I don't typically write reviews, but this manga was so incredible that I just had to share my thoughts.
Story:
First off, this manga is far from your average brainless shoujo. While I've always enjoyed romance in mangas, it's tough to find one that truly resonates with me. I can't stand the overused trope of the alpha-male rescuing the damsel in distress, or the nerdy/shy girl clichés. I prefer nice guys and girls, and realistic relationships where both partners are equals and work hard together. Believe it or not, those are surprisingly rare.
This story revolves around a cool, beautiful, and reserved girl who falls for an adorable, short, and innocent guy. They fall in love and become a couple fairly quickly in the first few chapters, and the rest of the manga focuses on the evolution of their relationship and the challenges they face.
The couple encounters some serious issues, but they're realistic—not the typical drama-fueled conflicts. The manga portrays them handling these problems in a mature way. Both parties put in the effort to resolve their issues together. There's minimal angst here, and none of the "noble idiocy" that's so common in other mangas. They consider each other's feelings and work things out. There's always a sense of optimism, but also a realistic understanding of what needs to be done to make their relationship work.
Art:
There are no overly exaggerated eyes with big eyelashes, which are typical in shoujo mangas. The realistic tone of this manga is reflected in its ordinary art style. There are no elaborate drawings; this manga won't become an artistic showpiece. However, I appreciate it because the art doesn't distract from the story. The dialogue is well-executed, making it easy to follow who's speaking and when.
Character:
The manga is told from the girl's perspective. Haruna is the daughter of a politician caught in a corruption scandal. She transfers from her prestigious school to a more rowdy high school, which she humorously refers to as a "school full of monkeys." She has a cool personality but isn't depressive—just reserved, which I absolutely adore. I'm tired of overly lively, cheerful girls or super shy ones who blush constantly, or overly sad characters. Despite her reserve, Haruna is completely assertive. She openly expresses her feelings, a trait that's surprisingly uncommon in shoujo heroines. Because she's so different from the guy, she sometimes unintentionally hurts him. However, she's sensitive to this and actively works to correct it, though the guy is usually understanding and often dismisses her apologies.
She falls in love with Machiru, who is short for a guy and about the same height as Haruna. He has the bright, cheerful personality that shoujo heroines typically have, but it's refreshing because he's the male lead this time. He gets teased a lot because of his height and is often likened to a baby monkey. He's an innocent yet unexpectedly mature guy. His cheerfulness doesn't stem from ignorance; he's happy because he chooses to focus on positive things. However, he's not the typical clueless shounen hero either. He's sensitive to Haruna's feelings and is always attentive to her mood. Haruna tends to keep her problems to herself, but he notices and bluntly asks her about them, offering help. Like Haruna, he's assertive and speaks his mind. He also genuinely helps Haruna with her problems in meaningful ways.
The manga centers solely on the couple. Side characters exist mainly to tease the couple and provide comic relief. Only Atsu, the guy's best friend who also falls for the girl, is developed further. I never liked Atsu, even though he isn't portrayed as a villain. The fact that he shows no remorse for pursuing his friend's girlfriend is unforgivable to me. He should at least feel guilty about it. Moreover, while he's friends with Macharu, he never does anything for him. He teases, torments, and laughs at Macharu, maintaining a superficial friendship since middle school. He disrespects Macharu by openly trying to steal Haruna, yet Macharu, being too much of a good guy, continues their friendship despite recognizing Atsu's intentions.
Enjoyment:
This manga seems tailor-made for my tastes. It's filled with romance and heart-pounding moments. There's just enough conflict to make it engaging, and enough humor to balance the tension and keep it enjoyable. The characters are thoughtful and genuinely kind.
Overall:
I adore this manga—it's nearly perfect. While I wish they had waited until marriage before becoming intimate, I understand that such ideals are less common these days. Thankfully, they only did it once in three years, keeping it relatively chaste. Nevertheless, I love the sincerity of these two. The manga has 31 chapters, but I would have loved more. There's still plenty of potential material for university life and married life.
