Yumemiru Taiyou © Takano Ichigo/Shueisha [First serialized in Betsuma]
Yumemiru Taiyou by Takano Ichigo: A Fateful, Comic Encounter between a Turtle Girl and a Kimono Guy?!
Review/recommendation by Kia (Some rights reserved)
Rating: 8.4 of 10 ♥
Calling ALL the girls and women out there who don't have plans on Valentine's Day to feel the warmth of your laptops whilst reading MY recommendation of shoujo manga goodness! Err, or not? Anyway, dreaming of and falling in love sound like a mediocre shoujo to you? Then let me convince you why Yumemiru Taiyou is worth your time :)
Quick Summary
Life as we know it can be miserable, as emotionally unbalanced teenager Kameko Shimana also known as Turtle Girl by her friends (Kameko=Turtle Child/Girl) knows too well. A new mum and a little brother take their toll on what little self-confidence she possesses, sending her packing and leaving home. While messing about a nearby park, she encounters a suspicious “old man” in a kimono, apparently locked out of his own house. A few words and spouts later, the “old man” offers Shimana a place to stay but under three conditions. Can Shimana fulfill these essential conditions for a bargain roof? How will she lead her new life? Read Yumemiru Taiyou to find out!
The Characters
Shimana Kameko
Shimana wanted freedom; she wanted a place where she belongs. One word screams from my head when I analyse her character — angst. I don't normally like this sort of heroine but she becomes more reserved as the story progresses. When Shimana encounters the “old man” in a kimono, Fujiwara Taiga, and eventually lives with him and the other housemates, she learns to understand the people around her better and she's able to look at matters from a wider perspective. Before she knows it, she's helping people with their problems, regardless how thoughtless her actions can seem. After her character was redeemed, I couldn't help but support her with her love life, particularly the endless chase for her beloved landlord Taiga.
Taiga's real name is Taiyou, which means sun. His drunken state introduction so was ridiculously funny and obnoxious that the word sun didn't reflect him at all. But when it comes to making Shimana feels better, he alters into a responsible adult. Who'd hate such person? Taiga had a painful relationship in the past because his dad used to, and still is meddling with Taiga love life, thinking it would ruin his son's career (Taiga also had to quit uni because his dad told him to be a public prosecutor). Therefore, he hates being around women, but before he realizes it, he had already fallen in love with Shimana. He might've been indecisive and dishonest with his feelings, particularly because of the five-year gap with Shimana, but that's just Taiga being clueless.
Zen is Shimana’s classmate and housemate. He’s a carefree guy who loves Panda and his biggest dream is to become a manga-ka. Zen and Shimana normally had seen arguing with one another, but a little lift from the landlord he fell in love with her. He might not be the best person to give comfort but he’s always there whenever Shimana needs a shoulder to lean on. Zen is not patient when it comes to his bursting feeling. He is constantly teared up and confesses to Shimana which sometimes confuses her. My heart aches every time he got rejected because his feelings were valid and honest. When the landlord reciprocate Shimana’s feelings, Zen gave up very manly (Well, sort of teary) but still wants to maintain a good relationship with his most important people. He’s my favourite character, so cheers for his development and maturity towards the end.
Asahi is the middle man of this manga and he dreams of becoming a lawyer. Every time an argument between his housemates erupts, he calms them down. Even though he looks the most refreshing, it's probably just a façade on so everybody around him won't worry. Asahi proclaimed his support of Shimana's goal because Shimana once helped him to convey his feelings more openly. Asahi is a breath of fresh air because he has the most brilliant smile.
Yumemiru Taiyou began its serialisation in 2008 in Betsuma and ended in 2011. I started reading the series from scans by Simple Scans (there are currently 32 chapters released by this group including three extra chapters out of four and a side-story) and for the last few chapters from Betsuma mangazine with the help of summaries provided by BXSManga (previously Bebe Xiu Shoujo) and the dictionary as my first-aid kit.
Rating
If you can tolerate light drama and a good helping of comedy then Yumemiru Taiyou is definitely worth your time. I like how a good manga doesn't always focus on romance even though as we all know it, it'll tread down that particular path. I'm giving the series an 8.4/10 ♥. Buy the series when it's available in your country!
disclaimer
Yumemiru Taiyou images used here for reference are © Takano Ichigo/Shueisha. No infringement intended.
invaluable resources
Baka Updates · My Anime List · Simple Scans · BXSManga