Katsura's illustrations in I's are flawless, meticulously detailed to the point where it seems like the artist has captured a real person rather than creating a manga drawing. The narrative is deeply engaging and filled with unexpected twists. Let's not overlook that the female characters in Katsura's works serve as the driving force of the story, while the protagonist finds himself swept up in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions towards them. In I's, your feelings oscillate wildly: from cheering on the protagonist one moment to calling him an "idiot" the next; from admiring how beautiful Iori is to questioning if she's truly right for the protagonist. These conflicting emotions can give you a headache. It's a captivating read that kept me on edge from start to finish, unraveling the misunderstandings between the two leads, their strengths and weaknesses. To me, the essence of this manga is that love is built gradually, full of moments that make our hearts race, make us angry, and spark jealousy towards our partners. However, the key is sincerity and confidence in one's love—nothing can destroy it then. But neglect it, and you risk losing your beloved forever. Additionally, "if you have a dream, pursue it with all your might, never let anyone decide for you, but always remember those who support you."
My rating for this manga is a solid 10.
In conclusion, I would recommend this manga to anyone looking for a good read, whether they're new to manga, seasoned readers, or even book enthusiasts.
After reading numerous reviews and seeing the overall score for this series, I felt compelled to log into my account for the first time in years just to share my thoughts. This is unequivocally one of the finest series I've ever had the pleasure of reading, with writing that is nothing short of phenomenal. It seems some readers might feel disconnected due to the gender differences; the themes explored definitely fit within the shojo genre, but since it's marketed towards teenage and young adult males, its placement under the Shonen Jump/Advanced line makes sense.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say that the main character is constantly battling his inner demons. The story is an emotional rollercoaster filled with highs and lows, excitement and disappointment. The reason I mention the disconnect above is because, as a girl, you might find yourself relating more to the other female characters. However, their feelings aren't deeply internalized until closer to the end of the series. Being a 24-year-old male reader, this manga really resonated with me and brought back memories of my childhood. Ichitaka's inner turmoil is incredibly relatable and accurate, evoking memories of first love, crushes, school life, anxiety while sitting next to your crush, and building up the courage to make yourself vulnerable and take that first step.
This manga is a MASTERPIECE. There isn't much else to say except please, please, please read this series if you're a male who doesn't usually connect with shojo titles. My first encounter with this series was through a Viz Media sneak peek book, after which I bought four volumes and then the rest the very next day. I am currently on volume 11 and plan to finish the remaining volumes tonight. I devoured the series in a few days because I simply couldn't stop. That’s how profoundly this series touched me.
My only gripe with the series isn't actually about the series itself, but rather with the publishing company, Viz Media. The English releases are riddled with typos—more than I’ve ever seen in any other Shonen Jump title. It’s honestly concerning how these typos went unnoticed. Volume 10, arguably the most crucial volume in the 15-volume series, made me pause and reflect on how bad these typos were. Unfinished sentences, words completely missing. But most people can figure out what was intended, and it’s not enough of an issue to detract from the perfect score I’m giving this series.
I will cherish this series forever and hope this review reaches as many people as possible. Please read this series. And thank you for taking the time to read my review and considering picking up this series based on my recommendation.
I's is a shonen ecchi romance manga from the 90s, focusing on Ichitaka, a shy, sometimes foolish, and pitiful yet likable guy. He falls for Iori, a popular and beautiful girl who seems out of his league. I'll try to avoid spoilers.
Throughout the story, Ichitaka's primary goal is to confess his love to Iori. As I read on, I became more engaged with the series due to its characters and art, which were my favorite aspects.
The writing is quite good, but witnessing Ichitaka's mistakes or poor decisions can be tedious and occasionally annoying. However, these moments often introduce new characters, elements, and deepen existing ones. There is fan service, including nudity, but it never overshadows the plot. Sometimes it can feel cliché, but the character development makes those elements fit naturally, and the clichés don't detract much.
Pros: The art, character writing, and characters themselves are well-executed. This manga does a good job integrating clichés and fan service effectively, even when the protagonist makes mistakes.
Cons: It can drag on, and at times you might want to smack the main character for being stupid.
