(L) Tonari no Kaibutsu Kun

[ahelo]

Tonari no Kaibutsu Kun


Well there's nine chapters scanalated and it's probably one of the best shojo manga Ive read in a while.

Ever since he was involved in a fight on the first day of school, Yoshida-san, who sits in the seat next to me, hasn't come to school even once. I only cared about my grades and my future, but, by chance, he befriends me so that I can bring him his homework. I became kinder to him when I learned of his innocence, but will he now confess to me as well...?! From MAL

I'm actually quite surprised there's no thread for this yet. It's so awesome that everybody should be all over this. It's like a half breed between Yankee-kun to Megane chan and Kare Kano yet manages to still be very refreshing.

[Excorsism]

One month old with no responses!

Well, having read up to chapter 10, Shizuku is a really, admirable female protagonist that I really adore. If there's one thing I could say that's wrong with most shoujo mangas, it would be girls who obsess over the word "love" and "like" for a billion chapters. Such a refreshing change.

At the same time, I think she would be the perfect complement for Haru and their interactions are ridiculously cute.

I'm looking forward to what role the rich, condescending guy will take... hm.

On that note, the art in this manga is excellent.

[Sol Falling]

Have finished reading the first chapter just now. The art is indeed perfect, and the characters are cute. At the moment, I am not even sure if I could qualify the atmosphere of this manga as particularly "shoujo". If it weren't for that, though, I would definitely toss this into my "best shoujo" list for being one of the most enjoyable stories I've found from the genre in ages.

Really hyped for the rest now. I'll see if I have anything else to add after I catch up to what is now ch. 13.

[Irenicus]

^I imagine you'll have plenty.


Shizuku, coolly and unintentionally make boys fall for her since 20XX!

Haru better step up and make his intentions clear. Well, clearer. I can understand his limbo confusion a bit though, if she keeps giving him such mixed signals.

P.S. I keep feeling sorry for her friend, feeling neglected all the time.

[Sol Falling]

As promised, then, some further commentary. Nice 40-page chapters meant 13 of them went a fair bit further than I thought.

Shizuku's cool face and rationality are amazing. There are times when her control impresses even me. Learning impartiality, consideration for others, and honesty with ones' feelings from a 15 yr old shoujo heroine? Damn, have we got something special here.

The chapters are also so dense and character driven. Man, sometimes the conversations are so absurd and disjointed as if the characters are talking over each other and just ranting in a way that could only ever make sense to themselves personally, and yet somehow in the end they actually understand each other and the exchange ends with something meaningful having been said. The character development and interactions, while sometimes repeating and going back over themselves, could not be more consistent, brilliant, and clear.

All of the characters seem to have unexplored depth and further roles in the story. I am deeply interested in finding out more about Natsume/Asako myself.

I think the way Shizuku makes the new/rich guy fall in love with her is really interesting. He's so proud, thinking of himself as smart and better off (in real life terms) than anybody around him. So he speaks condescendingly to Shizuku, who is changing herself, and she actually listens to him. And, in watching her face her feelings and continue stepping forward, Yamaken realizes that he doesn't really practice what he preaches. It is a fascinating contrast how Haru stands above Shizuku in grades, Shizuku just behind him, and Yamaken below. However much more correct he (Yamaken) might actually be, it is the man ahead of her that opened Shizuku's eyes and whom she fell for. That is something Yamaken will have to learn and take away.

I think both Haru and Shizuku themselves have grown and can take care of themself. They don't need love, so they can step away without falling to pieces. For the moment, though, they are slowly learning about each other. Without outside factors, I would've thought that should be enough.

Anyway, I think the comparison of Shizuku with Maka Albarn also has real merit. They are deeply similar, lol. Although there are divergent directions in each story's focus and ongoing development, I love what Shizuku and Maka each represent as shoujo and shounen protagonists.

[Johnny]

Yeah this one is a keeper. The author is juggling all the characters really well and like you pointed out that haven't been fully explored yet. Granted Haru and Shizuku are the ones that's basically in the limelight, but the others are giving their time to shine...

Hell, I don't even mind Yamaken one bit even though he's the so called love rival. He's not the typical overbearing jerk as most generic rivals tend to be. The later chapters we even get a play by play POV from him that's just downright hilarious...

We do get a glimpse of Shizuku later on as to how she became a studyholic, but Haru's is still somewhat of a mystery that I'm eager to see...

