Roo
no Oukoku Reviewed by Evol Siren
As a child, Roo was adopted by the Amakata family (relatives by marriage) after her mother committed suicide, a direct result of having been left by Roo's father. Though she was raised in a household full of wealth and prestige, she felt neither loved nor wanted because of the shame surrounding her mother's death. Jaded by her childhood experiences, Roo grew up to be a strong willed and self-sufficient. Now in high school, Roo secretly takes on a job in
order to gain some financial independence and leave her
adopted family (Japanese high school students are not
usually allowed to take on a part time job while in
school). She takes a double blow when she loses her job translating plays from English to Japanese and then is banned from working altogether by the school administration (who found out about her job through a jealous classmate). Seeing that she has no other choice but to go back home for financial help, Roo decides to run away. But suddenly she receives an invitation to attend the famous school of arts, Nanase Play Academy - her former employer! She realizes theatre is her true passion in life, and so she accepts, quitting high school a year before she graduates. Accompanying her on her adventure is her best friend, Shinobu, a girl with androgynous beauty, her adopted brother Shin, a black-haired bishounen, and Sera, the absolutely gorgeous blond in the colored picture above - a boy she met for the first time only days before (but he claims he's been in love with her since they were seven years old!). Once at the academy, her friends hope that Roo not only finds her "kingdom" but that they find something there for themselves as well. If you're looking for a story with impressive art, a dash of drama, a bit of comedy, and plenty of romance, try Miyagi Riko's Roo no Oukoku. ^_^ |
In the opening scene of Roo no
Oukoku (The Kingdom of Roo), we see someone silently
praying, "God, teach me how one can reach
perfection." And thus we meet our heroine Amakata
Roo, a seventeen-year old girl who is searching for her
own niche in life in which she can accomplish spiritual
strength and liberation.
In her
determination to reach her goal, Roo becomes too hard on
herself, believing she has no time or interest in
carefree fun or romance.