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Title:  Penguin Revolution #3

Author:  Sakura Tsukuba

Publisher:  CMX

ISBN:  9781401212841

May Contain Spoilers

Ryo has a bit part in the super hero show Animal Spirit Heroes.  Playing Narazaki’s little brother, he almost meets with disaster when there’s an accident on the set.  Knocked unconscious, Yukari sees that he’s sprouted a large, beautiful pair of “talent” wings when he regains his senses.  Just as everything seems to be going right for Ryo, everything starts to go decidedly wrong for Yukari.  Narazaki wants her to be his manager, and he won’t take “no” for an answer.  And as Ryo’s star begins to rise, jealousies threaten to derail his career!

After Yukari receives the news that she’s to be Narazaki’s new manager, and Tomoya Hashimoto will be representing Ryo, she’s in a daze.  Why can’t things stay the way they are?  She’s soon being confronted by Kaname, one of Ryo’s rivals, and his manager, Kaneda,  and accused of cozying up to Narazaki and dumping Ryo.  When Ryo overhears, he and Kaname go at it, and Yukari intervenes, knocking Kaname on his ass.  His manager demands that the President do something about the violent pair, and as punishment, he decides to turn down all of the offers that Ryo has been receiving.  Yukari is devastated that she’s the cause of Ryo’s dreams being put on ice.  Instead, she begs to be allowed to take full responsibility, and resigns from the agency.

Wow, fate decided to dump on Yukari in a big way in this volume.  Having embraced Ryo’s dreams of being a star as her own, she sacrifices her position at the Peacock Talent Agency so he can continue to chase after his rainbow.  Accustomed to extreme turns in fortune, she resignedly packs up her meager belongings and heads for the nearest park.  While I am not familiar with public parks in Japan, I don’t think they are suitable sleeping areas for young girls, and was really starting to feel anxious for our plucky heroine.  I’m happy to report that she did not have to spend the night out in the elements!  For me, roughing it is when the batteries to my cell and laptop die simultaneously.  The thought of being without a flush toilet gives me hives.  Poor Yukari!!

As Yukari stakes out a place for stay for the night, she comes across a playground, and has a flashback to her childhood.  She remembers returning home to an empty house, and finding the note from her mother that suddenly changed her life.  Considering all of the rejection that she’s had to deal with, Yukari is a surprisingly well-adjusted teen.  Having felt the sting of loneliness and isolation, she finds it preferable to interfering with Ryo’s career.  When Ryo tracks her down, will he be able to talk some sense into her?  Yukari gave up way too easily on her job, and more importantly, I don’t think she fought hard enough for Ryo.  The President loves playing his little mind games, and Yukari fell right into his trap. 

Ah!  I’ve discovered a new character to obsess over!  Narazaki!  He and his katana are too cool!  What mischief does he have in mind for Yukari?

Grade:  C+

Rated for Teen

Review galley provided by CMX