Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san
Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie

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I'll be honest, I actually picked this up because I thought the title was "just not" and not "not just", y'know? The former implied a tried-and-true formula of an MC rejecting the cuteness of the girl character. However, upon reading it and realizing that the title sported the latter, I noticed that it implied the traits of the character beyond her cuteness. However, this made me question the title itself since it never really goes beyond a specific trait. The manga settles heavily on this formula of showcasing Shikimori's "cool" side and I expected them to show more traits other than that particular one. Regardless, ... I pressed forward and I was met with a relatively okay series.

The characters are alright. Nobody really sticks out and the chapters that use this wide cast of characters are a-plenty. Characters like Inuzuka, Nekozaki, and Hachimitsu have little to no impact despite having focus arcs here and there. With Inu, it's usually just a couple of throwaway lines and you never really feel the emotion of his goals when he gets out of highschool and whatnot. As for Hachimitsu, her best trait is that she has the same unchanging, silly, stupid face all throughout the manga. Nekozaki is the most unfortunate since her focus arc happens near the end of the series and, as a result, it never really hits as hard because the focus remains on the main couple- not to mention how she had to share with another, more interesting character.

Speaking of the main couple, they're the same. Despite having the spotlight most of the time, they're motivations are presented in the most moe, lighthearted way possible that any form of seriousness is just watered down. Also, a new character called Saruogi was introduced and I find it funny how he was a latecomer pushed to be with the main cast but somehow did literally nothing in the little time he had. What a snoozer of a character.

The only character who I'd say has the most impact was Kamiya, who provided some spice to the manga by having the struggle of letting go of her crush towards Izumi, the other half of the main couple. Don't get me wrong, I'm cool with my stories having little-to-no confrontational storylines but that only works if those storylines are entertaining. The cast of Shikimori are not charismatic enough for that. The best I would describe the manga is that it's just all-so very serviceable. I've mentioned its flaws but those are not big enough to get itself a negative rating.

This might be the most wholesome manga I have read. The main gist of the story is the gender subversion of the male and female tropes in a romance story. Genrally, it’s expected that the man is who usually protects the girl. This time, the girl, while still being cute, has a cool side in which she protects her frail boyfriend from whatever misfortunes come his way. Before I go into details, I must say that personally, this is one of those ‘more than the sum of its parts’ type of stories. Despite its simple plot, very good but not outstanding art, and its use ... of tropes you see everywhere in media, it still stands as one of my favourite romcom manga.

Story: 7/10
It’s a slice of life. Either get with it, or get out. If you aren’t familiar with slice of life, I recommend this highly as one to get into. But if you already know it’s not your thing, while I’d urge you to give it a shot because it’s definitely one of the best, it’s up to you. Generally yes, this is a typical slice of life. Most chapters are disconnected from each other, each telling their own individual slice of the main leads’s blossoming romance. I’d agree that the characters definitely carry the SoL portions of the story, which I will explore later. However, once in a while, the story will move into a structured arc, in which I think the story really shines. They are definitely still centered around the characters heavily, but as a whole, these arcs are the true peaks of the story. The generally Center around one to two characters, and really dive deep into their emotions and thought processes, which surprised me at first. There is wonderful development to be seen in some of these arcs, and while nothing super crazy ever happens plot wise, the care the author takes into really endearing you to these characters is quite impressive. But yeah, let’s move onto the characters while I’m talking about them eh?

Characters: 9/10
In dramas, the conflict is generally going to be external, with characters colliding with one another through their ideals or even physically. Most conflicts in this story however, are internal, in which characters are prompted by a certain action in the plot to become more contemplative and question themselves. I think it’s a really great way of creating tension without risking it feeling melodramatic. And the way the other characters around them help to resolve their troubles in the heart of the story. Whether it be the male lead, Izumi, wanting to appear cool for his girlfriend and failing. You know his girlfriend Shikimori will have something to say to assure him of his worries, often appearing cool herself. I will say this, every side character introduced has their moment to shine, and some shine so bright it will tear a hole in your heart for how wholesome it is. To furthering my point, there is a completely conflict-less love triangle which gets resolved in 3 chapters, THREE. It’s incredible how the author manages to craft these characters in a way which you cannot help but smile when take a step forward to improve themselves and be happier. The supporting cast is really amazing for what they are, not the focus of the story most of the time, but really shine when they have to. As for the main leads, their relationship is as wholesome as it gets, without feeling like pandering at all. That’s all I have to say, although I could talk about these characters forever.

