The Cherry Project is the Naoko Takeuchi manga that ran from 1990-1991. It spanned 3 volumes and was rereleased in 1992.
The story's main character is Asuka Chieri, a fourteen-year-old aspiring figure skater. One lucky day she meets her childhood inspiration and crush, professional figure skater Masanori Tsuzuki at the rink. He's looking for a partner, and once he transfers to her school they decide to team up. Chieri then needs to skate at the school's fundraiser, and finds love with Tsuzuki. Things reveal not to be so easy as Chieri searches for the key that she is missing.
Possibly exists in the same universe as Sailor Moon and Codename: Sailor V due to cameos.
Tropes used by The Cherry Project:
- Ballet Episode: In improving on her figure skating technique, Chieri takes some inspiration from a performance of Swan Lake to which she had been mysteriously invited.
- Embarrassing Nickname: Cherry finds her name embarrassing.
- Gratuitous English: Chieri notes that Canty's English is show-offy and makes her feel stupid, but Canty's English is poor. Hiroshi also wears a New York Yankees hat.
- Instant Expert: Chieri is quick to go from prodigy to expert.
- Missing Mom: Chieri's mom died in a plane crash.
- Personality Blood Types: Chieri calls Tsuzuki a "Typical A" and he calls her a "Typical B" back.
- Serious Business: Princess Canty hates girls who "skate for fun".
- Shown Their Work: Most of the figure skating stunts, while difficult for any amateur skater to do, have accurately drawn forms.
- Technician Versus Performer: This is oddly inverted. Chieri learns everything technically by copying other's techinical moves, but doesn't have the "artistic grace" that Canty has.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Chieri loves chocolate bananas."You're Cherry but you like bananas? You're weird."