[Excorsism]

Slow releases are slow!

Having read the current chapters now and the summaries of to chapter 28 (where are you Japanese raws?), the character development is progressing rather smoothly.

Spoiler for Chapters 17-28:

Shizuku and Haru are essentially a couple now, although you get some odd wrenches thrown in there to disturb the balance (Yamaken and his little sister(?)). At this point, the only actual damage that can happen to their relationship is basically Haru's brother and his family. Although, Yamaken's sudden confession for Shizuku might do something as well!

On the other hand, there's Asako and Sasayan, where the former is getting a lot more development. Asako, who hates males due to their overly infatuation with her good looks which earned her the scorn of the female populace, received some development for the better imo. I'm glad Micchan rejected her mainly because I don't see them as a couple at all. Sasayan is the better choice and they're always together (literally 90% of the screen time they have is with each other). I like that Sasayan serves to be the rational individual in the group, being the observer and not trying to overly involve himself and he is definitely someone that can keep Asako afloat without breaking down especially since he is one of the few males she can act naturally with. For now, based on subtle hints, I'd like to say Sasayan has some affection for Asako but Asako is still a mystery. Shipping these two faster than the speed of light.

I'm hoping Sasayan gets developed outside of the role as a rational mediator in the group who keeps them in check. Quite frustruating to see all of the focus on Shizuku and Haru's relationship right now too, .

I should also note that Asako is extremely pretty. Sasayan, how I envy thee.

[Sol Falling]

lol, I was actually thinking the pace of releases was quite fast, having seen 3 chapters in just the last two weeks. It seems like the scanlation group is pretty intent on catching up; the translator for the series has apparently completed the scripts up to 28 already.

Sasayan x Asako does seem like something to watch. The possibility seemed to be obvious from the very beginning, but the emotional development to get there will be quite interesting.

Major plot and/or relational developments seem to have slowed down, but I've enjoyed these last several chapters on just the appeal of the characters.

[Khalil]

A shocking image from chapter 14.

Spoiler for Shizuku:

[Excorsism]

Originally Posted by Sol Falling

Sasayan x Asako does seem like something to watch. The possibility seemed to be obvious from the very beginning, but the emotional development to get there will be quite interesting.

Spoiler for Spoiler, maybe:

I'm sincerely hoping for Asako to notice Sasayan soon, and looking at chapter 32, it might be leading towards that since they seem to be spending a lot more time with each other. The author is definitely gunning for these two, and seeing how it'll develop is something I'm looking forward to. Hard to believe Asako doesn't notice how much time she spends with him, guess she's a total airhead after all!

[Irenicus]

Natsume is so cuu~te! It's not just that she's pretty, she's hilariously "freestyle" when she's not being burdened by the former fact.

Sad to see the prettiest girl gets ostracized though. Haganai's Sena anyone? Not everyone had the personality (self-confidence, i.e. pride) to deal straight ahead with that stuff. Of course I'm shipping her with Sasayan like the rest of you here. Up to the current scanlated chapter it's interesting how he himself doesn't even really notice how much he's always worrying over her case all the time.

P.S. For some reason Yamaken comes off as really likable, a definite primary love interest material in any other manga. Too bad Shizuku already has Haru.

[Excorsism]

Managed to read through volume 8 which contains chapters 29-32.

Spoiler for 29-32:

We get the introduction of a new female character, Yamaken's little sister, Yamaguchi Iyo, who fell in love with Haru and is Asako's new female friend! She seems to be awfully scared of her brother though.

Yamaken finally reveals his feelings for Shizuku and as a result, we get a very cute and funny scene with her blushing like nuts. Unfortunately, she rejects him as soon as he tries to ask her out, saying she likes Haru. Thanks to this ordeal, Haru and Shizuku are finally officially going out.

Per usual, Sasayan and Asako are hanging together as usual, and Sasayan notices that Asako is more calm and composed than he thought'd she would be because her two best friends are finally going out. Observant per usual friend!

Shizuku and company go camping over summer break as they received an invite from Iyo to go to the mountains since she has a house there. They go have a dip in the nearby river and of course, Asako looks good as ever.

Sasayan invites Asako to check out the beach and while walking there, he asks her if she still likes Micchan and we don't get to see what she says. And it turns out Yuuzan and Andou are going to come visit them on their trip since they wanted to see some high school girls, .

