Simply shoujo.

Most shoujo titles tend to have simplistic, but emotive art styles. That trend is very much present in Monkey High. It actually brings to mind the art styles of Yoko Kamio (“Boys Over Flowers”) and Ai Yazawa (“Mars,” “Nana”), but it also has this childishness abut the character designs that reminds me of Kodocha. The story is mainly about the people, so backgrounds aren’t generally detailed in every panel. However, there are good doses of detailed backgrounds throughout, it’s just that the setting isn’t as important as the innocent and confused emotions that the story is trying to bring out through character interactions. The story has a smooth flow to it, but if it seems rushed, the make comic at the end of the volume explains that the creator (Shouko Akira) felt she didn’t have time to drag things out since it was a fresh, unserialized story at the time. She notes that that’s only a luxury a series has, so scenes are usually short and sweet. And, let’s be honest, very few titles can drag a two second kiss scene out for ten pages—this isn’t Inu-Yasha. Also, in addition to the author’s omake comic and bio page, Viz has tossed in a page of notes on a few Japanese terms manga newcomers might not be as familiar with. Monkey High is pretty much your standard shoujo title in look and format, but the story and characters are what makes it unique.

How many bananas are left?

For all Monkey High seems to be an average shoujo title, I enjoyed volume 1. Its story moved at just the right pace for my busy life and was a quick read. Not only that, but I found myself relating to Haruna in her jaded contrary attitude. That’s usually how I know a story is going to be good. Volume one seems to kick things off to a good start between the budding odd-couple, and seeing how their classmates are constantly meddling is terribly amusing. It’ll leave any reader anxious to see how Haruna will thaw over time, and if she can do more than frown as her instinctive facial expression.