SHY is the first shounen manga based on fighting that I've ever truly enjoyed. And it's not just a simple liking; I absolutely love it.
At times, it can get a bit repetitive, particularly during the tenth round of a battle. However, what really sets it apart is when the action pauses for a flashback or a story drop, it becomes emotionally intense and truly outstanding.
The hero ideology of Teru is something truly unique. Moreover, the new arc that has recently commenced has the potential to be fantastic. I can easily foresee it achieving a 10/10 rating.
The sole reason I deducted one point from the score is the excessive focus on fighting without substantial content. Additionally, the bridge arc, the transition between two main arcs, feels somewhat lackluster.
Throughout the series, we witness the protagonist's journey in gaining confidence and unlocking new powers, driven by her passionate and pure heart. She effectively manages her social life, forms new friendships, evolves as a person, and advances as a hero, among other things. I particularly appreciated the subtle yuri undertones and hope that the manga fully embraces this route by the end.
The character Shy appears to symbolize the broader struggles of Japanese people with self-image and social integration. Although the central conflict doesn't revolve around continous figthing, thankfully, it delves into the hearts of people and their struggles with grief, much like the typical shounen theme of discovering one's inner strength, accepting it, and protecting those in need.
SHY excels in making relationships feel meaningful and tangible. The manga predominantly explores the warmer aspects of heroes integrating into society. It captures vulnerability beneath warmth, with the sense of danger growing as the characters' relationships deepen. This emotional mix is particularly potent and beautifully complemented by the fantastic artwork. The art is consistently excellent, marked by expressiveness, confidence, impact, and a focus on character development. The incorporation of flashbacks and story drops during battles prevents the "battle shounen" elements from feeling repetitive and monotonous.
In essence, Shy is character-driven, with the narrative placing significant emphasis on emotions and feelings. And truely portrays what it means to be a hero. A real hero. Behind the clad of super-power, what feeling and emotions heros live with, and what a normal school girl experiences as a hero. They have regrets, experience pain, love, friendship and more. They are real people. Which hits very closely on the reader.
