Princess Princess by Mikiyo Tsuda

Title: Princess Princess
Mangaka: Mikiyo Tsuda
Age Group: Older Teens
Series is: Completed with 5 volumes
Volume(s) Reviewing: 1-3
My Rating: 4/5

At his new all-boys school, Tohru Kouno realizes that it is not quite normal. Due to the fact that there are only male bodies left and right, the students need an outlet of some sort to relish their hormones. Therefore, the Princess system is created. This is where freshmen boys with a pretty face have to dress up as girls and cheer on for the school's clubs and events. One could refuse if chosen, but grades will be jeopardized.

When Kouno is picked to be one of the Princesses, he is repelled by the idea. Until he hears about all the great benefits! With two other Princesses, Shihoudani and Mikoto, the new student learns about the meaning of friendship and women's clothing!

The first volume follows Kouno as he gets used to his lifestyle, which he did pretty quickly. The mangaka also focused on the gothic lolita clothings that the Princesses had to wear. As Kouno hung out with the other Princesses, he learned about Mikoto's unwillingness to participate in the Princess activities and Shihoudani's power to keep the excited classmates away. He also got to know the student council, which practically ran the entire school, and Sakamoto, a classmate who everyone worshipped because of his older brother who graduated.

When I saw the first volume a couple of years ago, I wanted it because of the cover. It had a cute start but not a lot happened as it was only the introduction to the series. I wanted to pick up the second volume but was hesitant to since I was not sure if I was going to like where the plot would be headed.

However, the second volume takes an emotional direction. This is where Tohru's and Shihoudani's pasts are revealed. I think it was a great choice for the mangaka to make the series a little more personal and interesting. It also includes a bonus story where the two gets to meet Sakamoto's eccentric but beautiful family members.

The third volume deals with Mikoto's terrible singing voice, Tohru's family asking him to come back home instead of being at the boarding school, and a crazy school festival. From the previous volume, this one lightens up the mood a bit. It kept me reading nonetheless and there is another bonus story at the end where the characters of Princess Princess meet from those of Train Train, a series by Eiki Eiki.

My favourite character thus far would have to be Mikoto. I found him so cute, how he is so against the whole Princess idea (which guy wouldn't be?) and how dedicated he is to his girlfriend. I really look forward to his girlfriend appearance because I wonder what kind of girl he dates, considering that he managed to keep the secret of his school activities from her for so long.

The art is clean and sweet with humour attached to it. Overall from the first three volumes of Princess Princess, I recommend it to shojo lovers who would like to see some crossdressing comedy and a friendship only story.

Vol. 2-3 bookmooched from Tubbs.