B.O.D.Y. (manga)
B.O.D.Y. is a shōjo romance and drama manga written and illustrated by Ao Momori. It was serialized in Bessatsu Margaret from 2003 until its conclusion in the 2009 issue. The individual chapters were collected and published in 15 bound volumes by Shueisha, with the first volume released on April 23, 2004, and the final volume released on October 24, 2008. The series is licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media. The manga is also licensed in France by Panini Comics. The series follows the romance that develops between 16-year-old Sakura Ryōko and her crush, Fuji Ryūnosuke, after she learns he works in a host club. The manga has been well received in Japan, with the individual volumes regularly ranking on the Tohan charts. Reviews have been mixed about the series with commendation was given for the manga's art, while the plot clichés and character development were condemned. Plot Everyone thinks 16-year-old Ryoko has weird taste in guys because she can't stop drooling over Ryu, the strong silent type who sits next to her in class. When she discovers he works for a host club—where women actually pay men to date them—will she finally wise up? Only one thing's for sure in B.O.D.Y.--you can't put a price on love! Release B.O.D.Y. is written and illustrated by Ao Momori. It was serialized in Bessatsu Margaret from 2003 until its conclusion in the November 2008 issue. The individual chapters were collected and published in 15 bound volumes by Shueisha, with the first volume released on April 23, 2004 and the final volume released on February 15, 2009. The series is licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media. The manga is also licensed in France by Panini Comics. Volume list Reception The tenth volume of B.O.D.Y. was ranked 4th on the Tohan charts between June 26 and July 16, 2007. The eleventh volume of B.O.D.Y. was ranked 8th on the Tohan charts between October 30 and November 5, 2007. The twelfth volume of B.O.D.Y. was ranked 7th on the Tohan charts between February 26 and March 3, 2008. The thirteenth volume of B.O.D.Y. was ranked 9th on the Tohan charts between 24th and 30 June 2008 and 10th on the Tohan charts between the 1st and 7 July 2008. The fourteenth volume of B.O.D.Y. ranked 9th on the Tohan charts between October 28 and November 3. About.com's Deb Aoki criticised the series for using "numerous plot clichés". Manga Life's Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane commends the second volume of the manga for its "attractive" artwork. A review of the third volume by MacFarlane comments that she is frustrated that "how often things revolve around misunderstandings that could be cleared up in about two minutes if the characters really sat and talked, or made a real attempt to figure how the other person might be feeling, but that's hardly unique to this series, or even to this genre (shōjo manga)." MacFarlane criticizes the fifth volume for being