This is probably my first review that's vague and concise. It may not convince many people to read it, but it's worth giving a shot. Even if you end up disliking the main character and how he prolongs the story, you'll likely grow to like him (I did, despite his idiocy), his friends, and other characters, whether they stay throughout or leave.
In I's, time progresses, and by the end, I felt a bit sad finishing this series. It has its flaws, but it's far from trash and isn't a masterpiece either. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.
This is hands down my favorite shounen romance series after reading all the chapters. There's an anime version too, but I highly recommend checking out the JDrama adaptation.
The story introduces you to Seto Ichitaka, a rather timid high school protagonist, as he tries to win over his crush, Yoshizuki Iori.
Before long, three other girls start entering his life:
Itsuki, a childhood friend,
Izumi, a fellow student, and
Aiko, a neighbor girl who appears when Ichitaka moves out of his parents' house during the series.
At this stage, get ready for the mixed emotions our main character will experience 😁
What really stands out is that despite the many ups and downs, you'll eventually see that Ichitaka's friends are truly the best. The unwavering support they provide him in his quest to be with Iori is priceless 😭 (No spoilers here 😋)
There will be moments when you feel frustrated or even shed a tear (mendoukusai ne). But don't give up on this manga; the story makes the emotional journey worthwhile till the very end (maybe it's just me 😋)
As a devoted fan of romance manga, I was astonished to discover what seemed like an undiscovered "gem." However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The writing often felt lackluster, relying heavily on characters lying, concealing information, or making hasty assumptions to propel the story forward—a clear sign of lazy writing in my opinion.
If this is one of your first forays into romance manga, you might find it engaging enough due to its ability to keep you hooked with intriguing situations. But when it comes to the plot, it's just another run-of-the-mill tale featuring a typically clueless protagonist. I might be overly critical here; he's not unintelligent, but his character can be frustratingly predictable, falling for every trick and making foolish conclusions.
For seasoned romance manga enthusiasts, this series will likely feel mediocre at best. Many of the supporting characters were far more interesting than the main protagonist, whose development lagged behind significantly, becoming increasingly annoying as the story progressed. On the bright side, the artwork is absolutely fantastic!
"I’s Pure is a Shounen, Ecchi, Romance story centered around Seto Ichitaka, a boy with an enormous crush on his classmate, Yoshizuki Iori. While it may seem like a standard Romantic Comedy setup, I’s Pure manages to elevate the plot in impressive ways.
The narrative begins conventionally enough, introducing us to the characters and their typical personalities. Despite these familiar traits, the characters are remarkably well-developed through various situations. However, due to its Shounen elements, the romantic progression is rather slow (thanks to the indecisive male protagonist). Nonetheless, the emerging developments, such as a love triangle, add some excitement. Eventually, the story finds the right pace for a romance manga, but this only happens after the initial lackluster volumes. Once I’s reaches a certain point, it becomes truly amazing in both romance and comedy aspects. There’s also quite a bit of drama, which feels somewhat strange given the transition from laughter to angst. In the end, though, it complements the overall story well, leading to a satisfying resolution.
The artwork at the beginning was excellent, particularly in character designs during close-ups, although it lacked detail elsewhere. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long before the manga's artwork reached perfection, making it hard to find any faults, especially in the ecchi scenes.
Overall, this turns out to be a deeply engaging Rom/Com manga that’s so captivating you’ll struggle to stop reading once you reach the latter half. It’s genuinely enjoyable, though there are times when the story may seem dull or clichéd. Yet, even cliché moments can spice things up, like hot spring episodes. The characters play a huge role in bringing the story to life, and it’s fascinating to see how some of them develop. However, some characters, like Ichitaka’s perverted friend, feel one-dimensional.
This manga is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys a good ecchi romance or wants to give one a try.
"I"s embodies everything wrong with shonen romance manga. Absolutely everything.
The pacing is nothing short of brutal. After a while, you feel like you're on a treadmill, not moving forward at all. This feeling persists for well over a hundred chapters.
