Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment compared to Watase's previous novels...
Review: I've read (and own) all of Watase's translated novels that are currently out (July 2004) and I must say that reading Imadoki is definitly a disappointment compared to Watase's other novels. All Watase's other novels captured me within the first novel and sent me begging for more because of the creative storylines, universal themes, and believible characters, but Imadoki lacks all of these along with a missing major conflict. First off, Tanpopo (protagonist of Imadoki)is flat with a positive, naive attitude which misses the realism of negative features in her personality . Another negative feature of the protagonist's bubbly attitude is that it provides no REAL conflict in the novel. The supposed conflict is of Tanpopo's struggle to make friends in her new school where everyone's a snob. But there really is no conflict because the protagonist is so naive she doesn't realise her conflict and makes friends anyway. Because there isn't a struggle in the novel so far, there's no hook that captures the reader and leaves them wanting more.Another great setback of this novel is that it's not a fantasy like Watase's other works so the plot (there's a plot?) is further bored down. If you haven't read an Yu Watase novels yet, I recommend Alice 19th, Ceres, or Fushigi Yugi instead of Imadoki. These are all captivating (even though all have a love triangle in them which is so obvious you can tell who the heroine ends up with without a brain) :P.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Story
Review: Imadoki has become one of my all time favorite graphic novels. Along with the beautiful art of Yuu Watase we are led into a fantastic world of rich kids where money and family background means everything. For the honest and bubbly Tanpopo, this is a great chance to make new friends. Unfortunately she is met with many troubles along the way as she slowly breaks down the stoic barriers of several very quirky students. Together their experiences lead them into what true friendship is in days like this, allowing them to put aside their bizarre differences and create lasting friendships. I'm especially fond of the theme of flowers that ties this whole story together. The main characters name, Tanpopo, translates as Dandelion, and she uses the love of flowers and act of caring for them to help her make her own friends. It's beautiful to see how her and her friends all blossom together. ^^
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