In Japan, Gentlemen’s Alliance Cross (紳士同盟†; Shinshi Doumei Kurosu) was affectionately referred to as ShinKuro, which I adopted immediately as both the original and translated titles were both tiring. It’s fitting, though, for a series that spans 11 volumes and has something along the lines of 30-40 characters.
Haine is a former delinquent who was given to the Otomiya family in return for a business loan to save the Kamiya family from bankruptcy. She ends up going to the prestigious Imperial Academy to chase after Shizumasa Togu, a boy she’s been in love with since they were children, only for him to treat her coldly and refuse any contact with her whatsoever. Haine is upset but the blow is softened just a tad when she walks in on Shizumasa and his lover – who happens to be another guy.
Secrets and betrayal are the key to ShinKuro, possibly more than any other of Tanemura-sensei’s long-running stories. It’s not just that one or two people are hiding something from Haine, everyone has a secret they’re keeping from their friends, their lovers and even their family members. We’re let in on these as they are revealed to the other characters, rather than getting blatant exposition, and some of them are pretty shocking for a series that runs in a magazine like Ribon.
All in all, I think this is Arina Tanemura’s best series. The story is addictive and multilayered, the art is tight and she’s made a real effort to make sure the characters don’t all look alike. She herself says that she did a lot of things in ShinKuro that were a departure for her – gay characters, for one – and I think it all really came together perfectly. If you’re only going to read one of her series, pick ShinKuro and bring a tissue or two.
Filed under: manga Tagged: | arina tanemura, gentlemen's alliance cross, manga, otaku week, shinkuro, shōjo
