Prunus Girl

An amazingly written Rom/com, Gender bender series.

If you haven't read this yet and you're a fan of said genres,

Give this one a shot, you won't be disappointed.

Story - 8

Heartwarming, entertaining, and funny. The plot itself is similar to other Rom/Com manga. However, the heartwarming randomness within the plot along with a feeling of progression in time is what brings out the "story".

Art - 9

The art is fantastic. Each character is extremely appealing to look at. Sometimes, you'll question if Aikawa is really a girl or not. ;)
The art also gradually changes as you go farther into the story.
You'll notice, and it's amazing. Props to Matsumoto Tomoki. 11/10

Characters - 9

All characters are lively, outgoing, interesting. and have unique personalities. Each one of them are extremely lovable and uplifting with their randomness and uplifting moods.
(MC's aren't Dense. Thankfully.)

Enjoyment/Overall - 9

The entire manga is beautifully written and drawn. The events/plot along with the cast of characters that are extremely entertaining and interesting creates an calming atmosphere that allows one to get somewhat attached the story and each character.

An amazing example of a very well done Trap manga. This is one of the best and should be considered a trap manga classic by all who like Trap manga of any kind
It is innocent and romantic and covers every base very well. Which is something rarely any trap manga do, usually due to the lack of trap manga.
Heavily recommended
heavily loved.
Read it


An excellent manga, i wish i could buy copies of the books, however it seems they are no longer on sale anywhere
The lack of popularity of this manga during its release is downright criminal

When I started reading this manga I honestly thought it was going to be terrible.
It isn't. It's really good.
This manga is the perfect length for the story (although maybe slightly rushed at the end) has great characters, cute romances, and an excellent portrayal on gender and why it doesn't matter.
There are a couple things I have a problem with in it. One relationship that's hinted at in particular, but it's very lightly hinted at so you can just ignore it. Also the way Aikawa is treated sometimes brushes me the wrong way.
But, those things, aren't enough to ruin the enjoyment.
All in all it's a sweet, fairly wholesome (there's some dirty jokes/references thrown in) good manga.
I'd say read it if you want to read a decent manga about gender, boys love, or girls love (cuz there's a lot of the latter)

This manga is such a wasted potential.The first few chapters are really good,but after that ,the whole plot ,until the end is just a massive filler and teasing.
There isn't any progression in the relationship between the main characters here and there.Instead everything is rushed in the last 2 chapters,which made the ending felt super rushed.The last chapter itself was kinda cool and the end was rewarding.The overall humor was good the first few times,but soon became repetitive and annoying teasing.We got that the trap is super cute the first time.We got that the main character is conflicted about his sexuality(which is quite interesting main conflict,but it's not explored enough)
So yeah the story was really weak and i wanted more substance
The characters were meh.The personality of the trap is that he is a cute trap.The personality of the main character is that he is the perfect guy.That's it.
The secondary characters are really boring and unimportant ,with the exception of the lesbian couple,but they got little screen time.
The art is great,no complaints here.All characters look great.
Well overall the manga was super mediocre at best.I wouldn't recommend it

Story based on a guy who dresses like a girl and a popular guy who fall in love with each other. Sounds like a walk in the park for your typical gender bender thinking right? Well it certainly was for me...
SPOILERS AHEAD

Story 6/10: So... Coming into this I completely accepted the whole fact he was a guy dressing as a girl from the get go. Being my first gender bender/cross dressing manga I thought why not give it a go and y'know? See how it is. I was fairly impressed to read it that I finished in one go. There was a few times I'd skip through the side characters parts due to them mostly complaining about stuff that had nothing to do with the MC's. The story isn't amazing and it's not really big on plot wise? Like it's pretty much the same thing the entire way through. Girl(guy) teases the guy slightly all the way and the guy gets embarrassed blah blah blah, the guy realises his feelings and they end up together. It's your typical rom-com with nothing special added apart from it being a crossdressing manga. It wasn't terrible and I actually enjoyed it, but after 30+ chapters of nothing but teasing got kinda boring with no plot wise development. I reall disliked the ending as it, felt SUPER rushed to the confession but oh well...

