(L) Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.

[Hemisphere]

I find the premise of a non-generic good guy harem lead as the male protagonist interesting out of novelty, but if you'll pardon me asking: does he ever grow out of his lone wolf pretentiousness (or at least his pretentious assertions for his solitary nature)? I find it a bit juvenile and off-putting, candidly speaking, though I must confess that I've only had three episodes of the anime to serve as a guide, so I must apologize for my lack of background knowledge with regards to the LN.

I was thinking of probably picking this up (again, mostly due to the novel concept of not having a goody-two-shoes nor a lovable pervert lead), but I have 冴えない彼女の育てかた (Saenai Kanojo no Sodate Kata) on my plate as well with regards to non-fantasy LN titles to read, and I'm wondering if it'd be worth investing into this LN series.

[kobester11]

Ugh. I've been reading the spoilers(thanks flyingdagger) and it pains me that they just got closer by volume 6...
To top it off, the anime won't even be able to cover that part...

[Flying Dagger]

Originally Posted by Hemisphere

I was thinking of probably picking this up (again, mostly due to the novel concept of not having a goody-two-shoes nor a lovable pervert lead), but I have 冴えない彼女の育てかた (Saenai Kanojo no Sodate Kata) on my plate as well with regards to non-fantasy LN titles to read, and I'm wondering if it'd be worth investing into this LN series.

I would suggest to keep watching the anime for now, then if you are still interested in what happens afterwards buy a single book.

The LN can have some pacing problems. There are occasional chapters which feel like filler material (ie: saika and hachiman going out during the summer to a movie - it only builds the saika x hachiman camp and demonstrate how Hachiman actually spent time with others during the summer break).

Spoiler:

I mean, it took 6 volumes for Yukino to "get to know" Hachiman.

For them to get anywhere, they need to:
- Actually have Yukino show more affection - while Haruno teases her a lot, it is still uncertain how much she cares for him
- Then there are various barriers to break: her shyness, her own solitude, and most importantly: Yui. I wouldn't be surprised if Yui told Yukino about her interest in Hachiman. (I think Yukino once commented how by telling others who they like, girls are essentially marking their territories). The last point will really test the relationship between the three.
- Hachiman needs to allow himself to fall for a girl, and accept their feelings.
- The Yukinoshita family relationship will probably span an entire volume, maybe more......

A lot of pushing from other people will need to be involved to put those two together. As Komachi is on the neutral camp, Haruno... work hard -_-;

[kobester11]

I see. Looks like the author needs to pick some pace. This series kinda reminds me of Suzuka. I mean it really took a long time before the main heroine falls in love to MC. Which was painful to watch and many people will give up since nothing really is happening.
From the looks of it, the author seems to be going for this kind of development.

[icebreaker]

Ugh I started on this novel few days ago and reached Volume 6 already. The protagonist is quite special given that emotionally dense protagonists are too common nowadays. From what I see this series started off as a parody of Haganai (the setting) which went on to become something completely different (harem-ecchis are seriously lame imo). Potentially a great series.

And I'm starting to doubt whether this is a romantic comedy. The title is "romantic comedy gone wrong" to begin with. Well I'll be glad to see a pairing in the end.
Also this author's naming sense for his characters....

[Flying Dagger]

Originally Posted by icebreaker

And I'm starting to doubt whether this is a romantic comedy. The title is "romantic comedy gone wrong" to begin with. Well I'll be glad to see a pairing in the end.
Also this author's naming sense for his characters....

Yeah I share the same thoughts.

Spoiler for using spoiler tag since I am too lazy to parse out what is spoiler and what is not:

The rom side is really wrong:
- So many Hachiman x Saika moments
- I feel really bad for Yui, as she is essentially being led on by a carrot on a stick.. yeah sure, she got to spend time alone with Hachiman doing various things but he is just unresponsive... its only a matter of time before she breaks down and cry.

