Prétear, Vol. 2

Pretear #2

by Junichi Satō, Kaori Naruse (Illustrator)

Can an ordinary girl turn into the magical hero Pretear?

In this volume, we find out what really happened 16 years ago, and why Hayate feels guilty about it. Another girl named Takako had been chosen to be the Pretear. She was scared and didn't want to fight, but she kept at it because she liked Hayate. When she told Hayate her feelings for him, Hayate refused her because as one of the Knights, he wasn't permitted to return her feelings. Takako's anger transformed her into the Princess of Disaster.

This story makes Himeno even more determined, and during one battle, her desire to protect the land allows her to transform into the "White Pretear."

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Fiction

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Pretear did the same "twist" as Madoka Magika nearly a decade before the latter? Though, I guess it's not so much a twist here because they told us about the Princess of Disaster connection fairly early on, but it's essentially the same.

And honestly? I like how Pretear handled this a little more.

[kerrycat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takako is soooo incredibly beautiful

[K aren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretear Volume 2 picks up after Volume 1's cliffhanger. Anxious fans will finally know the secret behind Hayate's moods and his role in the Princess of Disaster and relationship with the last Pretear. Aside from that, nothing else really occurs.

Pretear is really an intriguing series, but I feel cheated by its lack of action. Nothing really seems to happen except small accidents that are easily fixed and Himeno never seems to learn exactly what her powers are like. A bit more fundamental basis and depth/action would be nice.

So far, Pretear hasn't really done anything to separate itself from the rest of the market. It's a bit bland and uninteresting so far.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story line is really interesting and I love the characters. This volume was just as good as the last one and the story seems to be gaining more twists and surprises. This volume also gives great information about some of the characters' past that were unexpected. I am really enjoying this series.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the anime. It was one of the best and first i ever watched/read.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one talked more about what happened 16 years ago and the Princess of Darkness. Great series :)

[Kerry (The Roaming Librarian) O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are really sweet so far! I'm really sad they are out of print, cause now I can't get my hands on my own copies.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really has been a while since I continued with Prétear, and even longer since I read this volume in my teen years. It's nice to see that my memory of the story and the pacing improving with volume 2 was accurate, because I do feel like this volume kicks it up a notch. There's far more focus on the dynamics between the knights, as well as some of their history, and the bullying Himeno is enduring than there is on Himeno's family dynamics and struggles. I don't think this is entirely a bad thing though, because it really helps to set up some of the stakes and intensity in a way that I feel is needed.

[Aven · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good I love magical girl Stories pretear is probably one of my favorites

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and the beautiful artwork. It is like a twisted fairy-tale.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child me: 5 stars
Adult me: 4 stars

*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*

--

I loved this series, like obsessively loved it (and the anime) back when I first discovered it. I was in high school, so during my teen years. This series was one of my first anime/manga and one of the first series I wrote fanfiction for.

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this addition to Pretear: The New Legend of Snow White, we learned of the deep, dark past from sixteen years ago that shrouds Hayate and Sasame.
Hayate was the one responsible for the creation of the new Princess of Disaster, who was the previous Pretear. The previous Pretear, Takako, was in love with Hayate, but he used her feelings for him to get her to do what he needed her to and then tossed her aside like she was nothing. This broke Takako's heart and hatred filled the cracks, thus, turning her into something with such a vile being and wish for everything to be destroyed that anything she came near would be drained of its Leafe if she wished it so. Now that Himeno knows the truth of what she is fighting and of what she might become if she does fight Takako, will she be able to go on being the Pretear?


I think that I should maybe stop reading for a while, because I'm not really getting the feel of anything I read. I think I'm just under too much stress and pressure right now. I've made some bad choices and some people have also put me in tough situations. *Sigh*. I didn't even get the feel of this volume as much as I did the first both because I waited too long AND yesterday something both really good and bad happened..! Ugh...! ...don't know what to do...
Anyway.
This volume really shed some light upon a few things that were left unclear in the anime. Such as why the Leafe Knights have been around so Goddamn long and have all been around since the very same time, yet they still look like young adults, teenagers, AND LITTLE KIDS. I guess they all share just as sad of a fate, even the kids, considering as of how the three kids' former selves died in a battle against Takako (or was it the Princess of Disaster before her?) and they had to be reborn... Wow. I wonder what they all looked like when they were older...
Ah, and another odd but very tasteful difference is that instead of the two guys that interact in the story the most being Hayate and Sasame... it's Hayate and KEI! In the anime, we never really got to know much about Kei or Go, but it seems like we get to know the depths of /all/ the characters in the manga. So far we have seen into the depths of Hayate, Kei, Sasame, Mannen, Go, and that little guy with the puffy hat. The one that controls plants. And that's just the Leafe Knights! This series is really something I want on my shelf. It's something I'll read over and over again and something that is suitable for all children, boy and girl, ages 7 and up, I'd say.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Kei subtly took over in this volume because Sasame was overwhelmed at one point. I also thought it really smart the subtle divide between the older and younger knights - it adds conflict without being contrived. He made many spot on observations about Himeno that highlighted her for us and even Hayate a little too.

We get Hayate's story of the Princess of Disaster and some of the tensions between the two groups has to be soothed with the same story that Himeno is getting.

So this finishes the setup of Himeno being the Pretear. Decent setup and I'm liking everyone. I'm not overcome though by the story.

BOTTOM LINE: Himeno is no princess to be coddled by her knights!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Review: Pretear is a short but enjoyable manga that puts a unique twist on a old tale. The characters are enjoyable and the plot is interesting. Things happen very fast with twists well executed. This manga is a great option for a quick read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reverse harem type of manga storyline and coupled with the magical girl aspect I thought this series was pretty entertaining. Even though the heroine was whiny (no surprise there) there was still a good overall story.

[Priscilla Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

In all honesty I liked the anime more than the manga.

[Anthonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale that i enjoyed reading a must read for fantasy lovers everywhere.

[a duck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun read!