Hatori is in love with Rita for almost five years. And since Rita treats her special because they are childhood friends, Hatori believes that she is the perfect match for him. But now, for the first time, Rita is having a serious relationship with his girlfriend. Should Hatori be supportive and try her best to move on? Or she would keep on loving Rita and make him fall in love with her instead?
"Heroine Shikkaku", by Koda Momoko, reveals a heartbreaking experience of a long term unrequited love.
Hatori is a wimpy girl who will cry in the background while watching her prince getting all lovey-dovey with his girlfriend. This girl is bratty, spoiled, self-centered, mean, and just stupidly selfish. Hatori, the main heroine, stands from what she believes in throughout the story. People may find her annoying, rebellious and some kind of a bitch. But who cares? She's in love and she's experiencing the pain of a lifetime!
The thing about the manga is that it's not covered with sugar-coating, but shows the bitterness of being left out-- of finding your long term crush happy with someone else. You'll witness the wasted efforts of every characters and feel sad like they were. Also, another thing that you'll love is that the story isn't that deep for it to be hard to picture yourself in the characters' shoes. It gives you the ability to think over the character’s actions and think about it like if you were them.
Rita lacks of understanding and communication and that drives our heroine in confusion and circles. It might be annoying that he's not being straightforward, but if you were in his shoes, you may find his actions a little bit reasonable. Isn't it hard to gamble your friendship over romantic love? He has been friends with Hatori for so long and maybe he just can't afford to lose her.
The art was neutral. It's not displeasing to the eyes yet not that good either. But I love how the artist tends to make funny facial expressions of the heroine. Hatori's reactions are always the best and I find myself looking for more funny faces of her.
Finishing the manga was like breath of fresh air-- it is unlike any other. And after reading this, you may change your perspective about being a "rival". The casts were all charming and you'll hope to read for more of them. The manga might be full of cliches, but Koda Momoko had found a way to make it more exciting and thrilling.
"Heroine Shikkaku" by Koda Momoko, a heartwarming, heartbreaking, laugh-triggering story that you'll ever read.
