A Different Kind of Shoujo...? Wait, is it even considered shoujo anymore
Well, with the recent reinterpretations of the mahou shoujo genre after Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica opened up the floodgates (think this season’s simulcast anime Mahou Shoujo Ore and Mahou Shoujo Site), I’ve been interested in these kind of content, and found a great (by my standards) shoujo manga which is anything but the ordinary.
When you think of shoujo, you think of the sappy romance, teenage worries, love triangles etc Not that I don’t enjoy a nice shoujo cliche, but once in a while, I’ll like something different. And I think Kami-sama no Ekohiiki was an interesting read. The story is still ongoing, with the final volume due somewhere later this year.
The basic premise that got me hooked was the ‘gender bender’ part. [Spoilers now] Guy likes his best friend (guy) and confessed but was rejected. Then he gets hit by a truck. By chance, a god grants his wish and he becomes a girl, trying to make his best friend fall for him/her (aww whatever). Somehow later a girl likes said guy (who is now a girl). At this point, I don’t know if it can be called yuri or what. After a whole lot of drama, said protagonist goes back to his original form, and he and his best friend go out? (so shounen ai at this point?).. and then it’s the end of currently released chapters...
This story left me so satisfied with all the weird occurrences and all... Even the mangaka was confused if this manga could even be considered shoujo or not..and it is published in Margaret (a shoujo comics magazine). But oh well, shall be waiting for the last volume and hope it doesn’t disappoint!