Novel - Little Darling
Author: Matsuri Kouzuki
Illustrator: Naduki Koujima
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-769-2
Publisher: Juné Manga
English Translator: Kelly Quine
Comments:
For some reason, it took me a while before I finally convinced myself to purchase this book. Call me stupid, but I kept confusing this novel with CJ Michalski's Delivery Cupid manga. Don't ask me why or how, I just did. I do think that was the reason behind the delay though. But then, I finally convinced myself to read the summary on the back. After having read the back, I changed my opinion of it (based on my initial impression via the cover). However, after having read it, I began to regret ever having purchased it in the first place.
The novel was split into two stories and each one consisted of several chapters. Some of the chapters lasted only one measily page, front and back. The plot was bland and there was no real major conflict at all. As soon as the two characters met, their relationship was set. Of course, Kaie didn't accept the relationship at first, as he wanted to become a fine male demon, but then, a few pages later, Kaie suddenly began having feelings, or he realized he had had a crush on Daina since their first meeting. It becomes a total bore quickly because nearly everyone accepts the relationship on the spot and even if Kaie didn't, he didn't seem to mind once night came and sex ensued.
I figured a story involving a hermaphrodite would've been beyond interesting and outrightly hilariously, but I was quite mistaken. There was no competition to uphold the relationship. There was no true internal struggle that would've caused the relationship to break or anything of the sort. The only conflicts present in this novel revolved around Daina rather than the actual relationship, which was the focal point of this novel. This doesn't even include any of the obvious grammatical and English errors in the translations.
Summary
Kaie is almost your perfect male demon. The only problem is that he's actually a hermaphrodite due to his mother's dominant genes as a succubus. Sent on a mission to find the lost heir of the Celestial throne, Kaie realizes that the boy who turns into a man at night is actually the heir he was told to look for. Unfortunately for Kaie, Daina, the heir, finds out that he's a hermaphrodite and quickly becomes interested in Kaie. After agreeing to the marriage proposal from Daina, Kaie's life and dreams of become the perfect male specimen might just go spiraling down the drain! This is especially true considering that he has another twenty years before his gender is truly decided for him.
Story Snippet
Snippet from Chapter 14 on Pages 109-110
"Yeah, the remodeling of the newlywed suite should be about finished by now."
Kaie responded with a pleased smile.
"So the princess is...a hermaphrodite?"
"He claims in twenty years he shall become a man," said Suehiro, the head butler. He sighed and turned to the man who had supervised the education of the Royal Family for generations. "How should we proceed, Yuuri-sama? Is it even proper to call him princess? Yet, we can't very well call him prince either."
"Indeed. Our only prince is Daina-sama. In that case, would princess or Kaie-sama be satisfactory?" Yuuri brushed back his golden hair and smiled.
"After such a long time, the dreaded headmaster is reborn. Your last students were the daughters of the five late queens."
"Yes, they've all been daughters. I did get quite tired of dealing with the female sex day after day. A change would be nice. Even if Kaie-sama is only half a man."
"And what kind of man is he? Being that Daina-sama chose him, I expect there to be something a bit off about him." Drawing his long, flaxen hair behind his back, Suehiro smiled wryly.
Illustration Samples
Disclaimer
Intoxicated Designs was created and is maintained by Megori as of July 2007. All game, animanga and doujinshi art belongs rightfully to their respective artists. Please be respectful and refrain from reproducing/duplicating the content here. Intoxicated Designs is part of the Zabimaru Network.
Intoxicated Designs Fourth Induldge features Hiroki Kamijou and Nowaki Kusama of the series Junjou Romantica by Shungiku Nakamura. Current layout credits include Shungiku Nakamura, MiniTokyo, Angryblue.com and Moargh.de.