Peach Girl

Peach Girl
ピーチガール (Pīchi Gāru)
Genre	Comedy, Drama, Romance
Manga
Written by	Miwa Ueda
Published by	Kodansha
English publisher	Tokyopop
Demographic	Shōjo
Magazine	Bessatsu Friend
English magazine	Smile[1]
Original run	1997 – 2004
Volumes	18 (List of volumes)
TV anime
Directed by	Hiroshi Ishiodori
Written by	Hiroko Tokita
Music by	Masanori Takumi
Studio	Studio Comet
Licensed by	Funimation Entertainment
Network	TV Tokyo
Original run	January 8, 2005 – June 25, 2005
Episodes	25 (List of episodes)
Spin off
Peach Girl: Sae's Story
Anime and Manga Portal

Peach Girl (ピーチガール, Pīchi Gāru^?) is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Miwa Ueda. It was published in Japan by Kodansha in Bessatsu Friend from 1998 to 2003 and collected in 18 volumes. The series was adapted as a Taiwanese drama in 2002 and a Japanese animated television series in 2005.

The North American version of the manga is published in two parts by Tokyopop: Peach Girl, covering the first eight volumes of the Japanese release; and Peach Girl: Change of Heart, comprising the final ten books. The animated TV series is distributed by Funimation Entertainment in North America.

Plot

Peach Girl is a high school drama centered on Momo Adachi. A former member of the swim team, Momo tans easily and her hair is bleached out; unfortunately, she is stereotyped by her ignorant classmates, and is forced to endure rumors about being a "easy girl" that has had many sexual relationships. Her only friend is Sae, who is actually responsible for spreading the nasty gossip due to her jealousy of Momo. Momo is in love with Toji, a taciturn baseball player, but the scheming Sae also has her sights set on the boy. Momo's life is further complicated with the introduction of Kairi Okayasu, a wise-cracking playboy who is determined to make her his. He reveals to Momo that she had saved him from drowning the summer before high school started.

Things become even more complicated when Sae, in an attempt to make Momo miserable, spreads rumors about Momo and Kairi making out. The rumor about the kiss between the two is true, but it was Kairi who initiated it while Momo remained stunned by the interaction. When Toji is hospitalized, Sae convinces Toji to break up with Momo. They soon get back together, but Sae later tries to make their relationship complicated again by threatening to discredit Momo with her newly acquired access to the mass media. Though Toji is defiant to begin with, he reluctantly breaks up with Momo in order to protect her. Momo is heartbroken at first, particularly due to not knowing it is part of Sae's schemes. However, she eventually begins dating Kairi, whom she had previously considered annoying, and soon begins to fall in love with him.

When it is revealed to Momo why Toji broke up with her, Momo is left to choose between Toji and Kairi. More problems arise and the love triangle intensifies.

In "Sae's Story", Sae is left back a year, for she always was skipping classes. She is too stubborn so she goes to Momo's and Kairi's university every day. Toji goes to a good university by himself. Sae then meets one of her childhood sweethearts, Kanji (or Monkey Boy), who left for Malaysia when they were young, and promised to marry Sae when he was back. In love with Sae, Kanji follows her around, trying to win Sae back over. He also takes care of Sae's dog, Sora, when her parents would no longer let her keep it. The dog walks with a little limp, as one day when the dog tried to follow Sae, she threw a rock at its paw and injured it. Sae starts modeling and pretends she goes to college with Momo, when she is really still in high school. She meets Honda and works for CC as a model. She meets a guy named Takuma, but he later turns her down. Sae later meets another guy named Shinji, but realizes he never really liked her. All these ups and downs make Sae realize that Momo, Kairi, and Kanji are the only people that actually care for her.

Characters

Momo Adachi (安達 もも, Adachi Momo^?)

Voiced by: Saeko Chiba (Japanese), Kate Oxley (English)

The main character. She has tanned skin and light hair (derived from her constant swimming in chlorinated pools while on the swim team), mistakenly giving others the impression that she is a "beach bunny", lover of the Ganguro style, or sexually promiscuous. On the contrary, Momo is a shy, sweet and insecure girl, though she has a fierce temper. She has loved Toji for many years, although later on she finds herself falling in love with Kairi. When she found out Toji disliked girls with tan skin, she started to avoid swimming pools and wore a lot of sunblock to get her skin to its original color (presumed to be fair). Later on, Momo finds out that Toji never said he disliked girls with tan skin. Her friend from junior high had made that up because she had liked him too. She is often confused later on when she likes both Toji and Kairi at the same time, causing much dispute between both boys. Though in the end, she picks Kairi and they get back together. Her given name means 'peach' in Japanese.

Sae Kashiwagi (柏木 さえ, Kashiwagi Sae^?)

