“Reflection Of Me” – The One I Love (manga) – 9/10 Snowballs

There is no remedy for love but to love more. ~Henry David Thoreau

Mangaka: CLAMP

Genre: Romance

Review Status: Complete (1 Volume/1 Volume)

Licensed: Formerly licensed by Tokyopop.

Art: The stories were all authored be each of the members, 3 to a member, which means that the ones drawn by the same mangaka will look the same while the ones between members all look quite different. Some of their work will look quite familiar to readers of their other series, some will look quite a bit different. This is an older manga, so the clothing and hair is noticeably dated, but otherwise looks very good.

Summary: Combining CLAMP’s legendary storytelling, color artwork and elegant prose, The One I Love provides insight into the creators’ intimate lives and passions. This unique and romantic 12-story anthology dives into the heard of the matter of the insecurity and honesty, marriage and independence, and, of course, the single subject CLAMP seems to know best: Love. (back cover)

Review: This is one of the more memorable manga I know that speaks on the myriad of things that goes on when a girl’s in love. Jealousy, anxiety about marriage, age differences… all make an appearance here. It’s astounding how true to life these stories are, touching on things that I know I have felt, and even making the jump from anxieties women feel to ones that both genders do. With each story is a short story from the mangaka that drew it, telling the story that inspired the tale.

With 12 different stories in a very slim volume, there’s no character development or deep insight into what’s going on- it’s not that kind of manga. It’s one that every girl and woman that’s ever been in love can read and immediately step into the shoes of the characters. These are common experiences, and the relatability and how true they all ring make this something special. The stories that are inspiration are both funny and often insightful, which makes everything come alive in a way that exceeds how it was before.

Overall, this is for anyone who likes a little romance.

Recommended: All ages. There’s really nothing that objectionable in here.

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NG Life (manga)
NANA (anime and manga)
Emma: A Victorian Romance (anime and manga)