Handsome na Kanojo

It took me two days to read this manga, but that was solely due to my busy schedule. Nonetheless, the crucial point is that I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I stumbled upon Handsome na Kanojo while browsing through Skip Beat's recommendation page. The synopsis appealed to me, especially the fact that the protagonist is an actress, and the plot revolves around the entertainment industry. Additionally, the somewhat vintage art style convinced me to dive in immediately. It was a wise decision.

I rate the Story 8/10 because it follows a conventional showbiz narrative. There are familiar challenges and story arcs, with just a few twists to keep it fresh. Despite its predictability, I relished reading Handsome na Kanojo as much as I did with Skip Beat, Glass Mask, and other showbiz-themed manga. You can't help but enjoy revisiting what you love. After all, you revisit something because it brought you joy initially.

Next, I give the Art a 9/10. I'm a fan of classic art styles, enough said. Although this artwork isn't exactly old-fashioned (unlike Glass Mask, Kanata Kara, and Red River), it conveys that nostalgic vibe, particularly with the story set in the late 20th century. Beyond that, the art excels at conveying emotions and hidden thoughts of the characters. As a showbiz manga centered on acting, it's essential to accurately depict facial expressions and emotions, which Handsome na Kanojo accomplishes splendidly. When Ichiya described Mio as his perfect "Handsome Woman," I wholeheartedly agreed. The art portraying Mio’s facial expressions, body language, and acting during Ichiya's debut movie truly captured that essence.

Thirdly, for Characters in Handsome na Kanojo, I give it a perfect 10/10. Every character experienced genuine development. Their motivations were clear and reasonable. By the end of the manga, I harbored no ill will towards any character. Moreover, nearly three-quarters of them found romantic pairings, making me quite happy!

Nearing the conclusion, I rate Enjoyment 9/10. Truly enjoyable, albeit with minor frustrations like Ichiya's reluctance to commit to a relationship at first and Arthur and Keith's stubbornness (I have issues with persistent people). However, everything resolved nicely, and I moved past those annoyances quickly. With the side stories and omake included, it was a delightful series. The one-shot side stories were enjoyable, and the comedic elements added extra fun!

Overall, I give it a 9/10. While it has some flaws, they don't detract from its overall quality. Give the first chapter a try and decide if you want to continue. Interestingly, I discovered that the mangaka also wrote Marmalade Boy. I plan to read that next since I heard Ichiya and Mio might be mentioned or even appear in it! ;)

Handsome na Kanojo is a shoujo romance from the late 80s and early 90s. Mio, an aspiring actress, falls in love with Ichiya, who dreams of becoming a director. While it fits well within its genre for that era, it suffers from significant writing flaws. The author seems to continuously pile on rivals and dramatic twists without taking the time to develop them properly.

For instance, one of Mio's love rivals dramatically announces his competition with Ichiya, but nothing comes of it. He barely interacts with Mio. Another example is when Mio dates someone else, and everything appears fine until suddenly, their relationship implodes catastrophically on the next page. Other shoujo manga have handled similar storylines much better by showing why such relationships don't work due to their one-sided nature. While this manga has a comparable amount of dramatic events, it’s only thirty-five chapters long compared to others like Skip Beat, which has nearly three hundred.

It's unfortunate because the story had potential, but the author rushed it too much. However, there are far worse examples out there. If you're a fan of shoujo and looking for something new to read, this one isn't terrible. It just could have been much better with more careful development.