乙女怪獣キャラメリゼ 1 [Otome Kaijuu Caraméliser 1]

Kaiju Girl Caramelise #1

by Spica Aoki, 蒼木スピカ, Ringo Naki

女子高生×怪獣? 史上最大級のラブコメが日本上陸!!

謎の症状に悩まされてきた女子高生「クロエ」。人と関わらず過ごしてきた彼女が、学園一のモテ男「新汰」と接触するとき、真の力が解き放たれる――。

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics

166 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2018

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd little concept: a girl who, under emotional pressure, shape-shifts into a Godzilla-like kaiju. Usually just a limb or other small manifestation that she can hide under baggy clothes, but sometimes she bursts into ginormity!

There is another girl who is in love with her -- not her girl-self, but the monster. She has a kaiju obsession. And there is a popular* boy who is also falling for her, because she tells him sensible things instead of squealing over his looks.

She has a loving if somewhat breezy mother and a fat little dog.


*Something I haven't seen often depicted in straight male characters: he has an eating disorder.

[Amanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 the most inopportune times, like when she's talking to the most popular boy in school who, it would seem, is actually interested in her!

At its heart this is a story about dealing with puberty and first loves. That awkwardness that we've all been through and even sometimes feel as adults.

How do your emotions change you? Do they make you an uncontrollable monster? Does that feel humiliating or empowering?

Kaiju Girl is an adorable and relatable story that I will definitely continue through the next volumes.

I really like the way it is drawn. She is just so darned cute, especially the way her eyes are drawn with hearts in them even when she's a monster. And whether she's in love with boys or with sweets!

I also am interested to see how the relationships develop in the next volume. Volume 1 is a good introduction to the characters but there is definitely more depth to come.

We have her love interest who is your basic pretty boy but hopefully he proves himself worthy of our protagonist. Her new friend, who is helplessly in love with the monster that she becomes but doesn't know it's her. And her mother, who is supportive but in very strange ways.

It will be interesting to see where this story goes and if nothing else it is cute, light, and different.

for more reviews and content please visit my blog amanjareads.com

[sil ♡ the book voyagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Kaiju Girl Caramelise is another manga I knew nothing about. Yen Press was kind enough to send me a copy as well and omg??? I'm obsessed. LITERALLY OBSESSED. OBSESSED ENOUGH TO ORDER EVERY VOLUME RIGHT NOW.

It's about a high school girl who turns into a kaiju whenever she feels love or has swoony feelings. So when the popular guy in her class starts spending time with her and making her smile, things turn to the worst... She turns into basically Godzilla and can't seem to control this power.

The characters ARE EVERYTHING!!??? Kuroe is the cutest, she's a loner and doesn't have friends really. From very young, her hand usually turns into a claw and sometimes she gets these spikes from her back. She doesn't know why but she has learnt to live with it. Until she fully turns into a kaiju lmao. On the other hand, we have Arata Minami, the popular guy, and HE'S SO NICE AND ADORABLE. And he's a people-pleaser, so people like him. But talking to Kuroe changes some perspectives of him and it seems he easily starts liking her immediately. I love love love him.

But then we have this girl from another class who is obsessed with kaijus and she wants to meet Kuroe!kaiju persona though she does not know it is actually Kuroe the one doing the transforming, you know? But she's hilarious and I love her too lmao. You think you're getting introduced to the love rival, but actually this girl is kaiju-obsessed and doesn't care about Arata lololol And you pretty much know they're going to become the best of friends!

I'm definitely going to continue reading it!

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this like a week ago but for some reason, I forgot to put it on my reading list.

But it was cute!

Kuroe Akaishi is a girl just trying to get through high school. Bad enough high school is already a bitch to get through but when she starts crushing on a guy it becomes even harder. But wait, you thought that was bad? Suddenly she grows a tail and spikes out of her back and becomes a gigantic Godzilla like Kaiju!