Art 7/10: The art is actually fairly decent and I've seen it be used quite alot of times. It was nice to read and admire the art as I went and at some points really felt a sense of gratitude to the animator for such a great job they did.

Character 5-6/10: Honestly the characters aren't anything special. It's your typical rom-com couple who teases the guy and they up together. The only thing different was that the guy was cross dressing. The main character did have a little development, as it seemed he came out of his comfort zone since the first few chapters and started expressing himself but that was pretty much it. Nothing changed and nothing stood out as amazing.

Overall the manga is a good read and if you're into rom-com with no drama and happy ending then go for it. I know alot of people don't read alot of these due to the gender bender tag but don't let it stop your like it has for me in the past. It's a good read and you'll enjoy it if you're into romance ma dudeeees

I have read 30 chapters now, but not in chronological order; I read till Chapter 28 and then the last 2 and this is my problem with this series: that one can read it this way and be fine. In fact, one can read the first 10 chapters and then the last 2 and it still works decently.

The first 8 through 10 chapters have progression: it's a very common setup: male p.o.v. character is enchanted by the sight of a cute female on the way to school; turns out said cute female shares a class with the former and then just without any shame says that — though being fully aware of looking like a female — is in fact male as well.

The first couple of chapters are somewhat interesting and philosophical about this and flaunt the idea that there is absolutely no evidence of his being male except for A) his own word, and B) his delicious, flat chest, neither of which of course amounting to any absolute proof. Our trap himself acknowledges this and is initially quite philosophical and teasing about this, pointing out the absurdity of others even caring and what difference it would make. Our trap is flirty with the p.o.v. character, casually sexually harasses him and teases him, and they grow closer together and regularly have sleepovers and become very good friends.

And after that it just turns to a slice-of-life series where they "do stuff"; the dangling quæstion whether Kizuna is actually male or just thinks it's funny to claim to be to get under the skin of others and the philosophical implications thereof is dropped eventually and the character is just assumed to be male, at one point even flipping out a student i.d. to prove it which they could have asked for easily in the beginning for proof.

The problem at this point is that it's not funny; the plot isn't interesting; it's not cute either; it's just ship-tease with no end to it. They don't grow closer together at this point any more; there's no progression and the series continues to rehash the same joke that Maki and Kizuna "look like a couple" and we basically have a "bromance" going on with Kizuna being more flirty than Maki.

And then at the end it's just resolved in a way it could have been resolved at any point; the author just decided "It's time to end it." and wrote the final couple of chapters where it is resolved.

Now there are definitely some plus points: The perspective character is not "totally average" but actually has some character definition, being basically good at everything. He's an academic and athletic prodigy; he's apparently very good looking and has a lot of admirers but had only one past love that choose one of his best friends over him that's a female that is self-described only interested in females, and in the m.c. as well ("I like girls because there are no other males like Maki" )— personally wise however, he is super bland.

I say "apparently very good looking" because I can't see it; the art isn't that good and fails to properly translate the supposed good looks of many of the characters.

The final chapters where there is a resolution and conclusion is definitely endearing and the earlier chapters are interesting; there are some really endearing moments between them as well — but there is just too much filler about nothing without progressing the series and the art isn't that good.

It is THE trap manga and a rom com manga I would recommend to anyone into these types of stories. When the trap becomes the main love interest in a setting like this, it just works so well. Its perfectly paced and stays high energy and doesn't drag like some rom com manga. The relationships are great and the manga ends perfectly. A very fun read all the way through. The jokes can get tired, but they stay fresh, but for some they won't land. There are a lot of stunning panels and very heartwarming moments. Its great for anyone who reads or watches too many HS rom coms and need one that has a fun twist and a loveable cast

Prunus trees commonly bear stone fruit such as cherries. This is reminiscent of the first chapter where Maki met Aikawa amongst the falling cherry blossom, but other than how they met, I can't see how the title has any significance to the rest of the manga.

Prunus Girl is a weird gender bender in which we are told that Aikawa is male, but there is still the mystery about whether he really is or not. The manga focuses on the school life of Aikawa and Maki. Aikawa is very playful in everything he does and just wants to have fun. He takes potential situations with Maki and makes them sexual because it's more fun that way. Maki on the other hand is more relaxed and seems to just go along with Aikawa because they became friends.