Ideas often span several volumes long. Take the teacher's comment of "others feel pain when you get hurt" part that is introduced in v6... the idea carry onto v7 as Hachiman becomes once again suicidal... v8 should explore the slightly injured relationship between Hachiman and the two girls.
(I really don't want the girls to just shrug it off and say "oh, because that's how he does things" - I want the answer to the question of why Yukino is disgusted at Hachimam's solution to v7's problem (*).) (Maybe she secretly enjoy the rumor between the two and does not want it to be overwritten by new rumors between Hachiman and Ebina).

Yukino's contrast with Haruno was also set up pretty early but only partially resolved in v6.


(*)
v7's overall story is about Tobe (the football/soccor star guy) who wanted to confess to Ebina (the fujoshi). Both Hayato and Ebina expressed their unwillingness for a change to the present relationship among the group of friends, thus Tobe's chances of success ~= 0%. Given such, Hachiman decided to confess to Ebina before Tobe, and giving her a chance to explain her stance without directly rejecting Tobe.

[icebreaker]

Originally Posted by Flying Dagger

Yeah I share the same thoughts.

Spoiler for using spoiler tag since I am too lazy to parse out what is spoiler and what is not:

The rom side is really wrong:
- So many Hachiman x Saika moments
- I feel really bad for Yui, as she is essentially being led on by a carrot on a stick.. yeah sure, she got to spend time alone with Hachiman doing various things but he is just unresponsive... its only a matter of time before she breaks down and cry.

Ideas often span several volumes long. Take the teacher's comment of "others feel pain when you get hurt" part that is introduced in v6... the idea carry onto v7 as Hachiman becomes once again suicidal... v8 should explore the slightly injured relationship between Hachiman and the two girls.
(I really don't want the girls to just shrug it off and say "oh, because that's how he does things" - I want the answer to the question of why Yukino is disgusted at Hachimam's solution to v7's problem (*).) (Maybe she secretly enjoy the rumor between the two and does not want it to be overwritten by new rumors between Hachiman and Ebina).

Yukino's contrast with Haruno was also set up pretty early but only partially resolved in v6.


(*)
v8's overall story is about Tobe (the football/soccor star guy) who wanted to confess to Ebina (the fujoshi). Both Hayato and Ebina expressed their unwillingness for a change to the present relationship among the group of friends, thus Tobe's chances of success ~= 0%. Given such, Hachiman decided to confess to Ebina before Tobe, and giving her a chance to explain her stance without directly rejecting Tobe.

Where did you read about v8? Isn't it unreleased? Or do you mean v7? This is going really wrong...
I sometimes wonder why would anyone do all these, but Hikigaya's answer is apparently "To not let anyone suffer more than I do".

[Flying Dagger]

v7, very very very bad typo. My excuse is that the two numbers are just right next to each other.

[icebreaker]

Originally Posted by Flying Dagger

v7, very very very bad typo. My excuse is that the two numbers are just right next to each other.

Haha.

Spoiler for About Yui:

I wonder how could a Hikigaya and Yui pairing would work. Hikigaya isn't dense, I think he said something about noticing what Yui feels at some point. But they are just too different. Especially when getting close to Hikigaya would just mean asking for social rejection, I'm not even sure whether Yui wouldn't break down from being ignored by everyone. Hikigaya seems to have noticed this too and this might be the main reason he is distancing himself from her. After all, Love isn't anything like Shakugan no Shana's strongest unrestricted spell in reality.

[Flying Dagger]

Originally Posted by icebreaker

Haha.

Spoiler for About Yui:

I wonder how could a Hikigaya and Yui pairing would work. Hikigaya isn't dense, I think he said something about noticing what Yui feels at some point. But they are just too different. Especially when getting close to Hikigaya would just mean asking for social rejection, I'm not even sure whether Yui wouldn't break down from being ignored by everyone. Hikigaya seems to have noticed this too and this might be the main reason he is distancing himself from her. After all, Love isn't anything like Shakugan no Shana's strongest unrestricted spell in reality.

