However, even within the shoujo romance genre, there are some beautiful gems that I can't forget, such as "Taiou no Ie" or "Akatsuki no Yona." Despite the fact that many shoujo mangakas produce subpar work, they occasionally manage to create something extraordinary. This is the case with Akasaka Aka, the author of the manga I'm discussing. While it's not shoujo, it falls under the romance genre, which often falls victim to clichés when in the hands of the wrong author.
Story: 9
"Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen" follows the story of two exceptional students who are the President and Vice-President of a prestigious high school. They are both dignified, have solid backgrounds, and an unconventional view of love. In their perspective, love is a war with a strong hierarchy, and the one who falls in love first loses—the one who confesses first is placed below, oppressed, and forced to obey the winner. They are aware of each other's interest and consider dating, but the problem is that both want to emerge as the victor. This leads to a simple conclusion: "I will make them fall for me and confess first." And thus, our story begins. Each chapter presents the psychological warfare between these characters, filled with intricate plans, twists, and often unfavorable (but amusing for us) outcomes, with a winner and a defeated party. The entire situation is extremely amusing and enjoyable. The plot is a breath of fresh air in the rom-com genre, with the potential to become immensely popular among readers and a weekly pleasure worth looking forward to.
Art: 7
I like the art—it's not exceptional, the character designs are not groundbreaking, and the art style is simple, but it complements the story well. The characters' expressions are spot-on, and crucial moments are skillfully drawn to capture the tension of the situation.
Characters:
Currently, we only have three characters, and each of them is endearing. They are:
Shirogane, the male protagonist and the President: Incredibly intelligent, he's the top student in the entire country. He exudes a sense of badassery, seriousness, and calculative thinking. He understands Kaguya's character better than she does his, allowing him to counter many of her devious plans. However, he's not flawless and occasionally fails to read her, leading to misunderstandings and complete character breakdowns.
Kaguya, the female protagonist and the Vice-President: The heir of Japan's largest corporation, she carries the future of the country's economy on her shoulders. Raised in a sheltered environment, her knowledge of the outside world is limited, and this often becomes her weak point. She devises incredibly complex plans that succeed until her lack of common knowledge alters the outcomes. She does have feelings for Shirogane, but her pride prevents her from admitting it. Instead, she creates more plans and traps in her attempt to win the war. She possesses a devious personality, is quite manipulative, and even has shades of a strong Yandere... it's her inherent naivety that prevents her from becoming a full-fledged "femme fatale."
Fujiwara: The secretary and Kaguya's best friend, she's an extremely cheerful girl. It's hard to determine if she's aware of the war between the two main characters, as she plays a significant role in the creation and failure of many plans. Nonetheless, she's enjoyable to watch. While not as intelligent or wealthy as the main protagonists, she often acts as Kaguya's link to common sense and the outside world, clearing up misunderstandings and helping her learn various things.
Enjoyment: 10
It's difficult not to enjoy this.
Overall: 9
This manga revolves around the battle of egos between two individuals with twisted ideologies. It employs psychological warfare in a remarkably original manner. Unpredictable and engaging, it keeps you eagerly awaiting each battle's resolution.
I wrote this review because I was surprised to find that none had been written yet. This manga is simply too good to be underrated.
