Kasumi - Volume 1 (Paperback)

~ (Author), Hirofumi Sugimoto (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–9—Kasumi, 16, lost her mother when she was very young, and her father, a plant researcher, has moved frequently in an attempt to ward off his unhappiness. Exploring a new forest with him, the teen encounters a mysterious glowing tree that gives her the ability to become invisible when she holds her breath. This attracts the attention of Ryuuki, a moody, attractive student at Kasumi's new, snobby school. He has special powers, too, and may be the answer to Kasumi's questions about hers. Kasumi is a likable character, and her growing crush on Ryuuki, as well as her interactions with the cruelly exclusive students and Otaku Ken, her nerdy new admirer, will resonate with younger teens. The skillful illustrations are drawn with flowing, confident lines and often spill out of angular panels, effectively heightening the drama. This humorous fantasy with elements of realistic young adult fiction should find wide appeal among fans of shojo and fantasy.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
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Product Description

THE INVISIBLE GIRL

Kasumi is a special girl–and not just because she’s a super-cute high schooler with a heart of gold. She has a major secret: She can turn invisible when she holds her breath. But when she transfers to an elite private school, it gets harder to keep her superpowers secret, especially when she catches the eye of the handsome student-body president, Ryuuki, and becomes the target of his number one fan, mean girl extraordinaire Reina. Can Kasumi keep hiding who she really is?

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345503546
• ISBN-13: 978-0345503541
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #865,749 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kasumi...kazow, August 11, 2008

By	Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What does a girl have to do to fit into an elite school?
Kasumi has been transferred to an elite school, Sieran, from an ordinary school. When she arrives, she meets Ryuuki, the president of the student council, and the `ruling' girls out to make her life miserable.
Back to the question.
What can a girl do to gain acceptance and find new friends amidst rich kids, and a high level of snobbery? Not being able to show off her cars, clothes, or possessions, she turns to what she knows best, her magic.
Normally, that would be enough but when social standing is #1 in the minds of a school, even magic can be turned into embarrassment. That is, until she discovers she can turn invisible...

Even the geeky Otaku Ken is impressed, and shares his obsession with Superguy Returns and befriends her.
"Kasumi" is not your average manga. It sparkles with an interesting twist on social interactions and the power of popularity. Looking to a different level, the power of invisibility just might be a higher theme. How do you stand out? Is almost the real question being examined here.
Artwise, Hirofumu Sugimoto is competent and fills his panels with more than swish effects and emotives.
Overall, one of the bettst manga to come out of delrey. Check it out at www.delreymanga.com

Tim Lasiuta

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting enough, August 23, 2008

By	Harmony Lawler - See all my reviews

Kasumi is a very unique story. Basically our main character has been granted magical abilities and then thrown into a new school. We dont know much of said abilites except for she turns invisible when she holds her breath.

Kasumi as a character is very likeable. She's spunky, energetic, and cute. This series isnt littered with stereotypes and limits itself well to just a few that arent overpowering. The story itself isn't deep, but draws you into wanting to know more. Seeing how volume 1 leaves off on a cliffhanger.

The art is clean and simplistic but doesnt leave out any emotions. It's very catchy.
There's not really a downside to this, it just could be better to get it to 5 stars? But 4 is good.

4.0 out of 5 stars Manages to stay unique, January 5, 2009

By	Lisa Andresky "Oogendune" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

I picked this up because of it's cute artwork, the character's expressions are expressed very vividly. Turning invisible when she holds her breath? This intrigued me, because it sounds fun before you realize that it could also be an inconvenience to Kasumi, think of all the times you are forced to hold your breath in real life.

Kasumi is the first transfer student ever at Seiran, a high class, extravagant high school, I rolled my eyes and said "Ouran High School Host Club", that's what it reminded me of, especially when the students are, and act, snobbishly rich, and even throw out the word "commoner" at Kasumi. I quickly changed my mind when I saw how much bullying Kasumi goes through, something that keeps this story a little more unique.

There is a fan club (RSF- Ryuu-sama's exclusive fan club) for the most popular boy in school, Ryuuki, the student council president. The fan club consists of girls who are in love with Ryuuki, and the girls have set out a list of rules that everyone must follow, for example, no one is allowed to give him love letters or gifts unless they are part of the club. Again, I shook my head because this sounds a lot like "Fruits Basket", Yuki Sohma being the object of worship of the fan club there.

I thought about putting the book down right then, too many borrowed elements. But I kept reading and there is some kind of uniqueness to a story that seemed like it was going to be all to familiar. Kasumi continues to be bullied and as she is just beginning to realize her ability to turn invisible every time she holds her breath ..it may lead to new discoveries about other students in school.