Hico Yamanaka

This kind of reminds me of a genderbent "Can't Lose You" (in that a rich person gets a stand in pauper...who ends up living their life better). But I guess they're both just variations on "The Prince and the Pauper".

Mostly enjoy this, though Atsuko is...well a deeper level of bleak then I've ever reached, so that sometimes is vexing. I like Ryo and by the end his motivation makes better sense.

I do think we need at least ONE more genuine, warm adult in the series. Right now every one we've seen has been...indifferent, or two faced or callous except Subisawa (the butler) and that's disheartening.

I do wonder as to what the extent of Itaru's secret is. It's only briefly touched upon and by a character who's best interests it is to NOT ask deep questions of Itaru. There's an odd translation choice made (which is explained in the back glossary a bit more) that may or may not complicate the reality of Itaru's situation later.

Overall quite enjoyable and worth trying! It's a shoujo that skirts the line of josei in my opinion (if you are a fan of shoujo more like "Mars" by Fuyumi Soryo or the more serious aspects of "Hana Yori Dango" you may understand what I mean), with understated dry humor and a hovering dark edge to it that would appeal to a little older crowd.… (plus d'informations)