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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane I suppose it's not really a proper review to simply say that reading volume 8 of High School Debut was both touching and downright glee-inducing, or to add that this is also true of the entire series so far, or that you should all run right out and start reading it if you aren't already. No? How about if I add a completely shallow note about the awesomeness of Haruna's adorable skull-shaped hair clip in the first chapter? (Seriously, where can I get one?) But no, the truth is that it's what's under the hair clip that matters. So: Haruna. I complain periodically about shoujo heroines who appear to have no sense (or brains) whatsoever, and in some lights Haruna could be seen as leaning in that direction, but the reality is that she's one of those rare characters who's written in such a way that even her clueless moments make sense; rather than making her seem unintelligent, those moments reinforce her good-heartedness and trusting nature...and, yes, that she sometimes seems to be living in a slightly different world than everyone around her. Case in point: her behavior when three freshmen guys making their own "debuts" begin following her around. She's grown enough to realize that something's not right, and to agree with Yoh when he tells her to be careful, but doesn't really get it. The situation that unfolds is one you could find in almost any manga, but the way it's handled is part of why I like this series so much. Why drag a misunderstanding out for pages (or chapters) when you could cut to the chase and still have a funny-but-heartfelt demonstration of why Haruna and Yoh are so well-suited for each other? It's incredibly refreshing. In the second half of the book, Haruna's seventeenth birthday is coming up, and the entire supporting cast does their part to make sure it's a good one--and more importantly, that Yoh makes it memorable for her. (Haruna's Christmas plans from earlier in the series are a tough act to follow, as Yoh is painfully aware.) It's still mostly about the lead characters, but there are a lot of good moments for the others--Kawahara has a great sense of comic timing. Review copy provided by VIZ Media. Comment on this review of High School Debut v8 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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