This review was originally written for the website ListerX.com, which is now defunct. It can also be found on my blog, The Graphic Librarian.

Cover
When I first saw this cover three words immediately came to mind - colorful, girly, and just a wee bit naughty (which can also be used as a very succinct description of the manga's contents.) The next thing I noticed were the extremely long arms on the characters. Despite the extended appendages, I actually found this cover to be very appealing. The color scheme is nicely rendered and the fun, swirly font used for the title fits this series perfectly. I also like how they decided to use a different font and color for the manga-ka's name, so that it stands out without overpowering the title. Lots of pink daisies and a blue and white checked background enforce the light-hearted side of a manga that actually leans much more towards the dramatic. The back sports the same overall feel as the front by using lots of pastels. Unfortunately half of the adorable main image is covered by the logo, barcode and age rating. The blurb also appears a bit odd, squeezed into a small area due to the busy background. However, despite the flaws on the back, I still like it better because it features a self-portrait of the manga-ka and her puppy.

Artwork
What can I say? The artwork is absolutely beautiful! The characters, though a little gangly, are well-proportioned with pretty features that sometimes make their gender difficult to distinguish. In fact, I think my only real complaint about Shigematsu's style is that the main female character looks more like an effeminate boy rather than a girl. Of course, given the fact that Tenshi is in the gender bender genre, I suppose the fact that some of the males look like females and visa versa is understandable. Shigematsu also does a wonderful job on the backgrounds. There's almost always something there to fill up the empty space whether it's with sparklies, greytones, or even something more realistically drawn. In fact, her backgrounds remind me a lot of Yu Watase's style, which I've always been highly impressed with. Also, like Watase, The manga-ka does an excellent job of showing exactly what each character is feeling, unless, of course, she doesn't want you to know. However, despite my Watase comparisons, Takako Shigematsu definitely has her own beautifully unique style.

Plot
**Possible Spoilers Warning**
The story opens with our main character, Hikaru Takabayashi, getting ready to attend a new all girl's school. Apparently she had difficulties at her old school due to some jealous classmates and now she's decided to try and start fresh in a new environment. All she wants is to live a nice, normal, quiet life. However, things don't go exactly according to plan. It seems her new roommate, Izumi Kido, is a famous fashion model and has a very dark secret - she's actually a HE! All of Hikaru's plans are quickly dashed when she unwittingly discovers Izumi's true identity. Izumi, unable to trust anyone other than his friend Yasukuni Inukai, quickly decides he needs to blackmail Hikaru to keep her quiet and plays a rather dirty trick on her in order to do it. It's not long before Hikaru has become completely involved in Izumi's bizarre charade. With the help of of Yasukuni and the president of Izumi's modeling agency, Yuichi Akizuki, Izumi forces Hikaru to assist in his many deceptions time and again. At first Hikaru follows willingly along for the sole purpose of keeping her low profile, and she knows Izumi will make her regret it if she refuses to help him. However, she soon finds herself beginning to care about the strange new men in her life. But exactly how far will Hikaru have to go to prove she doesn't have her own personal agenda and fully gain their trust?

A Brief Note About Izumi - I really couldn't find a way to discuss this within the context of the plot description, so I'm going to rant a little bit right now. What is it about certain manga? Why do there always seem to be so many girls that wind up falling for complete and utter jerks?! Yeah, sure, they usually turn out to be okay guys in the end, but what is it that makes these girls stick around long enough to discover the "softer" side? Honestly, Izumi is a cold, remorseless, egotistical pain in the you-know-what. He's unnecessarily brutal toward Hikaru on numerous occasions and never once apologizes. . . even when he knows he's in the wrong. Of course, he can be really nice when he wants to be, and you might feel sorry for him on occasion, but does that really make up for Izumi's consistent cruelty and selfishness? I certainly don't think so. Nevertheless, Hikaru is obviously falling for him by the end of V.01, and all I can figure is that she must be some sort of glutton for punishment (or a subconscious masochist.)

Content Warnings
Language = None, that stood out, so if it's there it only crops up very briefly.

Violence = None.

Nudity = Yes, briefly in one scene you see Hikaru nude from the waist up.

Sexual Situations = Suggested, but nothing obvious.

Ratings
Cover - 8/10 - I love the use of pastel colors, but the posing of the figures is slightly strange somehow.

Artwork - 9/10 - Absolutely beautiful! I'm almost tempted to give a rating of 10, but there are a few odd places here and there.

Plot - 7/10 - This would be an 8, but I had to take off a point for the annoying male lead. The plot is still fresh and fun, especially if you like boys who cross-dress.

Overall - 8/10 - Despite my dislike of the male lead, I'd really like to see Hikaru develop the backbone that's starting to grow at the end of V.01, so I'll probably be reading V.02 when it comes out. ( )