Dec 17, 2024
If you're like me then you're constantly on the hunt for a manga/manhwa that is fun and adorable but not shallow and two-dimensional. So many stories out there kick things off with a fun (if simple) premise that hooks you in the introduction, but after a dozen chapters things already feel stale. On the other hand, there are manga where the plot can become too rapid and the character development abandons the very premise that intrigued you as a reader in the first place, and the characters you loved are left behind as the story transforms into something else entirely. It feels like a lose-lose
...
scenario: either you settle for a manga that is cute but unsubstantial, or you accept that the wholesome train cannot go on forever and watch it slowly drain away and get replaced by drama and conflict.
And then there is Tiger Coming In. I *love* this manwha precisely because of its ability to balance these two seemingly contradictory elements into one adorable, compelling, unified whole. The family dynamic - a wife and husband looking after two tiger girls who adore each other - remains the center of the manhwa and drives every arc and interaction. Each character has as a defined personality that drives the various scenarios and hijinks, rather than the other way around, giving the entire story a high level of believability and authenticity. Meanwhile intriguing and fun side characters are introduced, new environments are gradually explored, and a background "conflict" slowly moves into view without overwhelming the experience. The family reacts differently to each of these and it is so much fun seeing them move closer together as they support, help, and occasionally bicker with one another. Similarly, the author makes appropriate use of flashbacks and sprinkles them throughout the novel, providing further context and a handful of sweet stories that deepen the relationships between characters.
The end result is that with every new "arc' (I use that term loosely) the story remains fresh *precisely* because the author has enough confidence in their characters that they allow change to occur, knowing they will stay true to themselves. It is so refreshing to read a wholesome, cute, happy story in which the characters still face challenges and uncertainty strikes unexpectedly without the core of it all unraveling. And every time I feel like one particular character is getting a little too "tropey" or they are beginning to slip into the background, the author suddenly hits me with a series of chapters illustrating their growth in a way that complements their established traits. All of this alone makes the manhwa worth your time to read.
Aside from the premise, characterization, plot, and themes, the art itself is a treat to look at. The character designs are unique and attractive and the illustrator has the hilarious habit of sticking in the background or the corner of a frame a fun or silly detail that makes re-reads just as enjoyable. Likewise the paneling is smooth, creative, and doesn't over-rely on background shots or inflated dialogue bubbles to pad out chapters. The only genuine criticism I can lob at the manhwa is that there is a brief moment in which one male character believes another male character is hitting on him, and he rejects it on the premise that two males cannot be romantic with one other. Thankfully the moment passes quickly and there has not been any other overt anti-LGBTQ content (As of writing I am currently on chapter 101).
Overall, a strong 9/10!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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