Aug 2, 2016
I am seriously surprised by the high scores by the other reviewers. Maybe it's because I'm too critical, I'm not to sure...so I'll leave that up to you after you read my synopsis and then the manga themselves.
There are really 3 1/2 stories. Basically to the first story which has it's own two chapters: the first from the perspective of the boy and the second from the perspective of the girl. The 1/2 story is actually in connection to those perspectives through inserts throughout each of the chapters. And there are four chapters.
To make it more clear that there are 3
...
1/2 chapters I'll break it down.
Chapter 1: Story 1- Boys perspective
Chapter 2: Story 1 - Girls perspective
Chapter 3: Story 2 - Teacher/Student
Chapter 4: Story 3 - Student/Student (Cold student/warm student)
1/2 story: Story 1 (as inserts after each chapter). Example Chapter 1 - insert, chapter 2 - insert, chapter 3- insert, chapter 4 - insert.
Overall perspective of the story:
As I said, I was surprised by the high score the short story had. Yes, story 1 did do something that I have rarely seen in a manga---where it gives both the girl and the boys side of a story. Which is great. But the story line was a bit pathetic and not well thought out.
It could be because I like Teacher/Student relationships the best, but I thought that made more sense to me as a storyline. Although the girl was a bit weird and stalkerish. The final story I think overall was the best one.
I'll give a synopsis and explain why in detail (please don't ask me for any translations of these titles I don't speak Japanese (although I should learn). The only title I know is for story 1 which is "I love you but Goodbye."):
Chapter 1 Story 1: Sayonara Demo Aishiteru (Yutaka's version)
Yutaka. My first impression of Yutaka was that he was shy, attractive, tall, but awkward and naive. I didn't see him as an alpha type of Bishie. He was just the attractive guy next door. For my ladies out there...you know those guys you find cute, but their so nice you don't know if they like you or not. And even when you realize he doesn't like you, he's still so cool that you don't care?! Yeah...that's what I got from him. He wasn't anything that special. Plus the way the mangaka described him, that's what I got.
He first meets this girl during an entrance exam, falls instantly in love, asks her out immediately and then assists her home, gets a part time job so he could buy her something. I'm like this guy is totally p***y-whipped. She had him by the nose. That boy bloody cried. He didn't even come across as really masculine for me until the end. Well, where I saw him as a Man and not a boy. You know, that's when the declaration of love happens through a final scenario.
Yeah, this story had a quadrangle. Initially I wanted him to hook up with his friend -- I like those best friend relationships. Until I found out what she did and then I was like damn.
So you can see why I didn't find this story that...OMG. I mean there was nothing new for me except to see a guy so whipped. I'll be honest I usually read stories with Alpha-Bishies, which I'll talk about below.
The art was great there fore that helped with my enjoyment. But not that much. I found the entire work mediocre.
Chapter 2 Story 1: Sayonara Demo Aisheteru (Mariya's version)
It was important for the mangaka to make Mariya's perspective because the representation of the male character is completely different and even the story line ends up shifting the story over all making things clearer and not as vague.
All the characters that are presented in Yutaka's story are highly important. In this version Yutaka is a total Alpha-Bishie. He's super attractive, seen as a hottie in the school, he's super popular with the girls---to the point people see him as a playboy (rumor). But you see what he does for her. He truly protects her, truly cares for her on many levels and isn't shy of his feelings. I mean he wasn't before, but here he fights for it.
I found Mariya to be a fairly strong character because she fought against the rumors as long as she did and she endured bullying. The element of bullying would have made the story richer had it been discussed in a more detailed way. It was kind of like...it was that, and we ignore it. It's a bit ridiculous.
Chapter 1/2 Story 1: This is a continuation of the first story that encompasses Erika & Taiki...
Taiki has a crush on Yutaka and does some brutal things to ensure that her love is accepted. She makes up one of the Quadrangle. Now Taiki is part of the good friend group and has a thing for Erika. So picture it like this:
Mariya <---> Yutaka <--- Erika <--- Taiki
You come to find out what role Taiki plays in the story an how that happens. You also find out more about Erika and her feelings. In the final insert there seems to be a sort of resolution that they leave open.
Chapter 3 Story 2: 1 % No Kiseki
Yeah I like this the most. I love my teacher/student relationships. But admittedly this one weirds me out. When you read it, I'll simply say "button obsession"...WTF?!
Anyway, teacher's name is Sharuru (he's my type of teach)/students name is Nana. I love when they have one names like this, it makes my life so much easier. I don't have to struggle over which one is last or first based on the mangaka and the possible American translators.
Moving on, Nana makes me a bit nervous because she's a bit weird with her idolization and love of Sharuru. She's basically relentless. I realize in the manga's this isn't normal and could be viewed as refreshing, but I'm not sold on that perspective. But overall she is naive, sweet, obsessive, and very direct in her feelings. Even when she's pushed away in the most ridiculing way that girl won't give up---ie the title...possibly changing into 1% Chance or something like that.
Sharuru really tries to push her away for very valid reasons. He even asked a colleague to help him on the matter. That's how bad he needed to keep her out of the way. Man that girl wasn't going to give up. He has his reasons and I think you'll totally respect it and ask yourself "Why, why does he put himself in this...?" But ah well.
When I saw the ending I just wished the mangaka had drawn his office with the drapes closed. I mean really. You don't need natural light in these situations.
Now that I look back...after writing this synopsis (and I'll leave this here as an aside and reflection of the reviewer) it's not my favorite. This girl really annoyed me and so did the teacher. Man...what craziness.
Chapter 4 Story 3: [T]sumentaku, Amaku, Koi O Shite
Okay so this was my favorite story. Misunderstood (cold-hearted) girl is called Rinka-Senpai. I like her as a character very much. Very different from the others. In some ways she sort of reminds me of Yuni from Kinkyori Renai. I just think this character is far more likable. Now the warm-hearted boy (who understands her completely) is called Akira but some people call him megane because of his glasses.
Let's start with Akira---this kid I really like him. Maybe it's because he's a John Cusak kind of guy. For those of you who don't know him. Too bad. But in my book there's a category like that. Those guys the first time you seem , you're like you're average but cool. The second time you meet him, you're like "huh" and still cool. By the third, fourth and fifth time--the guy is super hot in your book and he's super cool and you want to date him.
Basically those guys that turn hot. I'm not talking about just for you---but majority of women who meet him. That's Akira's character. Most of the girls weren't into him, but then he started becoming Mr. popular because of his abilities and how he's so nice and helpful. The girls were going wild. But he has the eyes for one girl only. His upper grade school mate. WIN!
I immediately liked him because he can see the inner person and because he's so great, but understated.
Rinka is extremely thoughtful but her words or usage of words get misinterpreted. I know many Americans look at the English as cold, when in reality the English just use the language in a different way with different tones. So to us they are "different" in personality. I know when I started living there and my accent was shifting--people got the same vibe from me. She takes on more work because people don't want to work with her. People take what she says personally without understanding her meaning. But this guy sees and understands her views. I like that he does that, and this helps her open up.
It's a great feel good story. But still not enough to save this manga. Yeah and I gave it a five because of this story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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