Friday, December 28, 2012

The one Manga review


Warning: Recommended for adults as it contains bisexuality, profanity etc..
Type: Manhua
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: Unknown
Status: Publishing
Published: Jan 1, 2005 to ?
Genres: Drama, Romance, Shoujo, Psychological
Authors: Lee, Nicky (Story & Art)
Serialization: Star Girls Comic

The story in "The One" is neither boring nor slow-paced, which makes it very interesting and stimulating to the reader; although the underline theme is "life in the fashion world", it does not fall in the cliché category. This manga turned out to be a surprise for me, I never expected to be this devoted. 
Although it's not finished yet, it's interesting to re-read the story because there's always a little detail that you miss, or simply because there's such a fast development that it will seem that everything happened "a long time ago...".


Cane Lele was born into the fashion industry. Her mother, Ye Feii, was Taiwan's top model, and her father was also a model, until a tragic airplane crash left Lele without parents.

Therefore it is no surprise that Lele hates the industry, thinking it superficial and unnecessary. Raised by her paternal grandmother, Lele reaches seventeen before she is sucked in by her mother's sister, Ye Feihung, a fashion agent (and former model) who "convinces" the reluctant Lele to pose. Lele is adverse to the whole idea, until she sees a photo shoot of popular American model Angus Lanson, and she begins to see modeling as an art form.

When Aunt Feihung's magazine editor invites Angus Lanson to a meeting of all the top fashion ambassadors, Lele is invited along and is curious to meet Angus. She does not know that Angus' twin elder brother, Eros Lanson, is secretly accompanying his brother. This obviously leads to confusion and is the start of a charming story of Lele's goals: Fashion in New York city, becoming a top model, and love? 


I adore the story and art. Miss Cane is the most amazing character I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. There are many bishie characters that most will enjoy. I recomend this incredible story to everyone unless you can't get over (very very slight) bisexual situations or implied relationships.
The humor in this manga is one of the best aspects. Lele's stupid clumsiness, Angus's brother-complex, the love hate relationships between Feihung and her "boytoy!" The list goes on and on. You'll laugh, cry and get angry throughout the whole story. That's the sign of a great manga. 

Cane Lele is probably just like most other manga heroines. She's ditsy, clueless, hates something (in this case the fashion industry), denies that she loves someone (coughcoughyouknow!cough), etc, etc. But even with all the regular cliches, there are some quite enjoy parts to her character. You do end up sympathizing with her and you'll definitely laugh at her remarks and responses. This is simply because most girls (and not being sexist here, guys can read shoujo manga too but the MAJORITY is girls) will react in the same way as her. She's just one of the characters that you'll met along the way and like Lele, you'll also laugh and sympathize or maybe even hate the other characters as well.  And coming to Eros.. He is just awesome. You always wait for his and lele's part in the story.


Right, at first glance the art kind of turned me off. Maybe its because I don't enjoy the type of eyes and body that the mangaka uses but once you get into the story, it's much easier to ignore and/or grow to like it. I gave this a 10 even though I initially didn't like the art is because when the fashion industry part came in, the art turned absolutely SPLENDID! It's beautiful really and definitely worth a 10. 


It's great but for something to be OUTSTANDING there has to be more. Right now, I've only read 90 (because it's not been finished translated yet) so I can't say for sure how the story goes after. But as far as it has gone is long and yes its absolutely worth reading.