Walkin' Butterfly Volume 1 [Paperback]

Chihiro Tamaki (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Series: Walkin' Butterfly | Publication Date: August 22, 2007

The Metamorphosis of Michiko

As a tall girl, Michiko has never fit in... literally. She's always felt different and can't accept herself. Her height is matched only by her complex about it.

While delivering pizzas at a fashion show she is mistaken for a model and thrust on stage. Mihara, the show's designer, confronts her and tells her that she can't walk the catwalk because she doesn't know her true self.

From that moment on, Michiko is determined to find her place in the world as a model, and as a young woman. Can she find the inner strength to undergo a spectacular transformation? Is Michiko up to the challenge? Just try her.

Walkin' Butterfly, as chic as a Tokyo catwalk.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Aurora Publishing (August 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934496006
• ISBN-13: 978-1934496008
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,657,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The grittiness of the modeling world, September 12, 2007

By 

nopocky4kitty - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walkin' Butterfly Volume 1 (Paperback)

During Anime Expo 07' I saw the cover art for Walkin Butterfly on a poster and T-Shirt from far away and zoomed right to the Aurora Publishing booth to get it. I love the cover design with its pink color tone and sketchy illustration. To tell the truth, at first I just really wanted the T-shirt that had the cover illustration printed on it, and bought the manga "Walkin Butterfly" and "Hate to Love You" in order to get it, but I'm glad that the story turned out not to be disappointing in the least.

The story of "Walkin Butterfly" centers on the grittiness of the modeling industry. Unlike typical shoujo manga, not everything magically goes right and the heroine is not there only to meet a super-handsome prince and start an emotional romantic relationship etc...

This story is more of a growing-up story of sorts. The heroine starts out insecure of herself and her place in the world and gradually learns to be more comfrotable with herself as she is.

The modeling world is also not all glamour and sparkles. We see the hard work models have to put in, in order to succeed. Like any other occupation, one must fight their way through to success.

For those women who are really tall and feel insecure with themselves as women etc. I'm sure they can identify with the heroine as she is battling with her inner insecurities in deviating from the "norm" of what a woman should be. Though I am rather short in height, I also found myself identifying with the main character as nowadays, the idea is to be tall and thin.

In the end, I just find it very refreshing to find a shoujo story that has some roots in social reality today. Not everything needs to be sugar coated and sweet. Teh art is also very attracting with its sharp sketchy style.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Walkin' in the right direction, October 7, 2007

By 

Kayuga - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walkin' Butterfly Volume 1 (Paperback)

This is my first foray into Josei manga and i think overall it was a good impression. I like the artwork and the character was compelling. But it brings to mind so many other mangas that i'm readin right now,as far as plot goes. Like Skip Beat, Swan I.N.V.U. She's trying to make it in the modeling world and aspire to greatness, but she doesn't get it right away and struggles and there's a mysterious jerk who inspires her to do better. Infact, it's basically the exact same as all of those. I think the major difference here is that the Author doesn't try to make the main character apologize for her strong, agressive personality. Like In Skip beat Koyoko is very tenacious and kind of scary violent but the she gets enrolled in this program to make her more loving and to squash her fighting spirit. This is not the same for our Heroine in Walkin' Butterfly and i can't wait to get more of it. The extras are very good, with an interesting like 4 page interview with the author.

My complaint has nothing to do with the content of the story as much as the production of the book it's self. they need to improve the binding it's hard to keep open and it doesn't bend easily. hopefully if the become more successful they will fix this problem the CMX also had and fixed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars real showbiz excitement!, October 2, 2007

By 

Chloe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walkin' Butterfly Volume 1 (Paperback)

I first liked the artwork on the cover and decided to take it. But while reading it, I grew more and more into the story of this young girl struggling to be someone. I can't wait to see what's awaiting her in the next volume!