The eccentric women of Amamizukan who found beauty in jellyfish

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In a Tokyo apartment building where men are strictly forbidden, a group of women known as the "Sisterhood" find solace in their niche obsessions. From jellyfish to trains, these characters navigate social anxiety and the pressures of a changing city in Akiko Higashimura’s celebrated manga series.

Akiko Higashimura created the manga Princess Jellyfish (Kuragehime), which appeared in the Kodansha josei magazine Kiss between 25 October 2008 and 25 August 2017. The story centers on Amamizukan, a Tokyo apartment building inhabited exclusively by a group of women called the "Sisterhood." These residents are largely NEETs who share various intense fixations, ranging from traditional Japanese clothing and dolls to trains and the Records of the Three Kingdoms. The residents include Chieko, who manages the building and collects traditional dolls. Other members include Mayaya, who is obsessed with ancient Chinese history, and Banba, who possesses a unique ability to judge food quality visually.

The protagonist, Tsukimi Kurashita, is an awkward aspiring illustrator whose fascination with jellyfish was sparked by her late mother. This passion is personified by Clara, a pet spotted jellyfish that Tsukimi rescued from a pet store. The narrative tension rises when Tsukimi meets Kuranosuke Koibuchi, the illegitimate son of a politician. To escape political obligations and feel closer to his mother, Kuranosuke cross-dresses and uses the alias "Kurako" to interact with the women. Tsukimi's social anxiety often causes her to petrify when encountering stylish individuals. Kuranosuke's presence in the building is kept secret from the other housemates to protect his masculinity.

The series explores themes of identity and social change, as the neighborhood surrounding Amamizukan faces redevelopment by developers seeking to build hotels and shopping centers. The story has seen multiple adaptations, including an 11-episode anime aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina block in 2010, a live-action film in 2014, and a live-action drama series in 2018. Through these adaptations, Higashimura's work explores the lives of those who find themselves on the fringes of a rapidly modernizing society. The series' musical identity includes an opening theme by Chatmonchy. Additionally, the anime features a mini-series titled Go, Sisterhood Explorers!

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