Kashimashi - Girl Meets Girl
by Pedro Rodriguez
In a Japanese classroom a teenage girl sits and ponders while by her desk. Classes are done for the day, so she is the only one in the room. Then out of the corner of her eye, she spots her classmate by the door. "Yasuna-chan", she calls out to her. Yasuna slowly marches towards the girl, both of their cheeks turning rosy. When she arrives at her seat, she slowly leans in, her small feminine hand slowly touching the first girl's hand. Just then another classmate walks in on them. Dropping her stationary box; she can only stare in complete shock just as they are about to share a kiss.
Given the setting in the first few pages, you would think that the story is about a love triangle between three girls, and you wouldn't be too far off. Both the second and third girl has a thing for the first; the two of them also has some kind of background with the first girl as well. What makes this story stand out is the fact that the first girl was originally a boy.
Ready for an explanation? Here we go.
Sometime before all this, Hazumu Osaragi (the first girl) was walking in the hills above the city of Kashima. His objective was to try to get over Yasuna Kamiizumi (the second girl) who had just turned him down. Later that night, he was still stuck in the hills when he spotted a shooting star. The shooting star however turns out to be an alien space ship heading right towards him. Never having a chance to get out of the way, he was killed instantly when the ship slammed into him. The good news is that the alien was able to reconstruct his body, and bring him back to life. The bad news was he reversed his sex and turned Hazumu into a girl.
As common as shojo-ai themes are nowadays, it's never been done quite like this, and while it comes out strong at the kickoff, it doesn't seem to overbear the whole tale. Instead the first volume of Kashimashi focuses on all the changes one might go through in a light and comical perspective. Naturally things start to change for the young lad turned lady. The next few chapters make humor over issues such as going to a public bathroom, or changing in the locker room (and lets not forget undergarments and feminine modesty...). Even more than that is the sudden shift in the relationships with family and friends. Hazumu's parents don't seem to mind the sex change; originally the two of them wanted to have a girl, and while she always looked feminine, it gave them that much more of an excuse to completely change over her wardrobe. Her buddy Asuta Soro occasionally has trouble getting over the fact that his pal now has boobs; both these relationships add a sort of flavor to the first volume, but what really drives the story forward is the relationship between him, Yasuna, and his childhood friend Tomari Kurusu (the third girl).
While most people have come to accept the change, Tomari really has a hard time accepting the fact that Hazumu is now a girl, and she fights the idea tooth and nail. This is probably due to the fact that her feelings towards Hazumu have been growing into something more than friendship. In fact you could say that she was relieved that Hazumu was turned down. So in the spirit of having her cake and eating it too, she would really like it if her friend simply went back to being a boy so that she could not tell her how she feels, that's all. It also doesn't make it easier that Yasuna is still in the picture. It seems that just after Hazumu changed into a girl, the little heart breaker confessed that she liked him, but as you read on, you discover the issue is more than just sexual preference.
The character and overall art are pretty solid. While fans here in America may be familiar with Satoru Akahori's work in anime (Saber Marionette J), this is the first time that anything from Yukimaru Katsura or Sukune Inugami; looking at their other work, it hopefully won't be the last. This reviewer was also impressed by how well everything was published. The translation feels very natural, with little artistic license taken, something that is always on the minds of manga fans. In the back of the book, there is also a modest amount of information on places and people that are referenced in the story. There is also a list of plants and flowers that Hazumu points out. It is also surprising to see the first page printed on glossy paper and in color; what many manga fans may not be aware of is that when a manga is printed here, it's common practice to print the first page with the same paper as the rest of the comic, even if this was not the case in Japan. So having Seven Seas Entertainment do something like was a nice touch.
While there are some themes that feel played out, the group has done a great job in keeping it from getting in the way of the story, and is only used to keep things moving. Every character plays to the extent of their role, and does not wear down the story. With a good story filled plenty of awkward situations, and sentimental moments, it is sure to meet the expectations of many manga fans out there.
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