This isn't yaoi, and this isn't shounen-ai. This manga is amazing for being one of the rare, special manga that portrays the complexities of gender and sexual identity in real life in an approachable, charming, way that really draws you in. Prunus Girl challenges you with a main character--the love interest--who's not outright transgender, but refuses to cram himself into either of the "boy" or "girl" boxes. He's both and neither, and I think this will make people more uncomfortable than this being "yaoi"--which it's not. This is a shounen romance through and through, where the relationship just happens to not fit gender norms.

I love this sensitive portrayal and especially the main character Maki for being able to accept Aikawa and choose both the "cola" and the "peach" candy because that's just who Aikawa is. I really hope the mangaka doesn't make a horribly regrettable decision due to outside pressure, but the way the story has been going so far, I'm going to keep the faith. I'm really looking forward to reading a lot more!

For people who like this, try the manga IS, which is about intersexuality.

... Last updated on October 19th, 2009, 3:35am

Before you click away after seeing "gender bender" as a tag, let me say that this is NOT YAOI and NOT SHOUNEN-AI. It is simply a story of a guy who fights his instincts over the kawaii that is supposedly another guy.

The comedy is spot-on, but of course they all rely on the premise that Aikawa (the ambiguously gendered deuteragonist) is a guy. However, it is never confirmed. Hence, Maki (our hero) is stuck being teased over and over again by Aikawa and being harassed and envied by all the males in the school. This inevitably leads to both jaw-droppingly fantastic and belly-achingly hilarious situations. An odd couple they are (a couple meaning simply two people together of course), but they chemistry as a comedy duo cannot be underestimated.

However, under the gag comedy is a layer of questioning that isn't really dealt with in typical shounen mange. Is Aikawa actually a guy? Does it really matter? Should it really matter? Being a shounen, it simply scratches the surface of the delicate topic of sexual orientation, but it scratches it well. I am a straight male and have personally never been interested in or read yaoi or shounen-ai, yet I found their drama strangely touching, probably due to the fact that their relationship can never quite approach the romantic stage. It's quite interesting to see two people interested in each other but refusing to look at each other romantically yet still maintaining a casual friendly relationship. Translation: no rage-worthy angst here.

I've read many gender benders before in my journey across the land of shounen, but I can confidently say that there is no other manga like this. If you like shounen, particularly romcom shounens, you WILL enjoy this. Read it for the comedy or read it for the peculiarities, you will not regret it.

... Last updated on January 27th, 2012, 5:34pm

Well, this is the only gender-bender that kept me through the whole series (not that it was very long, but...) It started off well, with an interesting introduction. The next few chapters were also refreshing to read and the laughs produced were unique. Not very often do you see something so outright wrong yet entertaining at the same time.

The art work is also great for this manga. Not too comic and Doraemon-ish yet was informal enough to pull off the gags.

A series with potential, I give you that. For people who likes awkward jokes and humour.

... Last updated on December 16th, 2009, 12:47am

This is a great manga. It's a bit of a stretch for me because I typically never read transgendery/same sex coupled focused stories (as they're usually a bit intense...), but this one's so fun and lighthearted that I can't help but enjoy it, if not more than others. It holds a very unique concept while still maintaining such a natural/easy-to-read vibe.

For a while I was really confused about the main character Aikawa. He act's so much like a girl and seems to think pretty much the same as one, but openly accepts the fact he is and only will be a boy. You'd think this is just a simple story about a guy who'd want to be a girl himself, but he never has those intentions at all. It's strange, but refreshing. This character is featured as someone who just wants to be exactly who he is. There's no use putting on labels to match what he's like the most. And it's so surprising to see someone who has such a strong sense of identity while having some of the most complicated traits.

Romance in this is also pretty light and sweet. It feels... very genuine. You can't help but think about the rift in their genders/sexuality (at first it mildly bothered me), but it really all comes down to how well they resonate with each other above all else. Can't deny that they're meant to be :>

There are a lot of ambiguous feelings and themes which makes it a story difficult to completely comprehend. But even so, it's an enjoyable read that makes you truly want to come to an understanding. I would recommend this to someone who's open minded and looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

... Last updated on September 10th, 2012, 8:08pm

I normally don't care about this genre, but there's something so easygoing and charismatic about this particular manga that makes me really like it. I can't even put my finger on what, exactly.

It very much helps that both the leads are likeable, but that doesn't really cover it. Short version: better than the sum of its parts by a wide margin.

I admit, i didn't like it at first or bother reading it because it has gender bender in it. Usually I don't believe that gender bender are not my taster, but this manga prove otherwise. Wow just Wow. This manga is just wow. I can't stop laughing at every moment. I mean the main guy is just on the line of straight to gay because the he/she is just so cute. Must read why because you will see for yourself

I'm not fazed about the whole trap thing and what really gets me going is how much a caring person Maki is.
Maki is the best male MC ever if you ask me.

I like how he can be realistic and not judgmental in tackling Aikawa's sexuality.
A love without regards to gender is just sooooo sweet.
I quite like the scene where Maki was given a choice by Aikawa to pick between two flavored candies (COLA- if he wants him to be male ; PEACH- if he wants him to be female).
And then Maki just shove 2 candies at the same time in Aikawa's mouth, hinting that he prefers neither cause both of them is still Aikawa.
I also like the reason why Aikawa crossdress.

I wish there would be a sequel to this.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!

... Last updated on December 27th, 2016, 9:09pm

Well; For me this one is better than No bras; since you in a myth dont know whether "this one" is male or female; and there is a lot of amusing situation make the main character wish that "this one" is really a girl. For those want to know i will say from my own experience; there is a mutant disease called Swyer syndrome like this; the person genotype is XY which is male however the expression is female due to the lacking of SRY on chromosome Y which will express to male. Therefor the person will has the body of female but since they dont secrete estrogen so they dont have breast or menstruate; also they wont able to have child. They must inject these lacking hormone to develop normally; but still they can't have child it pretty sad though

It's a feel good manga focusing on relationships society deems "inappropriate". I enjoyed it from beginning to end and hope for more, somehow. Like maybe an anime? Anyways, it's a solid romance if you're looking for something very sweet.

This series started off wonderfully! I thought, "Finally! A transgender romance I can really get behind." Maki had the hints of an open-minded heterosexual who loved Aikawa because of who Aikawa was, regardless of gender. Aikawa had the hints of a confident, comfortable MTF character. And the side characters were all interesting, if a bit utopian-style understanding about the gender issue. And the art! Excellent!

Alas, I found myself growing bored as the story diverted into other characters' relationships, and, as another commenter succinctly wrote, it transformed into "nothing but silly random events and some slight character development- then out of nowhere the last 3 or 4 chapters really focus on the relationship."

Hugely dissatisfying.

... Last updated on July 28th, 2013, 4:07pm