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3.5 stars.
I was already eyeing this manga for some time, but for some reason I didn't start with it. It was a good book, but I don't think it was perfect.
For instance our main character is a cool and awesome, but he is also an idiot and I also got a bit tired of his female tendencies. It was just a bit too unbelievable. Especially when we met with Ryou-chan, who was the total opposite of our main character. He is a guy who can do a lot of girl stuff, while she is a girl who is strong and can't do anything girlie (for instance, her cakes look like they come from the pits of hell). And then they fell in love, or well our main character did. Of course, as is typically the case, the girl is totally obvious to our main character and sees him as a friend. As far as I could see she indeed doesn't really see him as more, and yeah, that gag gets old when it happens so often in manga. I would expect her to at least get a small hint when he asked her out, but nooooo.
So yeah, our main character is interesting, but again, his female tendencies got a bit overkill. And I also don't see what is so embarrassing about buying a shoujo manga when you are a guy. Not like those people at the store care or mind. For all they know you are buying it for a friend.
I however did like how he was protective and how he had a very cool side (he looked really gorgeous when doing judo and his other sports).
The one that I really like is our main characters male friend. I can't wait to see what will happen when a certain thing is revealed. Here is to hoping that it will be done in a good way and not in some cliché way as they often do.
I really liked him though and how he was trying to match up his friends. It was funny to see that everything he tried just failed instantly.
The art was ok, not special or outstanding. It was mostly art that is often typical for this kind of manga. :)
All in all it was an interesting manga and I am thinking of reading a few more volumes to see if it gets any better.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was already eyeing this manga for some time, but for some reason I didn't start with it. It was a good book, but I don't think it was perfect.
For instance our main character is a cool and awesome, but he is also an idiot and I also got a bit tired of his female tendencies. It was just a bit too unbelievable. Especially when we met with Ryou-chan, who was the total opposite of our main character. He is a guy who can do a lot of girl stuff, while she is a girl who is strong and can't do anything girlie (for instance, her cakes look like they come from the pits of hell). And then they fell in love, or well our main character did. Of course, as is typically the case, the girl is totally obvious to our main character and sees him as a friend. As far as I could see she indeed doesn't really see him as more, and yeah, that gag gets old when it happens so often in manga. I would expect her to at least get a small hint when he asked her out, but nooooo.
So yeah, our main character is interesting, but again, his female tendencies got a bit overkill. And I also don't see what is so embarrassing about buying a shoujo manga when you are a guy. Not like those people at the store care or mind. For all they know you are buying it for a friend.
I however did like how he was protective and how he had a very cool side (he looked really gorgeous when doing judo and his other sports).
The one that I really like is our main characters male friend. I can't wait to see what will happen when a certain thing is revealed. Here is to hoping that it will be done in a good way and not in some cliché way as they often do.
I really liked him though and how he was trying to match up his friends. It was funny to see that everything he tried just failed instantly.
The art was ok, not special or outstanding. It was mostly art that is often typical for this kind of manga. :)
All in all it was an interesting manga and I am thinking of reading a few more volumes to see if it gets any better.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pros:
-Cute book with fun illustrations
-Fun to see a shojo manga with a male lead
-Good messages about being yourself and sticking to your true passions
Cons:
-Spoke heavily on gender roles in a way that only served to reinforce those stereotypes... as in, even as the characters were encouraged to do things outside their gender roles, the constant discussion of them made it feel reinforced regardless
-A lot of weird misogyny in the story
-One of the character's parents is trans, and it's spoken about as a very traumatizing point to that character -- his parent leaving him to go be herself. The way the event is spoken about is just... rough.
Overall, I think there are good moments in the story, and I think the message to stay true to your own vibes and hobbies and passions are so important.... and it's worth reading a second book in the series. But at the same time, it's like, ugh. I wish some of the elements weren't included.
-Cute book with fun illustrations
-Fun to see a shojo manga with a male lead
-Good messages about being yourself and sticking to your true passions
Cons:
-Spoke heavily on gender roles in a way that only served to reinforce those stereotypes... as in, even as the characters were encouraged to do things outside their gender roles, the constant discussion of them made it feel reinforced regardless
-A lot of weird misogyny in the story
-One of the character's parents is trans, and it's spoken about as a very traumatizing point to that character -- his parent leaving him to go be herself. The way the event is spoken about is just... rough.
Overall, I think there are good moments in the story, and I think the message to stay true to your own vibes and hobbies and passions are so important.... and it's worth reading a second book in the series. But at the same time, it's like, ugh. I wish some of the elements weren't included.
This is a cute story about a boy who loves girly things. And can do some mean martial arts.
Asuka is adorable, even when he's full of angst because he loves cuteness. He makes amazing bentos, cleans, knits, sews, and loves to collect cute things in his room.
However, all this cuteness has to be hidden for reasons which are explained fairly early on and are fairly obvious. So, in a large sense, this series looks like it's going to be an exploration of masculinity and femininity, as well as other gender issues. If so, I'm looking forward to the rest.
Complicating everything are his growing feelings for Ryo, a transfer student who has struggles of her own, though she seems far more comfortable in her own skin than Asuka.
But the best twist, by far, was Juta. I didn't see that coming. Not. At. All. And when it happened, I laughed so hard, I knew I was hooked.
Looking forward to volume 2.
Asuka is adorable, even when he's full of angst because he loves cuteness. He makes amazing bentos, cleans, knits, sews, and loves to collect cute things in his room.
However, all this cuteness has to be hidden for reasons which are explained fairly early on and are fairly obvious. So, in a large sense, this series looks like it's going to be an exploration of masculinity and femininity, as well as other gender issues. If so, I'm looking forward to the rest.
Complicating everything are his growing feelings for Ryo, a transfer student who has struggles of her own, though she seems far more comfortable in her own skin than Asuka.
But the best twist, by far, was Juta. I didn't see that coming. Not. At. All. And when it happened, I laughed so hard, I knew I was hooked.
Looking forward to volume 2.
Shojo manga, like many genres and especially romance, can fall prey to tropes and cliches. This one breaks the mold, and I love it.
I will keep reading but do wonder how tension will be maintained long-term. A lot of progress was made in this volume alone. I wouldn't mind seeing these three main characters in harmony and having adventures through many volumes.
I will keep reading but do wonder how tension will be maintained long-term. A lot of progress was made in this volume alone. I wouldn't mind seeing these three main characters in harmony and having adventures through many volumes.
I really wanted to like this more. The main male character loves "girly" things and it's his journey of learning to accept that as well as fall in love. It should be great. Unfortunately it was a bit boring. I enjoy the main character and his new friend but we don't learn anything about the love interest. There is barely any moments to build their relationship. It is just the first volume so it could be a slow build but it made it hard for me to care for her at all.
This was a fun light read. Not sure if I'll continue the series, but it was fun seeing what a shojo manga looks like.