Pastel

(Volume 11)
by
Toshihiko Kobayashi

Del Rey, July 2008, 202 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-345-49879-3

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga
Reviewed: 3/9/2010

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Pastel manga page

 

Synopsis

When Mako Minamino, age 23, shows up and claims to be the fiancé of Mugi's father, Yuu becomes a little worried. Why is she worried, you may ask? She is worried because Mako is a hot chick and has really large breasts. Every time Mako moves, her breasts seem to go "Boyoing." Of course, Mugi, being who he is, a teenage boy, has a hard time taking his eyes off of them, which only leads him into getting in trouble with Yuu.

Mako challenges Yuu to a contest to see who will get to spend the night with Mugi in his bed. Yuu doesn't want to partake in the challenge, but she also doesn't want Mako sleeping with Muji. Mugi is excited by the prospect of finally getting to be close to Yuu.

Later, Mako appears at Mugi's school and all the boy start drooling. The boys are so affected by Mako's breasts that many of them faint dead away and end up with bloody noses. All of the girls in the school break up with their boyfriends because they catch their men staring a Mako's breasts. When Mako locks the PE teacher in the locker room and appears in her swimsuit beside the school pool, there is more fainting to be had.

Since it is summer, Mugi, Yuu, Kazuki and Manami return to the beach to work at Kazuki's aunts beach-side snack bar. Mako shows up and all the girls become waitresses. With pretty girls serving the customers with their breasts hanging out, the snack bar begins raking in the money. Kazuki and Manami convince Mugi that Yuu is not going to wait forever for him to make his move. After three years of knowing each other, will Mugi finally tell Yuu how he feels?

The last story is a stand-alone story that has nothing to do with Pastel. It is a love story with a twist.

Pastel: Volume 11 is a manga book written and drawn by Toshihiko Kobayashi. This story was Translated and Adapted  by David Ury and Lettered by Foltz Design. This book contains the following miracles (chapters):

Miracle 66: Mako-chan the Witch

Miracle 67: The Skies of Yesterday and The Unforgettable Promise

Miracle 68: Bridging the Gap

Short Story: A Bouquet for the Candy Girl

There are also some sections in the book for: A) Honorifics Explained, B) About A Bouquet for the Candy Girl, C) Character Profiles, D) About the Author, E) Translation Notes, and F) Preview of Volume 12, although the preview appears in Japanese. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 16 and up.

 

Review

Pastel: Volume 11 is another fun and exciting chapter in the life of Mugi and Yuu. Mugi is getting closer and closer to telling Yuu how he feels about her, I just wish he would get it over with Come on, Mugi, make your move! After all, three years is a heck of a long time to keep your feeling locked up inside you. Can't you tell that she likes you too? In the words of Kazuki in this volume, "Come on, Mugi. Grow some balls."

Toshihiko Kobayashi has created a wonderful story in the never-ending, emotion-torn life of Mugi. Poor Mugi. He wants Yuu so bad but is just too afraid to tell her how he feels. Someday . . . (sigh) . . . I sure hope he can get his courage up and tell her.

The artwork is pretty darned good and the translation and adaptation into English is pretty smooth. Although, I was confused at Kazuki's comment that he had a washboard chest. Chest? Really? Ouch, that wouldn't look good, would it? I do believe it is the stomach that is supposed to look like a washboard.

I never realized how infatuated the Japanese are by large breasts. The Pastel series really seems to support this notion. Would an entire school really fall apart if a woman with large breasts walked the halls? I just find this to be rather humorous . . . and ridiculous. Still, it is entertaining.

Overall, Pastel: Volume 11 is a great addition to an impressive collection of books. Pastel is an enjoyable and humorous series that I always look forward to sitting down and reading. I just wish Mugi would tell Yuu how he feels. Maybe that will happen in Pastel: Volume 12. I can only hope so.

I rated this book an 8˝ out of 10.

This site was created and is maintained by Conan Tigard
2008