Seto is a loser. Okay, it's shonen romance, so that's to be expected. You can overcome that. The problem is that the story never really allows him to grow. He spends most of the series being an indecisive twat, dragging it out to 143 chapters. By the end, he hasn't progressed at all. He's still the same loser from the very beginning who should never have gotten the girl. Heck, he finishes the series without ever getting a job. Stupid NEET.
Almost everything Yoshizuki does revolves around Seto. About 20 chapters in, everyone with eyes (except Seto) knows where this is heading. You'd think some actual development would follow. But no! We slog through fake love triangle after fake love triangle until we reach exactly where anyone could have predicted from chapter one. (Seriously! There are like four of them!)
The only redeeming character was Itsuki, simply because she acted somewhat human and left the picture in a meaningful way.
If you were thinking about reading this, I highly recommend choosing something better instead, like B-Shock or The Hating Girl. If you must read something similar, go for Love Hina. Just stay far away from "I"s.
What initially might seem typical or predictable evolves into the quintessential shonen romance story by its end.
Diving deeper:
The plot earns a clear 10. As I've mentioned, it may be underestimated at first but quickly gains momentum due to an excellent balance of comedy and drama. The author employs nearly every genre cliché, yet thanks to superb execution, it never gets old. Instead of feeling like a standard slice-of-life romance, it transforms into an epic adventure, infusing even mundane situations with great tension and resolution akin to those in battle manga. A special nod goes to the conclusion, one of the most touching I've ever read.
All characters are meticulously crafted, each unique and distinct from one another. Even if they appear stereotypical at first glance, they ultimately reveal their true colors, making it hard not to relate to them at various points, especially the main protagonist.
The artwork is top-notch. From character designs to movements and backgrounds, it's an S-rank work. The ecchi scenes deserve particular mention, masterfully executed without ever feeling gratuitous.
One should not judge a book by its cover, and I"s exemplifies this adage perfectly. You get far more than you expect; while you'll find a light-hearted romance with some spicy moments, you'll also discover an incredibly relatable human story with stellar characterization that will undoubtedly carve out a special place in your memories.
This is my first review, so please forgive any naivety. I hope it proves useful for everyone.
This manga centers around a male protagonist who is indecisive, self-sabotaging, with a hero complex, prone to daydreaming and endless chatter. His romantic feelings are shallow, driven by lust. The female lead often plays dumb and lacks self-awareness for the majority of the story.
The artwork is consistently good, with well-drawn details and backgrounds, although some female characters share similar facial features. Chapters continue from different viewpoints without feeling overly repetitive. However, the dialogue, plot, and pacing feel forced, overdramatic, and unconvincing, dragging on endlessly in circles without much direction. There's plenty of fan service and ecchi scenes that eventually become tedious. Believing this manga is filled with romance is a misconception. Comedy is virtually nonexistent; I didn't laugh once.
Side characters are treated with indifference, diminishing their importance. Some female characters are portrayed crudely and creepily. For instance, a 16-year-old is made to pose seductively in a magazine promoting a school drama club, which barely appears throughout the manga, and her image is reused as an excuse for underage nudity. Meanwhile, male students at the beginning are depicted as predatory, creating fake pageants to secretly record girls changing and later targeting the school idol with a fake photoshoot. New characters are introduced haphazardly and just as quickly discarded. The male protagonist’s character development only begins to show in chapter 77 but remains subtle.
This manga is an exercise in telling a shallow story in a convoluted way. The author seems unwilling to narrate straightforwardly, drowning the relationship in uninspired disturbances that drag the story like a dead weight. Overall, it was an unrewarding read.
For those interested in reading this manga, here's a brief review for you all.
Story: The story is excellent, beginning with a weak protagonist named Ichitaka who struggles to confess his love for Iori, the main heroine. As it's a shounen manga, having a weak protagonist at the start and seeing their growth throughout the story is typical. However, this manga stands out because Ichitaka is exceptionally indecisive, and his development is painfully slow, making you question why you're reading it. But then you remember it has romance, comedy, and drama elements, which makes up for it. (7/10)
Art: The artwork is impressive, sometimes making the characters look so realistic that it feels almost lifelike. (8/10)
Characters: The characters can be annoyingly indecisive at times, but there's a reason behind it. You'll understand once you finish the manga. Oh, and don't forget, they're also quite lovable. (7/10)
Enjoyment: For me, it was enjoyable, especially if you want to test your patience. I genuinely enjoyed the story as it felt somewhat realistic, reflecting real-life situations. (7/10)
Overall: I did enjoy this manga, so would I recommend it? Yes. (7.5 or 8/10)
Last reminder: As mentioned earlier, prepare yourself with plenty of patience if you plan to read this manga, especially if it's your first time diving into a romance, shounen manga. Good luck. And for those who have already read similar works like Ichigo100%, congratulations – you're lucky to find this manga since both protagonists share similar traits. Well then, happy reading.
