- Hanazono Yumi
isn't too good with schoolwork, but she loves to draw
pictures. In fact, Yumi hopes to grow up to be a manga
artist someday! Yumi is a very good artist for her
age. Of course, sometimes she doesn't use the best
judgement when choosing her subjects....
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- For example,
on the day of the Flower Festival, she's entertaining
the other kids by drawing portraits of the
(overweight) Lady Fukurokouji on the wall outside her
mansion. As punishment, Fukurokouji makes Yumi clean
the entire wall! Yumi resigns herself to this, but is
distracted by a dandelion that Fukurokouji is about to
destroy. Yumi's parents run a flower shop - her father
has always had a talent with plants, and has taught
her to love and respect them. She takes the dandelion
to a poppy field and plants it, when suddenly she
hears two voices speaking to her!
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The
voices belong to super-cute Kakimaru and
Keshimaru, two flower elves who have come to
the Human World to grant Yumi special powers!
The two elves give Yumi a magical wand and
locket made from poppy blossoms. If Yumi
draws something in mid-air with her wand, and
recites a phrase, whatever she draws will
become REAL!
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However,
the magic will only last for short time. "Mahou no
Idol Pastel Yumi" is one of the more unique mahou
shoujo stories ever told. Yumi does not transform, and
is not a witch - her powers are more creative and more
subtle. Yumi must be very inventive with her abilities
in order to resolve the various problems she faces.
Also, the time limit on her magic can be very
problematic - whatever solution she thinks of to solve
the problems she faces must work within a very short
time frame, or it won't be very effective. Another
example of the uniqueness of the show is domestic
strife - in one episode, Yumi's parents actually
separate because of a fight. Yumi's mother drinks
quite a bit, too. Such domestic problems are very
realistic.
- This is a
very nice story, with many lessons for all ages. Yumi
is a charming little girl... but don't let her
feminine looks fool you, she's quite a tomboy!
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