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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane I keep being very happily impressed by how much I enjoy High School Debut. It doesn't make any bold breaks from its unremarkable set-up in these three volumes, but it continues to tell the story of some interesting, likable characters. Some chapters are more interesting than others, but overall the storytelling is good enough to cover the occasional lag in the pacing. Haruna is learning more about the game of love, but she's still approaching romance as if there were specific rules and logical outcomes, and has trouble adjusting to the fact that it includes things like unrequited feelings, boyfriend stealing, and bullying by packs of jealous girls. She also discovers that starting a relationship is only the beginning, and that it takes more than declaring your love to make things work out. One thing I like very much about this series is that it has a heroine who's trying to stick to the shoujo script that she knows from her years of reading manga, and who discovers that relationships don't necessarily work the way you'd expect. Unfortunately, while Yoh has a lot of useful advice about how Haruna can find herself a good boyfriend, he's at a bit of a loss when it comes to coaching her on how to maintain a relationship--after all, he's never had a successful one of his own. I also like that the supporting characters have a chance to develop early on in the story. Yoh's best friends never fully draw attention away from him or Haruna, but they're distinct and each have their own part to play. It's not rare for romance titles to have a good ensemble cast, but it's still appreciated, and adds more depth to the story. Volume 2 of High School Debut includes a two-page quiz ("Demon Coach Yoh's Test and Lesson on How to be Hot"). Review copies provided by VIZ Media. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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