I randomly picked this series up in the bookstore due to the slightly odd twist on the typical gender-bender and the fact that I (admittedly) like feminine boys (and Momoi's character design looked pretty, too).
This was the first of Ai Morinaga's works that I have read, and after reading it, she has become my favorite mangaka for comedy and parody.
Yup, that's right.
PARODY.
While I know that everyone's mileage may vary, I would just like to point out some things about this series so that those of you looking it up on here and seeing all of the negative and somewhat misinformed ratings won't just throw away the chance to read a unique and funny manga.
Yes, it is a Shoujo. And yes, it is a gender-bender. But what I find so great about (whatever you want to call it seeing as there are three different legitimate names) My Barbaric Girlfriend is its satire.
There have been many interpretations, most of them revolving around how terrible and sadistic Momoi is (something I can't totally argue with), but after reading the entire series (I was lucky enough to find complete scans and translations), I'm pretty sure that Morinaga was trying to make some sort of statement.
In the manga the characters are so far-fetched (other than Shiina, perhaps) because they are meant to mock society. It even brings out what I found to be disagreeable things from the viewers. Even though Akira is separated from his family, his friends, and his old lifestyle and is completely abused by everyone around him (minus Shiina), people still say that he should just shut up and be happy with his life because "he's better as a girl." Well I would always ask myself what that even meant. Why does someone have to "act" either like a "girl" or a "boy?" It's kind of silly to put people in boxes like that...and I felt sad for the main characters (Momoi and Senbogi) for thinking like they couldn't be with the person they loved without having it be societally correct (as in a heterosexual relationship). People often complain about Akira's softness and Momoi's cruelty, but that's basically our faults for mandating them to be that way. Girls have to be cute and men uber-manly. I think the over-the-top-ness of the whole thing is pointing out that it DOESN'T have to be like that; there are an infinite number of ways to be happy.
But this is just my interpretation of the manga. Others can see it any way they like. But please read it with a grain of salt. Morinaga's works aren't meant to be typical in any way. They are parodies and meant to be whacky, crazy, and just what you DON'T expect. That's what's fun about this series. And for those who complain that it's too repetetive and that the characters don't develop at all...I just can't agree. Sure, it's episodic, but many successful manga and anime are (let's face it). And it's not boring repetition. The characters ARE well developed and there are even special chapters that delve into their inner psyches and pasts. Momoi and Akira DEFINITELY change over the course of the series (which is weird, given that they switched into roles that "suited them better" anyways), and there are a lot of scenes which show other characters' hidden insight and depth (despite the fact that people call Shiina stupid, she definitely has great moments of intelligence and knows those around her very well. Same with Senbogi).
And after (FINALLY) getting to see the end, I can honestly say that it's worth the read. Not if you're looking for some lovey-dovey romance, however (minus the ones that develop later on...but this is arguable). And for those that complain that there's to much homo-eroticism, I'd just like to point out that, while not exactly "girly," it IS a Shoujo. And there's not really any sexual action (other than for comedy), so it doesn't really distract from the story...or at least I don't think it should...for those that get uncomfortable from such things.
Ultimately I think Your and My Secret is about love (no duh). I guess the fact that sometimes we need to change our perspective before we can see the truth, and allow the ones destined for us a chance...
Please don't be discouraged and read it! 😉
Postie: And...I'm sorry...but nowhere does it say that in a Shoujo the two main characters have to end up with each other. Shoujo simply means, a manga with girls as a target audience. ARE WE SERIOUSLY GOING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE LESS CREATIVE!? IN THIS DAY AND AGE!? We need all the creativity we can get! If everything was just in formulas, then THERE WOULD BE NO POINT TO WRITING ANYTHING! WE'D ALREADY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! <--- Sorry, major pet peeve, and no, I couldn't let it slide. ><
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