Bless, Vol. 1

Gr 7 Up–Fashion and beauty student Udagawa always dreamed of one day becoming a makeup artist. However, when experts in the industry only see him as having potential as a model, Udagawa decides to go with the flow and abandon his aspirations. But when he meets a classmate named Jun, who wants to model rather than stick to the cosmetics/stylist role she’s been tabbed for, the two make a pact to swap roles for their school’s upcoming high-profile fashion show, supporting one another to make sure their dreams come true. Sonoyama has crafted a perfect story for young adults, featuring protagonists who know they’ll have to work hard if they want to find happiness. This manga shows teens that it’s okay to be innovative and not conform to the expectations of others. Character designs are wonderful, particularly the freckle-adorned Jun. The book does reference color every now and again, which makes it a shame the artwork is only black-and-white. However, with its strong message of self-love and having faith in oneself, Bless is exactly the kind of manga librarians can use to foster respectful and encouraging connections with their teen patrons.