If you're looking for a feel-good story, this is the one for you. The narrative is light and flows effortlessly. There's drama, but it's manageable. I admire how both Haruna and Macharu grow into better versions of themselves through their relationship. It was a delightful read!
They may be a clueless couple, but they are undeniably sweet, and the awkwardness between them feels genuine. The longing for love and the desire to bridge the gap resonates deeply. I also appreciated how family elements were woven in—the significance of gaining parental approval and the idea that love conquers all.
9/10
*SPOILER*
I WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS 10/10 UNTIL THE AUTHOR DECIDED TO HAND ATSU A MISERABLE OUTCOME!!! Sure, he attempted to meddle with Haruna and Macharu's relationship, but he was still a loyal friend to them. :----(((( The author should have granted Atsu the ending he truly deserved. </3
Shoujo romance can be a hit or miss, particularly when it comes to the usual tropes. The story often revolves around an unpopular girl catching the attention of the school's most popular and handsome guy, followed by loads of drama and questionable decisions, resulting in your standard shoujo romance manga. Of course, not all shoujo follows this formula; some manage to rise above the clichés. "Saruyama" is one such attempt, though it still retains a few familiar elements. Haruna transfers from a prestigious school to a regular public high school, where she meets the male lead, Macharu, and predictably, love blossoms.
What stood out to me as refreshing was that Macharu isn't your typical tall, good-looking shoujo protagonist. Instead, he's short and has an average appearance, while his best friend fits the mold of the classic tall, handsome womanizer. Macharu himself is refreshingly sincere, openly expressing his thoughts and feelings—a stark contrast to the communication-challenged, dense male leads I've grown accustomed to. Their relationship develops early on and progresses steadily throughout the manga's relatively short run, which is another pleasant surprise. Additionally, the manga handles the topic of intimacy maturely, with both characters choosing to wait for the right time before becoming intimate. This approach feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the exaggerated innocence found in many other manga.
Despite my praise, I gave this manga a 7 because it's not without its flaws. The side characters, particularly Haruna and Macharu's friend group, lack development and serve primarily as comic relief. Atsu, Macharu's best friend, comes across as a toxic presence, constantly trying to sabotage their relationship out of jealousy. This subplot becomes the central source of conflict, overshadowing any other potential drama, which tends to resolve within a single chapter. Moreover, the ending feels abrupt, leaving little closure.
That said, "Saruyama" is worth checking out. It's a concise, sweet story that strikes a balance between being long enough to engage and short enough to avoid feeling drawn out. While it may not leave a lasting impact, it offers a charming and lighthearted read.
This manga genuinely took me by surprise. I've delved into quite a number of romance mangas, and while this one isn't flawless, it certainly nails a lot of aspects.
First off, it sustains a consistent and comfortable romantic pace throughout the narrative, an element that so many others stumble on. It doesn't hasten to sexual intimacy, yet it doesn't make the reader wait endlessly for even the first eye contact. Additionally, it avoids long stretches where nothing significant occurs. The protagonists meet, form a relationship, and then something remarkable happens—it keeps evolving. Gradually but assuredly, with plenty of charming and romantic moments along the way.
Secondly, the characters and their interactions feel remarkably authentic. All the rivals, drama, and developments mirror ordinary people navigating their everyday lives, making sensible choices. There's no exaggerated escalation of tension or plot points that only work in fantastical settings. This authenticity was incredibly invigorating and delightful to experience.
Thirdly, this might be the sole romance manga I've encountered that addresses sexuality nearly perfectly, in my opinion. To clarify, I can be quite discerning about how authors tackle this subject. However, this manga neither rushes it nor shies away from the topic, nor resorts to contrived accidents to defer it repeatedly. It doesn't portray it as overly awkward or excessively graphic. Instead, it integrates it naturally into the romantic progression, rather than treating it as a mere story requirement. It's just... exceptionally well-handled.
I must point out that the manga isn't without its flaws, which is why my rating isn't perfect. The artwork is merely decent for the most part. That straightforward, realistic world I mentioned earlier does mean the story lacks extraordinary elements and won't likely captivate you instantly. Nevertheless, it's the storytelling execution where this manga truly shines.
