I guess it’s true when they say that there’s a manga for everything.
Beauty Pop by Kiyoko Arai published by Viz Media/ Shojo Beat, was one of that I picked up randomly while visiting the library. Plot Summary: This is an amusing story about a group of male students who call themselves the “Scissors Project”, who periodically choose a female student to makeover, allowing her to attract the guy of her dreams. The problem with the “SP” and their leader, hairstylist Narumi, is that only certain girls are deemed makeover worthy. That’s where first year student Kiri Koshiba comes in. She has a talent of her own and has been secretly transforming those rejected by the “Scissors Project” and it’s driving Narumi crazy.
Review: The plot line is a little inconsequential; what drives this story is the characters. Shogo Narumi’s volatile personality and over confidence paired with Kiri Koshiba’s seeming aloofness and quiet confidence makes for an interesting dynamic. Volume One ended with enough of a cliff hanger to make me want to seek out next the next volume.
Vol. 2 adds a couple of new characters as well as some back-story. It also establishes the series’ overall goal: to form the beast beauty team in Japan. I was disappointed with the second volume. I felt that Narumi's character lost some of his strengths becoming over the top and the new character Iori Minamoto, was plain annoying (probably on purpose). Kiri Koshiba's character however, remained true and may succeed in carrying the series.The story is light and funny, and will appeal to a young audience. Beauty Pop by Kiyoko Arai is rated for teens 13+ and is published by Viz Media/Shojo Beat, ten volumes in all.