I'm living a deja-vu, another great manga with a controversial ending. A conclusion that has several mixed feelings. The ending lacks the charisma and emotion of the entire series. 5-toubun no Hanayome and the 4 broken hearts. 1- I want to get married and the twilight zone where dreams can give us the wrong impression.

First, I want to clarify this; we could have a manga with the "What if" ending. Some will complain and try to indicate that it is not valid. However, Negi said it in an interview where he points that he wants to write an ending that would make everyone happy, and we need to accept the reality, this is a total disaster. Following that order of ideas, I think that we are mistaken, and we are right, Negi made a colossal mistake, yes. He buried the work of 85 - 90 chapters. Negi had a good idea, yes. However, he didn't conclude it in a good way. We have the right to criticize an ending that feels rushed, incomplete, and that's what I am going to do in this creepy review.

Let's begin with art and panel dynamics. It is outstanding. Overall, the mangaka delivered a beautiful and clean manga with excellent character design, a well-developed environment that flows correctly from panel to panel. Ironically as it seems, the art, in the end, is wasted because the author could not explain his decisions in a controversial story where the status quo was affected. The nonsense and the pressure to finish the story as soon as possible buried it in a hole. The last arc is misplaced and unconcluded.

On the other hand, the story was terrific. I want to underline the word was. We have a group of five sisters (Quintuplets to be precise) that could have particular love interest or feelings towards their tutor, a student from the same school, the annoying and insolent, Fuutarou Usegi. The question that all the readers have in mind was who will end with Usegi?

As the story progresses, each character showed a magnificent development. However, one of them froze in an endless loop that kept memories of the past and avoided any desire for the sake of her sisters. That character decided to be a shadow, and it was a shadow to the point that some readers thought it was close to a supporting role. That's where the real problem begins. This character never showed a significant development, and in the end, Negi, the author, could not give an adequate conclusion creating an inexplicable incoherent plot. If we compare the background that the author provides for the rest of the cast, this character never grew.

Furthermore, this shadow eclipsed the whole story without any proper explanation and ended as the most central character in the story. Does a kiss entitle you to destroy the entire background of the rest of the characters? The answer is a big NO. Where does the fight end, the desire that all the other "quints" showed throughout the story until the end?

Albeit this nonsense, the author tried to twist the plot, and he added an ending that plays with the readers and mocks with them with a big question mark "What happens if" Usegi ends with this sister? Everything could be accepted because it was a mere illusion. From my perspective, it's a horrible joke. Negi is playing with the reader's feelings. Furthermore, if the author has a preference for a particular "quint," then he shouldn't write a useless ending as he did. He should give the audience the tools to understand his decisions. Still, in this particular case, he couldn't even explain those insignificant reasons leaving the fans with a weird look in their face wondering if all was a silly joke. Also, the ending impales the heart of the other sisters. If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't be planning the honeymoon trip, and I will be upset at my home.

Lastly, I am sad. I was not a fan of any quint, I could accept any of them, but this conclusion is a mere joke that affects the background of all the characters. Usegi, cold, calculator, the guy that never showed big emotions, appeared in the last chapters as Romeo saying, "will you marry me?" Are you kidding me? Are the other quints not going to fight for their beloved? We are more complicated than what was shown in the end.

Changing the subject, this could explain why an average studio is the one adapting the second season. It is understandable that a good studio with vast experience avoids encouraging a conclusion that will have some disapproval and mixed feelings. This was something that was not a top-secret within the animators and the VA circle. The decision was made a few months ago when the spooky ending began to be published, why do you think Azur Lane episodes were delayed to improve quality?

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QUINTUPLETS & THEIR TUTOR'S LOVE INTEREST

**Asking me for any Romcom or Harem recommendations? Yes, this manga is definitely one of them.

Minor spoilers:

If you are interested in how sisters compete against each other knowingly or unknowingly for the love of the protagonist, Fuutarou, then this manga is definitely for you.


Story: 9.5
As a manga in the category for Harem, it is rare to find a manga that DOESN'T FOCUS on a ton of ECCHI moments (such as constantly showing naked girls or girl undies). If you are trying to find pure love development without wasting time on ecchi moments, this is truly the right manga for you.

What I appreciate the most about this manga is that the Mangaka is able to draw the conclusion in the beginning while baffled with which girl of the quintuplets will be the ultimate bride. Through chapters and chapters, each quintuplet is given a fair chance to compete and continues to trick the readers into thinking "maybe she is THE BRIDE?". While doing so, the transitions are so smooth and won't make the readers feel repetitive or feel that the story is stagnant.

**Even though the plot was slightly shaky around the middle-ending section (-0.5), there were still no side stories or stagnation even until the end.


Art: 10
Huge 10. In order to draw and help distinguish the difference between the quintuplets, it requires a ton of mastery in drawing out the details of the characters. For me, I have no difficulty in telling the difference among those quintuplets (except the bride!!!!!!) ;(, why does Haruba san have to make it so hard for the readers!!). Even when quintuplets switch minor things, such as hair ornaments, with each other, the Mangaka was able to draw their faces so well to the point that I also have no difficulty of getting confused.


Emotions and expressions are drawn to the point that some scenes literally melted my heart. 1010101010101010
The backgrounds are also on point


Character: 10
The Mangaka definitely put in a huge effort into creating the distinct personality of the characters. Even if the quintuplets look alike, their difference in personalities never ceases to amaze me as to how they flow from chapter to another chapter. Their actions, purpose, and motivation are so clear to the point the I feel like they are real.


Enjoyment: 10
When I first know this manga, it was updated to chapter 56. I have no problem binge read those chapters in the early morning from 7:30 am to lunchtime. Then, whenever the manga is being updated, I naturally just click to read. <3

**Two years later, here I am re-editing this manga review :D


Overall: 10
A masterpiece of harem manga. I was so happy that this manga was announced to have an anime for itself in 2019. Congratulation because it is truly well deserved. No wasted time for side stories and each chapter has the meaning and purpose of the upcoming chapters.

**It is alright if the ending isn't your taste. It is also perfectly fine if the bride of the story isn't who you predicted to be. This manga supports why love is just such a complicated yet exciting topic to write and read about. Moreover, this manga is a "simple" refreshment for everyone to enjoy!


I am grateful to have the chance to read this manga.
*(Still am after following this manga for a year)
**(Love the ending even though I wanted someone else to win. Thanks for this manga! No regrets <3)


orig Chapter 56->*edit Chapter 87 -> **second edit Chapter 122
P.S. My favorite chapter is definitely the motorcycle ride in Chapter 59

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