In conclusion, Saruyama! is a direct, impressively crafted romance, definitely worth exploring for any aficionado of the genre.
Popular Reviews
Story:
First off, this manga is far from your average brainless shoujo. While I've always enjoyed romance in mangas, it's tough to find one that truly resonates with me. I can't stand the overused trope of the alpha-male rescuing the damsel in distress, or the nerdy/shy girl clichés. I prefer nice guys and girls, and realistic relationships where both partners are equals and work hard together. Believe it or not, those are surprisingly rare.
This story revolves around a cool, beautiful, and reserved girl who falls for an adorable, short, and innocent guy. They fall in love and become a couple fairly quickly in the first few chapters, and the rest of the manga focuses on the evolution of their relationship and the challenges they face.
The couple encounters some serious issues, but they're realistic—not the typical drama-fueled conflicts. The manga portrays them handling these problems in a mature way. Both parties put in the effort to resolve their issues together. There's minimal angst here, and none of the "noble idiocy" that's so common in other mangas. They consider each other's feelings and work things out. There's always a sense of optimism, but also a realistic understanding of what needs to be done to make their relationship work.
Art:
There are no overly exaggerated eyes with big eyelashes, which are typical in shoujo mangas. The realistic tone of this manga is reflected in its ordinary art style. There are no elaborate drawings; this manga won't become an artistic showpiece. However, I appreciate it because the art doesn't distract from the story. The dialogue is well-executed, making it easy to follow who's speaking and when.
Character:
The manga is told from the girl's perspective. Haruna is the daughter of a politician caught in a corruption scandal. She transfers from her prestigious school to a more rowdy high school, which she humorously refers to as a "school full of monkeys." She has a cool personality but isn't depressive—just reserved, which I absolutely adore. I'm tired of overly lively, cheerful girls or super shy ones who blush constantly, or overly sad characters. Despite her reserve, Haruna is completely assertive. She openly expresses her feelings, a trait that's surprisingly uncommon in shoujo heroines. Because she's so different from the guy, she sometimes unintentionally hurts him. However, she's sensitive to this and actively works to correct it, though the guy is usually understanding and often dismisses her apologies.
She falls in love with Machiru, who is short for a guy and about the same height as Haruna. He has the bright, cheerful personality that shoujo heroines typically have, but it's refreshing because he's the male lead this time. He gets teased a lot because of his height and is often likened to a baby monkey. He's an innocent yet unexpectedly mature guy. His cheerfulness doesn't stem from ignorance; he's happy because he chooses to focus on positive things. However, he's not the typical clueless shounen hero either. He's sensitive to Haruna's feelings and is always attentive to her mood. Haruna tends to keep her problems to herself, but he notices and bluntly asks her about them, offering help. Like Haruna, he's assertive and speaks his mind. He also genuinely helps Haruna with her problems in meaningful ways.
The manga centers solely on the couple. Side characters exist mainly to tease the couple and provide comic relief. Only Atsu, the guy's best friend who also falls for the girl, is developed further. I never liked Atsu, even though he isn't portrayed as a villain. The fact that he shows no remorse for pursuing his friend's girlfriend is unforgivable to me. He should at least feel guilty about it. Moreover, while he's friends with Macharu, he never does anything for him. He teases, torments, and laughs at Macharu, maintaining a superficial friendship since middle school. He disrespects Macharu by openly trying to steal Haruna, yet Macharu, being too much of a good guy, continues their friendship despite recognizing Atsu's intentions.
Enjoyment:
This manga seems tailor-made for my tastes. It's filled with romance and heart-pounding moments. There's just enough conflict to make it engaging, and enough humor to balance the tension and keep it enjoyable. The characters are thoughtful and genuinely kind.
Overall:
I adore this manga—it's nearly perfect. While I wish they had waited until marriage before becoming intimate, I understand that such ideals are less common these days. Thankfully, they only did it once in three years, keeping it relatively chaste. Nevertheless, I love the sincerity of these two. The manga has 31 chapters, but I would have loved more. There's still plenty of potential material for university life and married life.
