“Maria's diligent training to become a proper lady is interrupted by Rintarou's sudden return from abroad. Somehow, her Prince Charming is even dreamier than before—and now he's inviting her to accompany him to a ball. But when his mother and the womanizing Chiaki attempt to redirect their affections, Maria and Rintarou's first dance as a couple may very well be their last…!” (Yen Press)
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Gone is childhood romance, as Maria and Rintarou are reunited after a forced absence to prove their love to their respective families. However, being more mature has not eased the anxieties of the class divide, and in many ways, the story feels like it is left off from the previous volume. Maria is still shy and uncertain, and Rintarou is still determined and headstrong — constantly fighting to prove the couple's love valid in the eyes of the upper classes.
If anything, the time passed brings complications into the relationship, with the marriage approaching and escalating family reservations becoming vocal about having two classes (not to mention ‘foreign blood') come together in matrimony. Consequently, those already following the series and wrapped up in the drama will be pleased by how the series continues to grow in intensity. Adding in the desires of older adolescence, the inclusion of more intimate expressions will appeal to readers always looking for stories with more mature subjects.
As has been the case throughout the series, this volume ends on a cliffhanger that will ensure fans will anxiously await the next volume. Kaho Miyasaka, undeniably, has proven to be an immense talent in crafting deeply engaging romantic narratives as every release impresses and expands on the already rich and intriguing series laid out from the beginning.
The art continues to focus on decadence, even more now that Maria is living and training to be a noble. The fashion throughout is an utter visual treat, with the first dance between Maria and Rintarou being a luxurious affair showing the impeccable sense of style that Miyasaka brings to her art. In addition, the intense emotional reactions between characters carry weight thanks to the expressive work on facial expressions. “Golden Japanesque” really is a perfect mix of visual and narrative work to make the period piece come to life, very reminiscent of classic shoujo manga.
“Golden Japaneseque” is a series that improves with each entry, Miyasaka being able to constantly build on previous volumes to draw readers deeper in. Combine that with the lush visual direction, and the manga is a must-read for fans of period piece romance.