Overall the art stays strong as each chapter passes and where it counts, it is really amazing, then simplifying the style when it is no longer necessary. My only problem is when the art is showing a character's disgust as it's simply ugly in comparison to the rest of the art. It's not something that would deter me from continuing to read it or recommending it to others, mainly because it's short term and quickly returns to the better style.

Aikawa stating that he is male and still managing to achieve a strong bond with Maki shows that gender doesn't matter. They might not take their relationship further, but throughout the manga, they continue to stay friends. His actual gender is unknown and I hope it's not revealed as it will probably ruin the mystery aspect and how Maki accepts him.

I reccomend you at least give it a try.

Story - 8 - A very simple story. Male protagonist Maki sees pretty girl on his way to checking his exam scores (thinks it's fate). The first day of school, the "girl" Aikawa is in the same class as him, and she clearly announces in front of everyone that she is a "guy" and everything moves on from then (I'm just going to specify him/her as a female to make it easier on me).

Pretty original for a Gender-Bender genre, since in most of them their gender is supposed to be a secret, while in this manga series her gender is declared, yet still a mystery. If you read this manga, eventually you'll be within the debate on whether she is a guy or girl.

Art - 8 - Decent Art quality for manga of this time. Everything's proportional, the character's form don't change as it progresses. The facial expressions are also funny, as it goes from scrunched up eyes >_< to cat faces ¯ω¯ which makes it more enjoyable to read.

Character - 9 - I guess its a decent number of characters for a manga that only has 16 chapters out so far, but aside from a few characters that get rarely get the spotlight, this series is concentrated on the two main protagonist the majority of the time. Maki is the generic "laid back" male as he's always lazing around not caring much about anything. Aikawa is a very versatile character(not just by gender). Her looks says shes a girl, her capabilities says shes a guy, her actions says shes a girl, but she validates herself as a guy. Everyone knows this but they consider her not as a guy or girl, but as Aikawa herself.

Aside from the two main characters, the other characters are pretty much unique themselves: The friend of Maki, who is the supposed to be the idiotic and perverted on of the series (he always wants to see Aikawa in an erotic manner such as in swim suit, or when her uniform is wet) is actually one of the smartest people in the class in terms of academics (while Maki and Aikawa get low scores).
There is also girl who transfers to their school and announces she is only interested in females, another girl who has a brother complex, a dude that stalks Aikawa, denying the fact she is a dude.


Enjoyment - 9 - What makes this manga enjoyable is the comedy and the anxiety of knowing what gender Aikawa really is. Just about all the chapters were satisfying. The sequence of chapters is pretty episodic in that in one chapter Aikawa is learning to cook, in another she is playing water gun tag. As much as i don't want to see homosexual love between dudes, if Aikawa turns out to be a girl, it may change to manga to become less exciting. You will need to read for yourself to understand lol.

Overall - 8 - The manga is still ongoing. Only 16 chapter are out so far and it randomly gets updated @_@ I'm still itching to know what might happen next. Its funny and it also gets you thinking: is gender the only factor that determines love, or gender does not make the person who he or she is(I'm straight for the record, i just have an open mind). Regardless of sexual orientation, this is definitely a series you should give a go.

I love trap mangas. This was the first genderbender manga I read and it's this manga that set me on this path.
The first time I read Prunus Girl made me literally cry twice, my tears were not of sadness, but of enjoyment. It felt like a first love, even though it was long ago, I still remember it vividly. After finishing the manga, I binged many more genderbenders. None made me feel like Prunus Girl.
But after re-reading it though, I saw flaws in the story, the characters, and even the art.
The story felt like it could definitely run longer, and the author was probably intending for the manga to continue too. But while I was craving for more, the ending was definitely satisfying for sure.
The art was nice for their time but it pales in comparison to many modern manga/ some old manga.
The characters are what built this manga. The characters were bizarre but lovable, and that only made them more memorable. But, the weight of their actions especially the not-so-female-lead was not heavy. If they did continue it and explain a little more though, I feel like his reasons would be more sensible.
It's just like our lives. Even though there were flaws, or some failed moments, it was still enjoyable. In fact, it was the most fun I had reading a manga.
So definitely a must read for me! Ten out of ten.