Reviews

Apr 15, 2024
Mixed Feelings
Preliminary (150/? chp)
Wasted potential :( The first 12 volumes are fantastic. Tomoko is such a popular character because she's relatable, duh. But on top of that, to see such an unabashedly disgusting loser painted so earnestly was really refreshing. Much of the comedy came from the misunderstandings and awkward situations she would find herself in, giving the manga endless fuel to create comedic situations. You felt for her as she navigated through this world while clearly suffering from mental illness. It had a simultaneously tragic and comedic tone while never compromising one over the other.

Sadly, the manga loses serious steam around 12 volumes in. The story arc was always going to be about Tomoko making friends and coming out of her shell. I looked forward to it. But it happens way too fast. It feels like the authors dumped a dozen characters into the story who are all weirdly obsessed with being her friends; it doesn't feel organic at all. But much worse is that Tomoko just becomes an entirely different person. She goes from a tragic, cute, and unpredictable mess that feels like she may never be able to fit into society to a pretty bland protagonist that will sometimes get shy or say something vulgar. Again, I must emphasize that the issue is not that Tomoko changed. It's that it happened far too early and unorganically in the story.

The manga has transformed from being a tonally unique story, with an engaging protagonist with equally hilarious gags and painfully uncomfortable situations, to a sllightly above-average slice-of-life manga focused on melodrama. The characters are likeable enough, but I've decided to drop the manga because I can't get over that tinge of disappointment when I remember how good it used to be.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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