Title: この醜くも美しい世界 (This Ugly and Beautiful World) Vol. 1
Artist/Author: 森見明日 (Ashita Morimi)
Original Creator: GAINAX
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 240pp., w/o furigana
Original Serialization: Young Animal Vol 5, '04 - Vol 13, '04
First Printing: 9/5/04
Rating: 3/4

I passed up on the anime of this show, but decided that I could try out the manga. A $6 dollar manga is cheaper than a $60 DVD.

I like the story, but it somehow, it doesn't strike me as too original. When I first heard about the anime, I got the feeling that it was another Mahoromatic and reading this first volume confirms it. As this is an Young Animal serialization, there's plenty of nudity (probably more-so than the anime).

The bonus is a 4 panel comic with the director of the anime.

1. Takeru believes he has seen a shooting star in the middle of the day. His friend Ryo doesn't believe it and continues walking with his other friends, Sakurako and Amika. They all arrive at Takeru's house (they apparently run a delivery service). In a discussion, they talk about what kind of girl Takeru would like and Ryo draws a sketch of her. Takeru and Ryo go out on a delivery and see a bright light. Takeru approaches it and finds a naked young girl.

2. The girl is named Hikari. Ryo mentions to Takeru that she looks a lot like the girl he sketched before and tells him to take her home before she catches a cold. On their way home, Takeru and Hikari get accosted by a monster. Somehow, Takeru transforms and defeats the monster.

3. The family is surprised that Takeru has brought home a girl. Takeru tries to explain, but falls asleep. Hikari, feeling a little lonely, decides to sleep next to Takeru. Meanwhile, Ryo is still outside walking home, wondering what has happened. In the morning, Mari, Takeru's sister finds him sleeping in the hallway. In the woods, there's apparently still another girl.

4. At school, rumor has gotten out about Takeru's new alien friend and they all come over and visit. Hikari mentions something about a promise, implying that she and Takeru had promised something in the past. Meanwhile, Ryo is out in the woods again.

5. There's been reports of thievery in the neighborhood, and the culprit is the other girl in the woods. She's accompanied by a little flying creature, Kuon. Ryo has discovered her and gives her the name of Akari.

6. Ryo takes Akari into his home. Since his parents died, he lives alone with his younger sister, Kimi. The next day, they prepare the attic for Akari.

7. During a tour of the school, Takeru sees Ryo and the two aliens finally meet each other. They don't know each other, but see the resemblance. Ryo explains that they both came from the same flash of light that night.

8. The group of friends go to the beach. There, Mari, the daughter of the family Takeru's living with feels a little uneasy with a new girl in Takeru's life. Meanwhile, Hikari feels uneasy seeing how close Takeru and Mari are.

9. That night, Hikari explains to Takeru how she doesn't feel comfortable when Takeru is with someone else. Outside, Akari and Ryo see that the ocean is filled with dead sea-life and implies something about Hikari's true self.

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