Ranked #228

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (Manga)

I LOVE this manga! One of the best and non-stereotype shojo I've read. The art, the story and most of all the characters are very appealing to me.

Characters
I gotta admit that the characters in this story are the strongest point of this manga. Shizuku, Haru, Natsume, Sasayan, Yamaken and his trio gang, Ooshima, Micchan, Yuuzan and their familis; They’re all awesome and special in their own ways well… except for few ones but they’re still lovable and adorable XD Every each of them especially the main characters get great character development, something that hardly exists in typical shojo manga ( I don’t read that much or it’s just I always end up picking wrong mangas with shitty characters =,=) but at the same time, the progress didn’t ruin their original self or turning them into someone else instead they just become a better person with the same old personality and attitude (Gawd, just how many shojo heroines who are strong-willed at the first part of the manga becoming annoying, whining, indecisive girls as the story goes on esp when they finally realize their feelings. But I'm yet to see this in Shizuku) Well, this part is hardly shown now but in few more chapters, we’ll see it especially with Haru’s character and with Shizuku in dealing with her very first love relationship in the future.

Plot/Story
Since Tonari no Kaibutsu -kun is a character driven story so automatically the story is moved by its characters development and actions. But with Haru’s family issues, Shizuku’s mother and Micchan/Natsume/Sasayan relationship, at least we can anticipate something for the plot and story.Plus, this manga is only on its early stage so it’s too early to say that this manga is slow and the author has more room for the story development. I hope it wont be too long or dragging or dramatic wtv. Just sweet and cute, the way it is. Not to mention, it is a slice of life manga which is targeted to younger audiences too, so the story is just involved in everyday of teenage student’s life, no need for intense or twisted storyline, I think.

Theme
Okay, I like the theme that the author plays out in Tonari; romance, friendship, family, and individual theme, they’re just balanced and mixed so well and appropriate for girls teen-targeted manga. They’re not too simple or too complicated for weak teenage brain like mine to receive XD The physiological theme involving characters development also can be seen through Haru’s character, an abandoned child, wild, uses violent and fists to solve problem, unsocial boy that slowly changing into better, stable emotional person with the help of his friends and Shizuku of course. Yeah, it’s quite usual and ordinary in most of shojo story but Robiko sensei managed to display Haru’s mental growth distinctly throughout the story. Same applied to other characters too but Haru is the most interesting IMO.

Art
Cute and pretty art. With Tonari I don’t get dizzy or blind by reading too much panels and dialogues. Art is important to attract new readers, it’s sad when a manga with good story didn’t get more attention than it should because of the art. I’m glad that Tonari get beautiful and cute art to attract the audiences. Reminds me of Ouran, as much as I love it, I got pretty hard time to read and nearly put me off because of its drawing. I’m relieved that I got the patience and kept reading because Ouran is awesome^^

so, if you're searching for a warm, light love story but at the same time, you want the enjoyment from its story, I highly recommend this.

*As I'm very lazy this is just my review from another forum so some might have read this.
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I strongly believe that Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is a great manga and one of the few manga which mix comedy and romance very well and avoids becoming dull and annoying.

Well, first, I'm delighted with the drawing of the author. The drawing is very nice and the characters are drawed very atractive and some of them cool and others, very cute. Even though is a shoujo, doesn't have that flashy and awfully cute, the characters don't have those annoying shiny eyes (Usually shoujo manga has them) and the females characters don't have those puppy dog eyes that I'm tired to see. The scenes of this manga are not annoyingly decorated either.

Another thing I like is the story. As I said before, this manga mix comedy and romance very well, situations develop very smoothly and lightly, and you can't get tired of this. Each character has a personality that make them unique in the story, and sometimes, the characters react in funny way when a problem appears, being stubborn and childish, but they aren't crybabies (Usually you see that in shoujo manga female characters, ALWAYS CRYING) and they solve their problems and differences in a very sensitive way, with comedy scenes in there too. The plot is not very complicated and easy to understand. Even though some things are a little cliche, the story avoids becoming dull, boring, annoying as it happens with many mangas.

