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This review is written while Volume 7 of the Manga (the middle of Ajisai's Arc) and Volume 5 of the Light Novel (The "sports festival" Arc) are being released. Despite the many gripes I have with the series, I want to make this spoiler-free to encourage people to read this review before they read the manga.

This manga is unabashedly not serious about being a compelling drama or romance. It is, however, really good at convincing you that there is something beneath the surface. WataNare (the shortened name of this manga) centers around a bog standard "girl who doesn't think she's good enough" getting to know ... the most beautiful bestest girls. The first volume keeps to a frankly ludicrous plot, with a main love interest (besides being beautiful) having no other qualities then wanting to have nsfw time with our main character. I don't even want to get into the obviously problematic behavior she exhibits. This sets up the expectation that we'll keep a bizarre, lighthearted tone throughout the series, but it won't last.

Starting from the second character arc, the author really wants you to believe that characters will be moved into the plot and developed. Some of these characters are played straight for sometime, having interesting motivations and showing vulnerability, developing a relationship with the reader. Then you are pulled back to reality. The character gets re-flattened and strewn about to fulfill the narrative of "plain MC just can't choose between all these gorgeous women". Most of the time (we do have exceptions), the main cast has nothing to do until it's time for MC Renako to be nice to them and start the character arc. Just when you think the narrative is getting serious, just when you think the series is dropping its comedy harem pretense for an interesting story about admiration, selfishness, and connection, the rug will be pulled under you.

If you want a fun romp with a group of cute girls falling head over heels for each other, read something that commits to that. If you want to examine characters and their complicated relationships with each other, read something that commits to that. The story wants to have its cake and eat it too, which is actually extremely fitting and funny for people who have read past Volume 4 of the Light Novel.

WataNare got me hooked on a feeling. I wish these characters existed in another manga, one that treats them with more respect.

Although the manga is over, the story of "Chasing After Aoi Koshiba" has not reached a formative end. The first volume set up the dynamic between our main character, a popular girl, straddling with her feelings for her equally popular classmate Aoi, who has a seemingly uninteresting friend group. The second volume fleshes out these characters and the third volume adds a pseudo resolution to our main characters story arc. The fourth volume abruptly concludes the story, leaving a gaping hole in the reader's chest.

There are countless story threads that are set up in the first three volumes that will never be tied up. ... In the first page of the manga, we set up the expectation that we will learn about six female characters, but we only get four. The story relegates two of its supporting characters into nothing more than set dressing. One male character, at least, does get upgraded and becomes a prominent part of the middle volumes. The author perfectly sets up a story relating to how two characters who should hate each other become best friends in early adult hood, but nothing comes of it.

This manga was shaping up to be an above average romance story. The intrigue set in after the first volume. We had interesting stories and interesting conflicts. I was an avid fan, even though it wasn't heavily talked about.

It's hard to recommend something that feels like it abruptly ended. I don't want to say that the manga is not worth it, because there is a lot to like about the cast and the narrative, but why read something that will let you down? Who knows, you might think the ending is perfectly satisfying, but I'm sure most people who get invested in this manga will continue to daydream about what could have been.

The Gender of Mona Lisa creates a wonderfully interesting premise...and plays it fairly straight.

The characters are varied without padding in too much. Most characters have a purpose. The lead male and female characters foil each other well without becoming polar opposites. The side characters create plot points that push the core themes of the story. The whole thing feels very tight-knit, creating scenarios that help characters move along. Each love interest gets to learn something about love through friends, both stories sharing the common theme of queerness. The female lead's friend shares how she lost feelings of her crush after they became female. The male ... leads friend shares his romantic feelings for his male best friend. We even get some chapters dedicated to this character! Our main character isn't a slouch either. They have their own journey, not entirely drenched in the drama between their romantic rivals.

If we take a closer look, I admit that the story is fairly simple. The main character is forced to make a big decision and experiences life toiling through the troubles of gender. Its done fairly well, but doesn't stand out in a dramatic way. Other stories have more grit, more bite when dealing with these topics. The premise of people choosing their gender at 13 is an amazingly interesting concept to me that I crave more stories in this universe. Why are queer couples still considered taboo in this universe? If the main character's central conflict is so reliant on experiencing gender norms, what created these norms in the first place. Do people regret the gender they chose when they were 13? Do some parents force their children to be a certain gender? There are so many different stories to be told and concepts to explore that I'm surprised the author only really cares about this aspect in terms of the main character Hinase.

I think the most frustrating part is the ending. The "end" of the manga is a branching off point of different stories. Hinase becomes a girl and dates Ritsu. Hinase becomes a girl and dates Shiori. Hinase becomes a guy and dates Ritsu. Hinase becomes a guy and dates Shiori. Doing this was fun, but playing all sides safely is way less interesting than looking at Hinase and figuring our what his/her path would be in the future. What are their struggles after their choice? What happens to the relationship between Ritsu and Shiori.

The art is above average without being too unique or interesting. It doesn't blow you away, but it does a remarkable job. I never once thought a page felt plain, or that things weren't properly conveyed.

To get it over with, "The Gender of Mona Lisa" gives a unique take on a classic love story. We have something refreshing and good, but it lacks in those moments that make you think, or make you cry. It's important to have moments that make you stop reading for a moment and reflect. A story of self discovery really needs this.

"Stalkers" is an anthology series with a mix of one-off stories and reoccurring characters. The reading is light and never too dower, so don't expect too much drama. Some stories lean in on a sense of comedy and hijinks, revolving around the stalker (or sometimes stalked) trying to achieve some kind of useless goal. Other stories take a more down to earth and serious approach, tackling feelings of longing or apathy towards love. The reoccurring stories are fleshed out enough where I wouldn't mind reading them again as part of a complete series, rather than a couple chapters of an anthology.

The art is perfectly ... fine, being expressive and detailed. Hanatsuka Shiori tends to write about Idols or Cooking, but I would like to see more dramatic work from author/artist.

All in all, this manga keeps me interested while still being easy to digest.

Ookami Shounen, or its English title "The boy who cried wolf tells another lie today", doesn't break out of the mold it conveniently settled in, but in spite of its simple plot and incredibly simple characters, I never stopped reading until I was finished.

The situation that the protagonist, Itsuki, gets himself into is intriguing. The premise of a character getting closer to someone through a gender-bend has been done many times before, and this manga doesn't do anything remotely different, but that wasn't much of a problem for me. The artwork is fluffy and nice. The whole cast of characters are enjoyable to read ... about. In summary, Ookami Shounen is a fun romance.

I decided to write this review on the same day I finished the manga, but the honeymoon period will wear off, and I will grow to be more honest. Ookami Shounen does not inspire. The crossdressing aspect only pertains to the main theme of honesty, and honestly, I want more from this genre. It's an easy read, but it's hard to think that it will change me in any way. It's too safe, and thankfully it's not a very long read.