Kuragehime's really adorable. The characters are interesting and pretty original, though they don't really change or develop over the course of the manga. On the one hand, this is realistic because many of the characters are otaku women who've lived a very shut-in lifestyle for a long time (hence, it'd be unrealistic for them to suddenly be super sociable), but on the other hand, it's kind of unsatisfying to see Tsukimi and Kuranosuke stay basically emotionally stagnant. Unfortunately, Kuragehime also suffers from being so long. The plot's okay but the mangaka never commits to it and instead spends a lot of time talking about the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Because this manga is largely character-driven, all of the industry stuff is just really boring and detracts from what makes this manga special (the characters).
Kuragehime's nice, but I don't see myself finishing the series.

... Last updated on January 18th, 2013, 4:23pm

both the theme and the characters. Of course, you can't change someone's personality that easy. So it is understandable when those eccentric characters depicted being uneasy toward the changes they had to face. A change is about a process. So if there are people who yearn for change, people who are afraid of change do exist, too....and those are the amars

I appreciate Kurage-hime for its original story and interesting characters, but there is a definite lack of development. None of the characters seem to have changed at all throughout the course of the manga, which after 10 volumes is a bit of a problem for me. The plot also seems to have gotten a bit lost. While it started out as a fun story about different kinds of otaku, now it seems to be all about the development of their fashion design company. Which is fine, but seems like a waste of the marvelously original premise.

I also agree with tekiteki on the point that this is a story about privileged people living idle lives. It's a little hard to sympathize with their struggles with social interaction when they seem to have given up completely on even attempting to overcome them. Frankly, I was a little appalled with how most of the amars seemed to treat Kuranosuke as little more than a walking meal ticket. Kuranosuke, on his part, seems to exercise little restraint in spending his father's money freely on anything that suits his fancy and yet gets defensive when his father criticizes him. Additionally, that Shuu seems to get made fun of for his perfectly understandable trauma over witnessing his father's adultery was another story point I found hard to accept. Perhaps this is just my own cultural perspective talking, but making light of another person's traumatic experiences is terrible. Overall, I get the impression that the characters seemed rather shallow at times.

However that is not to say that I don't enjoy this series. It's hilarious and definitely worth a read, if only for the group antics. I will definitely keep reading and hope that the author will continue to develop her characters in future chapters!

I might add a fly to the ointment here.. This manga is entertaining and catching, but there are some points I don't enjoy in long/ongoing manga series.
First, it's about people who lead a easy life: no job and enough money (from their working parents, I suppose) to enjoy their costly hobbies. I can't see Kuranosuke as a good attractive person, i just see him as a student with a rich, pedigree and very tolerant father, and thanks to that he can live freely and self-confidently, and out of interest play the Good King with some poor ugly girls. It's too easy for him, not very touching. And I can't believe in very childish naivety of Tsukimi. It's sick. She actually has been living alone in a big city with some strange otaku girls and she STILL is petrified by mere hug or kiss or even look of a man. And it's nonsense that she went all mad about Shuu seeing her in a tank top with no bra under it v_v (I remember Tsukushi from Hana Yori Dango who was seen by the boy, she had crush on, while sitting on a toilet with her pants down <- THAT was embarrassing ^-^!) . So, I can't relate myself to main characters.
Second, Kuranosuke, falling for Tsukimi just because she looks cute from time to time - it seems a rather superficial feeling to me. What does he know about her feelings, ideas, world-view? In fact, i don't know it either o_O. And all her thoughts revolve around jellyfish, her mom and boys. And here I must say, there is not much character development.
I was calmly enjoying it till vol.3, but 10 volumes.. ^^; (and it's still ongoing) I'm not sure I'd like to waste my time on it. Not my cup of tea, I suppose...

I usually have long comments, but this time im just to lazy to do a long comment so i will tell you what i think of the manga and anime in 2 words. FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!x's infinity (should make anime longer pleeeaaaaase). The manga is ongoing so far so i want the anime to be ongoing too cause I LOVE THIS MANGA/ANIME! ( i ended up making my comment long *sigh* but its worth it for this manga/anime)(:

So the story, the heroine, the people, everything is pretty original and cool. This manga is probably one of the most unique ones I've ever seen in the shoujo section. But despite all these great ideas and characters, all the cute drawings and jellyfish, this manga seems to lack an interesting plot. Yes, it IS funny and the plot IS original, but the original doesn't necessarily make it entertaining it seems.

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this manga in the beginning (despite my disappointment for the mangakas strange taste for 'bishies'). But as the story progressed I began to forget the purpose of this story and the humour was no longer enough to cover up for ever-dragging story.

I don't know...maybe it's just my taste, but this story was somewhat...not thrilling.

This has a great premise, good art, memorable characters, and a battle between baddies and their potential victims. All of that makes me feel good, and I especially love the way it treats "odd" people with just as much respect and concern as ordinary people.

It is one of a kind.

I just ask how possible can be this manga not be lisenced in english The manga/anime is so damn cool and yet the series isn't licensed =x=
Also I love so much this manga I want more...8 volumes aren't enough!

i watched the anime for this awhile ago and was SO upset that the ending was so inconclusive (THERE MUST BE A SECOND SEASON OR THERE WILL BE BLOOD). i was craving for more of the story lately, so i finally got around to reading the manga.

GUH, i'm in love with the characters and story all over again. it's funny how at first, the amars' are completely distinguished from other characters due to their otakuness and weirdness, but then you slowly realize that the other characters are just as much of an otaku as they are...lol (even kuranosuke's dad, lmao). in the end it makes you feel like it's okay to have a huge passion for something, even if that passion becomes borderline obsession XD it's inspiring to those who have huge passions like they do and wish to build careers from them.

all of the characters are unique, relatable, funny and endearing. i love all the characters in the weird romance triangle (square?) that i don't know who to root for (kuranosuke is so beautiful and brash...but shuu is so...adorable...!!!). i highly recommend this manga for anyone looking for a funny and heartwarming story with some coming-of-age elements to it. read it!! do it for guanzhong!

well yes the story is not the same as always, I mean you got a straight dude using dresses so yeah it's weird, also the otakus and well...that's kinda the story. It has a SOMETHING, i won't deny it...I read the first chapters and I laughed a lot, but after the girls gets interested in the older guy and stuff it just felt BORED (to be honest), the otaku girls annoy me (sorry if I hurt feelings), at first yeah they were great and funny and liked the story, but...the only one that doesn't annoy me is the straight guy ...and well...
I'll read it later, because ...right now ..meh~, not interested in reading it right now.

nice story? YES,
nice characters? YES.
it has a feeling that the story is for adults (but not porn stuff or anything),
just read it if you want to laugh a lot!