Love Roma

Publisher
Del Rey
Writer
Minoru Toyoda
Artist
Minoru Toyoda
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2003

Love Roma Vol. 1

By Serenity Jones
19th Feb 06

Ah, love. A many faceted essence, going under many guises and providing the muse for many a misguided poet to wax on about, and – if films are generally to be believes – a force which can conquer worlds and bring armies of killing machines to their knees. However, for the rest of us we know it to be a series of unfathomable reactions, misguided ideas, and feeling like you want to throw up. We also know that it forms the backbone of many a manga plotline. Without it, so many stories which we love would be permanently crippled.
And so, Minoru Toyoda decided to pick up pens and ink and produce yet another ode to running the gauntlet of High School Romance.

But wait, hold the phone. Cancel the holiday in Bermuda. ‘Love Roma’ has something a little bit special to make it stand out from the general lovestruck crowd. For in this little world away from gigantic streams of flowing green hair and double page spreads of delicate young girls swooning over blossom specked lithe young men, we have something plain, honest and simple.
For me, the artwork speaks volumes about the way that the author handles the subject matter. Strong steady lines, carefully shaped faces convey emotion without overcomplication. As our lead man Hoshino says to the object of his affection, ‘you’re simple to understand’; it’s the spirit of this whole volume. If you have ever come across Dan Clowes, this seems to be the Japenese equivalent.

Anyway, you probably want to know a little about the story itself.

Set in your standard Japanese high school, the story comences with Hoshino asking Negishi out on a date. Straight out of the blue. She doesn’t even know his name yet. For me this is immediately a breath of fresh air wafting through the window; no dithering for at least six volumes with awkward silences, will they/won’t they and so on. No, the kid has picked up the courage and gone straight in for the kill, refusing to take no for an answer. Despite being initially turned down, his persistance eventually pays off and Negishi agrees to go out with him.
The story weaves around the young couple finding their way around their relationship; the first walk home together, the first kiss, meeting the parents. But the force which drives the story along so well is Hoshino’s honesty. It’s a difficult thing to be honest with anyone, even yourself sometimes, but Minoru has captured it perfectly here; not only Hoshino’s own honesty, but the reactions of others to his forward nature.

In the long run, its not a series that will set your world alight. It won’t run to twenty plus volumes, but there again, I wouldn’t want it to – that would spoil it. The author himself comments how he was unsure he was able to produce enough material even for an entire single volume.
So would I recommend it to anyone? Difficult to say. I get the feeling that this type of manga is an acquired taste, and that even fans of Fruits Basket may not welcome it with open arms (however, if on a thousand to one shot that any Scott Pilgrim fans are reading this, I would say go buy now without hesitation). Its not about high tension, suspense and intrigue, explosions and justice. But it is overwhelmingly human.
And I think this is just as important a world to dive into as any other.

-- Serenity Jones 19th Feb 06