Kaiju Girl Caramelise Vol. 1 - Manga Comic Book | Japanese Monster Girl Adventure Story | Perfect for Anime Fans & Manga Collectors | Great Gift for Cosplay Enthusiasts

Kaiju Girl Caramelise was a manga I stumbled upon back when it was announced for western release. I had the ability to peak at the first couple chapters and I fell in love right away. To finally be able to own the work and read the full volume in my hands is nothing short of a treat.The author, Spica Aoki wrote another "Shoujo" series and I honestly feel she took everything she learned from her previous series and put it all in Kaiju Girl. The result, is such a well oiled first chapter where we learn everything we need to know about our MC and state of affairs. Right away, you are drawn into the story with wonderful art both fluffy and sharp (with wonderful "chibi" here and there) to highlight the emotions of our MC and really get you to her world quickly.Kuroe is, simply put, an adorable MC. She is also a VERY relatable MC. The theme and message through the story's "gimmic" (Kuroe having a strange, genetic disorder that makes her turn into Godzilla) is tied so well to the feeling of people (especially Young Adults) thinking (at some point in their lives ) they are monsters. Where our MC literally turns into a monster, this message goes much deeper and shows how Spica isn't just throwing cute pictures around with dazzling guys. No, we have a very cute, and pure story about a girl who thinks herself a monster (a reverse Beauty and the Beast if you will) and finding impossible for someone to think of her as anything less than ugly.Not being part of this manga's targeted audience is irrelevant. Right away I am drawn to this simple theme because it transcends all gender and orientation. It is what many people have gown through and it is presented in a wonderful package where you can't help but want to support the MC in her desire to be happy and maybe even loved.In addition, I'm happy to say, I also really like the male love interest. A lot of male characters in Shoujo manga tend to fall into a lot of tropes, and some just aren't good. I'm tired of seeing the "bad boy" or the "Cold and distant" types since they often portray attitudes and personalities one would think any girl would be running for the hills after seeing. The "nice guy" trope here is welcomed, but it's more than that. I love the understanding and relatable notion Kuroe's crush is in how he is structured to be someone capable of "understanding" Kuroe. Now, of course, he isn't fully aware of her condition so he isn't so presumptuous to think they are equals. However, his attitude toward his fame and why he is attracted to the MC is something I honestly don't see enough sometimes. It's a truly sweet and wonderful tale.If you are looking for a break from the "Cool/Cold/Bad boy" love interest and want to read a story about a charming "Ugly Duckling (Kaiju)" girl, then this is for you. I give a full 5 stars with how much I enjoyed this and can't wait for volume two. It's just the kind of fluff that makes you want to scoop the MC into your arms and tell her it will be alright.Also, the bit about her liking pancakes and Death Metal music (I think, hard to confirm from the suffixes) is on a level so hilarious I can't help but laugh at the stark contrast.TLDR: Monster girl thinks she is ugly but male love interest comes from a "relatable" background and makes for a refreshing and charming story. MC is hopelessly cute and shares a lot of reltatable elements through her "condition" with true adolescence. All black and liking pancakes = cute. Win.