Meca Tanaka

Traumatized by a boy, the protagonist plots his elaborate revenge to grow up rich and suave so he can woo his childhood tormentor only to break her heart when she finally falls in love with him. But the female lead is too earnest, simple and ignorant to play into his plans.

I enjoyed this story better when I read it the first time in [b:Masamune-kun's Revenge Vol. 1|26247036|Masamune-kun's Revenge Vol. 1|Hazuki Takeoka|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451243429s/26247036.jpg|46240995], and show more even then it became tiresome by the second volume. While this book doesn't have the excessive fan service (though there is some maid cosplay), it also has none of the energy or humor, though it seems to think it does.

I will not bother with future volumes. show less

A caveat for most romantic comedies is the fact that it's not as much about the who, as the how. Basically, unless there's a very strong love triangle involved, most everyone should figure out by the beginning of the series just exactly who our hero/heroine is destined to end up with by the end of the series. Ranma will always have his Akane, Keichi will always be with Belldandy, Godai with Kyoko, and Keitaro with Naru. It's a given. So, as to avoid readers from giving up due to a conclusion show more that is an open secret, romantic comedies have to resort to all these moments, crises, and drama to keep the story going.

Which brings me to the point of Pearl Pink. Whereas in a story where everybody knew from the beginning just how the series would end (Tamako and Kanji together), the series had to make extra effort to keep the 'journey' interesting. Sadly, more often than not, it was romance itself that I found to be dragging down my interest. I would have to say, Meca Tanaka has an eye for comedy, and as such this series would have benefited alot more if the emphasis was more on the comedy aspect of romantic comedy, as opposed to the romance. Basically, come strong on the comedy and the romance will follow on its own pace (like Ouran High School Host Club).

Though slow to start, I found myself enjoying volume 3 as the comedy came to form in the manner of Tamako's hilarious audition and soon hoped that this a sign of a positive trend. Unfortunately, once Tamako's travails in breaking into show business was glossed over, the romance came back in full force and disappointingly, my interest did not. Volume 4, as the final volume, tries to add a sense of urgency with the drama of Tamako's past, but in the end only felt shoehorned, as crisis after crisis was rushed, until the end when we all find the inevitable conclusion.

Overall, I wouldn't classify Pearl Pink as bad per se. It has its moments, and even during the romance, the plot was moving along. But in the end, I find myself somewhat disappointed that a series with some potential, never managed to make more out of it. show less

Volume 3 of Pearl Pink improves from the previous two volumes with the addition of some drama from Tamako's audition for a role in her mother's TV show. It made what was before just a romantic comedy, into something more with a sense of purpose and competition (with hilarity, since it was a very funny audition).

Though not great, this 4 volume series is compact enough to enjoy if needing something quick, but entertaining, to read.

Let's hope that next (and last) volume also improves on what show more was accomplished with this volume. show less

There's a lot of moments. I cracked up with laughter and smiles at the love hotels, moving out, birthdays, and the new American that just showed up. Things are getting interesting.