Voiced by: Megumi Nasu (Japanese), Cherami Leigh (English)

The antagonist who does everything to ruin Momo's life. Her fair features (pale skin, dark hair) serve as a contrast for Momo; her "innocent" appearance belies her scheming, manipulative nature. She is the one who spreads malicious gossip about Momo; something Momo knows, but has trouble dealing with, as people are more apt to believe in Sae than the 'airheaded ganguro girl' to the point that Toji believed Sae over Momo (who was currently his girlfriend). She often uses the gossip to make people dislike Momo, as a result of her own jealousy and insecurity. She spreads rumors that she is dating Toji, and that Momo is trying to steal him from her when it is actually the other way around. She really is mean and doesn't care for Momo and isn't her "real" friend. All she wants is popularity in school, to humiliate Momo, and to get Toji all for herself. She will stop at nothing to complete this task. Later, she dates a male model named Jigoro and in the end exploits him to help break up Toji and Momo, the nastiest scheme she has ever plotted. She begins to repent after she falls in love with Ryo and understands the hurtful feeling that she caused Momo, when Ryo seemingly gets her pregnant (it later turns out to be a medical condition that simulates pregnancy) and subsequently abandons her.

Kairi Okayasu (岡安 浬, Okayasu Kairi^?)

Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura (Japanese), Orion Pitts (English)

A popular and carefree classmate of Momo's. Sae goes after him after Momo lies that she likes him to protect her and Toji's relationship, but he is the only boy to see straight through Sae for what she really is. He has the reputation of being a playboy, something he is not exactly proud of. He thought that Momo was the one who once gave him CPR when he had nearly drowned at the beach when they were younger; only to later find out he had been saved by the local male lifeguard. His interest in her is renewed when Sae spreads rumors about them being a couple; he adds to this by claiming he has kissed Momo. When Momo is upset by his rumor, he tries to make the rumor true by kissing her unexpectedly in the beginning of the series.

After the two start dating, his insecurities about relationships are revealed to stem from his unrequited love for Misao, the school nurse and Kairi's former tutor. However, after he confesses and is shot down by her, he actually feels relieved and confident to pursue his relationship with Momo. He begins fighting over her with Toji and in the end they get back together.

The English-language manga uses the non standard romanization "Kiley Okayasu". Other groups, such as FUNimation, Kodansha, and non-English language publishers, use "Kairi".^[2]

Kazuya "Toji" Toujigamori (東寺ヶ森 一矢, Tōjigamori Kazuya^?, とーじ Tōji)

Voiced by: Hidenobu Kiuchi (Japanese), Robert McCollum (English)

A boy who has been Momo's crush since junior high school although she never then confessed to him due to a friend saying he "doesn't like girls with tan skin". He overhears Momo confess her love for him to Kairi and then eventually dates Momo but Sae wants him for herself. He has a good heart, but tends to be hard headed and oblivious to what is in front of him, believing what Sae says over what Momo says, much to the frustration of Momo. Sae later blackmails Toji into dating her using pictures of Momo and Jigoro in a hotel bed together. He then breaks up with Momo. After this Momo starts dating Kairi.

The Tokyopop manga renders his family name as "Toujikamori".

Ryo Okayasu (岡安 涼, Okayasu Ryō^?)

Voiced by: Sho Hayami (Japanese), Charles Baker (English)

Kairi's older brother who works in the video game industry. He serves as a male counterpart to Sae, only he is significantly more dangerous. Ryo is in love with Misao, and dated her briefly, but Misao broke up with him because of his cold and manipulating attitude which is revealed when he smacks Sae after hurting Misao.

Sae meets him and quickly falls for him because of their obvious similarities, though Ryo barely takes the relationship seriously and treats Sae poorly. When Sae tells him she is pregnant with his child he gives her money. Though Ryo feels touched by Sae when she tells him she wants to make a family with him that will love him. Though after they find out Sae had a false pregnancy they two split however Ryo stills feels touched and seems to be interested in having kids.

Misao Aki (安芸 操, Aki Misao^?)

Voiced by: Mami Kingetsu (Japanese), Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)

The school nurse and a big sister figure for Momo. Misao was once Kairi's tutor and crush, and an old flame of Ryo's. She breaks up with Ryo after finding out his "true personality".

Goro Oji (大路 吾郎, Ōji Gorō^?)

Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe (Japanese), Viktor Walker (English)

He is called Jigoro (ジゴロー, Jigorō^?) and is a male model who is smitten with Sae and unaware of her true personality. She uses him in her schemes against Momo.

Morika

Voiced by: Miho Yamada (Japanese), Kira Vincent-Davis (English)

A young woman who once dated both Okayasu brothers, Morika has a grudge against Ryo and tries to use Kairi against him. Morika hires some thugs to beat up Ryo as revenge for using her.

