Hunt or be Haunted (BL)

"Monkey High" is the kind of manga you'd pick up for its simplicity. It offers a gentle exploration of high school romance and stands out with its unique characterizations.  

I appreciated how the central relationship differs greatly from what's typically found in teen manga; their challenges and experiences feel genuinely relatable as you read through them.  

Regarding the art, it's straightforward—there were moments when I wasn't fond of the rough line work—but overall, it's neither terrible nor spectacular. The style suits the story well enough.  

<p>

A story about a frat girl and the boy crowned the silliest in school—affectionately nicknamed "monkey." It's more or less an original take, but what truly shines is the character development and creation, which had me laughing while also delivering a touch of heartfelt moments (though nothing too heavy).  

Everyone in this tale has their quirks; they're endearing antiques who somehow complement each other. There's even a clash between the new high-esteemed transfer student and a classroom full of foolhardy characters (HAR HAR—no one takes things seriously here). Each character has distinct traits that you'll grow to adore, even when they occasionally turn against one another.  

To be honest, it wasn't the romance that kept me hooked—it was the humor! Expect plenty of sophomoric jokes, childish themes, pranks, name-calling, and other immature antics. What did you expect? The title says "Monkey High," after all. But don't let that deter you—it's hilariously funny. Just don't anticipate the main male protagonist being glorified here because he's often the punchline.  

When it comes to love dynamics, I always found myself rooting for the innocent guy. He may come off as a bit dim-witted at times, but his sincerity and hard work make up for it. Don't expect grand romantic gestures from him though—I'm only on volume 5, so there's still much to unfold. It's challenging to see him as a "masculine" figure (he's about the same height as the female lead), and for now, he reads more like a "boy" than a man.  

In conclusion, I'd recommend this if you're looking for some laughs. Easy, carefree laughs, at least.

After checking out the recommendations page for Lovely Complex — a manga that holds a special place in my heart and which I recently finished re-reading — I was directed to Saruyama!, and because of that, I both expected and wanted to enjoy this. I really did. But even though this is my second attempt at giving this manga a chance, and despite having read four chapters this time (one more than my previous try), I simply can't bring myself to continue. While I don't exactly *hate* this series, I find it hard to push forward.  

To be honest, this manga feels dull at times, occasionally veering into clichéd and lackluster territory. It moves far too quickly, which undermines its potential. Masaru/Macharu does seem like someone who could easily capture another person's affection due to his personality, making Haruna's feelings somewhat understandable. However, the rushed progression of their relationship and the minimal buildup detract from that appeal. Additionally, the manga tends to be overly dramatic, with nearly every event blown out of proportion as if it must become a spectacle designed for an audience rather than driven by genuine emotion. Everyone introduced so far seems to play a role in these exaggerated scenes, leaving little room for the rare quiet moments where character depth and familiarity might otherwise develop. This loudness makes it difficult to focus on those subtler aspects. It's unfortunate because I believe I could have enjoyed this manga if only it had been paced more deliberately and didn't feel the need to put every other occurrence on display.  

The main characters do seem fairly interesting, though not enough to hold my attention given the issues I've mentioned. I like the concept of a couple like Macharu and Haruna, but their execution here falls short for me.  

That said, I'm not claiming this is a bad manga or that it shouldn't be read. Not at all. Clearly, based on other reviews, there are readers who feel differently, and that's perfectly valid. However, if you're a reader like me who values gradual character development, story growth, and relationship evolution over time, as well as patience in delivery, then this may not align with your preferences.

When I initially came across this manga, I wasn't engaged in reading another one, and for some reason, it just drew my attention. I'm not sure why. The storyline seemed typical, and the title was peculiar. Nonetheless, I thought, why not? So, I began reading, and by about three pages in, I was utterly captivated by this manga.  

Story - 9/10  

The story might have been conventional, but there was a certain charm to it that grabbed my focus. As for the plot... well, there really isn't a complex one. It's a genuine slice-of-life narrative. The story primarily follows the main characters and their romance, showcasing how they navigate various situations frequently encountered in shoujo mangas. There is a subtle love triangle, but it complements the story well.  

Art - 10/10  

The art is stunning and graceful. I adore it. The characters are beautifully illustrated (the kiss scenes are incredibly sweet), and the overall visual presentation is breathtaking.  

Characters - 10/10  

The characters were definitely what hooked me. I fell deeply in love with them. The romance between the protagonists was sweet, genuine, and extraordinary, and I believe it was what made me cherish it so much. It was enjoyable witnessing Haruna's emotional growth as a character, and her relationship with Macharu is refreshing. Macharu's protective nature toward Haruna is absolutely adorable. The realistic humor in the manga will make you laugh, and you'll undoubtedly fall in love with them.  

Enjoyment - 10/10  

This manga was crafted beautifully and tenderly, and the art and characters will steal your heart. This manga has undoubtedly risen to the top of my favorites list, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a delightful read.

