English: Beast Master
Synonyms: Cactus Summer Surprise, Fly
Type: Manga
Volumes: 2
Chapters: 9
Status: Finished
Published: 2007
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shoujo
Authors: Motomi, Kyousuke (Story & Art)
Serialization: Betsucomi
Beast Master is a very unique manga. It is my absolute favourite manga of all time. I have reread it several times and I still laugh or cry while reading it. The manga is simple, cute and sweet and as such, I will try to keep this review simple as well.
Yuiko Kubozuka is a high school girl who loves animals. Unfortunately, animals hate her and flee from her whenever possible. So when a new classmate, Leo Aoi, turns out to be a scary guy who resembles a wild animal than anything human, she is intrigued. Not only because Reo has an affinity with animals which she envies, but also because he isn’t the wild animal that he seems to be. He seems to hide a very sweet disposition behind his scary features.
Or so she thought. The truth is revealed when they are attacked and Leo immediately behaves like a wild animal and gets violent like a blood-thirsty animal, just to save Yuiko.
Will Yuiko be able to tame this wildest of all animals or will he be just like the others and flee from her? Or the better question, will she flee from him?
The first volume also contains a story called Fly
The second volume also contains a story called Cactus Summer Surprise.
The story is cute and well written. There is also a few darker scenes but it only makes the story better. I haven't read many shoujo where there's a guy who goes on an insane killing (not really) or fighting spree when threatened. It's definitely different. There are also a lot of comedy in it that just makes your heart melt. It's unique and different all the while keeping true to your typical shoujo (eg. typical bitchy high school girls).
The art stays true to that of shoujo manga.
You are given a cast full of completely likable characters. You have a small teenage girl who is strong and independent and you have a big scary looking guy who's really just a kid on the inside. It's as if the mangaka is telling you not to judge people by their looks because mostly everyone has a different personality versus their looks. Maybe except Toki...but he's an exception.
It's only 2 volumes and completely worth it. It is one of the best shoujo I have read. Also, the mangaka has written the more popular Dengeki Daisy which has a similar premise of a strong independent girl and a scary but torn up guy. Both are incredibly good and the best of shoujo. I highly recommend it to everyone unless if shoujo is definitely not your thing.
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