Manga Report: Ai Yori Aoshi Vol. 9

I was reading a lot of manga (the vast majority of it shojo), but I get confused easily. Did I need to buy Kare Kano Vol. 9 or Vol 10? Was the name of that one Amazing Agent Luna, or something else? Is there a third volume to X-Day, and when will it be released?

So I stopped. I read all of Revolutionary Girl Utena (that was easy, it was only 5 volumes). Now I'm on to Ai Yori Aoshi -- and maybe High School Girls, if I can ever find Vol. 6 in Borders.

Ai Yori Aoshi (translated into English as "Bluer than Blue" or "True Blue Love") started out as a sweet little love story.

Kaoru runs away from his super-rich but abusive family and, years later, is just another struggling college student. Into his lonely life arrives Aoi, the arranged marriage he'd forgotten about. But she's loved him since she was a child and is determined to see it through.

Not a bad premise -- then sweet little love story turns into harem comedy. And because this was originally published in a Japanese men's magazine -- bam! There is some fan service happening up in here!

But I'm still enjoying the book -- although I find the newest girl, Chika, completely extraneous. Apparently, college-age shower scenes weren't enough for the true pervs -- they had to add someone younger.

In this volume: It's Valentine's Day, and Kaoru has gotten chocolates from every girl but Aoi -- what's wrong? Chika is especially obnoxious in this chapter, prancing around in one of Kaoru's shirts and a pair of panties. Put some clothes on already!

Tina's having some trouble -- she's promised her parents she'll return to America after graduation, but she hasn't told any of her friends. She's spending more time with Kaoru, and Aoi's jealous -- she wants some alone time with Kaoru too. Then a group tennis lesson, and it's nice to see Aoi step up to the forefront for once. A trip to a public bath is just another opportunity for fan service, but you learn a little more about Tina.

For a harem comedy, Ai Yori Aoshi is funny, romantic and has flashes of deep emotion ... but I could do with a few less flashes of other things.