Spring 2007 - YALSA - American Library Association

ExnerTable 9. Yoshida, Reiko and Mia Ikumi. Tokyo Mew Mew (Tokyopop, 2003)Tokyo Mew Mew (and Tokyo Mew Mew a la mode)This lighthearted and often silly magical-girl shojo story aimed at a young audience focuses on a group of schoolgirls whose DNA getsconnected to that of animals. They can then turn into the super-gifted Tokyo Mew Mew team with special animal powers to protect theworld. Tokyo Mew Mew and Sailor Moon are likely to appeal to similar audiences; but, whereas Sailor Moon is aimed at teens and hascorrespondingly more intense romance, drama, and action/violence, Tokyo Mew Mew is much more lighthearted and whimsical.11th Cat(unrated)Guru GuruPon-chanMagic KnightRayearthUltra ManiacIn this manwha title with a fantasy setting, a sweetly determined but naive and unskilled wizard-girl finds a magicalobject with a cat-like guardian spirit. Readers enjoying action with the cuteness of cat-people and the cheerfulgood humor and determination of the Mew Mew team may find this title a fun read.Guru Guru Pon-chan is an incredibly silly and sometimes surprisingly poignant story about a dog that is accidentallytransformed into a human girl, and falls in love with a human. When, as a dog again, she learns that a lovebetween a dog and a human can never exist, she decides to try to live as a human. The title concentrates on thefarcical, on pointing out human foibles, and on the main character’s determination. Unlike Tokyo Mew Mew, GuruGuru Pon-chan is not an action title, but it may appeal to animal lovers and those who enjoy Tokyo Mew Mew’s silliestside.Magic Knight Rayearth follows a group of girls who are sucked from the real world into a mystical place wherethey are told that they are the only ones who can save this world. They must find weapons, armor, and allies tobecome magic knights and rescue the mystical world from destruction. In addition to being a magical-girl style ofstory, Rayearth also features strong bonds of friendship among the group of young protagonists, much like TokyoMew Mew.For those who enjoy Tokyo Mew Mew’s look at the everyday life in school and the many troubles that being asuperheroine brings the Mew Mew team, Ultra Maniac may be an interesting title. Ultra Maniac focuses on thestory of a normal girl and her budding friendship with a well-meaning but exasperatingly unskilled witch.Table 10. Other Titles and Possible Read-Alike SuggestionsTitleGenreNausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Peach Girl Phoenix Rebound Yu Yu Hakushofantasy romance science fiction sports action/paranormalSuggestionsDragon KnightsMarRave MasterSuikoden IIIVision of EscaflowneMarsKare KanoBoys OverFlowersCall Me Princess.hackAstro BoyGalaxy AngelMobile PolicePatlaborThe SeikaiTrilogyAngel CupHarlem BeatThe Prince ofTennisWhistleAquarian Age: Juvenile OrionBleachKing of HellKekkaishiKing of FightersShaman KingSpring 2007 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 21