Model-chan to Jimi Mane-san, Volume 1(モデルちゃんと地味マネさん) by Taneko, is a collected volume from Comic Yuri Hime‘s Pixiv site. The story is a simple one – top fashion model Yuria has a reputation for being aloof. When young manager Okabe Ayumi is assigned to her due to the previous manager being injured, she can barely get the model to acknowledge her, much less anyone else.
But Okabe is kind and persistent and, without warning, one day find Yuria listening to her, asking her for compliments and even pats on the head! A pat on the keppi is my family’s highest accolade, so I was able to empathize with Yuria even when she seemed extraordinarily flakey. ^_^ Yuria is flakey, too. Okabe has to remind her to greet people on the photo shoot when they arrive or leave. But under her guidance, Yuria is softening up.
When the agency president takes Okabe off of Yuria’s roster, returning her to the care of her former manager, Yuria reverts to her previous self. It’s only when the former manager has to take leave once more and Yuria gets reassigned Okabe that she realizes the change in her is directly due to her manager.
The final chapter is a surprising look at Yuria’s life. The half-Japanese daughter of a top-model and fashion designer, she was all but fated to be a top model herself. Life has been kind to her in terms of fame and finances, but her relationships with people are tenuous. Her parents mean a lot to her and, now, she finds that Okabe Ayumi does, too.
Taneko’s art is good, with one striking exception….Yuria is drawn rather more bland and slack-faced than I’d like to see for a character meant to be a stunning beauty. It’s supposed to be representative of her cold exterior, but she just looks kind of dull.
The story is continuing on Pixiv – you can read current chapters (in Japanese) I’m really glad about that! With the absence of gratuitous sex every chapter, it feels like an old MIST comic, where the aloof idol’s cool exterior is worn down by the enthusiastic genuineness of the young manager. I am 100% okay with this. ^_^ Yuria’s not likable per se, but as we get to know her, she’s sympathetic. We want Okabe to warm the cockles of that cold heart. ^_^
Ratings:
Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 7
Yuri – 3 No more then blushing and a little charming codependency as of yet
Service – 1 if you count “Yuria in pretty clothes” asservice
Overall- a solid 7
All that said, I’m actually rooting for Yuria to make Okabe notice her for real. ^_^
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