Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1

(Kaiju Girl Caramelise #1)

Spica Aoki

4.20 · Rating details · 276 ratings · 61 reviews

Suffering from a rare, incurable illness that causes frightening changes to her body, loner Kuroe Akaishi spends her high school days avoiding all her classmates-especially class idol Arata Minami and his groupies. But when Arata starts making her heart skip a beat with irritating regularity, Kuroe discovers that her illness actually has a big-make that MONSTER-secret: Rom ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 166 pages

Published June 25th 2019 by Yen Press (first published June 23rd 2018)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.20 ·

Rating details

· 276 ratings · 61 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1

Feb 12, 2020 Amanja rated it really liked it

Kaiju Girl Caramelise is about a young girl with a rare condition that is apparently incurable and unknown by modern doctors. She sprouts grotesque monster parts throughout her body that deform and embarrass her.

These monster parts have always been temporary but she is of course concerned that one day it will be permanent. The concern grows when one day she doesn't only grow monster parts she grows to be a complete monster, or kaiju. Head to toe she is basically Godzilla.

This always happens at t ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2019 Kayla Brunson rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2019, manga

I didn’t love this as I had anticipated and I’m so sad about that. While it was cute and the artwork is adorable as always, I was waiting for it to capture me like Beasts of Abigaile. The plot of her turning into a Godzilla like character when she feels love emotions is interesting and I will probably continue with the next volume.

If you like cute artwork and shojo manga then you might like this one!

Blog | Instagram | Twitter ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2019 Mehsi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: manga-light-novel, cover-love, romance, octarine, 4-twinkling-stars, warning-english-books

Meet Kuroe, a sweet albeit gloomy girl... but she has a big secret... she is a Kaiju.

I was lured in by the absolutely stunning cover, just look at how beautiful it is! The title had me pondering, Girl Kaiju? You mean this girl can turn into kaiju? OMG, I want to know more.

Our main lead is a girl named Kuroe, a girl who has had trouble with her body parts throughout her life. She grows tails, her hands mutate to that of a monster, she has spikes poke out of her back among other things. So she ha Meet Kuroe, a sweet albeit gloomy girl... but she has a big secret... she is a Kaiju.

I was lured in by the absolutely stunning cover, just look at how beautiful it is! The title had me pondering, Girl Kaiju? You mean this girl can turn into kaiju? OMG, I want to know more.

Our main lead is a girl named Kuroe, a girl who has had trouble with her body parts throughout her life. She grows tails, her hands mutate to that of a monster, she has spikes poke out of her back among other things. So she hasn't had it easy and tries to avoid people (which I could so understand, I would have done the same if my body just randomly transformed or gained parts). I do feel sorry that people were so harsh towards her, calling her Psycho-tan/chan and treating her like she is a disease. Bah. Stupid girls.

But Kuroe's life will go totally topsy-turvy when she falls hard for the most popular boy in her class. At first she has no interest in him, or well, that is how it seems, but eventually he shows her a sweet and kind side and she falls for him. However, this comes with consequences. Kuroe's transformations take place even more often, and her tail even grows so far it isn't concealable any more. But that is not the worst... she turns into a kaiju! Yep, this girl she turns into a giant godzilla like creature. Her mom explains that she experienced sexual attraction/arousal and thus her body totally overloaded and went to full transformation mode. This poor girl, she finally has a cute guy notice her and as soon as things get a bit heated (even hand holding will do it) she POOFs into a monster. I wonder how long it will take Minami to notice, he did see that the monster is making eye contact with him, not to mention that Kuroe keeps disappearing. I am curious to see how he will handle the truth when he finds out, or if Kuroe tells him (which she was planning on doing).

I loved the girl we met, and who was thought to be dating Minami, she is just so sweet. The fact she loves kaiju to the point of over the top obsession is hilarious though. That she would even go lie around the last scene of its appearance and hope it tramples on her was funny, but also had me shaking my head a tiny bit. How did her obsession turn this far?
I loved how she was trying to get Minami and Kuroe together, even to the point of bluntly asking Minami if he had a girlfriend.

I still have many questions. Is Kuroe's mom really her mom? Why does Kuroe turn into a kaiju? Who did the mom have sex with to create a girl that is half human and half kaiju and can even turn into a full kaiju? is this condition in any way curable? Or will Kuroe have to live with this forever? Man, that sounds pretty sad, that she may never have anything like kisses or sex because can you imagine her turning into a kaiju in the heat of the moment? OK, it also sounds hilarious. Sorry!

The art in the manga itself is pretty beautiful at quite a few pages. I especially love it when we get a close-up of Kuroe's face. But also the kaiju is drawn really well, it is very nice that it still looks, in a way at least, like Kuroe.

