On Punch! Vol. 1

Viz Media released the first book in this three-volume series way back in 2006. Why am I just now picking it up? Well, last weekend, when flipping through some of the old manga on my bookshelf, I saw an ad for Rie Takada Punch! in the back of one, and it looked intriguing enough to give it a try. A shojo series from the creator of Happy Hustle High, Punch! stars 15-year-old Elle Nagahara, whose love life is impossible.It's not just that she hails from a family of martial artists. Dad was a boxing champion, Mom was a wrestling champion, and her grandfather, who she affectionately refers to as Gigi, was the first Japanese world champion of Muay Thai kickboxing, and he now runs a gym where he trains young fighters.No, it's that her grandfather and his one-time rival and best friend long ago promised each other that their grandchildren would marry, which means Elle is kinda sorta promised to 17-year-old professional fighter Ruo. He's quite dreamy, as evidenced by the fact that Elle's best…