I started reading I's because I wanted to see if there was something different in the romcoms of the past compared to what we have now with the typical structure of romcoms.
Was it worth it? For the most part, yes, but I can't deny that someone might bring up a big no too. Let me explain: Sure, I got something more from the main character (MC). I felt the anguish he experiences throughout the story. He makes mistakes, suffers from them, and finally learns valuable lessons, making the decisions he should. The problem is how incredibly long it takes for him to do that. Yes, he eventually understands something and changes, but then another insufferable trait of his crops up that needs correction or wasn’t really gone for good.
For the female MCs, I have nothing but praise, honestly. I really like the primary and obvious love interest of the MC. For the most part, as readers, we don't truly know what she thinks or her full feelings at each stage of the story. We are almost as clueless as the MC, which effectively sells her character. It almost makes me want to see a summary of the story through her eyes. As for the other girls who could be considered rivals for the MC’s affection, I just love them. I can't say every one of them is perfectly written or anything, but the author certainly knew how to use them to put the MC through various feelings and situations, making him suffer and ultimately learn his lesson (although it takes sooo long!!).
I could summarize other aspects that could either sell or detract from the manga, like the ecchi elements or side characters, but honestly, I can't recommend it. The MC definitely made me empathize with him during his most difficult moments, but then I’m literally screaming, "What the heck is wrong with you? Why? Why are you doing that?" This makes him so infuriating that I realize I had a lot of patience with him, but others surely wouldn't. So, it's at your own risk.
Popular Reviews
Katsura's illustrations in I's are flawless, meticulously detailed to the point where it seems like the artist has captured a real person rather than creating a manga drawing. The narrative is deeply engaging and filled with unexpected twists. Let's not overlook that the female characters in Katsura's works serve as the driving force of the story, while the protagonist finds himself swept up in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions towards them. In I's, your feelings oscillate wildly: from cheering on the protagonist one moment to calling him an "idiot" the next; from admiring how beautiful Iori is to questioning if she's truly right for the protagonist. These conflicting emotions can give you a headache. It's a captivating read that kept me on edge from start to finish, unraveling the misunderstandings between the two leads, their strengths and weaknesses. To me, the essence of this manga is that love is built gradually, full of moments that make our hearts race, make us angry, and spark jealousy towards our partners. However, the key is sincerity and confidence in one's love—nothing can destroy it then. But neglect it, and you risk losing your beloved forever. Additionally, "if you have a dream, pursue it with all your might, never let anyone decide for you, but always remember those who support you."
My rating for this manga is a solid 10.
In conclusion, I would recommend this manga to anyone looking for a good read, whether they're new to manga, seasoned readers, or even book enthusiasts.
After reading numerous reviews and seeing the overall score for this series, I felt compelled to log into my account for the first time in years just to share my thoughts. This is unequivocally one of the finest series I've ever had the pleasure of reading, with writing that is nothing short of phenomenal. It seems some readers might feel disconnected due to the gender differences; the themes explored definitely fit within the shojo genre, but since it's marketed towards teenage and young adult males, its placement under the Shonen Jump/Advanced line makes sense.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say that the main character is constantly battling his inner demons. The story is an emotional rollercoaster filled with highs and lows, excitement and disappointment. The reason I mention the disconnect above is because, as a girl, you might find yourself relating more to the other female characters. However, their feelings aren't deeply internalized until closer to the end of the series. Being a 24-year-old male reader, this manga really resonated with me and brought back memories of my childhood. Ichitaka's inner turmoil is incredibly relatable and accurate, evoking memories of first love, crushes, school life, anxiety while sitting next to your crush, and building up the courage to make yourself vulnerable and take that first step.
