Koibumi Biyori

A Perfect Day for Love Letters 1
Original Japanese title: �文日和 1
by George Asakura

Apparently this has been licensed by Del Rey. One more series among the adolescent titillated flotsams and jetsams in the manga-anime tidal wave that’s hit the US-dominated market. Still, I’d say that this is one of the better series in shoujo romance—a collection of short comics dealing with (somewhat anonymous) love letters. Not as experimental as Asakura’s earlier works (Happy End, カラオケãƒ?カ一代 and ãƒ?ラã?Œå’²ã?„ã?Ÿ, for instances), perhaps to better suit the mainstream palate, but the stories are short, fleeting without the over-sweetness, and I personally am quite fond of Asakura’s refreshing, parodic style. The joke might be lost though if you’re not familiar with mainstream shoujo manga culture.

I actually own the original Japanese title (last year’s birthday presents, if you must know). Three volumes so far, and apparently there’s also a movie.