I'll attempt to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible...
Story: 6
Let's kick off with the positive points:
The story revolves around ninjas, but not in the Naruto style. Instead, it portrays ninjas more as clan-based bodyguards, which I found both realistic and intriguing. Another appealing aspect is the development of romance, which I felt was well-paced—not rushed. Many shojo manga I've read tend to accelerate the romance too quickly, but this one allowed me to connect with the characters and understand their mutual attraction, particularly from the male lead's perspective. That said, some readers might find the pacing suspenseful or frustrating, so if you're impatient, be prepared for that.
On the downside:
It took a while for the actual plot to kick in, and the development of the relationship might feel slow to some. Additionally, while the story has plenty of twists, a few were so convoluted that I struggled to follow them. Nonetheless, overall, it stands out as better than many shojo manga from its era. Most mysteries are resolved by the end.
Art: 8
The artwork is fantastic—gorgeous, eye-catching shojo-style visuals (not the subpar kind). It began with a somewhat comical tone and improved significantly as the series progressed.
Characters: 8
The male lead is arguably the main reason I enjoyed this manga. On the surface, he appears shy and adorable, genuinely opposed to violence, yet when it comes to protecting the female lead, he will go to any lengths and remain unwaveringly loyal. Without giving too much away, there’s a moment where you truly grasp his character despite his actions.
The female lead initially seems like an annoying tsundere/princess type who doesn’t care about the devoted male lead. However, her behavior has valid reasons, and over time, she matures. Overall, I believe there’s clear character growth, though whether it’s executed perfectly is debatable. As for the supporting cast, they’re fairly typical shojo characters, but none are overly irritating (though they might seem so at first).
Enjoyment: 9
Despite its flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. My fondness for nice-yet-badass characters probably contributed to this—especially since the male lead fits my ideal type.
Overall: 8
While it doesn’t quite merit a 9, I appreciated this shojo manga enough that a 7 feels too low. If you enjoy suspenseful drama, give it a shot. However, if you're seeking a master-bodyguard rom-com or Naruto-style ninja action, this isn’t it. If you're interested in something akin to Nabari no Ou, this shares similarities in being more character-driven than action-focused.
STORY:
I picked up this manga for two reasons: my love for ninjas and my appreciation of the mangaka's work in "Issho ni Neyou yo."
"Teru Teru x Shounen" moves at a snail's pace. While there are ninja-related moments, most of the narrative centers on politics, legacy, and freedom. The overused "bird in a cage" metaphor makes frequent appearances in the later chapters.
The writing was predictable yet engaging. I found myself forming educated guesses about character identities. I'd think, "This person is probably the villain," and I'd be correct, but their motives would still catch me off guard. One appealing aspect of this manga is that wrongdoing isn't presented in black-and-white terms; even the heroes engage in deceitful actions.
All the lies, betrayals, and family drama give this manga a melodramatic, soap opera-like feel. Around the fifty-chapter mark, the mangaka introduced an element that felt wildly out of place. I had to roll my eyes. While I don't mind a touch of fantasy, the manga had been mostly realistic (apart from the animal-user aspect) until then. Thankfully, no other such jarring moments followed.
Similar to "Issho ni Neyo yo," the story became confusing during climactic points. At times, it felt too bleak, which didn't help sustain my interest. Despite this, the story is well-written but not particularly captivating for me.
CHARACTERS:
While I liked the characters, none of them stood out as favorites. If I had to choose, I enjoyed Shou more than anyone else. Initially, I disliked Chiyo, but she proved to be the most level-headed and capable character. Saizou added sweetness to the cast. As a ninja, he excelled in combat and protection while growing stronger without becoming cruel.
Shinobu served as a catalyst for the events around her. I'm neutral toward her—I neither like nor dislike her—but her family situation was genuinely sad. Sasuke was a strong character, and I'm glad he was Saizou's friend.
The twins, Harumi and Kenzou (?), were forgettable but decent. I did enjoy the ninja kids, Daisuke and Rokuta!
Yuuri came across as unreasonable. The so-called villains were an interesting bunch, though they may not fully qualify as such.
ART:
I appreciated the art greatly. Saizou and Shouko are visually stunning. I liked how the characters' faces matured gradually. Whether this was intentional on the mangaka's part or not, it was a wonderful addition.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Romance took a backseat, likely due to the "shounen" in the title and the life-threatening situations faced by Saizou and Shinobu. I'm glad there were no true love rivals (Chiyo seems to tease rather than genuinely compete). The few kisses and hugs between Saizou and Shinobu are heartwarming.
On the other hand, the romance involving Shouko, Shinobu's mother, and "that guy" was delightful to witness. It's unfortunate that circumstances transformed Shouko into someone cold and unfeeling.
OVERALL:
Can you believe all 65 chapters have been translated except for the last one? Without the final chapter, I can only say that this manga was okay. Finishing it was a challenge, but the story itself is good.