Media

Manga

Main article: List of Peach Girl chapters

Anime

#	Episode Title	Airdate (Japan)
1	Love Hurricane! Love Hurricane! ラブ・ハリケーン！	8 January 2005
2	The Trap Kiss! Trap Kiss! トラップ・キス！	15 January 2005
3	How Far Will You Go, Super Sae? Koko Made Yaru!? Super Sae ここまでやる!? スーパーさえ	22 January 2005
4	The Catastrophe Kiyoku Tadashii Hakyou Sengen 清く正しい破局宣言	29 January 2005
5	The Swim Meet From Hell Shakunetsu Dotou no Suiei Taikai 灼熱怒涛の水泳大会	5 February 2005
6	Sudden Death At Love Gekitotsu! Koi no Sudden Death 激突！恋のサドンデス	12 February 2005
7	A Brief Love Sign Tsukanoma no Love Sign つかのまのＬＯＶＥサイン	19 February 2005
8	Fame Isn't Enough Black Girl ブラックガール	26 February 2005
9	The Destruction of Pure Love Junai Hakai Kousaku 純愛破壊工作	5 March 2005
10	Peach Crisis Peach Crisis ピーチクライシス	12 March 2005
11	An Unbearable Breakup Setsuna Sugiru Wakare 切なすぎる別れ	19 March 2005
12	The Peach Flower, Blossomed? Momo no Hana, Saita? ももの花、咲いた？	26 March 2005
13	Shock! An Ex-Girlfriend Barges In! Shougeki! Moto Kano Rannyuu!? 衝撃！元カノ乱入!?	2 April 2005
14	The Man Who Creates A Storm Arashi wo Yobu Otoko 嵐を呼ぶ男	9 April 2005
15	Who Will It Be? Honmei wa Dare? 本命は誰？	16 April 2005
16	When Love Hits Rock Bottom Don Soko no Koi no Yukue どん底の恋の行方	23 April 2005
17	Direct Line to Pure Love! Junai Icchokusen! 純愛一直線！	30 April 2005
18	A Summer Seduction Manatsu no Yuuwaku 真夏の誘惑	7 May 2005
19	The Emotional Puzzle Kimochi no Puzzle キモチのパズル	14 May 2005
20	One Stormy Night Arashi no Ichiya 嵐の一夜	21 May 2005
21	Continuous Love Storm Warnings! Koi no Sainen Chuuihou 恋の再燃注意報	28 May 2005
22	Imaginary Love Affair Nounai Renai 脳内恋愛	4 June 2005
23	Forced to Choose Tsukitsukerareta Sentaku 突きつけられた選択	11 June 2005
24	The Truth About Goodbye Sayonara no Shinjitsu サヨナラの真実	18 June 2005
25	Last Typhoon! Last Hurricane! ラスト・ハリケーン！	25 June 2005

Spin-off

Ueda wrote Peach Girl: Sae's Story, a spin off focused on the character of Sae Kashiwagi. The story explains why Sae acts in such a cruel and vicious way. It also focuses on her days of repeating her last year of high school.

Live-action drama

In November 2002, a 13 episode Taiwanese drama of Peach Girl was adapted titled (Chinese: 蜜桃女孩), starring Annie Wu, Vanness Wu of F4 and Kenji Wu. The setting was changed from high school to college. It was produced by Comic Ritz International Production (可米瑞智國際藝能有限公司) and Chai Zhi Ping (柴智屏) as producer and boardcasted in Taiwan on free-to-air Chinese Television System (CTS) (華視).

Cast

• Annie Wu as Xiao Tao (安達桃)
• Vanness Wu of F4 as Ah Li (岡安浬)
• Kenji Wu as Dong Si (東寺森一矢)
• Guan Ru as Sha Hui (柏木紗繪)
• Edward Ou as OD
• Vicky Chen (陳孝萱) as Misao Aki (安芸操)

Music

• Opeing theme song: "愛的就是你" (Love Is You) by Wang Leehom
• Insert song: "你不愛我愛誰?" (Who Do You Love If Not Me?) by Vanness Wu
• Ending theme song: "我依然相信你還愛我" (I Believe in Your Love) by Ginny Liu (劉虹嬅)

Reception

In 1999, Peach Girl won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Welcome to the Smile Magazine website!" Smile. August 29, 2000. Retrieved on August 21, 2011.
2. ^ Kodan club accessed 2007-07-11.
3. ^ Joel Hahn. "Kodansha Manga Awards". Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20070816031310/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/kodansha.shtml. Retrieved 2007-08-21. 

External links

• TV Tokyo Peach Girl website (Japanese)
• FUNimation Peach Girl website
• Peach Girl (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Animerica review