Cheeky Angel, Vol. 15

天使な小生意気 [Tenshi na Konamaiki] #15

by Hiroyuki Nishimori

The "Ideal Woman's Cup" competition has hit a couple of snags. One contestant, Megumi, has fallen into the clutches of Yanagisawa and his gang of punk thugs. Megumi's friends waste no time charging to her rescue, with Miki and Hitomoji making by far the best time. Hitomoji, however, is startled by the strength and determination the normally quiet and unassuming Miki displays along the way. She seems possessed, and begins telling Hitomoji things that put Megumi's gender issues in a whole new light! Meanwhile, Megumi's rival Keiko begins to wonder if the competition is really worth her time and trouble!

Genres: Manga

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2002

About the author

See also: 西森博之

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "womanliest woman" competition story concludes in this volume. The would-be rapists (sigh) are clobbered, and... there's no real conclusion to the contest.

Next, Genjo and Meg turn 16 within a couple of days of each other. Apparently, at the time this comic came out in Japan, eligible marriage age for girls was 16, and for boys 18. Meg's family wastes no time arranging a debut party for her so she can meet a bunch of adult marriage candidates. (ew.) An obvious player of a foreign prince takes Meg out on a date, and Ichiro and Genzo rush to chase them down.

Despite how creepy parts of the second arc were, I did laugh once or twice, especially when it comes to the vehicles Genzo and Ichiro use in pursuit of the prince. a public bus, and a children's wagon! :D It's pretty obvious that neither of these two are ready to be adults yet.

This manga continues to both question gender essentialism and double down on it. The author occasionally adds a new twist, like Miki perhaps losing her memory of Meg having been a boy. (A twist that is brought up and then abruptly forgotten.) I feel that the major plot well of this manga has run dry. Seeing there are just a few volumes left, I'm fine with it running through a few more comedy arcs before the whimsical imp makes his final decision about Meg's fate.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle, which is what things have become, continues. Hitomonji realizes that it's possible that Meg has been a girl all along. It erupts into a full scale war when most of the major characters arrive and beat the stuffing out of the punks. The main thug escapes on a motorcycle.

The race basically falls apart then, with no winner being declared.

Genzo has his sixteenth birthday and asks Megumi to marry him. It turns out, though, he has to be 18 to get married. Meg's sixteenth birthday is coming up and her father has invited lots of guys to a party for her. There's one guy at the party that makes an impression on Miki.

The guy gets Meg to go with him in his car. She finds out he has fifty girlfriends.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series review in Vol 1, series wrap up review in vol 20