A short preview of Wataru Yoshizumi’s Ultra Maniac (Viz) was tucked into the debut issue of Shojo Beat. It’s part of SB’s line of tankoubon-only titles, and it looked okay – nice art, generically appealing characters, and a few amusing bits. Given the growing number of shôjo titles on the shelves, though, are those qualities enough to merit a $9 investment?
Based on the preview itself, probably not. But after browsing a bit further into the digest at the bookstore, I realized that resistance was futile. Ultra Maniac is adorable, an accomplished blend of fantasy, comedy, and romance.
Seventh-grader Ayu Tateishi has achieved a certain level of popularity. She’s adopted a poised, friendly demeanor that’s been interpreted by her schoolmates as “cool.” Younger girls worship her, and she’s won the notice of a boy she likes. Bland kindness is part of her personal arsenal, so she’s happy to help when flustered transfer student Nina Sakura loses something precious.
Ayu’s good deed doesn’t go unpunished. Deeply touched, Nina is determined to return the favor by helping Ayu in any way she can. Since Nina is secretly a witch from the Magic Kingdom, she can help in a wide variety of ways. But Nina transferred to a human school because she was flunking out of Magic Junior High. Her good intentions are hampered by a disastrous lack of aptitude, and her magical intervention generally ends in disaster.
When Ayu gets roped into a grudge match between the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams, Nina augments Ayu’s speed and strength by turning her into a boy. When Ayu complains about being pestered by a boy on the bus, Nina gives her a protective charm that has completely indiscriminate (and hilarious) effects. Nina concocts love potions and truth serums, all in service to her new friend, and Ayu’s carefully constructed composure starts to fray.
But trying to keep Nina at a distance is even more dangerous than having her as a friend. Plus, Ayu can’t help but like the flaky witch. Nina’s a devoted friend, and she certainly keeps things lively. They’re a charming odd couple, with Nina’s bizarre energy chipping away at Ayu’s dignified façade.
The boys are serviceable enough for the moment. The object of Ayu’s affection, Tetsushi, falls into the Too Good to Be True category of shôjo lad. Tetsushi’s friend Hiroki is of the Still Waters Run Deep variety. Yoshizumi sprinkles hints that there’s more to both than meets the eye. If they aren’t especially fascinating at this point, they at least have potential.
In her copious “Free Talk” notes, Yoshizumi mentions that this is her first fantasy manga story. That might be why she keeps the magical elements fairly straightforward. They’re less about developing a sweeping mythology than moving the story forward and creating imaginative comic conflicts. It’s very effective, and the light touch on the hocus pocus gives the characters more space.
Ultra Maniac has a lot going for it. Beyond the flexible premise and charming characters, it has clean, nimble visuals. Yoshizumi’s script has made a lively, smart transition thanks to translator Koji Goto and adaptor John Lustig. It’s a gently quirky, genuinely funny manga with a lot of craft behind it.