Ranked #106

Koukou Debut (Manga)

Think She's All That meets My Fair Lady meets emo hottie! Haha, okay it's kind of hard to visualise all that. The story is touching because you feel so dearly for our heroine Haruna and love that she isn't clumsy, can lift 70Kg!, doesn't expect her boyfriend to come protect her, knows how to deal with jealous classmates and doesn't cry at every obstacle. The male lead was a bit well, unlikeable in my opinion but I suppose that's because he isn't a dashing Sir Lancelot like we've become accustomed to. He's equally shy and awkward when it comes to dating (though highly knowledgeable about the how to's and what to wear when), he's sweet and caring in a sort of uncommunicative manner, which is very realistic, and he always stands up for the heroine.

As far as the plot goes, I give full points to the mangaka for thinking up very innovative and realistic situations to immerse our couple into, from first kiss and it's after effects, to first date, first parent meeting, first overnight trip, even the first time Yoh steps outside his comfort zone. You really devour the manga because as it usual in shoujo, the couple aren't constantly kissing (even though I would have liked it if they did!), or caressing each other. In that respect, I think this is one very chaste couple! Almost any touch or physical intimacy is a big deal to both sides!

The story deals with real life routine very well. Each character is constantly changing clothes within one chapter which makes it very charming. The supporting cast, which I wouldn't exactly label 'supporting' as they are equally enchanting, are thought up carefully and very deliberately add to the main storyline. I particularly like Asaoka, Yoh's good friend and his quiet mirth. Unconventional issues such as an overbearingly possessive sister, a girl taking on the protector role, parting due to college and hoopla over a mistaken kiss are refreshingly introduced, which are disarmingly entertaining.

I think the best part of this story though lies in the fact that the couple did not fall in love at first sight (Though returning a shoe is a very novel premise!). They each saw appealing qualities in one another over time and love blossomed once friendship grew. That to me was very sincere. Of course the fact that the female lead wasn't a hopeless whimpering damsel is an added plus!

You have to love these personal unconsious habits characters remain loyal to. Yoh and his mother tend to itch their chin with the opposite hand often. Asami always hides her hands in long sleeves and I Haruna's expressions are ... priceless always, especially when she's repeatedly told not to fall in love with Yoh (rather PRESUMPTUOUS of him I think!) read more

This is such an enjoyable manga in every way possible. The story is lighthearted, but not superficial nor dumb; it is a typical shoujo manga that should satisfy any fan of the genre, yet there's still a freshness to it that won't make you feel like you've already read this a thousand times before.

The story's premise is fairly simple. Haruna is a tomboyish girl who spent most of her junior high school involved in sports, and now that she's in high school, she wants to get a boyfriend and learn how to act and dress like a girl. The problem is, she has no idea how to do it. Even though she tries her best to follow magazine's advices and her own misguided intuition, it all ends in disaster.

By chance she meets Yoh Komiyama, an attractive guy who knows how to improve a girl's appearence to boost. Fortunately for Haruna, Yoh goes to her school, and after she begs a bit, he gives in and accepts to be her "coach" in the whole dressing-up/ dating deal.

I think that one of the most attractive aspects of this manga are the characters. They are all so interesting and well developed! Haruna is not the stereotypical shoujo heroine, even if by description she might sound like it. She's so naive, pure-hearted and clumsy, and yet so strong, determined and brave that you can't help but love her. Yoh seems like the typical cool, reluctantly popular hero, but he's endearingly honest, sharp and full of issues regarding relationships. The supporting characters are equally complex and charming and not just faces to help move the plot along.

The way the relationship between Haruna and Yoh develops and make them evolve and overcome their flaws is done with care and love for the characters, which is a bonus for this mangaka. She definitely knows her characters and never betrays their true nature.

As a conclusion, I can say that this story will make you laugh, get involved with it and leave you with a warm feeling when you've done reading each chapter. read more

I have read 8 volumes of this title so far,so i thought i was good to write a review about it :)

Story:This is a typical high school comedy-romance with some small dramatic elements.The story is about a tomboish girl,Haruna ,that entering High School is decided to find a boyfriend,and thats when she meets Yo,a superpopular guy,with an 'eye' about this stuff,and asks him to be her trainer.It really is cliche as story,but enjoyful.As the story goes,the relationship between Yo and Haruna develops more and more.

Art:The art is good enough for a shoujo manga,but i have seen better.
I didnt like how the artist designs them with the mouth open sometimes for example,looked a bit unnatural.The eyes-design though is pretty good,and makes nice hair.

Character:That is the strong part of this series.The characters.
Haruna,the tomboy,masculine girl that was playing baseball in middle school and had no time for anything else.She is incredibly optimistic,good hearted,and naive.And when it comes to a hard situation,she always gives her best shot.Yo,is the popular pretty boy type as teh series start.He seems to have some bad experiences with girls in the past,and he seems that cant stand them.Besides that,he is incredibly smart,doesnt misunderstand serious situations,thing that happens to many shoujo manga,and has a good personality also.Their friends are also quite interesting characters too.