To conclude, I could say that if you want to read something light, you want romance but you want to laugh a lot too, this manga is the perfect election for you. read more

Hello everyone! This is my first review ever, but I hope it is still helpful.

Story:
At first, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun seems to be the kind of a typical love story where opposites attract each other, but it soon can be seen that this is not the case. It may not appeal very interesting at first, but already in the first chapter it holds your attention and makes you want more. The story is not really predictable but easily to understand and it doesn't move too fast, even though I have to say that it could move a little bit faster.

Art:
I really like Robiko's style. Usually, shoujo artists focus on the cute and big eyes, but Robiko gives the characters with her drawings a more mature aura. Each of the characters look really good, but they are also a little bit plain. It often happens in shoujo manga that you can barely seperate the characters from each other, but in Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, every character has its own style. Also, every scene is not decorated too much that makes it looks very nice.

Character:
The characters make the series so unique and adorable. Each of them have a personality that makes you root for them. Even though the main characters are Shizuku and Haru, the people around them are also getting in the spotlight. I just love how everyone has their very own unique personality that you can barely see in other shoujo manga. You actually have to discover them and you can feel with each of the characters.

Enjoyment:
(I actually wonder what this category is especially about haha.) I've enjoyed every chapter so far and I'm always excited when a new one is released and translated. Although there are a few scenes where I think that they are not really that necessary since they gave me a ltitle bit of a boring feeling. But any other scene were really lovely and cosy, if I can describe them like this haha.

Overall:
I really recommend this manga to everyone who likes romance without much drama. Anyone who is bored of the usual shoujo story line will be pleased with Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun and their characters.
(A little note, on my profile I gave it 10 out of 10 points, since Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is one of my favorite manga series and I gave my other favorites also 10 haha.)

Thanks for reading! There are probably little mistakes in my English, but I hope everything was understandable. read more

Fairly based on the demographic trope of the inner shoujo teen heart, being picky becomes a necessity once reading many, but let me tell you, this one's a bang!

TNK-K is greatly balanced, fun, fresh, and arrives with a spunk of full on edge and flowing charisma sparking high and low in all quarters, plus the addition of what many most likely miss, an expressive yet simple story to backup it's characters x story.

One of it's biggest mega points have to go to the non-stereotyped feel the cast and MC's give to it's audience, which is as modernizing as it gets.
We have a vice-versa mirror to our main characters persona, the unstable Haru and much stable Shizuku, fire knocking cement, both will without a doubt, immediately open your heart and mind, complicated but relatively at ease characters. Their chemistry is one that oozes what different personalities can bring to each other in common plates. Demonstrating to our younger audience the importance to also be willing and observant when we introduce the unexpected and outrageous. Grand pinpoint.

However... Don't expect to go into depth when swimming into this story, it's a bumpy one, but nothing out of the box. Honestly, I would rather have a deep background to support my MC's character than a deep, problematic relationship that corrupts flow of the story.
Most situations you are most likely to run into when reading it keeps you interested, but not anywhere near hair ripping, like the wind, you will be intact with everything that's going on with our characters. It's the flow.

Another point is the understanding of TNK, whether you find yourself to like or dislike one thing, in the end of each chapter/volume, all ends a bit justified. You end up with a great sentiment for one party and the other, and that just gives a great feel to it all.

Plot/Story Development : 9/10

TNK is a character driven story, and the plot is generalized by the idea of how love can be different to a different person. There will be no intense twists that change the whole story around, only more understanding and reasoning, and that's just awesome. Certainly no flips going about, and when I say that, I mean, when we are greeted by our main characters, their relationship and the relationship they have with their peers, are pretty much solidified. There is not one main message to be brought out to it's readers, there's many!
You become the judge of this story and the story gives you the freedom to give it it's main idea back.

Art: 8/10
Robico has great style, there is this natural feel and look each character has, and I'm in love with each one. I like how each character has a different style, look, and accessory that connects them with their personality.
Not my cup of tea, but what I like is that there is no exaggeration, but trait.

Character: 9/10
I just love everyone. We have a graceful introduction to all the cast's background and story, and everything they have gone through simply explains every hardship they surpass from, there will be moments you might just get a bit ticked off with some of their momentos, but it's all golden.

