat away at the little time there is focusing on Yoshida’s personality. Poor Ageha ends up being a punching bag or just background art. But that is consistent with how all of the characters are treated – they are there for Yoshida to insult or abuse (I have no clue why).

Japanese humor can often be lost in translation, however Yoshida is basically slapstick and dull slapstick at that. In Yoshida I am reminded of a talent like Golden Boy’s Oe Kintaro. Unfortunately, Yoshida Kaoru does not have a personality that can even be compared to Oe’s. Yoshida is easily distracted and self-absorbed. His priority is himself in the now; he has no sense of the future or the past. This has made for a difficult read that is further hampered by poor pointless humor and a plot that was tossed by the end of the 5th chapter. Maybe I am missing something, maybe I am too serious to get this but Yoshida-kun! is way too out there to get me interested.

Not recommended.