This manga is a MASTERPIECE. There isn't much else to say except please, please, please read this series if you're a male who doesn't usually connect with shojo titles. My first encounter with this series was through a Viz Media sneak peek book, after which I bought four volumes and then the rest the very next day. I am currently on volume 11 and plan to finish the remaining volumes tonight. I devoured the series in a few days because I simply couldn't stop. That’s how profoundly this series touched me.
My only gripe with the series isn't actually about the series itself, but rather with the publishing company, Viz Media. The English releases are riddled with typos—more than I’ve ever seen in any other Shonen Jump title. It’s honestly concerning how these typos went unnoticed. Volume 10, arguably the most crucial volume in the 15-volume series, made me pause and reflect on how bad these typos were. Unfinished sentences, words completely missing. But most people can figure out what was intended, and it’s not enough of an issue to detract from the perfect score I’m giving this series.
I will cherish this series forever and hope this review reaches as many people as possible. Please read this series. And thank you for taking the time to read my review and considering picking up this series based on my recommendation.
I's is a shonen ecchi romance manga from the 90s, focusing on Ichitaka, a shy, sometimes foolish, and pitiful yet likable guy. He falls for Iori, a popular and beautiful girl who seems out of his league. I'll try to avoid spoilers.
Throughout the story, Ichitaka's primary goal is to confess his love to Iori. As I read on, I became more engaged with the series due to its characters and art, which were my favorite aspects.
The writing is quite good, but witnessing Ichitaka's mistakes or poor decisions can be tedious and occasionally annoying. However, these moments often introduce new characters, elements, and deepen existing ones. There is fan service, including nudity, but it never overshadows the plot. Sometimes it can feel cliché, but the character development makes those elements fit naturally, and the clichés don't detract much.
Pros: The art, character writing, and characters themselves are well-executed. This manga does a good job integrating clichés and fan service effectively, even when the protagonist makes mistakes.
Cons: It can drag on, and at times you might want to smack the main character for being stupid.
This is probably my first review that's vague and concise. It may not convince many people to read it, but it's worth giving a shot. Even if you end up disliking the main character and how he prolongs the story, you'll likely grow to like him (I did, despite his idiocy), his friends, and other characters, whether they stay throughout or leave.
In I's, time progresses, and by the end, I felt a bit sad finishing this series. It has its flaws, but it's far from trash and isn't a masterpiece either. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.
Man... where do I begin?
This is hands down my favorite shounen romance series after reading all the chapters. There's an anime version too, but I highly recommend checking out the JDrama adaptation.
The story introduces you to Seto Ichitaka, a rather timid high school protagonist, as he tries to win over his crush, Yoshizuki Iori.
Before long, three other girls start entering his life:
At this stage, get ready for the mixed emotions our main character will experience 😁
What really stands out is that despite the many ups and downs, you'll eventually see that Ichitaka's friends are truly the best. The unwavering support they provide him in his quest to be with Iori is priceless 😭 (No spoilers here 😋)
There will be moments when you feel frustrated or even shed a tear (mendoukusai ne). But don't give up on this manga; the story makes the emotional journey worthwhile till the very end (maybe it's just me 😋)
Until then... Ganbatte!
As a devoted fan of romance manga, I was astonished to discover what seemed like an undiscovered "gem." However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The writing often felt lackluster, relying heavily on characters lying, concealing information, or making hasty assumptions to propel the story forward—a clear sign of lazy writing in my opinion.
If this is one of your first forays into romance manga, you might find it engaging enough due to its ability to keep you hooked with intriguing situations. But when it comes to the plot, it's just another run-of-the-mill tale featuring a typically clueless protagonist. I might be overly critical here; he's not unintelligent, but his character can be frustratingly predictable, falling for every trick and making foolish conclusions.
For seasoned romance manga enthusiasts, this series will likely feel mediocre at best. Many of the supporting characters were far more interesting than the main protagonist, whose development lagged behind significantly, becoming increasingly annoying as the story progressed. On the bright side, the artwork is absolutely fantastic!