Popular Reviews
Story: 6
Let's kick off with the positive points:
The story revolves around ninjas, but not in the Naruto style. Instead, it portrays ninjas more as clan-based bodyguards, which I found both realistic and intriguing. Another appealing aspect is the development of romance, which I felt was well-paced—not rushed. Many shojo manga I've read tend to accelerate the romance too quickly, but this one allowed me to connect with the characters and understand their mutual attraction, particularly from the male lead's perspective. That said, some readers might find the pacing suspenseful or frustrating, so if you're impatient, be prepared for that.
On the downside:
It took a while for the actual plot to kick in, and the development of the relationship might feel slow to some. Additionally, while the story has plenty of twists, a few were so convoluted that I struggled to follow them. Nonetheless, overall, it stands out as better than many shojo manga from its era. Most mysteries are resolved by the end.
Art: 8
The artwork is fantastic—gorgeous, eye-catching shojo-style visuals (not the subpar kind). It began with a somewhat comical tone and improved significantly as the series progressed.
Characters: 8
The male lead is arguably the main reason I enjoyed this manga. On the surface, he appears shy and adorable, genuinely opposed to violence, yet when it comes to protecting the female lead, he will go to any lengths and remain unwaveringly loyal. Without giving too much away, there’s a moment where you truly grasp his character despite his actions.
The female lead initially seems like an annoying tsundere/princess type who doesn’t care about the devoted male lead. However, her behavior has valid reasons, and over time, she matures. Overall, I believe there’s clear character growth, though whether it’s executed perfectly is debatable. As for the supporting cast, they’re fairly typical shojo characters, but none are overly irritating (though they might seem so at first).
Enjoyment: 9
Despite its flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. My fondness for nice-yet-badass characters probably contributed to this—especially since the male lead fits my ideal type.
Overall: 8
While it doesn’t quite merit a 9, I appreciated this shojo manga enough that a 7 feels too low. If you enjoy suspenseful drama, give it a shot. However, if you're seeking a master-bodyguard rom-com or Naruto-style ninja action, this isn’t it. If you're interested in something akin to Nabari no Ou, this shares similarities in being more character-driven than action-focused.
I picked up this manga for two reasons: my love for ninjas and my appreciation of the mangaka's work in "Issho ni Neyou yo."
"Teru Teru x Shounen" moves at a snail's pace. While there are ninja-related moments, most of the narrative centers on politics, legacy, and freedom. The overused "bird in a cage" metaphor makes frequent appearances in the later chapters.
The writing was predictable yet engaging. I found myself forming educated guesses about character identities. I'd think, "This person is probably the villain," and I'd be correct, but their motives would still catch me off guard. One appealing aspect of this manga is that wrongdoing isn't presented in black-and-white terms; even the heroes engage in deceitful actions.
All the lies, betrayals, and family drama give this manga a melodramatic, soap opera-like feel. Around the fifty-chapter mark, the mangaka introduced an element that felt wildly out of place. I had to roll my eyes. While I don't mind a touch of fantasy, the manga had been mostly realistic (apart from the animal-user aspect) until then. Thankfully, no other such jarring moments followed.
Similar to "Issho ni Neyo yo," the story became confusing during climactic points. At times, it felt too bleak, which didn't help sustain my interest. Despite this, the story is well-written but not particularly captivating for me.
CHARACTERS:
While I liked the characters, none of them stood out as favorites. If I had to choose, I enjoyed Shou more than anyone else. Initially, I disliked Chiyo, but she proved to be the most level-headed and capable character. Saizou added sweetness to the cast. As a ninja, he excelled in combat and protection while growing stronger without becoming cruel.
Shinobu served as a catalyst for the events around her. I'm neutral toward her—I neither like nor dislike her—but her family situation was genuinely sad. Sasuke was a strong character, and I'm glad he was Saizou's friend.
The twins, Harumi and Kenzou (?), were forgettable but decent. I did enjoy the ninja kids, Daisuke and Rokuta!
Yuuri came across as unreasonable. The so-called villains were an interesting bunch, though they may not fully qualify as such.
ART:
I appreciated the art greatly. Saizou and Shouko are visually stunning. I liked how the characters' faces matured gradually. Whether this was intentional on the mangaka's part or not, it was a wonderful addition.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Romance took a backseat, likely due to the "shounen" in the title and the life-threatening situations faced by Saizou and Shinobu. I'm glad there were no true love rivals (Chiyo seems to tease rather than genuinely compete). The few kisses and hugs between Saizou and Shinobu are heartwarming.
On the other hand, the romance involving Shouko, Shinobu's mother, and "that guy" was delightful to witness. It's unfortunate that circumstances transformed Shouko into someone cold and unfeeling.
OVERALL:
Can you believe all 65 chapters have been translated except for the last one? Without the final chapter, I can only say that this manga was okay. Finishing it was a challenge, but the story itself is good.