Ranked #1682

Happy Hustle High (Manga)

There are manga that leave behind strong or deep impressions, often those that would be called a masterpiece. H3 School isn't one of those, but oddly enough, I find that aspect to be one of this manga's redeeming points. At its heart, H3 is best described as a fun read... and well, sometimes that's exactly all you may want or need.

The premise of the story is interesting enough, as it starts with an all-girl school and the announcement that it will soon be merged with an all-boy school (and of course the problems and benefits that will come attached to that change). In that sense, the setting is refreshing as it allows different ways for the story to take off as opposed to the usual high school shoujo setting.

The main thing, however, that makes H3 a fun read for me is the characters. Hanabi is unlike the slew of shoujo heroines we usually see. She's a true tomboy, fails at being a girly girl, and has an actual beauty issue (which she deals with in a hilarious yet frighteningly realistic ways at times). Yasuaki, too, has his quirks. At first glance, he seems to be like the typical cool bishounen with jerk tendencies... until you quickly realize that he's actually a really nice guy who happens to have girl phobia.

With 5 volumes, the story moves fairly quick in a straightforward way with some relationship bumps along the way. There's a nice mix of comedy and romance... times where you'd laugh out loud and times where, perhaps, you'd grin and swoon a little from sweet gestures. There's definitely some hilarious moments though, just random little things that can crack you up unexpectedly. Unfortunately, there was one small bit of dubious drama towards the end but at least it zipped by pretty fast. I say dubious because the conflict, while standard in most shoujo manga, seemed a bit out of place in H3.

Again, H3 isn't the type of manga that's meant to leave a lasting impact on its readers. Rather, it's more the type that's great for passing an afternoon in an enjoyable way without too much fuss. It's romantic, hilarious at times, has hot bishounen, a heroine with flaws that really is cute and not idiotic, a beautifully scary student council president, and tons of cute little chicks (as in chickens). For a shoujo manga, what's not to enjoy?

For a general rating, H3 would probably be a 7 - good but certainly isn't exceptional or what one would call a "quality" read. But for its enjoyment, I gave it an 8 here. read more

“Lots of great stuff is out there, if you just find the guts to try.”

This is one of those manga, you’re not sure if to start so you cautiously read the first chapter. Then before you know it you fins the charcaters funny, bold and completely bizarre that you can’t help but keep reading just to see what happens next.

That’s how I met Hanabi Ozora she goes to an all girls private school and is known for being a psycho when it comes to the whole justice prevails thing.
Don’t worry she doesn’t go around killing people for vengeance. She only hurts them, less time and no cops. Just kidding, sort of, I mean she doesn’t go on random rampages hurting or terrorizing strangers. She’s just dedicated to being herself and has a “won’t take you’re crap” attitude. She’s never had a boyfriend or liked anyone mainly due to her not being so girly to begin with. She’s the girl every girl goes to for help in her class, sort of like a problem solver. Unfortunately for her, her rein is about to be over since her all-girl school is turning coed. This is Hanabi’s story from finding love to kicking some serious butt in the process, all while staying sane. Sort of.

The characters are funny creatures in this one. The main cast is honest, they mean what they say and say what they mean. At the beginning along with Habani and some of her friends which don’t really matter much (sorry but true) we are introduced to the student council trio. Three guys who are the top of their school Three sexy guys as Habani says.
The humor reminded me of School Rumble (I do miss Tenma), is fresh and not forced. In between the humor and the good looking guys you will see the story of a girl and her first love. Don’t fret though because the love progresses, and not at a turtle slow pace. It’s shows you the couple in the first stages of their relationship and overcoming obstacles the only way they know how, the most awkward and humorous way.

It would have been slow to progress had it not had an important factor, Yasuaki. He’s different yet the same from other main characters. I was used to girls pursuing guys and confessing to them, but he’s daring. Has a way about him, the thing about him not liking girls adds to his charm, don‘t worry that‘s not a spoiler. Even though he’s really the same in the sense that he’s next to perfect, can play instruments, and is good at every sport and enjoys surfing, wait is that a sport? He’s quiet but not afraid and he’ll stand up for his girl, even if he loses. The other two members of the council are perceived to be the brains of the operation and the one that’s a male version of Habani. Sense of humor up the wazoo for this pair, even if it’s sometimes dark.

Habani, (which for some reason I keep calling Hibani in my head) is cute and somewhat smart. She is kick first ask questions later. But isn’t that bluntly dumb we are shown in other heroines. At the beginning she’s more likable than towards the end. I mean she put herself in some really bad situations, my guess something up there went loose form falling too much. She’s fun though and all the girls look up to her because of her courage (maybe that’s the wrong word).

The art style is not of the new version that features really delicate girls and all of them seem perfect. I think it’s because this manga originally ran in 2005 that it’s style is different, which honestly I found I enjoyed it. Nothing stood out so much but sometimes when the light his characters just right (or when the mangaka wants said characters to get attention) some characters look like appealing and faultless, or in the trio’s case, like total bishies ( :/ ). It’s more cute than beautiful for this one as it is more of a comedy than anything else.

All in all, you will laugh a lot. Sure the situations are cliché and you see them coming but you can’t help but laugh at the combination of art and dialogue that was put together so well. It flows really well all through, leaving no holes or with moments. Unless those with was because the characters did smoothing so preposterous. Ending was tied up in a pretty bow but it left me wondering about the other two characters and their life as it was more focused on the present story and it’s lead couple. read more