Enjoyment:There goes another 10.Because this manga is really enjoyful from first to last page.I cried and laughed in different parts of the story(ok i cried only once,i know that at the end of each volume all goes good :D ).I really couldnt stop reading it,i read all 8 volumes that were realesed there as fast as possible.And,i am still asking for more :) read more

I really enjoyed this manga!
I was captivated from the first chapter~ Koukou Debut will fill you with tears from laughter and warm your hearts!
Haruna is a tomboy, and when told "don't fall in love with me", it's obvious she can't avoid the inevitable right?
Well, Yoh, her coach is a very appealing boy in this manga and gradually softens up due to Haruna's influence, optimistic and clueless personality ^^

RECOMMENDED =D

I've read all 30 Chapters so far within half a day - you can read it at onemanga.com =)
(I really wish others would post a link as to where we can read all this anime you know!?!)

Anyhow, I really enjoyed this manga =]
And I hope you do too! read more

The shoujo romance genre has such an enormous amount of stories published by many authors, that its extremely difficult to find a diamond in the rough. More often than not, all of these stories have extremely similar female and male leads in extremely similar situations that many times, differentiating a story from one manga to another can be difficult. Koukou Debut (High school Debut) is a manga that attempts to do that, and does so wonderfully for the first half of its story. However, it then takes a dive in the second half of the story and utilizes typical shoujo plot devices that makes it lose the identity it built up for itself during the duration of the first half of its run.

Koukou Debut is a story about the relationship between Nagashima Haruna (our female lead) and Komiyama Yoh (our male lead). Haruna is a girl who is determined to find a boyfriend now that she has entered high school, but has no experience whatsoever in the opposite sex. On the contrary, she tries everything that dating magazines say, but it all ends in futility. On a fateful meeting with Yoh, who's your typical bishounen male who has a cool and collected exterior, but soft on the inside, has sworn off women due to past experiences. However, he knows exactly what guys want and thus, Haruna asks Yoh to be her "trainer in love" to help her find a boyfriend. He reluctantly agrees to do so, on the one condition that she does not fall in love with him. Thus begins the journey between these two star-crossed lovers.

As far as shoujo romances go, this aforementioned plot is actually intriguing and somewhat original. However, this intriguing plot only lasts for the first half of the series, where in the second half, the plot becomes more or less several one-shot stories or events of daily happenings between the two. The author uses all of the cliche'd plot devices in the second half and it seems like it has become like every other shoujo out there.

The art, although very reminiscent of shoujo-type art, is very rough. As with all manga, the art improves as the story goes along, however, I feel the art actually worsens once you hit the last few chapters. Character designs seem really rough and incomplete at times, but I assume that's to be expected with 40+ page releases every month.

As the plot goes, so do the characters. Both leads are fairly interesting in the beginning of the story and the side characters do enough to help compliment the leads. However, Haruna - throughout the entire story - never develops from her insecure, crybaby self, as in almost every single chapter, she cries over the smallest of things. Yoh definitely goes under the most development through the story, but this is brought down by the lack of development of Haruna.

Even with all of its flaws, as a fan of shoujo romance, I still enjoyed this manga. It was able to bring about a certain charm with its supporting characters to help offset a weak main lead. In addition, one has to be in awe at Yoh and how he is able to handle every single fickle mood swing Haruna displays in each chapter. As I mentioned, the first half of the story really shines and gives Koukou Debut its identity. But for some odd reason, the mangaka decided to follow traditional shoujo plot devices with the second half, and in consequence, loses that identity it had built up.

I know I'm probably in the minority in my views of the manga, but I thought I'd give another view of this story. Regardless, any shoujo fan will undoubtedly love this story as it contains all the typical shoujo plot devices. However, if you're looking for something that goes outside the box and attempts to break the medium's constants, after reading the first half of the story, you'll have to look elsewhere for that. read more

Story:
I found the story extremely mediocre and predictable. It wasn't bad enough for me to close the manga [since i have a "no-dropping-mangas " policy] but the chance of me re-reading it is equal to the chance of hell freezing.
Art:
I'm very flexible when it come to the way mangakas draw because it's their style but this manga had a very special way to draw. I found many mistakes in the manner like Yoh's eyes changing[bigger and smaller when no emotion is meant to be shown]. But the backgrounds were beautifully drawn. it was good all in all.
Characters:
Nagashima, Haruna's was fun :)
Yoh's was boring, as for his friends.
Though Yoh's sister, Asami, really caught my eye because she was still a child who was learning the ways of life which was cute. Too bad she didn't appear much.
Overall:
Not a must.
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This is one of my favorite mangas! It is so cute, and sweet and it has the perfect touch of drama. The characters are so amazing and real-to-life. All, I can tell you is that if you like shoujo manga then you will LOVE this manga!!!!! I give it a 10/10.

First of all, what really captures me about a shoujo manga is that the main characters are good looking and the story.

Story 10: more like a 9.5 actually, because i wanted them to be more "hot & heavy" with each other and not so much comedy for crying out loud.

Art 8: Cause i have seen Dengeki Daisy and i'm taking dengeki daisy as the standard for how to draw shoujo.

Character 10: Love the male main character cause he is a bad-ass and when he is put in a bad situation he takes the logical steps to deal with it and even surprises you to a degree that even in real life you might do what he he did in the manga.

Enjoyment 8: more like 8.5, cause got sick of the female main character always goofing around and always turn to a comedy act. Plus, the mangaka drew too much the main with funny faces and like a chibi for comedy purposes, it turned me off completely sometimes.

Overall 9: next time if you want a romantic COMEDY shoujo, this is for you. But if you're looking for the passionate one with a lot mature scenes (not meaning xxx all the time, but grown up stuff) then this is not for you.
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