Koukou Debut

At first, I didn't think I would enjoy this manga, but I kept going because I adore the Mangaka's other works. I'm thrilled that I continued, as this series is incredibly delightful!

-Story- 9
The story is very sweet, simple, and humorous. After spending her middle school years on the softball team, Haruna Nagishima decides she wants to have a boyfriend and become more popular this year. She meets someone who seems knowledgeable about fashion and romance, so she asks him to coach her. Luckily, he agrees, and their relationship blossoms from there. They face challenges and misunderstandings, but they overcome them. To many, their relationship might seem like a typical shoujo storyline, but it's deliberately crafted to be atypical. Interestingly, both Haruna and Yoh learn how to be romantic through shoujo manga. It cracks me up when Haruna pulls out a manga before a date to figure out how she should act. Every chapter in this series feels significant, with no pointless filler pages.

-Art- 9
The artwork is very cute and pleasant to look at. The faces and little chibi characters never fail to make me smile.

-Characters- 10
This manga's high point is its characters. There's a good variety, and they are all multi-dimensional. Some you'll love, others you'll hate (Miyabi Jouhou!). Our main couple is very likable, and you'll fall in love with them. Haruna is kind-hearted, silly, but sometimes a bit naive. Yoh can come off as harsh, but he's actually super sweet; he's just a bit embarrassed about his feelings.

-Enjoyment- 10
This manga is a super fun and moderately fast read. There's so much to appreciate about the story as a whole. It's really funny, sweet, and well-told.

This series began more strongly than it ended. The plot is rather ordinary, but it's light-hearted and enjoyable, and I have a soft spot for ugly duckling tales, so I was instantly captivated. However, with a protagonist like Haruna, the story must be crafted in such a way that she doesn't become irritating or absurd to the point of being unenjoyable. While I believe the author did an excellent job making Haruna a fun character in the first half, turning her overactive imagination and extreme reactions into great story material, I don’t think this was maintained well in the second half. As the story progresses, Haruna’s personality and behavior gradually became more annoying. Not to the extent that I stopped enjoying the story altogether, but enough that I’m unsure if I’ll ever revisit this series for a re-read.

That’s really all there is to say about this series. It’s not a standout story; the artwork is decent but nothing exceptional (and sometimes even subpar). Haruna starts out as a genuinely fun character but sort of devolves in the second half. It’s nothing extraordinary. Nevertheless, it is generally enjoyable fluff. If you enjoy lighthearted ugly duckling stories and don’t mind somewhat cliché or standard storylines, along with a female lead who can occasionally be grating, this isn’t a bad series to pass some time with.

This was one of my favorite manga, probably because it was among the first ones I ever read. I also really enjoyed the plot.

I was about 10 or 11 when I first read this, and I think that's why I liked the main character so much. In other manga I read, the characters were always very pretty and ladylike, which I couldn't relate to. Not that Haruna isn't pretty, but it was more about how they portrayed her.

This manga definitely got me invested and eager to read more. It was very different from the other manga I had read before. Some chapters really tugged at my heartstrings and made me angry, but that only made me more interested in the story.

I actually started rereading it today and I'm almost finished already. It's definitely in my top five.

I first read this manga as a kid when it came out, completely forgot about it, and rediscovered it this year (2023). Reading it again was such a blast! I've been on a re-reading spree of all the shoujo manga I used to love, and Koukou Debut has definitely lived up to my expectations. At 22, I have certain standards for shoujo, and this series did not disappoint.

The story is pure and light-hearted, making it incredibly enjoyable. I found myself giggling throughout the entire read. The author's sense of humor shines through brilliantly in the narrative. What I also adore are the characters and their development. They remain true to their personalities while growing, which makes watching their journey so endearing. Some might call this a typical shoujo, but I disagree. The way the author conveys feelings and emotions through the characters feels very real and refreshing, making you root for them wholeheartedly. The natural flow of the story and its writing style make this series special to me.

Go Yoh and Haruna! They are definitely one of my favorite couples ever. It's a shame there was no anime adaptation for this series!

First of all, what really grabs my attention in a shoujo manga is the attractiveness of the main characters and the storyline.

