Butterflies, Flowers

Butterflies, Flowers
蝶よ花よ
Genre Romantic comedy
Manga
Written by Yuki Yoshihara
Published by Shogakukan
English publisher Viz Media
Demographic Josei
Magazine Petit Comic
Original run February 24, 2006March 10, 2009
Volumes 8
Anime and Manga Portal

Butterflies, Flowers (蝶よ花よ Chō yo Hana yo?) is a manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Yoshihara, serialized in Petit Comic and published by Shogakukan in bound volumes between 2006 and 2009.[1][2] It is about a young woman, Choko, whose family lost their money, and her entry into the office lady workforce, working for her former servant and childhood crush, Domoto. It is published in English by Viz Media,[3] in Taiwanese by Tong Li Publishing,[4] and in French by Soleil Productions.[5]

Reception

Deb Aoki describes the manga as "spicing up" shōjo manga humour and plot conventions, but found the portrayal of sexual harassment off-putting, and felt that readers looking for sex scenes would be better served with yaoi.[6] Nick Smith felt that although it was well-written, there were many offensive scenes in the first volume, and noted the erratic behaviour of Domoto.[7] Leroy Douresseaux describes it as " a high school romance masquerading as an adult, workplace romantic comedy and drama".[8] Alexander Hoffman praised the humour in the relationship, and enjoyed the secondary cast.[9] Casey Brienza compared the funny, yet not idealistic depiction of Choko's working life to the depiction of Sumire's in Tramps Like Us, and feels that the sexual harassment shown in the series is not condoned by it.[10] Katherine Dacey praised the manga's "elegant artwork", "colorful supporting cast and melodramatic plot twists", but was disappointed at the use of the "stalker-as-great-romantic-prospect trope".[11] Johanna Draper Carlson felt that it was necessary to understand some aspects of Japanese culture in order to fully appreciate the work.[12] Melinda Beasi felt that the characters became more sympathetic, and their situation more humorous, as the first volume progressed.[13]

References

  1. ^ 吉原由起 (2006-02-24). "蝶よ花よ 1 | フラワーコミックス α | フラワーコミックス系 | コミックス | 小学館" (in (Japanese)). Shogakukan.co.jp. http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/comics/detail/_isbn_4091303420. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  2. ^ 吉原由起. "蝶よ花よ 8 | フラワーコミックス α | フラワーコミックス系 | コミックス | 小学館" (in (Japanese)). Shogakukan.co.jp. http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/comics/detail/_isbn_9784091322456. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  3. ^ "VIZ Media . products". Viz.com. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=1154. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  4. ^ "書籍查詢─書目資料清單". Tongli.com.tw. 2010-09-02. http://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksList.aspx?B=SC675. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  5. ^ "Ma petite maîtresse Tome 4". Soleil Manga. http://www.soleilmanga.com/manga-405.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  6. ^ "Butterflies, Flowers Volumes 1, 2 and 3 Manga Review - Shojo Beat / VIZ Media - Butterflies, Flowers Vol. 1-3 by Yuki Yoshihara". Manga.about.com. 2010-06-24. http://manga.about.com/od/vizmedia/gr/Butterflies-Flowers-Volumes-1-2-And-3.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  7. ^ "Review of 'Butterflies, Flowers' Vol. 1 (Manga)". ICv2. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/16425.html. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  8. ^ "Butterflies, Flowers: Volume 2". Comicbookbin.com. http://www.comicbookbin.com/butterfliesflowers002.html. Retrieved 2010-09-19. 
  9. ^ Hoffman, Alexander. "Butterflies, Flowers Volume". Comics Village. http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=807. Retrieved 2010-09-25. 
  10. ^ Brienza, Casey. "Butterflies, Flowers, Vol. 1". Graphic Novel Reporter. http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/butterflies-flowers-vol-1-review. Retrieved 2010-09-25. 
  11. ^ Dacey, Katherine. "Short Takes: Butterflies, Flowers and Natsume’s Book of Friends". Mangacritic.com. http://mangacritic.com/?p=2503. Retrieved 2010-09-25. 
  12. ^ Carlson, Johanna Draper (2009-12-02). "Butterflies, Flowers Book 1". Comics Worth Reading. http://comicsworthreading.com/2009/12/02/butterflies-flowers-book-1/. Retrieved 2010-09-25. 
  13. ^ Beasi, Melinda (2009-12-05). "Butterflies, Flowers, Volume 1". Manga Bookshelf. http://mangabookshelf.com/blog/2009/12/05/butterflies-flowers-volume-1/. Retrieved 2010-09-25. 

External links