@ jedinat's comment, i think although it's still kind of early to say who Fade (heroine) will end up with, its prob not going to be the japanese guy... he has more of a side character type of aura. the beginning premise is kind of strange, but hey, it is a manga and i've read stranger! sure, the art is dated, but if you enjoy classics (art is "glass mask" esque) i think you'll like this one too.

At first, I was a little hesitant about this manga; the plotline seemed a bit overdramatic, and unrealistic. But as I kept reading, I found my opinion changing. Even though it's a little far-fetched, given the time period it's in, the whole moving-to-France and Africa thing works out okay. And while the manga is a bit cheesy, the artwork/fashion are simply gorgeous, the plot is suspenseful and keeps you on your toes, and the development of Fade's talent progresses nicely.
And honestly, I think that manga should in some ways be fantasy-like and probably unrealistic. I mean, the whole point that people read stories and manga is to become immersed into another world right, so what's wrong with unlikely situations? In literature/manga, there are always going to be unrealistic situations. In fact, 99% of what goes on in most manga is probably quite unrealistic--but that's okay, because as long as it's not ridiculous, it can be a good read and exciting.
I am personally a big fan of talent/hard work mangas where the protagonist succeeds in something they do. Thus far, I have yet to encounter truly good fashion mangas. The ones I have read prior to Fashion Fade are either not fully scanlated, involve weak-minded protagonists, or focused too much on the romance instead of the main character's talent--with a few exceptions. However I think this manga is one of the better ones, and hope that it keeps getting scanlated!!

A French girl engaged to an African girl? Going back to France so she can grow enough as a person to marry her? Where contrived situations abound around a really ugly fashion and modelling motif...? Insert 70s version of handsome men and hints at love triangles and cheesy drama... Given the age of the manga, I get the feeling she's going to "fall in love for real" with a man, probably the Japanese one... Just a really awkward and tacky manga. Well it's nearing 40 years old, so..

... Last updated on November 23rd, 2010, 3:22pm