Spoiler:

Parts of the class already suspected/know about Yui's interest in Hachiman. Early v6 demonstrated that. I have no clue how it will like if Hachiman goes out with Yui (or anyone else), but I guess somewhere he is just a normal guy like us, so they would end up just watching a movie, shopping together, going to a park, etc... (as demonstrated by their past dates/date with Saika).

The LN can be unfair to Yui in the character development department. She is this somewhat straight forward, passionate, cheerful girl... although she did go into a slight depression mode in the early volumes when she thought Hachiman and Yukino started dating.

I see Yui as a catalyst between Yukino and Hachiman: remember what Haruno said about what having an enemy can do. (Haruno may or may not eventually use Hayato against Hachiman in a similar role)

Other than that, Yui can be used to "break open" Hachiman. I think of her as someone who breaks down a lot of his walls then Yukino comes out and steals him away .

The tragic heroine who will probably get her fair share on alternate ends in games and such.

Although, it is possible for the author to eventually put the two girls on equal footing then have Hachiman choose Yui at the end (rmb some classics like ichigo 100%?).

I don't know how to describe it well, but Hachiman often gets mesmerized by Yukino's beauty, her cuteness, and there is this echo among their inner selves which is unique between the two - thus why I have confidence in her role as the "main girl".

[NeutralZero]

Whoa... nice spoilers...
really the rom com of this seires is just whack...
Say... Saika is 100% guy right? similar to Hideyoshi and not lke other characters that are actually female but hides it like the frined from oreshura...
As of the current volume, what is Hachiman's general standing or how other side chara sees him? Did they have a better impression of him or it just keep getting worst?

[blackwhite67]

Perhaps the climax of this series will be when their relationship reaches a breaking point with Hachiman's sacrifice and his friends' inability to accept his suicidal methods.

[Flying Dagger]

Originally Posted by NeutralZero

Whoa... nice spoilers...
really the rom com of this seires is just whack...
Say... Saika is 100% guy right? similar to Hideyoshi and not lke other characters that are actually female but hides it like the frined from oreshura...
As of the current volume, what is Hachiman's general standing or how other side chara sees him? Did they have a better impression of him or it just keep getting worst?

Spoiler:

Saika is 100% male.

The standing with Hachiman fluctuates in the v6 and 7.

v6 he pretty much shit on Minami (self volunteered useless head of school festival committee) and made himself really unpopular among his class, but gained recognition from at least the people associated with the club.

Hayato the "hero" + passage of time is closing that gap between v6 and 7 (he is still under assault from jokes).

Hachiman said aishiteru to Kawasaki out of appreciation at the end of v6, her face reddens when Hachiman looks at her in v7...

v7 Hachiman gained recognition from the named classmates who know the whole story between Tobe and Ebina, but he created a gap between himself and the two girls. (I would say mostly Yukino, as Yui seem more understanding and the two grew a little closer during school trip).

Spoiler for for size: v6 cover I can stare at this all day:

The illustrator has gotten a lot better since v1.

edited for btr wording.

[All Fiction]

Wow, Hachiman really does sound like a dark knight from reading these spoilers. Now I see the reason why he won 4th place in Kono LN ga Sugoi's male MC ranking last year.

[Hemisphere]

Originally Posted by Flying Dagger

I would suggest to keep watching the anime for now, then if you are still interested in what happens afterwards buy a single book.

The LN can have some pacing problems. There are occasional chapters which feel like filler material (ie: saika and hachiman going out during the summer to a movie - it only builds the saika x hachiman camp and demonstrate how Hachiman actually spent time with others during the summer break).

Spoiler:

I mean, it took 6 volumes for Yukino to "get to know" Hachiman.

For them to get anywhere, they need to:
- Actually have Yukino show more affection - while Haruno teases her a lot, it is still uncertain how much she cares for him
- Then there are various barriers to break: her shyness, her own solitude, and most importantly: Yui. I wouldn't be surprised if Yui told Yukino about her interest in Hachiman. (I think Yukino once commented how by telling others who they like, girls are essentially marking their territories). The last point will really test the relationship between the three.
- Hachiman needs to allow himself to fall for a girl, and accept their feelings.
- The Yukinoshita family relationship will probably span an entire volume, maybe more......

