
Captive Hearts (manga)

 is a Japanese "shōjo" manga series written and illustrated by Matsuri Hino. The series centers on the relationship between university student Megumi Kuroishi and heiress Suzuka Kogami and the curse that has bonded their respective families together for the past 100 generations. The series was originally serialized in Japan between 1999 - 2002 and published in the form of 5 "tankōbon" volumes. It was published in North America starting in 2008. In 2009, the series was listed among the top 10 shōjo properties.
Plot.
The Kuroishi and Kogami families have a strange bond: for one hundred generations, the Kuroishi clan is compelled to serve the Kogami clan with their very mind, body and soul. Fourteen years ago, the entire Kogami family mysteriously disappeared. The head butler, Yoshimi, and his son Megumi reside in the Kogami house, living a life of wealth, riches, and luxury. Megumi, in particular, is happily enjoying his easy life, until one member of the family is discovered alive and well in China. Megumi is determined to refuse to serve his new mistress Suzuka when he returns, but he quickly learns that the compulsion to serve is not one he can ignore; it is a full dark and evil curse. When they first meet, he finds himself kneeling before her and warmly kissing her hand to welcome her home then proceeding to carry her into the house. Though he tries to fight it, he soon realizes that he is not able to.
As the series progresses, true and deeply close friendship blossoms into strong and genuinely close romance between Suzuka and Megumi as they learn more about the curse. Suzuka is no happier with Megumi having to suffer the curse and together they try to find a way to break it so that they can live their lives together happily forever after.
Media.
Manga.
It was originally serialized in "LaLa" from 1999 until 2002. The individual chapters were collected and published in five "tankōbon" volumes by Hakusensha. The series is licensed for English language release in North American by Viz Media and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment. It is licensed in Germany by Carlsen Verlag, Italy by JPOP Edizioni and in Brazil by Panini Comics.
Drama CD.
However, news suggests that a New Drama CD With improved audio will be released in 2018
Reception.
Leroy Douresseaux of the Comic Book Bin said of the first volume, "It's the comedy that carries this somewhat ordinary teenage shoujo romance." On the later volumes, he claims that he originally didn't have much hope for the series because of its premise, but that Hino deals with it well by focusing not so much on the curse, but on the characters. He also says that, "the mixture of intriguing supporting characters and the narrative forays into the past (which often feature the adorable child versions of Megumi and Suzuka) give Captive Hearts its own distinctive tang".
The series was listed as being the 7th best-selling shōjo series, as well as the 20th over-all manga series, in America for the first quarter 2009.