The Bottom Line
Momoka, a.k.a. "Dragon Girl" is a 10th grade fighting femme who loves kickin' butt almost as much as she loves collecting stuffed pandas. While she fights demons and creeps with ease, only one thing terrifies Momoka: the thought of confessing her feelings to her classmate, Ryuga.
If the saucer-sized eyes and tender kisses didn't give it away, St. Dragon Girl is shojo manga, served up extra sweet and cute for girls. It's fun fantasy/comedy that aims for younger readers and hits that tween sweet spot with ease, but it lacks a compelling plot and rich characterizations that would entertain older readers.
Pros
- A simple and appealing romantic comedy that tweens will love
- While Momoka does get 'rescued' a lot, she's a strong-willed character who can fight her own fights
- Cute characters and charming artwork that sparkles and shines
Cons
- While very cute, it's story is probably too juvenile to appeal to older teens
- Villains are never terribly menacing and are defeated too easily to be interesting
- Lacks an overarching plotline that would make it more compelling to read Volume 2
- With parents and adults M.I.A., it's a missed opportunity for character development.
- Ryuga's cousin Kouryu forces himself on Momoka in a pretty creepy way
Description
- Original Title: Seinto Doragon Gaaru (Japan)
- Author & Artist: Natsumi Matsumoto
- Publishers:
- Shojo Beat / VIZ Media (US)
- Shueisha (Japan)
- ISBN: 978-1421520100
- Cover Price: $8.99 US / $10.99 CANADA
- Age Rating:
T – Teens Age 13+
for some fighting and teen romance
More about content ratings. - Manga Genres:
- Shojo (Girls') Manga
- Comedy
- Fantasy
- Martial Arts Action
- Pre-Teen / Middle School Romance
- US Publication Date: December 2008
Japan Publication Date: September 2000 - Book Description: 200 pages, black and white illustrations
- More Manga by Natsumi Matsumoto:
- St. Dragon Girl Miracle
- Vampire Kiss
- Majo no Lesson
- Yume Iro Patissiere
Guide Review - St. Dragon Girl Volume 1
10th grader Momoka Sendou may look cute, but she's no pushover. Momoka comes from a martial arts-focused family and she's has got the moves and the confidence to beat demons and creeps. But this fightin' femme has one fear: she can't get up the guts to tell her childhood friend and classmate Ryuga that she likes him.
When Ryuga's cousin Shunran gets kidnapped by the Serpent King, Ryuga summons a dragon spirit. Momoka accidentally intercepts Ryuga's dragon, and gains some amazing powers that kicks her butt-kicking abilities up a notch or three. So what does she do with her super-charged abilities? Well, in St. Dragon Girl Volume 1, practically nothing, or at least nothing that propels the story forward in any meaningful way.
After Momoka gets possessed by the dragon spirit, Ryuga seals her powers away. She then spends the rest of the volume meeting and fighting fairly toothless adversaries, all while refusing to confess to Ryuga that she likes him. Yaaawn.
I'm several decades too old to really enjoy this manga, but to be fair, it's not meant for me. Its charming art, simple stories and chaste romance makes it a perfect pick for tween girls. It's also nice to see a shojo heroine who can fight her own fights and still be unapologetically feminine.
While her story is simple by design, Matsumoto still misses a lot of opportunities to spice things up. For all its power, the personality-free dragon might as well be a paper kite. Shunran's psychic abilities are only used to divine Momoka's obvious affection for Ryuga. Momoka's so-called rival Ageha is a friction-free sparring partner, so she brings no sparks or sizzle to the plot either. Adults, including Momoka's and Ryuga's parents are missing in action too.
Things may pick up steam in later volumes, but for now, St. Dragon Girl is a sweet but simple romantic comedy that only a tween could love.
