Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge
Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless

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[edit: wrote this when I was very young. can't believe there's no delete option.]

It's kind of disappointing that there's currently only one review for this manga (ha, no it's not, it means that I'll be the one laughing in everyone's faces after it gets popular as an anime since I read it beforeee it was popular so SUCK IT) because I really do consider this manga worth all of the 10 stars I've just given it - it's hilarious, the characters are fun, the art is really pretty, etc. Keep in mind, though, that Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge is just a gag manga and so ... it's full of nothing but light-hearted humour. It has no real plotline. It's even less focused on the plot than Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is; it's not a romcom and barely even classifies as a slice of life. So I'm judging this manga based solely on what it's about; dumb humour. If you wanted something more substantial, then...I would still recommend reading this manga because hey, everybody likes laughing (hopefully).

First, the characters - Tanaka-kun is an almost scarily lazy person who will go to any lengths to do the least amount of work possible. For me, he was also one of the most lovable and relatable characters I've read about, and I've read and watched quite a lot of manga and anime. Then there's Oota - also a very lovable character. He's the opposite of Tanaka in the sense that he is a really hard-working and trustworthy guy that everyone relies on. Watching those two characters interact was where a lot of the humour and enjoyment came from, and although this is a gag manga and doesn't have much character development involved in it, the friendship (or if you're not only anime trash but also fujoshi trash like me, the romantic kimochi~~~ *´∀`* ) that Tanaka and Oota form over time is a pretty good subsitute.

Besides the two main characters, there are also three side characters who appear very frequently (technically five, but I can't write much about the other two since the scanning team on Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge is around 40 chapters behind) and these characters, despite some aspects of them being very typical anime stereotypes, are very fun to read about. This is probably because of the ways they interact with more eccentric characters like Tanaka-kun rather than because of their personal characteristics, but all the same, I think Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge still has a very colourful cast of characters.

(That and, one of them goes through character development that is actually surprisingly deep for a gag manga like this one.)

Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge's art isn't really anything special, especially since the standards for art are really high now, but at the same time there was something about the way this manga was drawn that was very attractive. The art style suits the characters and the story, especially the main character, Tanaka, who always looks just as bored and lazy as he's described to be, and fits the laid-back, casual mood of the manga itself.

The only thing I might point out about the art is that it's pretty clear that this mangaka can't really do backgrounds, or is too lazy to do them. For me this didn't affect the aesthetics that much, but if you're looking for detailed and meticulously drawn manga, then you might see this manga as being kind of disappointing.

As for my enjoyment - well, as you can probably tell from the multiple sentences in this review saying that I really liked this manga and that you should read it too, I also really enjoyed this manga. I honestly did laugh out loud numerous times while reading this and I'm very sure that you will as well, upon reading it. Although I suppose my enjoyment may have been enhanced by the fact that I'm a huge fujoshi, as I mentioned above (so ideyo!, all of you fujoshi filth, come read this~).

I'm aware that I've been praising this manga a lot throughout this review - maybe I'm being a little to lenient on its weak points, and maybe you're still very doubtful of the true quality of this manga, but just try it out. I promise you that all yaoi aside, this manga is still amazing, hilarious, and very worth your time.

I love this manga.

There really is no story, it's just an episodic slice of life. Despite the fact that there is no goal for the entire series, it somehow keeps the reader interested at all times. There wasn't a chapter/arc that I didn't like.

The art is actually amazing. The artist for this series is great at pulling off visual gags that even transfer well into the anime (which hopefully will get a second season). I love chibi-tanaka's eyes as well as normal-tanaka's eyes. All of the other defined characters stand out as well.

-Also, not to get sidetracked, but the animators for the ... anime also nailed the art. Perfect colorscheme and everything

The characters made the series. Tanaka and Oota work so well together and the friendship is so real between them that you almost forget that it's fictional. Miyano and Echizen are nearly complete foils of one another and they also work extremely well together. Shiraishi, the protagonist of a good amount of arcs, is also an amazing character. They are all excellent characters with believable personalities and interactions.

I enjoyed this series a lot. It was really funny and it was a slice-of-life that didn't entirely rely on slapstick or moe. It's honestly one of my favorite Manga I've ever read.

