THE GENTLEMEN'S ALLIANCE -CROSS-, VOL. 1

VIZ MEDIA
CARTOONIST: Arina Tanemura
TRANSLATION/ADAPTATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ISBN: 978-1-4215-1183-2; soft cover; Rated "T+" for Older Teen
184 pp., B&W, $8.99

In the shojo Manga, The Gentlemen's Alliance -Cross- Vol. 1, a girl tries to fit in at her adopted home and at the exalted private school she attends, but the complication is an unattainable and aloof boy upon whom she has a crush.

Born into the prestigious Kamiya family, Haine became part of the Otomiya family when her father traded her for a 50 million yen loan.  Now, she's a 15-year old attending the exclusive Imperial Academy, a private school for the aristocracy.  Of course, there are arcane rules and a stiff class system, and Haine has trouble fitting in, although she does have proper family lineage.  However, she has her eye on Shizumasa Togu, the "Emperor" of the Student Council, and she'll take on the rules, the hierarchy, and anything that stands in her way to Shizumasa.  But he has a surprise for Haine when it comes to dating…

Manga-ka Arina Tanemura provides artwork for The Gentlemen's Alliance -Cross- that is both detailed and lush.  Intricate line work and crosshatching that looks like tapestry meet brushwork as smooth a creamy chocolate.  The story ain't so delicious.  The narrative lists and has a jerky rhythm.  Tanemura's puts too much focus on Haine and Shizumasa the "Emperor," and it's not that they aren't interesting characters.  It's simply she plays both one note.  There's hope however for future volumes as the supporting cast is colorful.

5/10