Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the above cover image.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Her father, Seiji Koshiba, is an accomplished hair stylist, and his Koshiba Beauty Salon is the place for young stylists to train.  Kiri Koshiba, however, has no desire to use her own gifts as a hairstylist to pursue fame and fortune.  Then, she ends up in the “Scissors Project,” a group of skilled boys who give showy makeovers, and suddenly, she’s part of the beauty scene.

In Beauty Pop, Vol. 9, the “Scissors Project” (“SP”) is in the midst of the difficult All-Japan Beauty Tournament, but love is rearing its ugly head.  Shogo Narumi and Kiri “fell” into a kiss; will this and many other obstacles derail SP?

THE LOWDOWN:  While I’ve enjoyed many shoujo manga (girls’ comics) titles that involve high school and/or beauty, I can’t connect with the denizens of Beauty Pop.  The mix of comedy, backstabbing teens, and awkward young long produces an awkward narrative.  Actually, the best material in this manga is built around all the beauty salon and makeover technical stuff.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers who have always wanted a comic book about makeovers have it in Beauty Pop.

C