Story: 10, though more like a 9.5 actually, because I wished for a bit more intense romance between the characters and less comedy. Seriously, it felt overdone at times.

Art: 8, since I’ve seen Dengeki Daisy, which sets the bar for how shoujo should be illustrated. This one doesn't quite reach that standard.

Character: 10, especially loving the male lead because he’s a total badass. When faced with tough situations, he handles them logically and sometimes even surprises you in ways that feel realistic enough to apply in real life.

Enjoyment: 8, leaning more towards an 8.5, but I got tired of the female protagonist always goofing around and turning every scene into a comedy act. The mangaka’s frequent use of funny faces and chibi-style drawings for humor completely turned me off at times.

Overall: 9, this manga is perfect if you're looking for a romantic comedy shoujo. However, if you’re seeking something more passionate with mature themes (not necessarily explicit, but grown-up scenarios), then this might not be your cup of tea.

How can a manga that starts off so brilliantly end up crashing and burning so terribly? Haruna-chan is an excellent character with a clear mission: to get a boyfriend. Having been a tomboy her whole life, she has no idea how to go about it, so she turns to the coolest (albeit emo-style) guy in school for help. So far, so good. The premise had great potential, but all of it was squandered by turning the main character into a pitiful figure who’s hard to tolerate. Additionally, the male lead's shyness reaches absurd and laughable levels.

As for the artwork, there’s a very noticeable shift as well – though this is more subjective, I believe it deteriorated over time. Initially, Yoh had a mysterious aura, very "emo" and cool, but later he looks like an old man nursing a bad hangover. I read it to the end purely out of curiosity (and not wanting to look for something else), but I can’t even say it sucks because, after around 10 or 11 chapters, the entire thing just falls apart.

That’s my take on it anyway.

Here's my first review

This manga revolves around a carefree girl who has just graduated from middle school and is entering high school. Throughout her middle school years, she was deeply involved in baseball, which led to her lacking fashion sense. Haruna is diligent and strong.

In an attempt to find a boyfriend, she reads numerous magazines and tries to emulate their styles, but after several days, she still fails. Realizing that the best way to improve herself was to get a coach who knew how to impress men, she recalled bumping into someone who fit the bill perfectly. She discovered that this person was actually her senpai at her new school.

I hope I didn't spoil too much, but Haruna falls in love, gets tricked, and eventually finds true love. After finding mutual love, the story progresses into their future relationship.

I adore this manga greatly, giving it a rating of 10/10. The artwork is quite realistic yet retains that distinctive manga feel, which is one of the aspects I love about it. I've enjoyed reading this manga immensely because the characters are absolutely charming. Additionally, this manga is genuinely hilarious as you watch Haruna struggle through various situations. I strongly recommend it to everyone; you should at least give it a try once.

High School Debut is a fairly good anime. Initially, things might appear somewhat off. A silly high school girl throws typical cliché tantrums about wanting a boyfriend and she runs into Yoh, asking him to coach her (in becoming an ideal girl) because he seemed suitable for the job to her, perhaps due to his integrity. However, as the story unfolds, you'll find yourself surprisingly hooked on this manga.

It gets so amusing that you can't help but give it a perfect score. But as you delve deeper into the story, some peculiar characters (trust me, completely different from the usual stuff) invade the manga, causing chaos before disappearing. I believe the writer could have made better use of these characters. The smooth flow of the story was disrupted. Once these characters finally exited, the story returned to its original rhythm.

The protagonists were outstanding. Yoh may seem like the usual tough exterior, soft interior guy, but there are numerous tiny details about him that make him incredibly unique! He might not be one of those dreamy guys I'd scream over and wish to marry, but he's the ideal fellow who will stay in my memory.

The female protagonist is THE HERO, THE MAN, THE HOTSHOT! I adore her. Trust this random stranger when she says this: SHE'S NOT, DEFINITELY NOT like any other female protagonist I've ever seen before. She's not all gooey-mooey girly, has muscles, excels in sports, is strong, and without a doubt, SUPER DUPER CUTE! >~<

That's all for my review! If not for the unnecessary happenings, I would have given High School Debut a 10 out of 10. So go ahead and give it a shot.