10/10 for sure.

Tanaka-kun is a manga that brings a smile to my face every time i read a character, because of the problems it usually show, they are not really a big deal and its about students living a day by day life which their only preoccupations are what i so about this thing or this other thing, nothing epic, nothing really serious going on like for example Sakuraso or things like that, just wholesome shit going on in almost every episode, to give an example of the amount of seriousness this has a character had a personality crisis because she couldn't be as lazy as Tanaka, ... or one that a character cannot seem to know what club to join, its normal students problems without a stress or a story going on that connects the plot or anything. What I'm trying to say its, a little fun thing to read that will make you smile and have zero stress becuase its not trying to teach you about life or anything like that.

Quick Summary:
This manga was enjoyable overall if you're looking for a fun, wholesome slice of life read which can fill up some leisure time on a weeknight or weekend. The characters are unique and add color to the overall comedy and plot of the story, and the comedy itself is incredibly consistent, wholesome and engaging.

Story - 6
Like many pure slice of life reads, the story doesn't have as much investment or noticeable progression compared to other genres such as romances or dramas. Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge aims at depicting a constant theme of fun and relaxation (much like the characters themselves) to the reader, showcasing ... a story that doesn't necessarily progress from a plot standpoint, but rather the growth of the characters and their relationships. Every chapter is something different - our fun characters are out doing different things resulting in different gags to the reader. As someone perhaps biased for a great plot which pulls readers in, this didn't shine as much, but understandably so as this wasn't the main focus of the manga. Additionally, the ending felt somewhat abrupt, but again - the "slice of life" excuse can come into play here.

Art - 8
The art was above average and really highlighted the elements of our characters - the "mean-looking" but kindhearted Oota and the lazy and tired Tanaka are just two of the many characters who have unique, simple yet engaging art which reflect who they are. Not-to-mention, the artwork is cute and easy to digest!

Characters - 8
One of the best part of this series is its cast - almost every main or supporting character within the story adds a tint of comedy thanks to their different personalities. The main character, Tanaka, shows a bit of growth, especially in regards to his relationship with Oota and Shiraishi. Afterall, when it comes to high school settings, character growth is something we all look for. Romantic elements are hinted between two of our main characters, and that itself is one of the main drivers for the overall growth we see.

Enjoyment/Overall - 8
If you're someone who wants a fun, enjoyable read and loves slice of life, look no further. The chapters are fast yet engaging with each hosting its own short story that adds to the overall series, and are independent of each other while others start its story right from the previous one.

Nice read, I just wish the plot progressed further!

To be honest, i love this series, read it when i had nothing to do, and sometimes laugh, but to be honest, i expect more from the heroine that maybe do "kokuhaku" to the hero, but anyways, i thanks to nozomi uda to make this type of series, it's kinda unique u know, when a boy that really sluggish do a daily activities as student, surrounded with a great friend. the problem that hero make, the things that he make is hillarious, and always has a solution of that problem.
if there any ova or any anime series for this manga, i hope there will ... be more romantic from what i said earlier.

buut yea, overall is 7.5

What a comfortable series. Not for binging, though.

"Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge" isn't something I should've binged at all. The series is all about looking at a blob type kid lazing around and interacting with his friends. There isn't that much of a story, it's just vignettes of the people the titular Tanaka knows. Since it isn't that interesting, what's there to watch it for? I don't know.

At this point, these kinds of slice of life seem to happen within the same school, just different classrooms. We simply look at the stupid problems that an extremely lazy person experiences, while giving the audience the same feeling ... of wanting to laze around. I'd say it doesn't tell a story in general, it just shows life for a somebody that could very well exist. I can understand the appeal, but if I was there when it was a weekly series, I might have enjoyed it more.

Nice comedic moments, I laughed sometimes. Nice character designs and moments with those characters that experience cute moments of brotherhood that I definitely projected my friends on. If I had to conclude my thoughts, it's like experiencing daily life with another friend group around your town and school. Fun, cute, stupid, with a terrible end of story, mini-conflict to confirm the friendship of the characters, it should be enjoyed with bite-sized chunks.

6/10, my way of looking at manga probably ruined the series, but I know how to approach this type of story for the future.