Tramps Like Us "Kimi wa pet"

Tramps Like Us (“Kimi wa pet” lit. You’re my pet)

Publisher: Jap. Kodasha English. Toyopop

Author: Yayoi Ogawa

Gender: Comedy, Romance

Volume length: 14

Tramps like us is the story of Sumire Iwaya a journalist at a major news paper. After been dumped by her boyfriend, who had superiority complex, and been demoted at work, Iwaya’s life was going downhill fast. On her way home, she stumble on a young man sleeping in a cardboard box outside her apartment complex.Iwaya decides to take him home and feed him, as a joke she says that he could stay at her house under one condition, that he will be her pet. To her surprise he accepts; She named him Momo after her childhood pet (because his hair resembles that of the dog) and sets up some rules. Iwaya provides room and board while Momo provided unconditional love and loyalty. Sumire also says that there will be no sex in their relationship, because she only sleeps with men who have the “three highs”: higher pay, higher education and higher height.

Sumire Iwaya later learns that Momo real name is Takeshi Gouda, a classical ballet prodigy but never got the leading role because of his height. He switched to modern dance, living a semi-homeless life before meeting Sumire. When it revealed that him and Sumire know one another, Momo passes as her second cousin.

Things get complicated for Iwaya after she is reunited with the man with whom she was infatuated during her time at Tokyo University, Shigehito Hasumi. Hasumi meets all of Sumire's requirements. Now she must choose between Hatsumi or Momo.

When I first picked up this manga I was surprised by the art (the lips are huge!). It is strange but also simple and drawing. The story seemed interesting enough to read. I loved the relationship with Momo and Sumire. Sumire is not your typical successful woman instead of being attracted to what most women like, she is into Pro-weaseling, K-1, and shonen manga.

All the chapters are unique in their own way. Momo being one of the protagonists in the story somehow is also a comedic relief. He is such an adoring character you can’t help but fall in love with him. Sumire projects the outward appearance of being a totally normal working woman, but in reality she is an out of the norm person who can only express herself truly in front of Momo or her best friend Yuri.

Story:

Is very interesting, I give it an A.

Art:

The art is weird but once you get passed it it is ok. B-.

Characters and their development:

Each and everyone is unique, which I love. A.

Series Overall A-.

On a side note this series was adapted as a TV drama by the same name It runs at 10 short episode. The acting is good too but you don't get the full grasp of the story in the drama. I do love the song "Darling" by V6 (if you remember correctly the same band did some songs for Inuyasha)

Actors are:

§ Koyuki as Iwaya Sumire

§ Matsumoto Jun as "Momo" Goda Takeshi

§ Tanabe Seiichi as Hasumi Shigehito (source www.wikipedia.com)

Drama Overall: C-