They may be a clueless couple, but they are undeniably sweet, and the awkwardness between them feels genuine. The longing for love and the desire to bridge the gap resonates deeply. I also appreciated how family elements were woven in—the significance of gaining parental approval and the idea that love conquers all.
9/10
*SPOILER*
I WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS 10/10 UNTIL THE AUTHOR DECIDED TO HAND ATSU A MISERABLE OUTCOME!!! Sure, he attempted to meddle with Haruna and Macharu's relationship, but he was still a loyal friend to them. :----(((( The author should have granted Atsu the ending he truly deserved. </3
<p>
Shoujo romance can be a hit or miss, particularly when it comes to the usual tropes. The story often revolves around an unpopular girl catching the attention of the school's most popular and handsome guy, followed by loads of drama and questionable decisions, resulting in your standard shoujo romance manga. Of course, not all shoujo follows this formula; some manage to rise above the clichés. "Saruyama" is one such attempt, though it still retains a few familiar elements. Haruna transfers from a prestigious school to a regular public high school, where she meets the male lead, Macharu, and predictably, love blossoms.
What stood out to me as refreshing was that Macharu isn't your typical tall, good-looking shoujo protagonist. Instead, he's short and has an average appearance, while his best friend fits the mold of the classic tall, handsome womanizer. Macharu himself is refreshingly sincere, openly expressing his thoughts and feelings—a stark contrast to the communication-challenged, dense male leads I've grown accustomed to. Their relationship develops early on and progresses steadily throughout the manga's relatively short run, which is another pleasant surprise. Additionally, the manga handles the topic of intimacy maturely, with both characters choosing to wait for the right time before becoming intimate. This approach feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the exaggerated innocence found in many other manga.
Despite my praise, I gave this manga a 7 because it's not without its flaws. The side characters, particularly Haruna and Macharu's friend group, lack development and serve primarily as comic relief. Atsu, Macharu's best friend, comes across as a toxic presence, constantly trying to sabotage their relationship out of jealousy. This subplot becomes the central source of conflict, overshadowing any other potential drama, which tends to resolve within a single chapter. Moreover, the ending feels abrupt, leaving little closure.
That said, "Saruyama" is worth checking out. It's a concise, sweet story that strikes a balance between being long enough to engage and short enough to avoid feeling drawn out. While it may not leave a lasting impact, it offers a charming and lighthearted read.
<p>
First off, it sustains a consistent and comfortable romantic pace throughout the narrative, an element that so many others stumble on. It doesn't hasten to sexual intimacy, yet it doesn't make the reader wait endlessly for even the first eye contact. Additionally, it avoids long stretches where nothing significant occurs. The protagonists meet, form a relationship, and then something remarkable happens—it keeps evolving. Gradually but assuredly, with plenty of charming and romantic moments along the way.
Secondly, the characters and their interactions feel remarkably authentic. All the rivals, drama, and developments mirror ordinary people navigating their everyday lives, making sensible choices. There's no exaggerated escalation of tension or plot points that only work in fantastical settings. This authenticity was incredibly invigorating and delightful to experience.
Thirdly, this might be the sole romance manga I've encountered that addresses sexuality nearly perfectly, in my opinion. To clarify, I can be quite discerning about how authors tackle this subject. However, this manga neither rushes it nor shies away from the topic, nor resorts to contrived accidents to defer it repeatedly. It doesn't portray it as overly awkward or excessively graphic. Instead, it integrates it naturally into the romantic progression, rather than treating it as a mere story requirement. It's just... exceptionally well-handled.
I must point out that the manga isn't without its flaws, which is why my rating isn't perfect. The artwork is merely decent for the most part. That straightforward, realistic world I mentioned earlier does mean the story lacks extraordinary elements and won't likely captivate you instantly. Nevertheless, it's the storytelling execution where this manga truly shines.
In conclusion, Saruyama! is a direct, impressively crafted romance, definitely worth exploring for any aficionado of the genre.
<p>