Kare First Love, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Kaho Miyasaka (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Kare First Love | Publication Date: August 11, 2004

Coy and self-conscious high school student Karin Karino never paid much attention to boys until she met Kiriya, a popular student from a nearby boys' school. Karin and Kiriya embark on a romantic journey despite Karin's classmate Yuka's best efforts to sabotage their relationship, but Karin soon learns that living happily ever after isn't on the curriculum when she becomes Kiriya's center of attention, as well as embittered Yuka's bull's-eye on her dartboard of hate. Through a series of chance meetings, Kiriya discovers the exquisite beauty lurking behind Karin's thick glasses and coy demeanor, and asks her to be his girlfriend. But living happily ever after in high school isn't on the curriculum, as Karin soon finds herself the center of Kiriya's attention, as well as the bulls eye in embittered pal Yuka's dartboard of hate.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kaho Miyasaka made her own debut as a cartoonist in the November 1992

extra issue of Shogakun Shojo Comics. Her first official work was

Jungle Boy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (August 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591163943
• ISBN-13: 978-1591163947
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read manga for all girls!!!, October 15, 2004

By 

Kaikane "Shoujo Addict" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kare First Love, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

"Kare First Love" is the kind of manga I wished I had read when I was in Junior High/ High school! This manga has a great story & characters that just about anyone can relate to!

Anyone who has ever been shy, socially awkward, or dealt with peer pressure ( growing pains) & been in LOVE =)... will be able to relate to this book.

Karin is that awkward, geeky girl who is socially awkward, a passive, people pleaser who lets herself get bullied by her popular classmate to share her home work. On her way to school at the subway, Karin met a boy named Kiriya. Kiriya seems to be fascinated by Karin & Karin can't stand him since she isn't use to getting that much attention.

Geeky Karin gets pressured by her classmate again to go on a group date where she meets Kiriya & Karin was humiliated by her classmate in front of everybody. As if things weren't bad enough her classmate wants Kiriya badly & Karin got drunk accidentally (making a very bad impression)!!!

What will poor Karin do? will she let her classmate snag Kiriya a way? or will she ever be brave enough to get close to Kiriya? Will Karin ever see herself the way Kiriya sees her?

Kare's First love is probably my favorite shoujo manga at the moment. It's a story about coming of age, self discovery, dealing with that awkward stage in your life & that unforgettable first love!!!

Such a great manga that is a MUST read!! One of the best current shojo!! Viz has done a great job licensing all these shojo titles!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Ending, January 1, 2011

By 

T. Hicks "In More Love" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kare First Love, Vol. 10 (v. 10) (Paperback)

For those that are reading these reviews to decide if they want to start (or finish) reading Kare First Love, let me give a short overview of the series. Most love stories revolve around the hero and heroine "almost" falling in love, "almost" hugging, "almost" kissing, and "almost" becoming a real couple, with the climax of the story being that they finally confess their love for each other. And then the series ends. And you, the earnest viewer/reader, never get to see how they actually fair in a real relationship.

That's not what Kare First Love is! From volume 1, you know Karin (the heroine) and Kiriya (the hero) are going to get together. In volume 2, they are. And from there, practically volumes 1-10, you get to see them in their relationship together from first date to fifth date to meeting parents, etc. and you watch how they mold each other into better, happier, more confident people.

Kare First Love is about metamorphosis and of course, love! Despite the shaaa, and sparkles, and manga bells and whistles, the tale is fairly accurate (sometimes frustratingly so) and realistic. They have their silly fights, they have their enormous arguments, they think about cheating, sex, and the future. A lot of people will be able to relate their own experiences and that is what makes this story so appealing.

So how do you end a series that, for most manga, could have ended at volume 2 (with the climax of Karin and Kiriya confessing love)?

Karin and Kiriya's final journey together brings back all of the characters you've known and loved as well as some new friends. The loose threads are tied up (not too neatly, but satisfyingly) and the final surprise will leave you gushing with joy. I am quite pleased with how the artist and author decided to leave us and I think all readers will be too! I could not write a more glowing review, I promise!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A cute read, May 27, 2009

By 

kaya j (U.K.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kare First Love, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

This manga centres around Karin, a shy, quiet, high school girl who meets the popular, outgoing Kiriya, who goes to a neighbouring high school. The story focuses on the relationship that develops between them.

The mood of this series is generally pretty light hearted even though it does have its fair share of drama. From problems faced within their relationship to trouble created by those around them, the series is basically about the couple's relationship and how this evolves over time.

On the whole, this is a solid shojo series, well worth picking up. The characters are all really well developed and Karin and Kiriya are both likeable. The story is pretty fast paced and I found myself instantly sucked in by it. It does have its sappy moments, but that's what we all love about shojo manga after all!