By Gwyn J.

Tsubaki Chou Lonely-Planet has a good introduction where you get to learn about the high school student Fumi Ohno and her father, and what exactly happened to put her in the position she is now in.

Fumi ends up getting a job as a housekeeper to make money that her father had lost to a loan shark. They had been evicted from their home and Fumi’s father ends up working on a fishing boat. So she has to cope with being a housekeeper and going to school at the same time.

She ends up going to the house of writer Akatsuki Kibikino, and imagines that he is an older author. Instead, she finds him passed out on the floor. Once awakened, he comes across arrogant and extremely rude. There is a conflict between Fumi and Akatsuki throughout the first part of the manga. Until Akatsuki’s editor informs him of Fumi’s current situation, and Akatsuki has a change of heart. That and he had seen the hard work Fumi had put in to clean up his house. Akatsuki goes out to find her when Fumi hadn’t returned. He finds her by her old home, and after speaking with her, he brings her back to his home. He gave her his room and welcomes her home.

Gradually, they get to know each other a little bit better, and Akatsuki even protects Fumi from a “panty thief”. She tries to handle it herself, but the thief is too strong for her to handle herself. Luckily Akatsuki is there and is able to stop the man. First he thought it was a solicitor, but when Fumi tells him the guy was a panty thief, Akatsuki goes chasing after him. After returning, he gives Fumi a lecture.

Written by Mika Yamamori, who had written Daytime Shooting Star as well, the characters in Tsubaki are just as well-developed and well-written as the other manga. The characters are all likeable in their own way, and there is always something going on that keeps the reader interested in the story. The first book is a great set-up to what’s yet to come in the following volumes, which I will review as well. Also, just like Daytime Shooting Star, there is an age difference between Fumi and Akatsuki. But having read other shoujo manga, there is always a way the manga writer sorts out regarding the issue of age difference.

If you are looking for a new manga series to read, Tsubaki -Chou Lonely Planet is an excellent one to check out. You can find volumes 1-6 in bookstores or Amazon.