The Bottom Line
What do little girls like? Princesses, fairies and pop idols– or at least little girls who do adore these things will find lots to love about Fairy Idol Kanon. This charming fantasy adventure features a trio of school girls who strive to become pop idols with the help of a fairy princess helper.
While it’s too sweet for boys and too simple for teen readers, Fairy Idol Kanon is a cute, positive story that has just enough magic and drama to entertain young readers from cover to cover and beyond. It’s an appealing introduction to manga for future shojo manga fans.
Pros
- Charming kid-friendly story that mixes two favorite fantasy subjects: singing idols and fairies
- Cute and clear artwork that isn’t cluttered with excessive sparkles and frills
- Teaches kids worthwhile lessons about friendship, compromises and striving for goals
- Kanon’s mom acts like a real parent who is looking out for the best interests of her child
- Provides entertaining drama that’ll encourage young readers to come back for more.
Cons
- It’s not a very original story; doesn’t offer much new to the magical girl formula.
- Definitely too cutesy for boys and too simple for older readers
- Rival idol Julia is a fairly one-dimensional bully / villain
Description
- Original Title: Feari Aidoru Kanon (Japan)
- Author & Artist: Mera Hakamada
- Publishers:
- Udon Kids /
- Poplar Publishing Co. Ltd. (Japan)
- ISBN: 978-1897376898
- Cover Price: $7.99 US / $9.99 CANADA
- Age Rating:
E – Everyone / A – All Ages
for kid-friendly drama and humor
More about content ratings. - Manga Genres:
- Shojo (Girls') Manga
- Kodomo (Children's) Manga
- Drama
- Fantasy
- Music / Dance
- US Publication Date: June 2009
Japan Publication Date: September 2004 - Book Description: 200 pages, black and white illustrations, 4 color pages
- More Manga by Mera Hakamada:
Guide Review - Fairy Idol Kanon Volume 1
Nowadays, tween girls are nuts about Hannah Montana, Disney Princesses and American Girls. Why not manga? Probably because there isn’t much age-appropriate manga for little girls. Sailor Moon, where are you?
In the meantime, young girls have a manga worth reading in Fairy Idol Kanon, a cute fantasy-adventure about three aspiring pop singers and their efforts to hit the top of the charts with a little fairy magic. Kanon is a good-natured girl who loves to sing. While her classmate Marika is a more polished singer, Kanon has the ability make listeners happy when they hear her sing. Kanon’s singing is so special, it can even re-charge fairy magic.
Encouraged to sing by a fairy’s plea, Kanon joins forces with haughty Marika and shy Kodama as a singing trio to save the Fairy Kingdom from a dire energy shortage. But Kanon, Marika and Kodama’s road to pop stardom won’t be an easy one. Kanon’s mom is against her showbiz dreams, and the girls meet a ruthless rival who also has a magical helper.
With its mix of show biz glitz, fairy fantasy and girl-powered adventures, Fairy Idol Kanon gives girls a lot of reasons to love this series. The art is cute, the characters are likeable and there’s enough drama to keep girls coming back for more. The focus here is not on romance, but on friendship and self-determination, as the girls learn to rely on each other, stay positive and use teamwork to overcome obstacles.
It’s also nice to see that Kanon’s mom’s objections to her daughter’s musical dreams are not out of cruelty, but out of concern for Kanon’s well-being – a rare example of a sensible manga parental figure!
While it’s too sweet for boys and too simple for older readers, Fairy Idol Kanon is a delightful introduction to the joys of manga that will hopefully inspire young readers to return to the bookstore or library for more.
