Never Give Up!


Never Give Up! is a shōjo manga by Hiromu Mutou. The story is about a girl named Kiri, who poses as a male model in order to protect her childhood love, a boy named Tohya. Kiri has always looked masculine, inheriting the looks of her fashion-model father. Tohya, on the other hand, has always been revered for his beautiful looks and delicate features. Never feeling worthy enough for Tohya because of her looks, Kiri vowed she would reveal her true feelings to Tohya once she becomes as beautiful as a "princess".
After a photographer sees a photo of him, Tohya is offered a job to be a male model. Tohya accepts, but Kiri becomes worried that Tohya wouldn't be an able to defend himself in such an environment. She begs her mother, who owns the modeling agency, to give her a job as a model to be by Tohya's side. Her mother agrees, but because the opening's only for a male model, Kiri would have to pose as a boy. Kiri reluctantly agreed, forgoing her goal of becoming a princess in order to protect Tohya. Soon enough, Kiri and Tohya are surprised by their sudden fame when they start seeing their photos in magazines, posters, and billboards. And not before long, boys and girls start falling for both Kiri and her male model identity.

Characters

Kiri Minase
Tohya Enishi
Natsu
Akira
Satsuki Minase
Kiri's Father
Kanou and Riku

Reception

Publishers Weekly noted the "volatile insecurity" of the characters that "may accurately represent how adolescents view themselves", but thought that "adult readers are apt to giggle". Manga critic Jason Thompson commended the artwork and the character of the heroine, but was less complimentary about the plot and the unsympathetic male lead.