Boys Be..., Vol. 1 - Spring
Set in a Japanese high school, this first volume in the anime seriesBoys Be...is a lighthearted but poignant look at first love, told over three episodes, each focusing on one of three male buddies who are clueless about but intrigued by girls. The first story finds Kyochi hamstrung by his childhood friendship with Chicharu, unable to figure out how to transition into an adolescent, romantic relationship with her. Sweet and comic, the tale develops a delicious suspense as Kyochi and Chicharu try and try to communicate but almost give up on each other. Part 2 concerns the lecherous, annoying Makoto, who fractures his leg while trying to catch a glimpse beneath some poor girl's skirt. While in the hospital he falls for a beautiful, mature intern and learns a few valuable lessons about caring for others. The best of the lot is the final chapter, about the likeable Yoshihiko, a handsome athlete who falls head over heels for a lovely young woman who literally drops into his arms. Like some swooning knight from the Middle Ages, Yoshihiko keeps returning to the site of their meeting hoping to catch up with her again—but to no avail. Meanwhile, his baseball team is increasingly missing his presence.Boys Be...is goofy good fun, with an unusual emphasis on guys in the romance department.--Tom Keogh