241. Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll V. 5 (Final Volume)

Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll Vol. 5 by Yumi Tsukirino. (Canada) - (US)
Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll, Vol. 5 

Pages: 160
Ages: 5+
Finished: Sep. 3, 2012
First Published: Sep. 4, 2012
Publisher: viz media
Genre: children, manga, fantasy, humour
Rating: 3/5





First sentence: "One spring day... something floated down to the cafe.."

Publisher's Summary: "The friends from Café Cinnamon are selected for an elite café training program at Dream School Town! But a rivalry immediately ignites with the pups from Black Café. Can they put aside their differences long enough to make some great desserts?!"

Acquired: Received a review copy from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Reason for Reading:  Next (and final!) in the series.

On the back cover of this book is highlighted the words "FINAL VOLUME", other than that you would have no idea. The quality of the story continues along as it has for the previous four versions but as a final volume it is a let down, without any conclusions or endings.  The book begins with pups having a continuous story line that takes them to school, introducing three new characters who get  lot of the spotlight.  Then it moves on to some short stories involving the pups but the new characters are gone and finally after that is a short section of 4 panel comic strips which do include the new characters.  As the previous last three books, the last section of the book features the "Angels" and now the stories centre on the girls and clothing, fashion and popularity.  For this volume the boy-craziness has been tamed and I'm back to recommended for younger audiences.  

All together a well, written fun little series for girls who like cutesy cute.  The series never could capture what it wanted to be, endlessly picking up plots and then throwing them away never to be heard of again but the adventures are cute.  They also couldn't seem to find their target audience.  The first two books are suitable for 5 years and up but vol. 3 & 4 add a certain craziness for boys that will only appeal to girl who have started to like boys (I'm guessing at 8+), then the final volume goes back to the same age range as the first two, 5+.  Older elementary and young teens who like Japanese Kawaii and are into the Sanrio characters themselves will like the books.