All in all, I definitely need more of this interesting and funny manga. As I said, plenty of questions, plenty of things that still can be explored. I want to see Kuroe and Minami get closer, hoping that one day they can be together without the kaiju spoiling the party.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/ ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2019 Rod Brown rated it liked it

An absurd but cute and funny look at body image and teen romance. Kuroe has a chronic illness that causes temporary deformities in her body, so she enters high school withdrawn, sulky and resentful. But a cute boy starts to cause shifts in her attitude and, most dreadfully, her physical condition.

I'm not sure how long this concept can be drawn out, but I'm willing to watch. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2019 Artemis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fun, sci-fi, fantasy, sweet-and-cute, mysticism-of-life, manga, romance, geek-culture, humorous, contemporary

Teenage girl has to hide a literal monster illness, and she transforms into a kaiju, as a metaphor for adolescence and the tumultuous feelings that come with it, told in cute, shoujo-styled artwork.

I should just end it right there.

I've never seen a kaiju or Godzilla movie, not in full anyway, but I know my shoujo manga, and 'Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1' mixes these two genres in a playful, funny, charming, adorable, endearing, heartfelt, teary way.

Pretty much all the high school shoujo genre ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2019 Tabrizia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-books-for-teens-2019-nypl, graphic-novels, mangas, comics, mental-health, realistic, japanese-literature, young-adult

This was just a charming and funny manga! A socially awkward teen who turns into a kaiju monster when her emotions run high is such an innovative and relatable manga novel. Not only did it provide the cuteness and adorableness of a high school story but it contained themes that any teen reader would find relatable. Bullying, mental health, romance, self-confidence...this series may have a fantasy element but the story provides realism. The self-loathing Kuroe is a character that most readers can ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 08, 2020 Kristin rated it it was ok

Bog standard shoujo that can't rise to the level of its awesome monster art.

I didn't realize when I grabbed this it was by the author of Beasts of Abigale, a series so lackluster I don't remember reading and reviewing three volumes. The tropes being trotted out here aren't as infuriating as they were in that series, but that's because nothing in this book-- besides the kaiju art-- rises above bland.

I don't know why she likes this guy. I don't know why he likes her. I really don't know why she's ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2020 Matt Midlock rated it it was amazing

Fun and adorable tale (tail?) of Akaishi who turns into a kaiju whenever she has strong emotions about anyone. Yes. Really.

The book is deeper than it sounds and addresses feelings of self worth, depression, anxiety and inadequacy. It really highlights the awkwardness everyone feels when infatuated with someone. It's really great and while I don't think I am the intended audience, I really enjoyed it! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2019 Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, romance, manga, ya

We all feel like monsters sometimes - poor Kuroe just has that feeling a bit more literally than most in this delightful spoof of adolescent insecurities.

Full review eventually appearing on ANN.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 04, 2019 Yuiko rated it it was amazing

Loved it!!!

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2020 Hisgirl85 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, manga

4.5 sparkly kaiju stars

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2020 Dubzor rated it liked it

Well, that was a thing I read...

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2020 Shae rated it it was amazing

This may be one of the weirdest manga I have ever read, but I have fallen in love! I love the story of the girl who is part Kaiju, and only transforms because she has feelings for this boy at school! When he returns her feelings, we run into all sorts of adorable scenarios, as well as trouble. I am in for the long haul on this one!

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2019 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: manga

I was so jazzed when I found this little gem, and it did not disappoint! I first heard about Aoki through her series The Beasts of Abigaile, and while that series has its flaws I genuinely love it. So you'll have to forgive me if I squee throughout this review because OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS VOLUME!!

Let's start with the premise. Truthfully, this is not an original idea, but the fact that she turns into a kaiju specifically is what makes this awesome. I wasn't sure where the story was going in te I was so jazzed when I found this little gem, and it did not disappoint! I first heard about Aoki through her series The Beasts of Abigaile, and while that series has its flaws I genuinely love it. So you'll have to forgive me if I squee throughout this review because OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS VOLUME!!

Let's start with the premise. Truthfully, this is not an original idea, but the fact that she turns into a kaiju specifically is what makes this awesome. I wasn't sure where the story was going in terms of her condition (was it going to be medical, magical, a curse?) and I'm sure there'll be a dramatic reveal later on, but for now I'm fine with what has been given to me so far.

