MANGA REVIEW | "Neighborhood Story" - Volume Three
Sometimes I have to remind myself, “These are still high schoolers,” whenever I read Neighborhood Story. With all the craziness that Happy Berry gets into — be it fashion, love, or life itself — you have to remember that these characters are still growing, and haven’t reached true mental maturity. Sure, Mikako and the others can create fashion like true pros, but they’re not wise to the ways of the world. And it took Volume Three of Neighborhood Story for me to finally realize that.
It all starts when Happy Berry goes on a summer break retreat at Mariko’s villa. Not only is it balls-to-the-wall glamorous, but it reeks with a pompous vibe that only true fashionistas can get away with. But a storm is brewing, both literally metaphorically. On top of a typhoon coming its way to the villa, Mariko’s first crush Shu just so happens to be staying next door. And that spells complications between her and her current boyfriend Yusuke.
Like many shojo series characters, Mariko has got conflicting feelings. On one hand, she loves Yusuke, but she can’t help but think “what if?” when it comes to Shu. A face-to-face talk with Shu just complicates things more, with Mariko not even sure what she wants in love. Talking to Yusuke afterwards does nothing but cause more anguish, with there being an understandable rift placed between the couple.
But it’s Ai Yazawa’s framing that makes this conflict in Neighborhood Story both beautiful and relatable. It reminds us that we all had conflicting feelings growing up, especially in high school. We think we’ve found our soulmate before we reach a legal drinking age, only for us to realize that this sort of stuff only happens in the movies. (For those who did find their soulmate in high school, I commend you for your commitment.)
Perhaps this is why Yusuke can’t stay mad at her, even though he kind of has every right to be. No matter what the “teenager” label may invoke, these are still kids going through growing pains. And they’ll continue to experience these kinds of growths all the way through adulthood, with the end of these pains coming when the Grim Reaper comes to take their soul. (Yes, we’ll never fully be free from those growths. Sorry to be the one to break the bad news to you all.)
Even the adults in Neighborhood Story could grow up a bit. Mikako’s manga-drawing mom hires a hot stud as an assistant, making the Happy Berry founder worry that she just hired him for the eye candy. But the funny thing is, the new assistant Seiji has quite the head on his shoulders, and it’s not because he’s got long, lustrous hair. No, it turns out that not only is he good-looking, but he’s also responsible as hell! So much so, that even Mikako’s mom loses some respect points for her laziness compared to just how put together Seiji is!
Then there’s Mikako herself, who finally has her fashion studio put together. She knows what she wants to do in the future (and Paradise Kiss shows that she succeeds in it, B-T-dubs!), but she thinks Tsutomu is slouching on his. Whether it’s career-wise or in their romantic relationship, Mikako can’t seem to see Tsutomu doing much to progress towards the next stage of his life. But when the school festival comes around, Mikako realizes that wasn’t entirely the case. In fact, Tsutomu’s support of what Mikako does has everything to do with his future, one where he’s by her side.
When the School Festival hits, we see Ai Yazawa in her element. Not only is it an important step on Mikako’s pathway to the future, but every aspect of the festival is showcased with pure gorgeousness. Whether it’s the photography club’s showcase or the art club’s sculptures, everything Yazawa draws brims with such pretty uniqueness. Of course, the highlight is the fashion show, which is presented in a wild and beautiful means. (Again, it’s a hint of what’s to come from Yazawa later in her career.)
Volume Three of Neighborhood Story is filled with the complications every teenager goes through. There’s love, schoolwork stress, deadlines, and the occasional overpacked subway line. Yet it’s all captured in a bright and bubbly fashion that only Ai Yazawa is capable of. Life can surely be filled with pains and frustrations, but if it was as colorful as Neighborhood Story encapsulates it, it sure as hell would be a lot more tolerable!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