Art: 8
Nothing much to say here, very solid art throughout. The author is really good at expressing subtle emotions in serious scenes, and also making funny or cute faces to lighten the mood. There are certain scenes with 0 dialogue, in which the art conveys all the writer needs on its own, which is astounding play impressive for a slice of life. Shikomori gets most of the high quality, line art panels with her badass faces and poses striking an arrow through your chest. I don’t rank t higher despite saying this, because it’s really only a handful of moments in which the art blows you away, but most of the time it’s what you would expect in SoL manga, minus the Single panels every chapter which all the effort is put into in order to deliver the most impact possible.

Enjoyment: 9
Basically what I have said above, character interactions are always either funny, striking or heartwarming. It’s a serious feel-good story, and will keep you reading more and more.

Overall: 9
True ranking is probably an 8, but I was genuinely so surprised at how well written some of the climactic moments are that I had to put it at a 9. So yeah, nuff said. Read Shikimori isn’t just cute if you want see two teenagers’ puppy love romance, and their friends shenanigans too.

What can I say, man's just living the life. Great manga overall cause one of the main lessons the author conveys is how if you get a girl to love you through and through, that will go to the ends of earth to find you, that will protect you till the world crumbles around you, that will care about how you feel with how insignificant you'd feel compared to the universe around you, you better make her the center of your world if she can't live without you.

Story:
Pretty straightforward and very easy to get into without any complicated narratives or story arcs. Helps focus on ... the relationship between our two wholesome main characters.

Art:
I personally liked the art style a lot especially when the author has to draw Shikimori's "cool heroine" moments. You'd usually think big boobas and butt are the best fanservice can offer but Shikimori's serious moments alone are one of the best panels there are in this manga. Gotta love it.

Character:
Shikimori really stole the show for me from the moment I started this manga while I started to like Izumi later on and how he too had some cool, admirable traits that complemented their relationship very well. Side cast is pretty interesting time to time.

Enjoyment:
There is not a time I haven't gotten bored with reading the story so far and I'm always eager to find out what wholesome moments and antiques I have yet to read in the future. Pure fun to read during your free time or if you want to relax at the end of a day.

Overall:
Great manga overall and I will continue to read and enjoy it in the future. Thanks author.

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie: Sweet Treats and Super Strength

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is like a yummy candy bar for your heart. It's a love story about two high school students, Izumi and Shikimori. Izumi is a clumsy goofball who always seems to find trouble, and Shikimori is his super-cool girlfriend who secretly has hidden super strength!

Not Your Typical Love Story

Shikimori is the one saving the day, whether it's catching Izumi before he falls or cracking open a tough jar with her bare hands. Izumi loves how awesome she is, and instead of feeling jealous, he cheers her on. It's a refreshing change from ... the usual boy-saves-girl stories.

More Than Just Laughs

Even though there are lots of funny moments, the story also shows how Izumi and Shikimori deal with real feelings. Izumi sometimes worries that he's not good enough for Shikimori, and Shikimori is afraid to be herself because she thinks people might judge her. But they learn to overcome their insecurities and support each other, making their relationship even stronger.

Friends and Fun

The story isn't just about Izumi and Shikimori. They have a great group of friends who add their own humor and sweetness to the mix. There's the mischievous Hachimitsu, the shy but observant Nekozaki, and many more. They all hang out together, have fun adventures, and learn about friendship and love.

A Must-Read for Everyone

Whether you're a rom-com fan or just looking for a feel-good story, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is definitely worth checking out. It's funny, heartwarming, and reminds you that it's okay to be different and that true love can come in unexpected ways. So grab a copy, curl up with a blanket, and get ready for a delightful treat!

100% Recommended

Note:
People who watched anime and came here to avoid confusing skips and missing out on the good stuff? Start the manga from chapter one, trust me, it's way better that way and Manga folks? Dive into the anime, even if you already know the story, it's gonna blow your mind with awesome visuals!

Summary:

Craving a love story with a twist? Check into Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, where the tables are turned! Here's Shikimori, a super-strong cutie who catches her clumsy but loveable boyfriend, Izumi, before he trips on air. Laughs guaranteed! But get ready for a heartwarming twist as this delightful duo navigates insecurities, cheers each other on, and shows that true love celebrates all kinds of awesome. It's a feel-good treat for anyone who wants a laugh and a reminder that being different is a superpower in itself. Whether you're a rom-com lover or just looking for a feel-good read, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is a delightful treat.

This manga is highly disappointing. The art is really great but that's the only thing I like aside from the concept. I find Shikimori to be a very boring character and her gimmick is not as great as it sounds on paper. Izumi isn't as bad as her but I still don't care about him either. The romance is either kind of cringe or insufferably tepid. Usually I'm fine with stories where nothing happens as long as the characters are likable, but these are not. Their chemistry falls flat and it's kind of repetitive. I also don't mind repetitive stories, as long as it's a ... good repetition with a spin on it every time. The manga is okay at the "spin" part, but not at the "good" part. It's not really slow or all that meandering but I was still very bored reading it. Overall, it's very okay.