Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

I'm really impressed! I absolutely cannot stand Romeo and Juliet. It is my least favorite of Shakespeare's plays, and I can think of several unpleasant things I would rather do than read it again. That said, I picked this book up at the library on a whim, and while I was really hesitant, I'm always up for trying new manga.

I am so glad I read this book! It's amazing! It has a whole new take on the original story, with plot twists! It has gorgeous artwork which brings this retelling of a Shakespearean classic to life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes manga, or Shakespeare. Well worth it.

Shakespeare with a twist.....you gotta love it! This book is an easy read that combines the traditional story of Romeo & Juliet with a modern day Tokyo setting. One thing that stays true is the language is the same but it has been condensed to fit the play into novel size. Readers of the manga Shakespeare really just get the 'gist' of the story but for some, that is enough. One positive to this manga version is the pictures - many kids struggle with Shakespeare and this version allows them to better understand the story. The back of the novel has an informational page about Shakespeare as well as a plot summary page to help readers out. Nothing replaces the real thing but this is an okay substitute.

I didn't think they could do it, but they did. They put Romeo and Juliet in Japan, with both of the families retaining their Italian names. To make it work in Japan, they had to make the Capulets and the Montagues warring Yakuza families. If you don't know what Yakuza is, its basically the Japanese Mafia. They made Romeo a rock idol, with groupies always following him. His best friend Mercutio is basically what you would imagine if someone told you he was a gangsta. His pants are low, and he wears an open shirt. Romeo's dad is Japanese, and his Mom is Caucasian. Juliet, on the other hand is a Shibuya girl, meaning she is form Shibuya, one of Tokyo's wards. Her cousin, Tybalt, has a dragon tatoo on his back, which I have been told is not show more authentic, because it is not colored in. The Prince is now a police officer, and Paris is a detective on the force. If you like Manga, I would recommend this book. If you're just looking at this for the Shakespeare, don't read it, it really butchers the real play. They don't even have the part where they bite their thumbs at each other!
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I almost enjoyed it more than the original play. Romeo and Juliet has never been a favorite of mine, mostly because it's so overrated, but the pretty art and quirky expressions made it much more interesting. The poetry doesn't lose its romance or depth.

This was nice manga to read after Otakon. XD

The art is very nice, esp the colored pages, and I think this is the first time I've actually liked a Romeo and Juliet adaptation (it doesn't hurt that they REALLY deviate from the original play).

I was particularly taken with Juliet, who is kind of like a mix of Zorro, Joan of Arc, and well, a teenaged girl. XD It was very charming. Romeo was also cast more in the romantic lead role, which was kind of refreshing, I have to say. Good choice.

I really want to go see the anime this is based on now. I get the feeling there's more in it, as there were parts that seemed a little... truncated. Then again, this is manga, they do that.

I enjoyed this manga version of Romeo and Juliet, and that's saying a lot since I think it's one of Shakespeare's worst works.

I also learned a new term, Shibuya Girl. I'm still not entirely sure I understand the concept. I gathered that it refers to girls in Asian cultures who deck themselves out like pop star look-a-likes. It is apparently part of a larger trend of refusing old traditions.

I found it ironic, since that is pretty much what a manga version of Romeo and Juliet represents, a break from tradition.

I absolutely love the story based on romeo and juliet. I have read the classic but I think the author of "Manga Shakespeare" used a cool innovative way to get the love story a crossover between many types of different readers. I love the grahic novel changed on the story. Every turn of the page if filled with beutiful art work.