The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl is Warm and Endearing
In The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl, Himuro is the descendant of a snow spirit, but that doesn’t mean he’s off doing supernatural things. He works in an office, like a regular person. Unlike a regular person, though, blizzards rise up when he focuses on something, and he literally freezes in ice when he gets nervous. He loves flowers, but if he touches them, they get covered in frost. Keeping with the snowy theme, he has silver-white hair, pale skin and dresses in mostly light colors.
Fuyutsuki, his coworker, notices some of his problems and tries to help out. For instance, when she sees him turning flowers to frost, she buys him straw mulch because she heard that it can stop plants from wilting due to frost. As she continues to give him little helpful gifts, he continues to notice her more and more, thinking she’s so sweet. He asks her out on a date, but even she’s not clear what their relationship is. Is he just asking her out to dinner to be nice?
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl consists of short little chapters and is only 128 pages. It was originally published by the creator online, but its success led to it getting picked up in book form. And it’s not hard to see why it quickly grew a fanbase. It and its characters are endearing, the story is easy to follow, and the artwork is attractive and crisp. This is one of those series that is relaxing and comforting to read. Nothing too intense happens, but we do see growth as Himuro and Fuyutsuki get to know each other better and draw closer.
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl has also received an anime adaptation under the slightly different English title The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague. It’s not yet known if it will get a season two. Fans of the anime ought to check out the original manga, along with fans who want some light office romance with a quirky theme.
Story & Art: Miyuki Tonogaya
Publisher: Square Enix Manga
Translator: Julie Goniwich
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
