Voice Over!: Seiyu Academy, Vol. 1
Gr 6 Up—Hime Kino, 15, aspires to become a famous voice actor like her idol, Sakura Aoyama. She has just entered Holly Academy's voice-acting department, the school from which all of her idols graduated, and Hime is determined to be as successful as they are. Her goal is to win a leading role in the super-popular anime series Magic Warriors: Lovely (Heart) Blazers. Competition is fierce as talent scouts often visit. Hime has to tone down her gruff voice, and she works harder and longer than most to surmount her troubles and to overcome the nickname Gorilla Princess. Hime makes friends with other struggling students who become known as the stragglers. The book is designed to introduce readers to the original Japanese comic format. Interspersed throughout are Minami's side notes covering everything from her editor's suggestions to her first kiss. The author writes from firsthand experience with anime voice actors, and the story is based on her fieldwork. A great choice for anime fans.—Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC