|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||
|
|
Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane High School Debut is one of those titles that I enjoy more and more with every volume. This is high school romance manga done right: the main characters, Haruna and Yoh, have lives that don't begin or end with each other, and have believable flaws and virtues. Some of their problems have to do with their own issues or conflicting points of view, and others come from outside, but it's obvious why they like each other and that they really want to be together. Haruna is finally starting to be comfortable with the fact that she and Yoh are actually in a relationship (after a lot of embarrassment and flustered moments in vol. 4), but it's not entirely smooth sailing. They're still two very different people, in terms of their histories as well as their attitudes, and history has a way of not quite staying behind you--even if, like Haruna, you don't have the best memory in the world. (Or the ability to comprehend holding a grudge. Haruna's particular type of naiveté is one of my favorite things about her.) Dealing with people from the past is a major theme in each of these two volumes, and the storylines do a nice job of filling in some of the characters' history while giving Haruna and Yoh's relationship a chance to develop further. Sometimes this means less time than usual focused on the supporting cast, but these volumes still maintain the balance between the romance and the other parts of the main characters' lives. High School Debut is a pleasure to read, and I continue to highly recommend it. 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
|
||||
 |
| home | reviews | news | features | about us | advertise | privacy policy | contact us |
