In his introduction to this wonderful graphic novel, translator Matt Thorn called shôjo manga: "...a unique forum in which Japanese girls and women can discuss and debate among each other (and now you) what it means to be a Japanese girl, woman, a human being in relationships with other human beings." The hallmark of all shôjo manga is its focus upon human relationships and emotions; it is the characters that drive the shôjo manga tale, not external conflict or action. This introspective, personal focus confers upon shôjo manga an amazing literary quality unique to the comic books of any culture or country.
Four Shôjo Stories is definitely the best compilation volume of this unique art form ever printed in English-translation. Each of the four short stories contained within was originally serialized in comic book form in Viz Communications extremely short-lived Viz Flower Comics imprint, and was selected for its maturity and literary quality. It shows. Unlike many examples of shôjo manga, which span multiple volumes and thousands of pages, Four Shôjo Stories contains only short tales with definite conclusions. The book is truly stand-alone, and is all the better for being so. These are not "just comic books". The stories are equal parts philosophical and poignant.
I've included brief summaries of each of the four stories, but, unfortunately, no poor words of mine will prepare the reader for the quality, sophistication, and delicate beauty that each of these tales possesses.
"Promise" by Keiko Nishi A mysterious boy swears to a little girl that they will meet again. Years later, the boy reappears, somehow unchanged, and teaches the now embittered girl how to live. Raw and emotionally charged.
"They Were 11" by Moto Hagio Ten students board a ghost ship adrift in space for fifty-four days. It is the last portion of their examination; they must learn to cooperate. However, there aren't ten students, there are eleven! Who is the imposter, and what does he want? An exhilerating classic with an important lesson by one of Japan's premier shôjo manga artists.
"The Changling" by Shio Sato In this story, humanity has seeded the universe with colonies. A young woman answers the summons of one of these "seed civilizations", only to discover utopia. But, is it utopia? And, what terrible connection does these people have with the "noble race" of their past? A delightful, emminently believable story.
"Since You've Been Gone" by Keiko Nishi The interplay between loyalty and betrayal is complex, and tragedy shows a husband whom he truly loves. Subtle and disturbing, even more so by its brevity.
Though only printed a few years ago in 1996, Four Shôjo Stories, is, for reasons that are known only to the translator and publisher, out of print. It is shameful to think that the English-speaking world may never again be exposed to manga of this quality. Nonetheless, if you can locate a copy of Four Shôjo Stories, I heartily encourage you to do so. No one, whether he be a lover of manga or great literature or both, will be disappointed.