Koukou Debut is an outstanding manga. The love story felt genuine and resonated with me more than other mangas do. The art style was distinctive; while I wouldn't say I loved it, it didn't deter me from continuing to read either. Its unique aesthetic was something I appreciated greatly.

One of the primary reasons this manga stands out to me is the character development. It wasn't just about the two main characters evolving but also the entire ensemble cast: Haruna, Yoh, Asaoka, Asami, Fumi, and Mami. For instance, in many stories I've read, when a girl gets a boyfriend, she magically transforms into a "beautiful, sexy woman," as if having a boyfriend makes all the boys desire her. But with Haruna, things were different. She underwent mental transformations throughout the story, yet physically she remained the athletic, muscular teenage girl. Overall, this is a brilliant manga that I would gladly read again.

A tale that will bring an enormous smile to your face.

The protagonist is unlike any other. She's robust, protective, and cheerfully spirited. Before you realize it, she has nestled her way into your heart.

The connection between the two characters gradually unfolds, but the anticipation makes it all the more rewarding. I appreciate how they remain steadfastly together, with no vexing love triangles to complicate things. The deeper you delve into the story, the more engrossed you become, feeling their love blossom with every page turned.

An absolute must-read for fans of this genre. The narrative never feels foolish or overly predictable, which is incredibly refreshing. It's simply humorous, adorable, touching... just purely entertaining. :)

Story: A girl named Haruna has just entered high school and is renowned for being the star player on the girls' baseball team. Her goal for the next three years is to find the perfect boyfriend and fall in love—an age-old ambition. The twist? She's such a tomboy that her senior friend, Yoh, claims no guy will be interested. Desperate, she asks him for help to become more feminine. He agrees, but with one condition: she can't fall in love with him. Predictable, isn't it? Because of its clichéd nature, I rate this story 5 out of 10.

Art: The artwork is clean and uncluttered, making it easy to read the characters' emotions. The dialogue flows smoothly without any distractions. Everything is kept simple, which suits the humorous and romantic shoujo genre perfectly. I prefer art that's straightforward rather than overly complex. For these reasons, I give the art a solid 10 out of 10.

Characters: Haruna is incredibly passionate about everything she undertakes. Whether it's baseball or finding a boyfriend, she dedicates herself fully. She's not rude; Haruna simply wants to succeed. Yoh, on the other hand, comes off as a bit of a jerk. Even when Haruna tries her best, he often dismisses her efforts. However, he's also driven by his own passions. He wants Haruna to succeed but struggles with the promise he made. It seems Yoh is looking for someone as passionate as he is, and Haruna might just fit the bill. I rate the character development 9 out of 10.

Enjoyment: While reading, I found myself growing bored. By the time things started getting interesting, I was already thinking, "Just have them get together already!" This lack of engagement led me to give the enjoyment factor a 7 out of 10.

Overall: After considering all aspects, I give this manga an overall score of 8 out of 10.

Okay, for me, this is one of the best manga I've ever read. I adored the artwork and appreciated how each character had unique attributes, features, facial expressions, styles, and differences. One of the standout aspects of this manga is that the female protagonist (Haruna) isn't portrayed as "helpless" or loved merely based on her appearance. Haruna's personality was her most appealing trait, making her incredibly endearing n__n Every chapter left me eager to continue reading, and I finished all 14 volumes in just a few days. The story was so captivating that it was nearly impossible to put down! I felt that the author, Kawahara, crafted it with pure perfection! The romance between Yoh and Haruna was irresistibly sweet. Their love was well-explained and rooted in genuine reasons, not superficial ones. They genuinely connected and truly loved each other. It wasn’t solely about Haruna’s looks or the physical aspects of their relationship; Kawahara depicted Yoh's feelings towards Haruna beautifully. His affection was clear and stemmed from his deep love for her true self. The story evoked a mix of emotions, making me feel both joy and sadness, and I remember getting giddy over sweet or cute moments! I could go on forever, but to me, this manga was flawless! It stood out among any shoujo manga I’ve read. (I also recommend Lovely Complex as they share similar qualities!) If you're looking for a manga that is heartwarming, realistic, and humorous, you absolutely must read this! I loved the ending, but couldn't help wishing for more~