Ichijou Kaname to wa Kakawaranai

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This has been one of the enjoyable reads that I have experienced for the first half of 2020 and it's a shame that I have not encountered this series way earlier. It has a plot that is common in its genre, but honestly, it was done in a way where you can feel its own uniqueness and originality. Overall, you should give this manga a try. The following review may contain some minor spoilers and it might end up being a rant, but I hope you still find it helpful.

OVERALL: 9
The story was well-presented, although lacking in some parts. The art is simple and straight-to-the-point, ... well-fitted for a shoujo manga; it also makes you fall in love with the characters (esp. the main leads) because of these small expressions that are scattered around the panels. The characters' developments are interesting and actually fun to read through; albeit some are lacking (esp. the supporting roles). The enjoyment that I felt throughout reading is also on the higher scale, so overall: this series receives a 9 from me.

STORY: 8
Like I said, the story has its own uniqueness to it and I definitely enjoyed that. The first chapter already made me feel intense emotions that are befitting for the story; however, because of that first chapter, it ended up becoming a high bar that the rest of the chapters--what I feel like--could not surpass. Aside from that, it might be my nitpicking and sarcastic brain, but I encountered a plothole and that just threw me off a bit. A wonderful thing to note, though, is that the way the "previous life" was shown and scattered was really amazing and it added more context and depth to what the female lead was experiencing. All in all, the story in itself presents an 8.

ART: 10
For a shoujo manga, the art is well-done. It shows emphasis to where it matters and hits the most, especially for the large panels. I know nothing about art, but everything was pleasing to look at. The character designs are pretty common, I know, but those simple characteristics that they have (like the female lead's half-braided hair or the male lead's smallest smiles) made reading so much better. And the tree--oHMYGOD THAT TREE. Okay, no, I won't be saying anything regarding that, but I'll tell you. Anything involving that tree are my favorite panels in the entirety of the manga. Overall, the art deserves to be seen. It's not anything phenomenal or anything too crazy, but it will make you fall in love with the characters.

CHARACTER: 9
Now, how the characters were portrayed are a bit of a hit or miss for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely fine with the main characters. Their developments are one of the best things in this series. However, I would just like to divert my attention to the supporting roles. First of all, can we talk about the male lead's best friend? Like, I get it, he's a supporting role. But, isn't he WAY TOO supporting in this one? To me, he ended up being a placeholder just to make Kaname's character more substantial and not seem like a completely lone wolf. This best friend didn't even feel like a best friend and I'm frustrated! From the few panels that he had, I can completely feel like he's a great dude, but i'm--!

Moving on. Let's talk about Auguste. I don't know if his character was meant to be annoying, but if it was, then the author did a great job. Other than that, however, I feel like Auguste's character suddenly had inconsistencies as it progressed through the end. Maybe it's because of what happened before the current setting, but if it was, it was not portrayed clearly and I don't know how to feel about that. Tsukasa, too. I really enjoyed him as a character and he fit in so well that I didn't mind. Y'know, a very convenient character to add more emotions within the main leads. However, because of the plot twist (like with my other problems), his character also swayed a bit. I understand where he's coming from, don't get me wrong, but there were seriously not enough panels to explain that change or that "character twist." (If you could even call it that). Another complain--well, not really a complain-- is Takanashi. For a shoujo manga, she's an important character. I get that. However, like with my common problems with this type of stories, at least make her desirable and not purposefully make her a bitch then suddenly make her the best supporting role you'd ever have. No, just don't. I know it's for the character development and all, but for this kind of short series, we don't need it. Besides, we were already supposed to have the best supporting female best friend, but she was suddenly overshadowed and I'm sort of annoyed.

Overall, the Character actually was supposed to be 8, but the main leads own characters actually balanced it out so it became a 9. My main points are that the supporting roles need some serious work and attention. The main leads are the readers' main focus; however, everything would still feel off if the supporting cast is not consistent. They're also indecisive, like they're dwelling on middle ground. While that may be good, it's unhealthy if everyone's doing it.

ENJOYMENT: 10
I seriously enjoyed this roller coaster. Like I've said above, the first chapter already packed in a punch with how the story was presented, and the main leads were so lovable that every single interaction is making me squeal. The stakes were also not overbearingly high, but it's realistic. While the plot may be about time-travelling, it does gloss over real-life emotions and choices that a human makes along with its unprecedented mysteries involving the future. It was legitimately an enjoyable read and actually made me think about life, as well. I'm not quite sure if everyone who reads it would like it, but it'll definitely be a new kind of perspective.