Now, the characters. First off, I LOVE Kuroe! I love her design, love her spunk, love her facial expressions, everything! While I feel like her badass, I hate everyone attitude falls off towards the end, I'm pleasantly surprised by how adjusted she is to her condition in the beginning. I also love how she has trouble interacting with people and how others view her terribly, but she has no interest in getting to know others. Usually, someone in her position would be dying to make friends, but she straight up hates people. Again, this falls off towards the end, but she's only welcoming towards people who, honestly, force themselves into her life. And then we get to Minami and Manatsu.

Okay, I'm going to be lenient on Manatsu because she's basically a fanatic and it makes sense that she'd be so pushy towards Kuroe. Considering how much Manatsu loves kaiju and Kuroe lying about being a priestess to protect herself, it makes sense that Manatsu would want to be around Kuroe so much because Kuroe is offering her a chance to finally get what she wants. Minami, however, I have trouble accepting. Yes, he seems like a genuinely good guy and yes he is good towards Kuroe, but I find his butting into her life selfish for a different reason. From what I can glean, Minami wants everyone to like him and he knows Kuroe doesn't have any friends, so he tries to befriend her. I'm sure he has no malicious intent behind his actions, but trying to befriend someone because they seem lonely is selfish IF the person in question simply doesn't want friends. Yes guys, there are people out there who simply don't want to be bothered by people, and you just have to accept that. And while it's obvious that part of the reason why Kuroe is alone is because her condition seems to spike when her feelings get too strong, its pretty clear that she also just doesn't like people. That being the case, Minami barging into her life and, quite frankly, making it worse just so he can befriend her is incredibly selfish. Again, I don't think he's trying to be malicious, but I couldn't help feel that way towards his character. Maybe things will change later, who knows.

Anyway, I still loved this volume and am dying to see where this story goes. I highly recommend it and her other series, if you're interested! ...more

flag Like · see review

Jun 07, 2020 David Boughton rated it it was amazing

Shelves: manga

I've come to expect that when it comes to anime and manga, no idea is too crazy to put into print. Even so, I still end up being frequently surprised by what I find on the bookstore shelves. That brings us to this manga, Kaiju Girl Caramelise, which is a high-school love story mixed with a kaiju film.
Kuroe Akaishi suffers from a condition in which she sprouts reptilian-like features whenever she feels love. Because of this, she's become an antisocial loner who believes she's destined to be alone I've come to expect that when it comes to anime and manga, no idea is too crazy to put into print. Even so, I still end up being frequently surprised by what I find on the bookstore shelves. That brings us to this manga, Kaiju Girl Caramelise, which is a high-school love story mixed with a kaiju film.
Kuroe Akaishi suffers from a condition in which she sprouts reptilian-like features whenever she feels love. Because of this, she's become an antisocial loner who believes she's destined to be alone. Along comes Arata Minami, the school's pretty boy, who begins to take an interest in her. As feelings Kuroe has buried for so long begin to bubble up to the surface, her 'condition' becomes exponentially worse. Thusly, romantic hijinks ensue.
The manga's core theme relates to body image, and how it can affect how people see themselves. It's a very relatable issue, that helps Kuroe feel like a real person. The manga's writing does an excellent job of portraying her internal struggle as she hedges between reaching for happiness and fear of rejection. Thanks to our protagonist's brilliant characterization, the overall story stays grounded, even when it takes a turn for the fantastical.
The rest of the characters mostly go ignored in the wake of the grand epic of Kuroe's love life, but we get enough of the one that counts, Minami. He's not as deep as he could be, but he's got his own set of issues that add some layers to him, and an earnestness that makes me believe his relationship with Kuroe could happen. The other two most prominent characters are Kuroe's mother, who gets almost no screen time but steals every scene she's in, and Manatsu, another girl who is the chief reason why this is one of the funniest manga I've read in along time.
The art is excellent across the board. Monstrous kaiju, super-deformed caricatures, and sparkly shoujo scenes are all rendered with equal skill, and complement the writing and mood in any given scene expertly.
If you're a fan of giant monsters, or just good old love stories, I highly recommend this creative mashup of the two genres. It's light on action but full of heart. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 30, 2020 Katja rated it it was amazing

Shelves: manga, read-in-english

I loved this! It's fun and funny but has something to say too and it's cute as hell. Spica Aoki draws so... variably! There are so many faces for the characters, many of them comedic. She draws really well, I really like her style! There is quite a lot of comedy in this manga indeed and in this case, I liked it. I'm quite picky with comedy but here it was funny and cute!