Enjoyment: 10/10
I recommend this for any reader that just wants a nice new love story without the soap opera of a hassle in it. Not my style of slice of life, but I liked reading something new and refreshing. I am way ahead of the actual translated chapters that have came out, chapter 44 to be exact, so I felt that writing a review for it seem pretty coherent.

Thanks for reading! ◕‿-
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Since this is going to be serialized and aired on October 1st, I imagine (or hope!) this series will become more popular. So, I'm going to write a review for anyone who is curious to if the manga is good or if they should start this series!

This series uses a very cliche trope: 'opposites attract'. We have Shizu (I don't want to write out her full name) who is very uptight, serious and know-it-all type of girl. And then Haru, the 'delinquent' who is misunderstood and generally has a very good heart and always intends the best. By chance, Shizu and Haru become intertwined and thus the story begins!

But do not be fooled~!

The story is very good! It is not one of those shoujo series that spends the whole time focusing on the hero and heroine's relationship. It deals with the entire cast, all of whom was likable and entertaining. I give it a 9; the story is not over yet and sometimes it will pass over issues that would've been more of a deal.

The art is fantastic. It's top of the line and greatly designed. I give it a 10, because honestly, the author did a great job at designing them to look Japanese and the backgrounds in this story are beautiful.

The character is awesome! Everyone, in someway, will find its way into your heart. Even the 'antagonists' will. They all have their own personal issues that you will explore somewhere in the story. 9, without a doubt.

The enjoyment was super. Every ending to a chapter kept me wanting more. I couldn't wait for a new chapter. Everyday, I'd check up to see if a new chapter has been released. Then I found out it was going to become a series and I absolutely jumped for joy! I couldn't be more excited. 10 for sure.

Overall, I think you should give this a chance! You will surely like it if you enjoy shoujo manga mixed with school life. It is very sweet (think Ouran HC, or Special A) but this series has a very different kick off to it.

I surely hope I helped you. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did :)
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I'll be honest, and I really feel horrible for saying this, but when i first picked this one up I read 2 chapters and dropped it. I don't even know why now.

Story:
It starts off with a pretty simple story line, but unique at the same time. The guy is a trouble maker that everyone thinks is scary and the girl basically only likes to study and is not social but somehow they click. They have that chemistry and it is shown very well in the way it is displayed. This is a balanced amount of comedy, and the good kind at that, with romance, it is not rushed but doesn't wait forever making you pissed off. The story line has mysteries still unsolved about people's past meaning no, it doesn't get boring if they get together. Along the way in their relationship they make friends that are there for them and the story goes into those friends relationship and point of views as well. This story line is well written and developed at a good pace.

Art:
The art is pretty. It really appealed to me when i first read it. My first impression was that it was different than other arts I've seen but has that classic shojo art. Sometimes there's too much writing on a page but it doesn't happen too often.

Character:
The characters are very original and make you root for them. The male protagonist isn't perfect, which to me makes me like them more because the guys arent suppose to be perfect. The girl is strong, I love strong girls in manga because they aren't confused all the time and crying every chapter, yes I've actually read a manga where they cried every chapter... it was painful. The guy and girl slowly open up to each other because they've never had real friends, so after they met it was like their whole worlds opened up for them. the chemistry is what really got to me. Not with just them two but their friends. The manga switches perspectives now and then and shows the insecurities of those seemingly happy that changes your perspectives as well.

Enjoyment:
Well it depends on you i guess. I personally enjoyed it a lot with it's comedy and all and the romantic moments. If you do like romantic comedy mangas then I really think you'll like this one, it's one of the good ones and I'm really picky with my manga.

Overall:
So overall you should give this a chance. Read at least past chapter five or something because i dropped it at three but ended up picking it up again and loved it. I think it's a bit underrated, i was surprised there were only two reviews because it's really one of my favorites. It's funny and romantic and still has alot to unfold to the readers. It gives you that feeling like they need each other and if they never met, their lives would be so different. It actually reminds me of Kimi Ni Todoke, so if you like that one, you should try this one. read more