Princess Jellyfish // soft platonic romance

Jellyfish was an utterly cute series, and I wish it never ended. I was drawn into it by a personal connection.

My dad is the person who taught me how to walk in heels and keep a dress from getting in my way, using his own experience from his teen years during which he wore heels, dresses and eyeliner.

At the time, we’d been raised to laugh at such things. I didn’t think it was weird or abnormal or anything, and in my adulthood, I wish that alter had not responded with a laugh, but by saying, “That’s really cool,” instead.

I appreciate straight men who cross-dress, in public. They have a lot of privilege, yes — that’s not it, though. Rather, it’s the fact that they feel comfortable enough in their identity that their masculinity will not be at risk if they wear clothes associated with femininity. I appreciate, and respect, that.

I enjoy hanging out with those types of men.

I used to think I could marry one of those types of men, but it turns out I’m just a lesbian.

Book review + thoughts

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 1

• Being a “Stylish” is essentially a metaphor for trendiness/popularity/going with the status quo, so I can see how it threatening upgrading their style feels to the Amars, the otaku living in Amamizukan.
• Main character Tsukimi was relatable and, oddly, likeable. She seems most comfortable in her “After Tsukimi” style, out of everyone else.
• Kuranosuke, the cross-dressing straight man, has a style sense and compassion towards the Amars. I’m not sure exactly why he took an interest in Tsukimi so much, beyond her living so close to his mansion and him not wanting to be home all that much. I’d like to say that he liked her since he found out she’s a virgin, him being a guy and all, but just didn’t realize it — but I don’t know.
• Kuranosuke’s brother, Shuu Koibuchi, has such a typical guy reaction to After Tsukimi versus Before Tsukimi. Reminded me why I’m a lesbian.
• Overall, I absolutely love this story, and josei is not something we collectively care for.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 2

• nice character dev
• I liked how the plot wasn’t driven by romance
• I admired the selflessness portrayed by Kuranosuke, but other reviews called him selfish, sooo let’s blame different neurotypes.
• I don’t care so much for author side comics, and I feel like there is going to be two in each English volume of this series
• The chauffeur gives autistic vibes, though he’s not entirely loyal in the case of threats against his special interest (Benz vehicles)

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 3

• Not feeling the side romance story between Shu and the landshark woman. This is honestly what I dislike about josei, i.e. every romance uses an attractive woman as a plot device to drive the romance/create jealousy/etc. — perpetuating this patriarchal feud between women
• Ugh, but I’d have slapped that bitch, too.
• This volume had a lot more fashion in it than I’d like.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 4

• Lots more character dev, plot dev
• Still doing the jealous/bitchy side chick shit
• Another love interest is finally coming to light more/better
• I appreciate how romance doesn’t keep the plot moving along, but wish there was more romance. These volumes contain almost 400 pages each — I feel like more romance should have hit by now, but nothing.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 5

• Romance is moving wayyy too slow.
• At this point, I’m committed for the romance.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 6

• The cliche male antagonist love interest has stepped into the chat
• This one has a lot of backstabbing and drama — it would have been dramatic enough without the additional dude. Where the story is now headed feels unnaturally paced.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 7

• The drama in this volume reminds me of that song where the old woman swallowed a horse — she swallowed the cow to catch the goat, to catch the dog, to catch the cat…
• Like, this can’t be legal?? The plot from Volume 6 is basically human trafficking and using a hostage situation for comedy and to drive the plot.
• There was also a lack of consent from a man who saw [character] as a child, whom he seeks to use for financial gain.
• I’m honestly tired of Tsukimi’s naivete/lack of understanding that she is being taken advantage of, to the point that it’s irritating. I understand her overall story is essentially coming-of-age, but this is Twilight Saga commitment in hopes that the main character is going to do a total 360 on her character.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 8

• I hesitated to buy the last two volumes of Princess Jellyfish, as they were not available for free with comiXology, and I could have just read the ending on a free manga site. I wanted to support the author, however, so I did ultimately buy them (close to $30 after tax), but I do admit that I still read a lot of manga on those sites because English versions are not always easy to find. Some manga never gets an English version, which sucks.
• The plot is starting to feel extremely rushed, like the author was given a specific time frame to finish the series. I suspect the live-action drama series was the cause, because what better promotion tool than a TV show to encourage people to buy the books???
• Shu keeps doing shit on his own. If he’s 30 while she’s supposed to be 19, why is he so gung-ho about turning her into a politician’s wife?? SHE HAS NOT EVEN LIVED HER LIFE YET, AND HE IS ABOUT TO SQUASH IT ALL. He also doesn’t recognize her in her plain clothes and/or all dolled up, based off what he’s expecting. So gross. This is the woman he supposedly LOVES. Like, WHAT THE ACTUAL F?!
• The real hero is the one who actually went out and found Tsukimi.
• The side story at the end explained why Kuranosuke started wearing dresses and other feminine clothes, and I quite appreciated it.

Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 9

• THIS WAS SO CUTE.
• I wish the story had continued. I understand female empowerment and all that, but there was so much potential regarding their romance that I would have at least loved a time jump or something because I expected ROMANCE.
• The last chapter ends at 56 percent, leaving the rest of the volume to the author and about 10 percent for side stories. I didn’t like that too much.

Overall thoughts

• character development: in regard to style, many characters did a 180º, while a few did a 360º. I know not everyone is going to change; some people remain stagnant for long periods of time or forever — but it would have been great to see some key characters offer support a little better or change in a way that was more beneficial to a certain main character. Tsukimi’s naivete remains through the entirety of the series, and I just feel like 2000+ pages is more than enough for some better character dev.
• plot development: we don’t get to see what happens to some characters, as if they only existed to serve as side pieces/jealousy sources, which left me feeling sour. I’m not into characters who exist only to serve as plot devices (to provoke action, or add drama to romance, etc.); they remind me of human props in dance recitals, where a dancer just stands there the whole time and doesn’t really do anything but add to the number for “group” dances.
• romance: lacking; I understand the point was to keep it on the back burner, but…this could have easily been a story about two friends falling in love, as opposed to a love triangle-esque story ft. one older political dude who can’t recognize the woman he supposedly loves when she’s all dolled up vs. in regular clothes.