Spoiler for Thoughts:

With Haru and Shizuku's relationship practically set in stone, I hope nothing happens. On that note, Sasayan and Asako, despite not being the main focus, is what I'm interested in. Totally looking forward to how Asako responded to his question.

[Johnny]

Originally Posted by Excorsism

Spoiler for Thoughts:

With Haru and Shizuku's relationship practically set in stone, I hope nothing happens. On that note, Sasayan and Asako, despite not being the main focus, is what I'm interested in. Totally looking forward to how Asako responded to his question.

Hmm...

Spoiler:

I don't think Yamaken or Iyo are ready to give up just yet. I like Yamaken, so I hope he doesn't push too hard that might make him come off as annoying. As long as he keeps those thoughts to himself it's all good, because his inner thinking is hilarious...

As for Iyo, I wonder if she would have planted one on Haru if she wasn't interrupted at the end of ch 31...?

Since we've only seen a smidgen of what Haru's family life is really all about I'm guessing the tension would probably come from there. As you said and I agree their relationship is solid...

Speaking of Shizuku I think she's underrated as a female lead. She's right up there with the likes of Teru from Dengeki Daisy and Nika from Switch Girl in my opinion...

The rest, well mainly Asako and Sasayan are going to be slow going if at all. I don't think Asako is ready to move Sasayan from the safe guy friend that she placed Haru and him in just yet, or even thinking of him in that fashion. Sasayan being the great character he is takes it all in stride...

[Sol Falling]

Shizuku is really cute in chapter 18.

[Excorsism]

Spoiler for Chapter 21:

We get some nice development with Sasayan and Haru. Seems that Sasayan wasn't able to help somebody back in middle school where Haru was able to and because of that, he felt indebted to him.

Once more, some heart-warming interactions between Sasayan and Nastume. Sasayan outright tells Natsume why she may be the way she is and she gets pretty upset. I love that they bike home together though when they make up. Very cute. Pretty funny too when he checks her text which was half-done, wanting to make up.

Sasayan states that he doesn't like her but I get the feeling he doesn't consciously acknowledge the fact just yet since Natsume does things that go way over his head. On the other hand, Natsume is still gunning for Micchan despite getting rejected the first time.

My heart aches when Natsume never mentions Sasayan when she talks about her important friends, Haru and Shizuku, .

[Sol Falling]

ch. 24 is really good. Like, really good.

I'm kinda uncertain about Shizuku's mom. She's been portrayed as a good person up to this point; and it seems like, by the end of the chapter, she's supposed to be seen as a good person again. But, there are weird little points like I can no longer be sure. The fact that she forgot it was Shizuku's birthday at all, for example. I dunno.

[Sol Falling]

ch. 25. Damn, Shizuku's mom is smokin'. lol, seriously, she's just too hot.

Shizuku and Natsume were both hnnnnngh level this chapter too. Felt like a bit more plot/relationship progression than normal. Really good stuff, for practically all of the characters.

[Johnny]

If I remember correctly her mother has been away for quite a long time. I wonder why she never visits though? Well you can tell Shizuku doesn't take after her in some aspects, but I can see from the bottom of her face we did get to see she does take after her in the looks department. Plus I agree she is one hot MILF...

[Irenicus]

Chapter 26 out.

Spoiler for 26:

Heartbreaks left and right.

On the other hand, it's almost like the manga is doing some spring cleaning for the new school year, to welcome the sakura season and open the field for developments to come.

It's kind of refreshing actually.

[MikiMata]

Originally Posted by Sol Falling

ch. 24 is really good. Like, really good.

I'm kinda uncertain about Shizuku's mom. She's been portrayed as a good person up to this point; and it seems like, by the end of the chapter, she's supposed to be seen as a good person again. But, there are weird little points like I can no longer be sure. The fact that she forgot it was Shizuku's birthday at all, for example. I dunno.

I agree. It feels like Shizuku's mom is presented as a positive role model and all that, but I think she seems like a pretty crappy mom. Constantly absent, never contacting her child, forgetting important events like birthdays... that is neglect no matter how you slice it. And it had a major effect on Shizuku's personality; she was obviously lonely for her mother a lot as a child. I hope the author explores this more at some point.

I don't really like Micchan - he seems like a cold fish hiding behind a "cool" exterior to me - so I'm glad chapter 26 happened the way it did. But I feel very bad for Natsume. For the first time, she was serious about someone and it ended in quite brutal rejection. Truly heartbreaking.