*sniff sniff* I'm so glad this one stood up the test of time!

I started reading this one... in high school I think. It was one of my first manga I bought. I remember because I bought it on something called the Boekenfestijn and that year they only had one small table of manga. I already started reading manga online so I was very excited I could finally buy some! I didn't got the first one then. I do remember that but once I stared reading... That was it. This manga series was also the longest I tried to collect all. I once bought a few volumes in Spanish (?) because of false information but I forgot I had it and couldn't return it when I finally came around to reading.

I did noticed just now that the first volume reads as a stand alone. Also I have to be careful with the paperback because I broke the spine!

For an short manga story it sure packs a punch and I'm very glad to reread this one while I'm better at adulting. ( )

There's a bit less comedy in this volume then there is in the anime - and I'd definitely consider that a detriment to the work, rather then a bonus. I still enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say that this was superior to the show.

Also, the volume takes a weird detour away from the main story to two other characters which didn't appear at any point in the show. Is this just a one-and-done chapter to pad the volume, or something else? ( )

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Title: Kare Kano: His & Her Circumstances #1
Series: Kare Kano: His & Her Circumstances #1
Author: Masami Tsuda
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 192
Format: Digital Edition

Synopsis:

Yukino Miyazawa is an average girl who works excessively hard to present a perfect social image. Her true identity is discovered by her rival, Soichiro Arima who blackmails her into helping him maintain his status as the perfect student. Their interactions cause Yukino to fall in love with Soichiro who likewise, discovers his true personality under his stoic facade. Soichiro begins to express angst in his new personality, believing he will become like his abusive parents. However, Yukino comforts him and Soichiro confesses his love to her in response.

There is a smaller second story about a young woman who hides because she is afraid and a young man who accidentally gets involved in her life. She begins to learn to not be afraid and he begins to learn to think about other people instead of just brushing them aside.

My Thoughts:

Given that this is my third time reading this you'd think I'd remember more beyond knowing it is a highschool drama. But nope, not a bleeding thing. So this was like reading it for the first time.

First off, I appear to have a soft spot for highschool drama, even while castigating it and rolling my eyes. Otherwise I can't explain why I enjoyed this so much. Two 15 year olds filled with young pride and angst learning to navigate Life and thinking that nobody before them has ever encountered the same horrible problems that are currently destroying their lives. Hahahahahaa.

I am not expecting to be able to make it through the whole series even while I really enjoyed this volume. The second couple's story I think sets the theme for the whole series. The two main characters and their issues and then side stories about ancillary characters.

Not a bad way to spend an hour or so.

★★★★☆ ( )

2007 Review:

Kare Kano #1-3 (His & Her Circumstances) "perfect" girl meets "perfect" guy. Both discover the other is a fake, fall in love and try to balance school, being perfect and being themselves."

Review- A cute and funny high school romance. Yukino's inner thoughts are great but I wanted more from Soichiro. Towards the end of the volume we get to see some into his tragic past but I want more character development from him in the next volume. Yukino has some great development in this first volume. And I believe that her changes are real. She has to deal with someone getting to see the 'real' her that she is not proud of and what that means to her. Of course young love makes everything more dramatic but it was a fun read and I am looking forward to seeing where this long series goes.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. ( )