<p>I first read this as a young teen and decided to re-read it as an adult, enjoying it just as much. I specifically mention this to emphasize that it appeals to a wide age range. The story follows a fairly typical shojo narrative, not particularly epic, aligning with other school-based shojo manga in terms of plot. However, what I love is that the relationship between the characters is established early on, instead of 80% of the series focusing on their friendship, emotional development, and eventual romance, which seems to be a more common approach in similar stories. I appreciated how the focus remained on their relationship, their growth together, and their deepening understanding of each other, given their contrasting personalities. The art style features crisp lines, everything feels well-placed, and it's easily recognizable as the mangaka's work, avoiding the "same-face syndrome." I enjoyed the diversity among the characters and their interactions, especially within the main trio. With 8 volumes, though, I think there could have been more character development for recurring characters. For instance, it would have been nice to see Haruna socializing with friends beyond her boyfriend and his best friend. While she interacts with them in group settings, one-on-one interactions with classmates would have added depth. That said, I really appreciated the growth of the two main characters! On a side note, I found the mangaka's handling of Macharu's teenage hormonal issues refreshing. It wasn't overdone, felt realistic, and contributed positively to his character development (yes, it sounds odd, but trust me, it works).</p>

I'm still in the process of reading this manga, but I have absolutely fallen in love with it after only seven chapters. When I first saw the cover, I was a bit put off by the art style, which is different from what I usually prefer, but the plot synopsis seemed interesting enough, so I decided to give it a try.  

Story: 6  
The plot is somewhat simplistic and run-of-the-mill, in my opinion. The two main characters get together by chapter two or three, leaving the story without an overarching sense of anticipation or suspense. However, each chapter presents its own issue or hurdle for the couple to overcome, which keeps the reader engaged in Macharu and Aizawa's relationship.  

One redeeming factor of the manga is that while the plot isn't extremely gripping, it avoids the overly exaggerated and frustrating scenarios typical of many shoujo works—the overly dramatized "drama." Neither of the main characters is hiding some deep, dark secret from the other. There is trouble in Aizawa's family life, particularly concerning her father, but so far, it hasn't significantly impacted her ability to be with Macharu.  

Overall, the story is light and enjoyable, offering a refreshing break from more complicated and exhausting shoujo romance stories.  

Art: 7  
While not breathtaking or particularly remarkable, the art in this manga has a soft quality that perfectly complements the story and characters. The characters' expressions are more realistic than in most manga I've read. As I mentioned earlier, I was initially a little deterred by the art style, but as is often the case with many manga, once I started reading, I became more drawn in by the character relationships and the story than the art itself.  

Character: 8  
I am thoroughly impressed by the characters in this story. They feel more like ordinary people than the lovestruck girls and arrogant, lust-driven boys commonly found in typical shoujo manga. While I admit to enjoying those character types as well, the simplicity and innocence of Macharu and Aizawa have their own charm. It's incredibly satisfying to find a story in the shoujo genre that focuses more on the relationship between the two lead characters than their physical attraction.  

Enjoyment: 8  
If you're looking for a cute manga to casually browse during your free time, this is it. The slow pace suits a casual reader who might set it aside for several days before returning to it. The pace makes it easy to simply enjoy the manga for the pleasure of reading it. There's no urgency to rush to the next chapter to resolve some overly dramatic breakup scene or similar scenario.  

Overall: 7  
This is a good manga for light reading on the side. The absence of convoluted plotlines gives it a very sincere atmosphere. Its simplicity in character and story will leave the reader with a wholesome satisfaction at the end of each chapter. All in all, it's a great choice for those seeking an escape from the typical over-sexualized shoujo love story.

I picked up the first volume of "Monkey High" and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was light-hearted and entertaining, filled with plenty of adorable moments. However, it seemed to lack direction. Perhaps the remaining three volumes might bring something new, but from my point of view, volumes 3 to 5 just repeat the same concepts over and over again. The characters don't appear to develop, and I eventually lost interest.

Story - Our protagonist switches schools, moving from an elite institution to a regular one after her father, a former politician, is sent to prison. She's distant and unapproachable at first, not engaging with her peers. But she begins to open up, largely due to Michuru, a diminutive, monkey-like boy in her class. This manga primarily tracks the evolving relationship between the beautiful girl and the monkey boy, along with their classmates. It's a pleasant narrative, certainly gentle. Yet, that gentleness contributes to my issue. The initial volumes establish the groundwork, and then... nothing significant occurs!

Art - The artwork is decent. Michuru successfully embodies both monkey-like features and human traits simultaneously, which is impressive. However, the art isn't particularly distinctive.

Characters - The characters are agreeable. The main ones are well-crafted, and there are others I'd love to learn more about (Haruka's dad, for instance!). Unfortunately, while the minor characters frequently appear, they're rather forgettable. This wasn't a manga where the personalities of the two or three primary characters could sustain the story on their own.

Enjoyment/Overall - As you've likely gathered, I was somewhat let down by this series. It had the potential to be a charming tale, yet it lacks progression. My patience for reading the same events repeatedly has its limits, and by volume five, I'd reached mine. Other reviews have highlighted greater satisfaction, but I'm eager to explore other options.

I really enjoyed it. While the storyline of a new girl transferring to school, guys liking her, and her falling in love isn't very original, the characters are humorous and make it worthwhile.  

Haruna developed well as a character and as a person.  

The characters are all likable and behave in predictable ways, without any majorly bad decisions or overly dramatic moments.  

Overall, I thought it was fantastic, and Masaru deserved that ending. The fact that he's so short actually adds to the manga's originality.  

To be honest, I absolutely love that the funny friend is the protagonist instead of the typical tall, dark, and handsome type.