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A review by littlepiscesreading
You Must Be This Tall to Propose!, Volume 1 by Fumi Mifuyu
funny
5.0
You Must Be This Tall to Propose! is an utter joy to read. It’s such a sweet, funny manga. Its short chapters lend it the intimacy of glimpses into the everyday lives of its characters rather than a fast pace. Its cast is charming and Mifuyu instantly endears the reader by introducing us to little Chitose and Tomo the day they make their agreement. They’re so cute and sweet.
Its wider cast are introduced simply, but clearly. Some tertiary characters remain one note but most already being expanded upon. This isn’t a criticism. I know exactly which character is which. Their personalities and dynamics with others. If anything, there was a bit more development than I’d expected, for instance, with Akito and Haruka.
I love the comedy. Miscommunication can be hilarious and I especially enjoyed it here. Chitose has a very defined view of manhood that he strives for that drives some of the comedy. It’s not taken seriously by the manga – but not at Chitose’s expense. It could easily be mean-spirited but it’s not at all. The miscommunication is also much subtler than I’d expected from the description. I thought it would oppose Tomo and Chitose but they’re very sweet, both generally and with one another. You really root for them through their mishaps.
There has been criticism that it doesn’t have an overarching plot. That’s both true and not. The manga is clearly invested in Chitose and Tomo’s relationship and their becoming a couple. It could do a more typical and obvious overarching plot well but I think that it’s made what it is very obvious and it excels at it. You Must Be This Tall to Propose! is a perfect lighthearted, feel-good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
Its wider cast are introduced simply, but clearly. Some tertiary characters remain one note but most already being expanded upon. This isn’t a criticism. I know exactly which character is which. Their personalities and dynamics with others. If anything, there was a bit more development than I’d expected, for instance, with Akito and Haruka.
I love the comedy. Miscommunication can be hilarious and I especially enjoyed it here. Chitose has a very defined view of manhood that he strives for that drives some of the comedy. It’s not taken seriously by the manga – but not at Chitose’s expense. It could easily be mean-spirited but it’s not at all. The miscommunication is also much subtler than I’d expected from the description. I thought it would oppose Tomo and Chitose but they’re very sweet, both generally and with one another. You really root for them through their mishaps.
There has been criticism that it doesn’t have an overarching plot. That’s both true and not. The manga is clearly invested in Chitose and Tomo’s relationship and their becoming a couple. It could do a more typical and obvious overarching plot well but I think that it’s made what it is very obvious and it excels at it. You Must Be This Tall to Propose! is a perfect lighthearted, feel-good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.