Sep 8, 2016
Update: There are spoilers at the end of the review as I have noted down what each volume covers if you want to buy a specific volume. This will be updated hopefully if I don't forget.
Please note: the manga is quite faithful to the light novels, so if you have only watched the anime, there will be "new" parts to the story
If you're reading this, I'm assuming you know this series quite well. Then you can skip onto the next paragraph, if not, I guess you're stuck with me like an unwanted gym partner. Basically, Hikigaya is a cynical person, he
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hates youth and those who enjoys it. As he submits his hateful essay upon reflecting this thing called "youth" to his language teacher, he gets immediately rejected and is about to be punished by becoming a member of a club that requires ....... optimism????!!!!! Caught up, good. The story, admittedly seems cliche, especially if you've read the synopsis of the anime. But it's a deep story, with meaningful topics and the occasional, casual comedy.
Unlike the anime, this manga captures each characters' personal emotion and facial expression better than the anime.
I guess it's because the faces isn't constantly trying to catch up to the next scene or to react to the other character's words. And has a very refined style of drawing I must say. My personal favourite for a manga.
The characters are the selling point of this series, and this medium does not let it down in terms of perfecting the mood or the even the comedy between each character. Especially Zamokuza and Yuigahama's funny moments. Their faces and just body gestures really shine much much more than the anime personally. Not only is the art more refined, but also contribute to the story-telling element evident in manga.
Having finished the anime, and the light novel, the manga lives up to both forms, and perhaps exceed the anime dare I say. And for any die-hard Oregairu fans or first timer readers, this manga is definitely worth giving a shot.
Overall, I have nothing but praises for this series in the form of manga. The artist has wonderfully captured the mood of each character perfectly and was simply a joy to read. Can't wait for the next volume to come out.
Spoiler sections:
Manga volume with the corresponding story.
I'm including this for those wanting to read specific parts of the story without the need to buy all the volumes or get the wrong one.
Volume 1 - Intro of series, including Yui and Zaimokuza's problem
Volume 2 - Totsuka Tennis problem, Hayama's clique and half of Kawasaki problem
Volume 3 - Finishes Kawasaki problem, Yui drifts apart arc, and ends with Zaimokuza entering the clubroom with a request.
Volume 4 - UG Club and finishes Yui's drift apart, Judo club and first appearance of Irohasu
Volume 5 - Chiba village / Tsurumi arc / light novel volume 4
Volume 6 - 8man summer holidays / light novel volume 5 (light novel / manga "exclusive")
Volume 7 - Cultural festival up to Sagami's disappearance
Volume 8 - Finishes Cultural festival and half of Athletics festival (this is not the anime version but the light novel version of the athletics festival)
Volume 9 - Finishes Athletics festival and all of Kyoto
Volume 10 - Irohasu student council election problem (S2 ep 3 - ep5)
Volume 11 - Kaihin Sougu Highschool Christmas event, finishes on Genuine scene
Volume 12 - Destiny land and finishes the Christmas event problem
Volume 13 - S2 OVA / Light novel 10.5, new year's shopping with Yui and start of YukinoXHayama rumour
Volume 14 - School Marathon and ends the rumour.
Volume 15 - Valentine's day chocolate event, trio date at Chiba aquarium park. Ends where S2 / Light novel 11
Volume 16 - Yukino's decision, Komachi's entrance exams, ends with prom video making. S3 / Light novel 12
Volume 17 - Yui and 8man goes to "Ikea", Yukino starts having trouble with organising prom, 8man to the rescue, and ends Yukino reveals to Irohasu she's the "competitive" type. S3 ep 4 + 5. (end of Ln v12 I believe)
Voume 18 - 8man begins to contemplate his reasons for helping out Yukinoshita, recruits UG club for anti-prom, rap battle with Tamanawa, finishes on the launch of the fake prom website. (ends about 1/3 of the way through S3 ep 8)
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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