The Devil Does Exist: Volume 1 »

High school is difficult for most kids. But for Kayano, a shy girl whose single mother seems to work all the time, it's even worse than usual. She's so afraid of drawing attention to herself, in fact, that she can't tell the handsome Kamijo how much she loves himuntil one day she finally gets up the courage to write him a letter confessing her feelings.But her plans go awry when the letter falls into the hands of the school's most notorious student, Edogawa Takeru. To Kayano, Takeru seems to be Satan himself. Not only is he devilishly handsome, he is the son of the school's principal. Even the teachers dare not stand up to him.

Kayano, appalled by how badly her first attempt at a social life has gone, thinks she can struggle through, and get her letter back. But, Takeru enjoys watching her suffer. Just when she thinks she's solved the problem, her mother comes home to announce she's getting marriedto principal Edogawa! Now Kayano will have to live with this devil Takeru 24/7! How will she cope with this literal "living hell?"

Publishers Weekly

Kayano has a crush on basketball captain Yuichi, but when she tries to give him a love letter, school bully Takeru intercepts it. Of course, Kayano is mortified, and her despair deepens when her mother announces that she's engaged to Takeru's father, making the tormenter her brother. Takeru's father is the school principal, so he's used to getting everything he wants, and even the teachers are afraid of him. Takeru's a manipulator, arranging things so that he's on the basketball team along with Yuichi, and Kayano is the team manager, forced into proximity with both of them. Both boys pressure and confuse Kayano, and at times, it seems like she's less a character and more a prize. Mitsuba's art in this teen-centered shojo (which does contain some mild profanity) is full of cute faces, domestic settings and closeups that emphasize expression and emotion. Decorations are added around the edges to clarify the mood, such as hearts or flowers or skulls (when things are going particularly badly). Thin crossing lines on characters' cheeks, rather like facial pick-up sticks, frequently indicate embarrassment. Although the parents are significant characters, they appear to be the same age as their children due to the artist's generally youthful faces. Fans of Hot Gimmick will find this a similar read with less complexity and distinction. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.