MJ Review: Heaven!! Volume One

[Eric]

Title: Heaven!!
Volume: One
Mangaka: Shizuru Seino
Serialized in: Betsufure (Kodansha)
Genre: Shoujo, Comedy
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Price: $9.99 (US)

Rinne cannot only see ghosts, she can exorcise them too -- by whacking them with something! She is saved from being run over by Uzaki, the school punk, but he’s put into a coma in the process. Uzaki's body is then possessed by the spirit of an ancient playboy, leaving Uzaki no choice but to take residence in a pink stuffed monkey. What can Rinne do to make this right?

That's the simplified version. Actually, the playboy gets evicted, Uzaki gets his body back and then goes back to being a complete moron. But, since he's only recently back in his body, a little swat with her harisen and Rinne can put the playboy back in Uzaki's body and Uzaki back into the monkey. This may seem like a good thing since Uzaki is the moron that he is, but the playboy is no better, using all his charm to flirt with every girl he comes across, even in the middle of class. What to do... what to do... decisions, decisions...

If you're thinking this is a no-brainer, then this manga isn't for you. Idiotic motivations -- excuse me -- lack of motivations, is the order of the day here. If Uzaki is such a complete rebel, then why does he continue to go to school (or is allowed in the school gate)? Not explained. The playboy is a complete jerk; totally self-absorbed to the point of utter apathy for others -- and does Rinne fall for him? This is a shoujo manga, so you tell me... (Hint: of course she does.)

However, without some of those unexplained or inexplicable elements, there would be no comedy. If you're the kind of person who likes shoujo manga, then I'll admit, you're likely to find this very amusing. I have to admit that there's no time to really develop characters, settings or motivations since this manga is only three volumes long. We need to get right to it or there's no time.

The artwork is very standard for shoujo manga with all the pointed chins, screen tone and confusing action scenes. There are some panels where Seino's style really shows something quite special, although this could just be one of her assistant's work. There's no knowing. Tokyopop did their usual fairly professional job on this manga, with the possible exception of their usual trimming of the upper and lower edges. None of the text is lost though so it's not a big deal.

All in all, for fans of shoujo manga, this is an amusing, fun and silly manga. If, however, you're not much of a shoujo fan, you're not going to find anything worth looking at here.

Reviewer: Eric Turner
Proofer: James Thomas
Editor: Lissa Pattillo