by Akari on February 27th, 2006, 8:10am

---

User rating of this review - N/A out of 5
Story/Plot - 2 out of 5
Characters - 4 out of 5
Drawing Style - 5 out of 5
Enjoyment - 4 out of 5
Overall - 3 out of 5

Click here for series information

Plot/Story
In the thirthies, a imaginary country in Europe called Kuchen is under great pressure. As there are going many political issues, they fear that other countries try to dominate the land while it's weak.The King has the aid of the Strahl - noble and intelligent men, whose job is to help him to run the land.
Meine Liebe tells the story of Erika Klause, a girl who search for her brother. To look for him, she enters at Rosenstolz, a school for the elite, and for the men and women that ould become future leaders of Kuchen. There, she meets five of the main candidates for Strahl, and discovers one of them can be her brother.
The manga centers around the relationship of her and the boys, while she tries to find her brother and hope he's not the guy she's dating.

Characters

Erika - The main character. She is a ditzy, oblivious girl, who even though she's not that intelligent, could make to be one of the secretaires of the boys. She's kind hearted and more likeable than other shoujo heroines.

Orpheus/Orphe - He is the 'leader' of the Strahl candidates. He believes in democracy, love, good hearted people and all fluffy things in life. Even though he's serious most of the times, every girl in Rosenstolz has a crush in him, but he looks interested in Erika.

Ludwig/Lui - Orpheus rival, he's a dictator at the most. He's serious, cold, and don't have faith in the people. Though Erika's beggining to change that.

Edward/Ed - Orphe's best friend, he's funny, outgoing and is always with a smile in his face. He's friends with Erika, but gets a sad face whenever she mentions her brother...

Naoji - A japanese transfer student, he's calm and composed, and is always around Lui. He really, really likes Erika.

Camus - A frail and effeminate boy, who likes flowers and has some powers. He can 'talk' with the flowers he likes so much, and usually sense when a bad thing is going to happen.

Marin, Augusta, and Willhelmine - Erika's only friends and (not only) rivals in love.

Drawing Style
The original character design was done by Kaori Yuki, and even though the manga is not drawn by her, you can sense some similarity. The art is superb, everyone is really pretty, and there's plenty of cute guys and girls for shoujo fans.

Enjoyment
It's a classic shoujo story, with a clumsy girl trying to decide between lovely boys who like her. The political setting really could add something for it, but unafortunattely it has been ignorated in the manga for now, and only shows in the anime and game. Still, this is a title for girls that like the romance better than the plot - it's so sweet than even a yaoi fangirl like me cheers to one specific boy to end with Erika.Though if you like boys love, the anime's more appropiated, since Erika only shows in a really small role.

Overall
Based on a game for GBA that generated other 2 games for PS2, Meine Liebe has 2 anime seasons with 13 episodes each, and one manga currently running. There's also cards, magazines, and every merchandising possible. It's making more sucess, I think, than other famous shoujo series. Its worth reading, if not, by the drool-worthy bishounen and bishoujo.

---