This is over the top and silly. The idea isn't fully explored yet. The idea of her during into a Kaiju is pretty cool but people sure don't act like it's THAT crazy, which is weird. However, the humor is cute and the relationship works so far. I also think the art is really good, especially when she becomes a Kaiju.

So I'm not 100% amazed with it but intrigued enough to check out volume 2. I'm giving this one a 3.5 right now.

[Kayla Brunson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

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[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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/

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 5 out of 5]

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-style 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 clichés are here: The socially-awkward, outcast female lead; the popular bishonen love interest who is not as perfect or happy as he appears; mean girls who are infatuated with said love interest and are deadly jealous of said female lead for getting his attention; the weird, embarrassing parent who acts more like a child her/himself; the other, prettier female lead who becomes friends with the heroine, and is quirky or otherwise eccentric to counter her polished reputation and appearance. Add a variety of cake in there and you have cuteness in the barrel.

But it is handled well. The manga is written surprisingly thoughtfully and delicately. Everyone is insecure and hiding themselves in different ways.

The art is absolutely brilliant; cute, round and sparkly, appropriate for slice-of-life and comedic scenes, but it knows when to be serious as well. The ginormous kaiju that the heroine, Kuroe Akaishi, turns into when she can't control her lovesick emotions anymore, looks stunningly awesome.

I think all teenagers can relate to Kuroe on some level; the poor, self-hating yet precious, sweet, funny, sparkling bundle of nerves. There's the pressure to be normal and perfect in a cruel, judgmental world, where problems cannot be acknowledged - cannot be revealed out in the open. No acceptance, no outward "ugliness", no "bad" emotions, no cries for help. Even though repressing feelings and any kind of psychological issues is not healthy living. It comes to the point that when something good does come in a depressed outcast's path, they will refuse to believe it is genuine, and try to push it away because they are made to think they don't deserve it. They've been hurt and disappointed too many times before.

Anyone can relate to this. Anyone can be coerced, unconsciously or not, to feel ugly and unlovable.

It is so easy for a sci-fi/fantasy story to allege the "Who's the real monster?" message, but in this world, we've made it too easy.

Everyone is a monster to a degree. Everyone is battling their own personal demons. Kuroe's monster is just more literal.

And since the world is much harder on teenage girls than anyone else, well... the allegory is inevitable.

As much as I adore and relate to the lonely, awkward, marginalised Kuroe - I'd hug her, not caring about any spikes on her body - I think my favourite character is Manatsu, the friendly, pretty girl with a kaiju fetish. I won't spoil anything else, but oh my, Kuroe unleashing as a giant, barely-rampaging monster has nothing on Manatsu's fanatic, otaku craze. It is all delectable and in jest, and Kuroe needs a friend other than a boy.

Kuroe's mum is a fun character, too. She uses humour and smothering affection to try to make her daughter feel normal and loved despite her unpredictable, incurable condition. She's a little strange - though no stranger than her kaiju child - but she loves her darling Kuroe dearly, and will go to any lengths to protect her. We need more attentive parents like this in manga and anime, please.

Their little dog is named Jumbo King. Good old Japan.

'Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 1' (goddess, even the title is freaking cute, did I mention I love Japan!?) - sweetness, self-awareness, remarkable wokeness, comedy, and heart. And pancakes. Recommended to anyone.

Final Score: 4.5/5

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 going to school in a big city when she's been sprouting monster parts ever since she was a kid.

This reads like something made to fulfill a contract, which Aoki confirms that in the strip at the end of the book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Niina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Söpö manga tytöstä, jolla on erikoinen sairaus/kirous. Rakastuminen ei siis ole vaihtoehto, mutta kun luokan suosituin poika haluaa viettää aikaa hänen kanssaan, hän tajuaa, että muuttuu kaijuksi tunteidensa vaikutuksesta.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story dragged sich bisschen aber mega süßer hauptcharacter ich liebe es

[poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

maybe she should always be big. she should consider it

[Aleks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m buying this entire god damn series. 10/10 would recommend.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a pretty cute and fun concept. Liked the first volume a lot and it's an easy, quick read.