"I’s Pure is a Shounen, Ecchi, Romance story centered around Seto Ichitaka, a boy with an enormous crush on his classmate, Yoshizuki Iori. While it may seem like a standard Romantic Comedy setup, I’s Pure manages to elevate the plot in impressive ways.
The narrative begins conventionally enough, introducing us to the characters and their typical personalities. Despite these familiar traits, the characters are remarkably well-developed through various situations. However, due to its Shounen elements, the romantic progression is rather slow (thanks to the indecisive male protagonist). Nonetheless, the emerging developments, such as a love triangle, add some excitement. Eventually, the story finds the right pace for a romance manga, but this only happens after the initial lackluster volumes. Once I’s reaches a certain point, it becomes truly amazing in both romance and comedy aspects. There’s also quite a bit of drama, which feels somewhat strange given the transition from laughter to angst. In the end, though, it complements the overall story well, leading to a satisfying resolution.
The artwork at the beginning was excellent, particularly in character designs during close-ups, although it lacked detail elsewhere. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long before the manga's artwork reached perfection, making it hard to find any faults, especially in the ecchi scenes.
Overall, this turns out to be a deeply engaging Rom/Com manga that’s so captivating you’ll struggle to stop reading once you reach the latter half. It’s genuinely enjoyable, though there are times when the story may seem dull or clichéd. Yet, even cliché moments can spice things up, like hot spring episodes. The characters play a huge role in bringing the story to life, and it’s fascinating to see how some of them develop. However, some characters, like Ichitaka’s perverted friend, feel one-dimensional.
This manga is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys a good ecchi romance or wants to give one a try.
^_^
""I"s embodies everything wrong with shonen romance manga. Absolutely everything.
The pacing is nothing short of brutal. After a while, you feel like you're on a treadmill, not moving forward at all. This feeling persists for well over a hundred chapters.
Seto is a loser. Okay, it's shonen romance, so that's to be expected. You can overcome that. The problem is that the story never really allows him to grow. He spends most of the series being an indecisive twat, dragging it out to 143 chapters. By the end, he hasn't progressed at all. He's still the same loser from the very beginning who should never have gotten the girl. Heck, he finishes the series without ever getting a job. Stupid NEET.
Almost everything Yoshizuki does revolves around Seto. About 20 chapters in, everyone with eyes (except Seto) knows where this is heading. You'd think some actual development would follow. But no! We slog through fake love triangle after fake love triangle until we reach exactly where anyone could have predicted from chapter one. (Seriously! There are like four of them!)
The only redeeming character was Itsuki, simply because she acted somewhat human and left the picture in a meaningful way.
If you were thinking about reading this, I highly recommend choosing something better instead, like B-Shock or The Hating Girl. If you must read something similar, go for Love Hina. Just stay far away from "I"s.
I"s is one of my all-time favorite reads.
What initially might seem typical or predictable evolves into the quintessential shonen romance story by its end.
Diving deeper:
The plot earns a clear 10. As I've mentioned, it may be underestimated at first but quickly gains momentum due to an excellent balance of comedy and drama. The author employs nearly every genre cliché, yet thanks to superb execution, it never gets old. Instead of feeling like a standard slice-of-life romance, it transforms into an epic adventure, infusing even mundane situations with great tension and resolution akin to those in battle manga. A special nod goes to the conclusion, one of the most touching I've ever read.
All characters are meticulously crafted, each unique and distinct from one another. Even if they appear stereotypical at first glance, they ultimately reveal their true colors, making it hard not to relate to them at various points, especially the main protagonist.
The artwork is top-notch. From character designs to movements and backgrounds, it's an S-rank work. The ecchi scenes deserve particular mention, masterfully executed without ever feeling gratuitous.
One should not judge a book by its cover, and I"s exemplifies this adage perfectly. You get far more than you expect; while you'll find a light-hearted romance with some spicy moments, you'll also discover an incredibly relatable human story with stellar characterization that will undoubtedly carve out a special place in your memories.
This is my first review, so please forgive any naivety. I hope it proves useful for everyone.
