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Memorable Manga Moments: Birthdays from Shoujo Manga

April 30, 2012

At our house we’ve come to the annual birthday run where we have one birthday right after another. This got me thinking about birthday moments in shoujo manga. There are a few that are quite memorable to me, but I know it’s a short list. I thought I’d share the ones I recalled and see if anyone can add to the list.

#1 Kimi ni Todoke – Chapter 46: Date

It’s not really Shota’s birthday on their date, but Sawako missed it, so she celebrates it by giving him gifts. This scene is memorable because Sawako feels comfortable now to give him all the gifts she’s made through the year, from his christmas present to his valentine chocolates. It expresses how deeply she cares and really makes Shota emotional. It’s just a sweet moment.

#2 High School Debut – Volume 8

Haruna has a list of suggestions for Yoh what to give her as birthday presents. When she realizes her list might be a bit difficult for Yoh, she instead suggests something less embarrassing for him, like attending a baseball game. When Yoh thinks about the list, he realizes that he just wants to make Haruna happy. After the baseball game he surprises her with everything from her list. It makes Haruna cry. (and some readers, too!) It’s a great expression of how much Yoh comes to care for Haruna in this series, and a wonderful romantic birthday present that every girl wishes for.

#3 Skip Beat – Act 119-120

Kyoko rarely celebrated her birthday as a child. So it comes as a big shock when the LME president uses his niece Maria’s birthday party to also wish Kyoko a happy birthday, since hers falls the next day. At midnight, Ren presents Kyoko with a rose. Although he tells Kyoko that he found out from the president, Ren really recalls a moment from their childhood when Kyoko tells him about how her birthday is never celebrated on the actual day. This time he wanted everyone to celebrate it. That’s a sweet gesture, too bad Kyoko doesn’t realize it.

#4 Love Com – Chapter 27

Risa has gone round and round with her feelings for Otani. Confessions lead to awkwardness. Her first kiss with him was forgotten because he passes out from fever. Do they have friendship, or more? Risa just can’t figure him out. So it’s no surprise when Otani shows up late for her birthday party. The big shock for Risa is that Otani comes with a birthday present and a confession. She almost doesn’t believe him because of past rejections! Now that’s a birthday present to remember.

#5 Land of the Blindfolded – Chapter 37

Kanade wants to give Arou a special present for his birthday. She makes him a cake and takes him to a special lookout spot. The setting is very romantic, and Arou asks Kanade for one more special present for his birthday – a kiss! This is one of my favorite scenes out of Land of the Blindfolded, and very memorable. Another sweet birthday present.

#6 Dengeki Daisy – Chapter 68

It’s the best moment in the whole manga! It’s Teru’s 18th birthday, and Tasuku takes her out for a date. The whole time she’s expecting something awful to happen, because that’s how their past dates have ended up. When he takes her on a Ferris Wheel she gets nervous, but he gives her her birthday present of a beaded bracelet with a daisy charm. Then he FINALLY makes the big confession that we’ve waited the whole series to see. This scene really knocks you in the heart. It’s an awesome birthday present. I love Tasuku!

#7 Skip Beat – Act 144

The mystery birthday gift! In this chapter we find out that Ren’s birthday is the day before Valentine’s day. There’s this whole blown up story arch about Ren not getting chocolates from Kyoko, but she does give him something special for Valentines. The big suspense is the birthday present! We see Kyoko hand him a wrapped box, but asks him not to open it in public because she’d be embarrassed. Then that’s the last we hear of it. There are a lot of speculations on the web as to what is in the box. I’m wondering if Nakamura-sensei forgot about it, or if it comes up in a later plot arch.

How’s that for birthday moments? There were some other not so happy ones that I chose to leave out. Like Aki and Aya’s birthday from Ceres Celestial Legend. Kind of sad when you decimate a room full of your relatives! No, I was looking for happy birthday moments. So what else can I add? Let me know in the comments. Arigatou!

4 Comments

That Skip Beat 119-120 part was hilarious. I still remember Kyoko giving Maria the ridiculously tall Ren doll.

foomafoo May 02, 2012
- Ren is drawn ridiculously out of proportion at all times. But yeah, their “groupie”ness was cute and makes me love Nakamura’s sense of humor even more.
  
  Laura May 03, 2012
I think there are so many birthday moments because it’s the sort of day couples can REALLY show how they feel about each other.

And thanks for reminding me to go back and finish Lovely Complex.

Yerocha May 01, 2012
I would say that Love*Com kiss is not only a memorable birthday moment, but one of the most memorable moments in the entire series! I read it over and over when I saw it for the first time. I was nearly as shocked as Risa! 🙂

Narutaki Apr 30, 2012