Othello, Volume 2 [Paperback]

Satomi Ikezawa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2004

WAIT WHILE I CHANGE INTO SOMEONE MORE COMFORTABLE

Shy Yaya spends her time in awkward conversations with her handsome classmate, guitarist Moriyama; dressing up with fellow fans of the rock group Juliet; and avoiding her bitter, sadistic ex-friends. But whenever Yaya bumps her head or looks into a mirror, she changes into her other personality–boisterous, tough-as-nails Nana, who punishes the guilty and belts out Led Zeppelin tunes. Now Moriyama’s mysterious adult friend, Shôhei, sets his sights on Nana. He is rumored to have close ties to the music industry, but instead harbors a secret agenda.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Meek, 16-year-old Yaya Higuchi is anything but ordinary. An accident has caused her alter ego, Nana, to come out and exact justice upon everyone who has tormented Yaya. Her more assertive personality springs to life whenever she bumps her head or looks into a mirror. Yaya develops a crush on Moriyama, the lead singer of a local band. Since she is too shy to deal with her feelings herself, Nana takes over. Yaya and Moriyama become friends, although Moriyama more than once questions the weird goings-on with her, then begins to understand that Yaya has multiple personalities. At the end of the volume, Moriyama's mysterious adult friend, Shôhei, sets his sights on Nana. Readers are left wondering what Shôhei is going to do, but one thing is sure–Nana will make certain that no one takes advantage of Yaya. Although the artwork doesn't stand out, Ikezawa manages to capture universal teen angst in a likable character.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
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About the Author

Satomi Ikezawa's previous work before Othello is Guru Guru Pon-chan. Ikezawa won the 24th Kodansha Manga Prize in 2000 for Guru Guru Pon-chan. She has two Labradors, named Guts and Ponta. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345479483
• ISBN-13: 978-0345479488
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.7 x 7.5 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 Best Sellers Rank: #433,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Nana strikes again!, December 6, 2005

By 

B. Taylor "Emi Ayumi" (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Othello, Volume 4 (Paperback)

Yaya is getting closer to Moriyama, but wouldn't you know it? A fan of Moriyama, Megumi, is determined to tear the two apart with her fake stabbing kindness. Poor Yaya doesn't have the nerve to stand up to Megumi, but her alter ego, Nana, does!

I think this manga is great!! ^_^ The story still continues, and it keeps you hooked. lol I just love Yaya's alter ego Nana serve justice to evil doers! This manga has a little romance, action, and alot of kick butt rock too! Also the story has good message about gaining courage and believing in yourself. I'd recommand this manga up for a good read!

4.0 out of 5 stars DON'T TREAD ON ME, September 4, 2005

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Othello, Volume 2 (Paperback)

A new year is starting at YaYa's school and because you stick with your homeroom class all day, YaYa is hoping to be in class with Moriyama, the aspiring rockstar that she cares about more and more. On the other hand, she will be in abject misery if she has to be stuck with Moe and Seri, the two mean bullies who always pick on her, for the whole year! It's too bad that only one of these wishes comes true, because along with Moriyama, she finds out that Noe and Seri are in her class. After they push her into a pond, she decides not to go to school anymore. That is, until her alternative personality takes charge, and NaNa begins her revenge! As she begins to suspect that her memory loss is something more than simple forgetfulness, we begin to wonder exactly who is the real YaYa.

While the plot of this manga seems a little contrived, I really enjoyed it. Even Shakespeare used mistaken identity in his plays and the Jekyll and Hyde motif echoes through eternity. Ikezawa does a good job of making the situations funny and the romance touching without taking sap from a tree. And NaNa's revenge methods are humorous without being vindictive. The art and dialogue are also good. Nice manga.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars THIS GIRL IS EVIL, December 3, 2005

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Othello, Volume 4 (Paperback)

Megumi Hano can't stand the fact of thinking that Nana got the best of her, whether through brains or brawn. So she's out to settle the score and take revenge on her for coming between her and her crush Moriyama. She enlists Yaya in her quest, (not knowing that Yaya IS Nana) by commanding Yaya to break into the principal's office to seek more information on her enemy. She's also such a good pal that she takes advantage of Yaya's aspirations to be a singer by telling her that her father runs a talent agency and can get her started as a pop idol. Just wait till you find out what kind of work she's really signed Yaya up for! Things get worse when old enemies Moe and Seri join up with Hano.

Othello is a entertaining but not very original manga. You're annoyed with Yaya for being so timid about everything and being picked on with no retaliation, but you also cheer "Justice is done!" along with alter-ego Nana when she beats the snot out of the evil-doers that are abusing her. But there hasn't been much character development over these first four volumes. The character of Hano is portrayed with remarkable disgust by the author and makes a really good villain. You can't wait till Nana puts her in her place over and over again. If you're just looking for some light entertainment, this would be a good manga.