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reddyrat's review against another edition
3.0
Sugar Princess is a refreshing change from the fantasy/paranormal manga that I usually read. It's a contemporary (somewhat realistic) fiction. As you see from the summary, Maya executes a double axel her first time ice skating. Call me crazy, but I see no possibility of that happening in real life. Despite the rather unlikely beginning, Sugar Princess is a delightful, somewhat realistic book.
Maya wants to take ice skating lessons. To do so for free, fabulous skater Shun becomes her coach. The real coach thinks that they will make excellent pairs partners some day. Shun is less enthusiastic. As you might imagine, Shun is handsome and brusque, but secretly very kind and chivalrous.
I liked that Maya was a talented but not perfect ice skater. Sure she executed a double axel without experience, but the book is realistic enough to show her struggling a little with skating - not as much as would be realistic, but still something. I also liked how it showed Maya trying to balance school and skating, not quite successfully. She sleeps a lot in school. Maya is soon to take the high school entrance exams, a crucial step for any Japanese student. I'm curious to see what happens in future volumes.
I'm also looking to see more of Maya's family. She has a big family - very big for Japanese standards. Two sisters and a little brother. The parents are largely absent, but I love the relationship between the siblings. It's mostly shown around the dinner table. Maya's friends are the typical loyal manga girl friends. Nothing unique, but likeable.
Sugar Princess is an adorable manga. It's one of those books that has little depth to it, but you don't read it looking for depth. If you want a sweet, fluffy volume of manga, Sugar Princess is a great place to go.
Maya wants to take ice skating lessons. To do so for free, fabulous skater Shun becomes her coach. The real coach thinks that they will make excellent pairs partners some day. Shun is less enthusiastic. As you might imagine, Shun is handsome and brusque, but secretly very kind and chivalrous.
I liked that Maya was a talented but not perfect ice skater. Sure she executed a double axel without experience, but the book is realistic enough to show her struggling a little with skating - not as much as would be realistic, but still something. I also liked how it showed Maya trying to balance school and skating, not quite successfully. She sleeps a lot in school. Maya is soon to take the high school entrance exams, a crucial step for any Japanese student. I'm curious to see what happens in future volumes.
I'm also looking to see more of Maya's family. She has a big family - very big for Japanese standards. Two sisters and a little brother. The parents are largely absent, but I love the relationship between the siblings. It's mostly shown around the dinner table. Maya's friends are the typical loyal manga girl friends. Nothing unique, but likeable.
Sugar Princess is an adorable manga. It's one of those books that has little depth to it, but you don't read it looking for depth. If you want a sweet, fluffy volume of manga, Sugar Princess is a great place to go.
lavender__'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Very sweet, I love hardworking protagonist girls. I also like how clear it was that the author had a real love for figure skating
jandi's review against another edition
3.0
With a name like Sugar Princess, you would expect something overly saccharine, but fortunately, this is not. It is the short and sweet (but not overly so) story of a young girl who decides to take on pairs figure skating. Maya is an average middle school girl, until she is drafted to learn figure skating to eventually pair up with experienced skater Shun. And just to raise the stakes, the pair will need to compete in a local competition for novice skaters to ensure the survival of their skating rink.
I love watching figure skating. So I was sold on this manga as soon as I read the description. I appreciated that the story was focused on Maya's growth and not on romance (if this lasted more than two volumes, I could see a slow burn romance happening). I also liked that Maya is not a prodigy that instantly skates through competitions (heh); it made sense that people kept commenting on how bad she was while being supportive of her efforts to learn. She just started, of course she would not immediately excel! The author loves figure skating, so in between chapters, there are drawings of famous skaters, and as Maya learns the different techniques, they are explained to us.
The artwork is cute, but the skating sequences are not very dynamic. And the turn of events at the very end does not make much sense. So, while enjoyable, I would have preferred a slightly longer series.
I love watching figure skating. So I was sold on this manga as soon as I read the description. I appreciated that the story was focused on Maya's growth and not on romance (if this lasted more than two volumes, I could see a slow burn romance happening). I also liked that Maya is not a prodigy that instantly skates through competitions (heh); it made sense that people kept commenting on how bad she was while being supportive of her efforts to learn. She just started, of course she would not immediately excel! The author loves figure skating, so in between chapters, there are drawings of famous skaters, and as Maya learns the different techniques, they are explained to us.
The artwork is cute, but the skating sequences are not very dynamic. And the turn of events at the very end does not make much sense. So, while enjoyable, I would have preferred a slightly longer series.
bkwrm127's review against another edition
3.0
I looooooved Hana Kimi so was excited to see this new series by the same author/illustrator Hisaya Nakajo. It has a nice story. Not as funny as Hana Kimi, but with clean art and a promising romance.
moggmogg's review against another edition
3.0
Shun agrees to skate with Maya in a competition to save the local skating rink? Will they be successful?
moggmogg's review against another edition
3.0
Junior High girl is scouted to become an ice skater. She is paired with cute boy who of course does not want to skate with her but she is a natural and has potential.
erinelizabeth's review against another edition
2.0
I read both volumes.
figure skating. young teen. too much sugar. too perfect.
After skating once in her entire life our 8th grade heroine becomes a competitive figure skater in a few months. Would only recommend for jr. high school age kids.
I did enjoy the artist's illustrations of the adult skaters.
figure skating. young teen. too much sugar. too perfect.
After skating once in her entire life our 8th grade heroine becomes a competitive figure skater in a few months. Would only recommend for jr. high school age kids.
I did enjoy the artist's illustrations of the adult skaters.
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