“When Rintarou asks Maria to accompany him to his family's next party, it's like something out of a dream. But as Maria's feelings for him only grow stronger, she worries that Yokohama high society is no place for the daughter of a lowly Mayuzumi family helper. Can Maria overcome her self-doubt and the class divide—especially when there's a romantic rival who's ever so eager to remind Maria of her station?” (Yen Press)
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Romance continues to blossom in the second entry of “Golden Japanesque”, a picturesque love story taking place in a post-industrial Japan. When we were first introduced to Maria, she was living a life of secrecy, forced to hide her blonde hair to avoid scrutiny for her American heritage. However this changed with the meeting of Rintarou, the son of a noble who was the first to tell Maria to embrace her beauty, both exterior and inner. Establishing the young couple in the first volume, the stage is now set for deeper exploration and challenging the social constructs keeping the two apart.
While the narrative is overly familiar in the romance genre and predictable, it is hard not to get drawn into the romantic liaisons of the two subjects hailing from different backgrounds. Additionally, the volume offers a deeper character study after the first part acted to introduce readers to the pair. Notably, Maria is beginning to open up and challenge the concept that her class and background have forced her into a quiet servitude, and Rintarou has pushed aside the prankster persona in realizing his feelings for Maria. This new confidence in both characters culminates in a romantic scene taking place at a debutant ball where the two make a statement with their acceptance of each other as equals.
The art work of Miyasaka is lush and gorgeous, being given a more pronounced presence as the young couple interact with the backdrop of high society events. In particular, the ball highlights the mangaka's attention to detail and ability to capture the decedent fashion of the era. As was the case with the previous volume, each chapter opens with a single panel that highlights the detailed work of Miyasaka. These panels, besides stunning in appearance, capture the simple elegance associated with the early Shojo era that gave the world of manga iconic imagery and opened up the medium to a broader audience. Overall, the art of Miyasaka is bound to make the reader swoon and get swept up with Maria as she finds her new path in life.
A true traditional romance in both visuals and narrative, “Golden Japanesque” continues to be an ideal piece of escapism. Granted, the work outside of those not interested in the classic Shojo will be at a loss but for the existing fanbase will undoubtedly love this series that improves with each volume.