[Assayah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐
𖦹 Po tę mangę sięgnęłam, bo spodobała mi się okładka + niedługo będzie premiera w Polsce. Nie wiedziałam o czym będzie, ale nie zawiodłam się. Jest to romans połączony z komedią, w którym główna bohaterka pod wpływem silnych emocji zamienia się w Kaiju (taka Godzilla) i w związku z tym dzieją się różne rzeczy - tyle dowiadujemy się w tym tomie, nie chcę spojlerować.

𖦹 To chyba (dosłownie) najsłodsza manga i w ogóle książka jaką dotychczas przeczytałam. Dla mnie było to aż przesłodzone. Zaczynając od kreski (która swoją drogą mi się bardzo podoba i cała manga wyglądała by lepiej w kolorze), poprzez charakter głównej bohaterki, a kończąc na wątku romantycznym, który był zbyt szybki i prosty - nie lubię czegoś takiego, nawet w romansach.

𖦹 W sumie nie działo się tu dużo, jednak sam pomysł jest... oryginalny. To przyjemna lektura na wieczór (albo dzień, jak kto woli), szybko się czyta i na pewno zapoznam się z kolejnymi tomami.

[Tabrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 identify with and because of that aspect, I believe, that is why this manga series is going to be an enjoyable one.

[Alessandro Parisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akaishi è una studentessa che ha sviluppato una strana condizione in cui alcune sue parti del corpo si trasformano in quelle di un kaiju.
Minami invece è il belloccio della scuola e tante ragazze, inclusa Akaishi, hanno una cotta per lui.
Minami però non è un montato. È gentile con tutti e nella sua infanzia, anzi, era grassoccio e ignorato da tutti.
Durante una uscita, Minami prende per mano Akaishi, che si trasforma in un kaiju gigantesco.

Akaishi conosce Manatsu, una ragazza della scuola. All'inizio sembrava fosse la ragazza di Minami, in realtà è una fissata totale per Harugon, il kaiju in cui Akaishi si trasforma. Inoltre è convinta che Akaishi sia il sacerdote di Harugon.

Nel finale Minami dice ad Akaishi che vuole conoscerla di più. Questa dichiarazione provoca una seconda trasformazione di Akaishi in Harugon.

Partenza assolutamente carina, adoro Akaishi nel suo essere impacciata e come approccia la vita in base a questa sua sfortuna. Sono curioso di scoprire se Minami si accorgerà che è lui a trasformare Akaishi in un mostro e se la ragazza riuscirà a gestire meglio le trasformazioni.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Soobie is expired · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ma che cosa CARINA!!!

C'è lei che si trasforma in mostro quando è in preda alle emozioni. E più le emozioni sono grandi, più il mostro cresce. Lui che è il ragazzo più popolare della scuola. E l'altra lei che... che è innamorata della versione mostruosa di lei.

Totalmente assurdo ed esagerato da essere quasi perfetto! Subito in abbonamento!

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My partner suggested I read this Manga series. "This is right up your alley." He was absolutely right. A young girl starts to fall in love. But what's this? Every time she starts to get flustered in front of her crush, she turns into a Kaiju?! Yup. This is equal parts adorable and funny. Loving what I'm reading.

[lily (powpowpup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(read in french)

this is so cute! kuroe is such an amazing character and her love interest, although very naive, is amazing with her. this is funny and fun to read! if you want to have a good laugh and read something light this manga is for you.

[Kayleigh Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! Godzilla high school girl is such a fun premise. I’ll definitely keep reading this series because I just need to know how Kuroe is going to handle her Kaiju-ness and budding love. Fun, silly and surprising, a unique addition to the shoujo genre.

[Yuiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 sparkly kaiju stars

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the sweetest thing I've read in a while. I loved it!

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable. 10/10, would recommend. It has all the best of a shoujo manga with Kaiju.

[Dani(elle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Godzilla was actually just a pure hearted girl looking for someone to love her?

[✨jillian✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

my kind of romance manga 🥰 i love how Manatsu had a crush on the kaiju (Kuroe)