One Rejected, Twice Wanted

Pretty good for a sm*t novel. How do I put it… The ‘plot’ scenes are pretty ’unique’

Needs Isekai tag

At first, I wasn't interested in reading this. The cover art wasn't appealing, so I assumed the illustrations inside the manga would be lackluster. However, the artwork turned out to be quite impressive. Anyway, I found "Kimi wa Girlfriend" to be both humorous and adorable. One downside was that the issues were resolved a bit too effortlessly. Nevertheless, it was an excellent manga overall.

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Kimi wa Girl Friend.  
For a one-shot manga, this isn't entirely bad, but I can't exactly call it good either. [Read the synopsis]  
The characters show no development from beginning to end—this is where consistency becomes a flaw. There should have been some kind of twist, but there's none.  

Additionally, the girl is incredibly annoying. If you want to be friends with others, don't you know the basic rule—be nice to them?  

And the guy? Seriously? He's clearly not gay, so why overact? Don't pretend to be something you're not.  

I recommend this for those who are tired of reading GOOD mangas and need a break sometimes. ;) Here you go.

Yes, this is my very first review here on MAL, and I must admit, I'm surprised myself that it's for a manga I didn't initially intend to engage with. You see, I consider myself an anime enthusiast, so it felt more natural to imagine my debut review being for an anime rather than any manga.

However, this particular manga was so impressive that I felt compelled to give it the recognition it deserves. Just today—I haven’t slept yet, though technically it’s a new day—I purchased a copy from a second-hand manga store. I dove right into reading it, and within about three hours, I found myself reflecting, "Well, that was genuinely good. Quite unique." I've explored many popular mangas in the past, but this one stands out because I experienced it in its physical form, not online. It’s also fairly short, yet it delivered a sense of overall satisfaction.

So, why did I award it such a high score? The story truly caught me off guard. When I picked it up from the shelf, I had no idea what to expect beyond the title and cover art. I bought the raw version, which meant no English synopsis to guide me. So, I plunged into it, piecing together as much Japanese as I could comprehend. And wow, who would have guessed Kirie would turn out to be "that" kind of character? It sparked an intense curiosity about what would happen next, earning it a perfect 10 in my book. Additionally, the artwork deserves a 10 as well—it significantly enhances the enjoyment, reminiscent of how "The Last: Naruto the Movie" conveys atmosphere and mood. Lastly, the characters are awarded a 10 too; they're incredibly distinctive. Overall, the story captivated me so thoroughly that I felt justified in giving it a flawless score, especially considering its brevity.

I'm not one to hold back when rating, so if an anime or manga resonates with me enough that I know I'd re-watch or re-read it without hesitation, it gets a 10. And that's exactly what this manga achieved.

Kimi wa Girlfriend / You're My Girlfriend: This is a story about a high-school girl who struggles with some personality issues, which have left her without any friends—until she meets a guy. However, there’s a twist... he's gay. How will their lives unfold? Will it lead to a happily-ever-after or a situation spiraling out of control?!

[Story - 10] The plot of Kimi wa Girlfriend truly captivated me. I found it fascinating to explore whether two people so different could actually get along. While this kind of storyline might be somewhat common in manga, it remains intriguing in its own special way. In this instance, we have a tough girl raised among older brothers and a gentle boy surrounded by older sisters.

[Art - 9] The artwork in this manga is exceptional. Typically, manga art tends to be detailed, especially when it comes to intricate hair designs, but this book takes it to another level. The expressions perfectly match the setting and scenarios, and they can sometimes be hilariously exaggerated. The clean panel layouts and humorous side conversations add an extra layer of enjoyment.

[Character - 10] Usually, female characters in manga are portrayed as kind and sweet, but the protagonist here completely shattered my expectations. She is the total opposite of the usual feminine archetype. The unexpected twists in the character development kept me guessing at every turn. The author did an incredible job making the characters unpredictable, keeping the story fresh and exciting throughout.

[Overall - 10] Without a doubt, this deserves a solid 10. I was hooked from the very first page to the last. The author clearly knows how to craft a compelling narrative that satisfies readers while leaving them eager for more.

You're My Girlfriend was genuinely excellent! I'm pleased to say I never dropped it! (Though that might be because it's so brief =))  

Story 10/10: The storyline is quite impressive. I loved the ending; it was charming.  

Art 8/10: I'd give the art an eight. While the visuals fit well, some facial expressions didn't appeal to me, which slightly bothered me.  

Characters 10/10: The character development was as solid as one could expect from a very short manga. I particularly enjoyed the main male character, Kirie, who had the most amusing habit I've ever come across in a story. Additionally, I appreciated Hatsune's obnoxious personality, as I can relate to being like that occasionally (though not to Hatsune's extent ^_^).  

Enjoyment 10/10: I truly adored this! Although I wish it were longer, the concise conclusion feels fitting.  

Overall 10/10: Absolutely! I enjoyed every aspect, from the obnoxious behavior, the cunning characters, the male leads (=}), and everything else.  

It's a fantastic read for anyone with some free time who enjoys adorable stories.

Story 6/10  
The concept isn't particularly original, and the plot follows a predictable path. There are some humorous moments, but overall, it's just your average romance between a tsundere and an honest person.  

Art 7/10  
The art doesn't stand out as exceptional, but I genuinely appreciate the style.  

Characters 5/10  
It follows the basic formula: one character has a flaw (in this case, being dishonest) and a goal (to make girl-friends). Then they meet someone extraordinary, and I'll refrain from spoiling the rest. The two main characters are polar opposites—a classic trope—and both carry their own issues. In most similar manga, the characters overcome these challenges and grow into better people, but this one is too brief to allow for such development, making the characters rather dull.  

Overall 6/10  
While the characters are unremarkable, the art lacks distinction, and the story is predictable, it remains an easy read. There are occasional funny moments, and the side characters bring a bit of charm. In summary, it's a predictable, clichéd tale, but its brevity makes it a pleasant in-between read.