This manga centers around a male protagonist who is indecisive, self-sabotaging, with a hero complex, prone to daydreaming and endless chatter. His romantic feelings are shallow, driven by lust. The female lead often plays dumb and lacks self-awareness for the majority of the story.
The artwork is consistently good, with well-drawn details and backgrounds, although some female characters share similar facial features. Chapters continue from different viewpoints without feeling overly repetitive. However, the dialogue, plot, and pacing feel forced, overdramatic, and unconvincing, dragging on endlessly in circles without much direction. There's plenty of fan service and ecchi scenes that eventually become tedious. Believing this manga is filled with romance is a misconception. Comedy is virtually nonexistent; I didn't laugh once.
Side characters are treated with indifference, diminishing their importance. Some female characters are portrayed crudely and creepily. For instance, a 16-year-old is made to pose seductively in a magazine promoting a school drama club, which barely appears throughout the manga, and her image is reused as an excuse for underage nudity. Meanwhile, male students at the beginning are depicted as predatory, creating fake pageants to secretly record girls changing and later targeting the school idol with a fake photoshoot. New characters are introduced haphazardly and just as quickly discarded. The male protagonist’s character development only begins to show in chapter 77 but remains subtle.
This manga is an exercise in telling a shallow story in a convoluted way. The author seems unwilling to narrate straightforwardly, drowning the relationship in uninspired disturbances that drag the story like a dead weight. Overall, it was an unrewarding read.
For those interested in reading this manga, here's a brief review for you all.
Story: The story is excellent, beginning with a weak protagonist named Ichitaka who struggles to confess his love for Iori, the main heroine. As it's a shounen manga, having a weak protagonist at the start and seeing their growth throughout the story is typical. However, this manga stands out because Ichitaka is exceptionally indecisive, and his development is painfully slow, making you question why you're reading it. But then you remember it has romance, comedy, and drama elements, which makes up for it. (7/10)
Art: The artwork is impressive, sometimes making the characters look so realistic that it feels almost lifelike. (8/10)
Characters: The characters can be annoyingly indecisive at times, but there's a reason behind it. You'll understand once you finish the manga. Oh, and don't forget, they're also quite lovable. (7/10)
Enjoyment: For me, it was enjoyable, especially if you want to test your patience. I genuinely enjoyed the story as it felt somewhat realistic, reflecting real-life situations. (7/10)
Overall: I did enjoy this manga, so would I recommend it? Yes. (7.5 or 8/10)
Last reminder: As mentioned earlier, prepare yourself with plenty of patience if you plan to read this manga, especially if it's your first time diving into a romance, shounen manga. Good luck. And for those who have already read similar works like Ichigo100%, congratulations – you're lucky to find this manga since both protagonists share similar traits. Well then, happy reading.
I started reading I's because I wanted to see if there was something different in the romcoms of the past compared to what we have now with the typical structure of romcoms.
Was it worth it? For the most part, yes, but I can't deny that someone might bring up a big no too. Let me explain: Sure, I got something more from the main character (MC). I felt the anguish he experiences throughout the story. He makes mistakes, suffers from them, and finally learns valuable lessons, making the decisions he should. The problem is how incredibly long it takes for him to do that. Yes, he eventually understands something and changes, but then another insufferable trait of his crops up that needs correction or wasn’t really gone for good.
For the female MCs, I have nothing but praise, honestly. I really like the primary and obvious love interest of the MC. For the most part, as readers, we don't truly know what she thinks or her full feelings at each stage of the story. We are almost as clueless as the MC, which effectively sells her character. It almost makes me want to see a summary of the story through her eyes. As for the other girls who could be considered rivals for the MC’s affection, I just love them. I can't say every one of them is perfectly written or anything, but the author certainly knew how to use them to put the MC through various feelings and situations, making him suffer and ultimately learn his lesson (although it takes sooo long!!).
I could summarize other aspects that could either sell or detract from the manga, like the ecchi elements or side characters, but honestly, I can't recommend it. The MC definitely made me empathize with him during his most difficult moments, but then I’m literally screaming, "What the heck is wrong with you? Why? Why are you doing that?" This makes him so infuriating that I realize I had a lot of patience with him, but others surely wouldn't. So, it's at your own risk.
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