A lot of pushing from other people will need to be involved to put those two together. As Komachi is on the neutral camp, Haruno... work hard -_-;

Pacing problems? I see.

On the whole, would it be detrimental to my potential enjoyment of this title if I'm not too keen on shipping couples? I'm mostly into character interactions, for the most part.

Originally Posted by icebreaker

Ugh I started on this novel few days ago and reached Volume 6 already. The protagonist is quite special given that emotionally dense protagonists are too common nowadays. From what I see this series started off as a parody of Haganai (the setting) which went on to become something completely different (harem-ecchis are seriously lame imo). Potentially a great series.

And I'm starting to doubt whether this is a romantic comedy. The title is "romantic comedy gone wrong" to begin with. Well I'll be glad to see a pairing in the end.
Also this author's naming sense for his characters....

This would also the other reason as to why I'm interested in this series, aside from the novelty of not having a generic male lead. It doesn't carry itself like every other harem-ecchi series out there (way too many of them to count now), and that's somewhat interesting to me.

[Flying Dagger]

Originally Posted by Hemisphere

Pacing problems? I see.

On the whole, would it be detrimental to my potential enjoyment of this title if I'm not too keen on shipping couples? I'm mostly into character interactions, for the most part.


This would also the other reason as to why I'm interested in this series, aside from the novelty of not having a generic male lead. It doesn't carry itself like every other harem-ecchi series out there (way too many of them to count now), and that's somewhat interesting to me.

If you want to see character interaction then I would go ahead and buy a volume (try something like volume 4 (at least I think that volume is a good representative of what to expect)). As part of the "pacing problem" is also caused by the MC spending time interacting with various members of the class (unwillingly unless its Saika). The novel goes into describing Hachiman's concept of living in solitude and how he sees the world through his eyes (and this is something they haven't really shown in the anime - people aren't interested in hearing a minute long soliloquy).

[Hemisphere]

Hmm. I see what you mean now. It makes sense for a protagonist who's so aloof and solitary (and who also drives the majority of the plot, I take it) to be reluctant when it comes to associating with people, and in turn slow down the pacing of the story.

It makes sense, in an odd way. Also, thank you for the recommendation; I'll try to look around for some preview pages off of the publisher's website or something before I make a purchase and see if the writing style fits my preferences.

[terribad]

Originally Posted by Hemisphere

On the whole, would it be detrimental to my potential enjoyment of this title if I'm not too keen on shipping couples? I'm mostly into character interactions, for the most part.

I'm interested in the answer too as I'm pretty much in the same boat when it comes to romantic comedies. Although I enjoyed what's available of the manga and LN partly for the interesting character interactions, it's too early for me say the author's focus on said interactions will stay the same for 6-7 volumes. Though I'm not a true neutral when it comes to couples, I'm more biased towards no hugging no kissing (tv tropes). Purely because romances tends to follow the rule of drama (tv tropes) or appeal to your emotions rather than reason. For romantic relationships I sort of have a heart of stone so I can only enjoy them through analysis.

[NeutralZero]

Will the anime reached v4?
and what volume did the rumors about Hachiman started? and his reaction to it....

[icebreaker]

Originally Posted by terribad

I'm interested in the answer too as I'm pretty much in the same boat when it comes to romantic comedies. Although I enjoyed what's available of the manga and LN partly for the interesting character interactions, it's too early for me say the author's focus on said interactions will stay the same for 6-7 volumes. Though I'm not a true neutral when it comes to couples, I'm more biased towards no hugging no kissing (tv tropes). Purely because romances tends to follow the rule of drama (tv tropes) or appeal to your emotions rather than reason. For romantic relationships I sort of have a heart of stone so I can only enjoy them through analysis.

Up till Volume 7, the protagonist is totally on logic's side towards emotional relationships. Up to the point it made me wonder if this is a romantic comedy or romantic tragedy. My personal opinion is that the romantic part of this series is progressing very very slow, and the whole series is more into analyzing how interaction between different people with different personality would result in.