Mitsurou Kubo

This volume is basically “we’re getting the band back together.” Everyone’s trying recruit some of the past members to the ouendan. We get introduced to Tatsuhiko who is a meek and a little hand-grabby, some of it stems from his more touchy-feely Western upbringing and the other from not respecting Usami’s personal space (it’s played for laughs but comes off really creepy). Suga, basically 2nd-in-command, who is staunchly sexist and doesn’t believe Usami should be a member at all.

This series isn’t bad, but I can’t bring myself to care about the ouendan. It just doesn’t capture my interest. However, I did like Imamura struggles with self-acceptance, lonliness, and the lack of memories/friends he never had a chance to make before. When he gets down on himself, wondering if anyone even wants him around and if all he does is ruin things, it will be relatable to a lot of readers though CRINGY at some points.

2.5 - 3

Review of volume 1… (meer)

A time-travel yarn along the lines of Groundhog Day and It's a Wonderful Life, our hero Imamura has spent the previous eleven volumes getting do-over chances for his high school years that he originally spent as a loner/shut-in. He has grasped onto the school's nearly defunct pep squad as the means to make his life more meaningful by making friends and having the noble goal of bringing the ouendan back into popularity.

There have been some ups and downs along the way, but I've mostly enjoyed this series thanks to the characters and art. Alas, it all goes to crap as the time travel aspects get all tangled and jumbled and come to an unsatisfying ending that seems needlessly confusing and unfinished.… (meer)