The comedy isn't all there is to the book though: the protagonist Kuroe, the titular kaiju girl, has a condition where parts of ...more

flag Like · see review

Jun 15, 2019 D.M. Dutcher rated it it was amazing

Very cute and heartwarming series, with a lovely weird twist. Kuroe keeps to herself and is looked down on by her fellow classmates. The real reason she is such a moody loner though is her condition; whenever she feels strong emotions or love, her body mutates and deforms in hideous ways, growing spikes or large, scaly fists. One day she bumps into Minami, the classes's gorgeous male idol, who takes an interest in her. As love blooms we finally become aware of her secret; she turns into a kaiju ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 24, 2021 Sarah rated it really liked it

Kaiju Girl Caramelise is the adorable tale of Kuroe Akaishi, who suffers from a rare and incurable disease, one that turns her into a Kaiju. Kuroe struggles with the features of a monster that she takes on during times of stress - clawed, scaly hands, spikes along her spine, and a tail. As she starts to get to know classmate Arata Minami, the attention she receives at school changes, and her condition worsens.

This first volume of Kaiju Girl Caramelise is adorable. The story is unique in a shouj ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 01, 2019 Kat Agapow rated it liked it

This manga is a bit of a washed out story you see so much on the shelves. It was entertaining enough that I read it in one sitting but still just a repeat of so may other stories. Girl who is part monster, falls in love, rival in love and some pervy jokes. However I will say that I love the art style and the main character is cute and entertaining. And I like her Godzilla form. If I happen to see the next volume on the shelves I might pick it up to see if it gets better. All in all it was a quic ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 12, 2019 Mercedez rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag Like · see review

Dec 18, 2020 Bethany rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2020, graphic-novel, ya

Kuroe suffers from a rare disease where big emotions cause her to sprout the limbs of a godzilla-like monster-- or worse, actually turn into a kaiju, or monster, entirely. To protect herself, she's established herself as a loner. But now, popular boy Minami is paying attention to her, and it's obvious he gives her Big Emotions back because the kaiju is emerging more and more. How is she ever going to handle all of this?!

I was able to follow this manga pretty well, but it's not my type of story ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 11, 2019 Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: graphic-novels-manga, read-2019

I found this book quite funny. The premise is interesting, the artwork compelling. The characters, while quite different than me and therefore not really relatable, we’re understandable and the reader comes to sympathize with them. They manga was quick, fun, and easy to read. I immediately went to see if the next one was published. Alas, not yet.

flag Like · see review

Oct 21, 2019 Greg Noneman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fantastic kaiju manga

For not being into manga all that much, anything that paid tribute to the Godzilla series mixed in with high school drama and a compelling protagonist in Kuroe Akaishi whom transforms into a kaiju whenever experiencing intense emotions whom we can empathize with. Looking forward to volume 2.

flag Like · see review

Nov 23, 2019 Taylor Lee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Looking forward to the next volume!

Loved kaiju movies for a long time, also enjoy the slice of life mixed in. Though the relationship between the protag and love interest seems a bit tropey, "been there done that" kinda feeling. But I do recommend for kaiju and slice of life fans. ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 16, 2019 Cat T. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Admittedly right up my alley.

A romance, coming of age, accepting yourself story where the protagonist literally turns into a giant rubber-suit monster? Where has this been all my life?! The characters are fun, the themes, while not being subtle, age timeless, the art is delightful. Recommended!

flag Like · see review

Aug 19, 2020 NerdyKino rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-favs

Finally this anticipated read came into my possession last week and it did not disappoint. Not your average shoujo a girl who turns into a kaiju when reacting to her emotions. The shoujo aesthetic is glorious through artwork especially blushing faces. . . oh my god. This shoujo is just so fun and beyond cute, a uplifting read and one to check out if you want something different. !

flag Like · see review

Sep 05, 2020 Arielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: manga

I absolutely adore this manga! I didn't really know what to expect before I read this because it's definitely a unique story... a romance between a teenage boy and a kaiju? But I am obsessed with it! The art style is so sparkly and cute and the story is really, really cute. I've already read the first 3 volumes and cannot wait for volume 4! ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 27, 2020 Chad rated it it was amazing

This was my first actual manga and I'm hooked. As a fan of tokusatsu this book expandes the genre into new realms, while exploring many universal humanistic themes. Simply a beautuful and imaganitive book, the artwork is truly stunning and pulls you into it's world. The bonus features at the end are a nice touch as well. I can't wait to continue the series. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jun 25, 2019 Joseph rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Very funny and a cute take on typical Shojo

This had me in stitches at points and also hoping the main character can navigate the (literally) monstrous task of high school life. Can’t wait for the next volume.

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2020 Deysi Gonzalez rated it really liked it

Shelves: manga

I really enjoy Spica Aoki mangas. Her shoujo manga have different twist to everything else. I plan of on buying physical copies of all her manga series. I love Beasts of Abigaile and like this one as well

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »