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Oct 5, 2024
I don’t have a problem with wish-fulfillment manga; in fact, I quite like them. However, I do take issue when these stories don’t fulfill the “wish.” A crappy story is fine if it knows what it is and gives the reader what they want. A complex story, on the other hand, can deny its viewer base what they want because it has substance worth explicating. The purpose of these nuanced tales is communicating something meaningful to the audience, not placating them. Wish fulfillment, on the other hand, is geared toward satisfying the audience. When it does the opposite of that it defeats its own purpose.
If
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you present a harem you have to do something with that harem. Don’t make it a harem if the guy is going to wuss out. All of the women in this story like the lead Yoke and don’t mind sharing him. Cool. Have something happen between Yoke and the women that is substantive. This can happen progressively as the characters get close to one another.
In order to deepen these bonds, you have to test the relationship(s) somewhat. This can be done by creating challenges that two or more characters have to overcome. I believe the author made a mistake by not giving the female characters enough of a backstory – such as a past with conflict that needed resolving. Leaving them shallow only makes us question their attraction to Yoke. Yes, he is a Red Mage that used to be a part of an A-Ranked party who taught them about adventuring. But is that enough to justify just how close they become? The dark elf in Yoke’s party named Silk, for instance, has a hatred for orcs due to a war between the elven and orc races. Additionally, light elves and dark elves don’t get along – a dynamic that has political implications in the world. Placing Yoke as a catalyst for resolving that conflict, for example, would bring them closer together. This type of development would help progress Yoke’s relationship with the members of his party in a way that makes sense to the audience.
Some might argue that the expeditions Yoke has with the members of Clove (the name of his party) represent moments where the group gets closer. This is not entirely correct. Yes, the girls fight together and develop their skills in these moments. They also state how much they've come to love or care about Yoke. However, the members of Clove seldom have to overcome anything. Without doing so, how could they progress as a group? When a formidable enemy comes along, Yoke generally saves the day. The girls then receive powerups. Close calls in battle generally result in Yoke saying “I care about all of you” with sparkles bordering the screen and the girls blushing in appreciation. These instances do not constitute development but instead reinforce a trend where everything is perfect with and among Clove’s members. There is no opportunity for growth within this perfection.
I would be remiss to not mention Thunder Pike, Clove's enemy. A lot of the conflict of the series revolves around Yoke and his interactions with the leader of Thunder Pike, who mistreated him when he was a part of the group. Simon, the leader of the group and Yoke's childhood friend, is one of those comically evil jerkoffs who knows next to nothing about the logistics of adventuring and does not look out for the members of his party. Naturally, the group starts to deteriorate in the absence of Yoke (the support who is so powerful that he's not actually a support) and gains a bad rap.
Simon is a very easy character to hate. Being a dick is basically his only purpose in the series, which makes Yoke's treatment toward him questionable as the tension between both groups reaches its apex. The events of chapter 65, which I will not spoil, represented a tonal shift many readers were not ready for. I didn't mind this as much as I did Yoke's treatment of Simon. His goody-two-shoes nature really subtracted from the conflict in these chapters, despite what we know about Thunder Pike's actions. Finally, the lame battle in chapters 77-81 only further detracted from Yoke’s character. It took whatever satisfaction we might've garnered from the earlier chapters and threw it out the window. Overall, the Thunder Pike ordeal was drawn out much longer than it needed to be and made Yoke’s character look stupid.
The art is the best aspect of this series. The girls are attractive and distinct and the backgrounds are well drawn. I also like the character designs of some of the side characters. This is not one of those series where people look the same and you easily forget who is who. That aside, I find the series to be lacking – which would be more tolerable if it had Yoke make a move on the girls. Unfortunately, he’s one of those OP leads who denies most advances made by them and never provides a good response regarding his intentions besides “I care/love you all.” Yoke’s disposition is frustrating and kills my interest in the series. GoPro-kun, stop recording this and film some other party.
Ultimately, I recommend skipping this unless you don’t mind the lead backing out of almost every opportunity to get intimate with the women who love him.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Sep 28, 2024
The premise of being stranded on an island with beautiful women is not new, but I found this story to be enjoyable.
Firstly, this manga is trashy. If you’re looking for a grounded survival story, this isn’t it.
Secondly, this story is a harem. It can be difficult to find good harems out there, partly because there’s a lot of cock blocking and dense protagonists to go around. This manga, however, gets straight into what the viewers want to see. The self-insert protagonist (who is a survivalist) fools around with the women. He doesn’t fight it, fear it, or avoid it (with some exceptions). There is no
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unnecessary drama or B.S. that keeps the lead and the women apart.
Thirdly, there’s a lot of convenience built into the story. The lead has most of what he needs to survive on the island. Characters that have skill sets conducive to survival turn up. The animals and food are easy to obtain and maintain, which makes subsisting a breeze for the group. This can be a drawback for those who want more realism out of the story. I believe the survival aspect to be secondary to the romance. The narrative's setup is intended to place Hokage (the lead) in a position where he is the most desirable man on the island. It’s unsurprising that there’s a lot of plot convenience involved to make that possible.
The tension in the story hinges on several factors. One, whether the women will get along with one another (harem-wise). Two, the antagonists. The other group is significant because it challenges Hokage’s strength on the island. They make it difficult for Hokage's party to feel truly safe. Three, returning home. Some people miss their old life while others prefer living a “free” life on the island. Presenting this was good because it wouldn’t make sense if everyone wanted to stay. It addresses what the future might look like for the group should they survive. All in all, I’m glad that the story provides other things to think about besides the fan service.
Now onto some things I did not like. The enemy group is comically evil. This group boils down to "rich brothers are evil because they are rich." There are also some characters that cock block a bit. These characters enter later on but serve little purpose besides interrupting erotic scenes. Additionally, the plot conveniences can be a bit much even if you're willing to suspend disbelief. One of the women in the harem has a group of monkeys she directs to complete survival tasks, for instance. Lastly, characters are one dimensional - particularly the people that enter the group later on. One individual who likes working out repeats the word "muscle" because that is all he cares about. One dimensional characters are par for the course but these recent additions have been especially bad.
For what it is it ticks the boxes. If you’re a fan of trashy romance stories, this one is enjoyable. If not, it's probably best to skip this (unless you have some time to kill).
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jul 25, 2024
This is a series that really picked up in the middle. Unfortunately, I personally did not like the ending.
The ending itself denied the readership a look into how the leads would move along their paths and develop their newfound relationship. Part of what drove interest in the series was whether or not Nagatoro and Hachiouji would get together. Would “Senpai” overcome his fears and confess? Or would he remain the shy, fearful nerd? I like that the author opted to have Hachiouji become braver, rather than changing his innate characteristics. He’s still himself but actually had to grow and alter his thinking process to
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make his move. He also had to set some goals and improve his self esteem. All too often I find series of a similar ilk circumventing this in favor of keeping the nerdy character in the same thought process and behavioral patterns.
What is unfortunate is that we never got to see the fruits of Hachiouji's labor. He got the girl and accomplished some of his goals, but now what? For us as readers we wanted to see how these two would grow together and what challenges they would have to overcome as a couple. I suppose some could argue there really isn’t much to see past the initial formation of the relationship, but I was looking forward to seeing how “Senpai” would continue to grow. As a couple, their inherent differences in temperament and disposition would have made future chapters an interesting read.
Ultimately I understand the author likely had their reasons for discontinuing the series, but it is kind of sad to see it end so abruptly. Hopefully an after story becomes available so we could see a bit into the couple’s future together.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 4, 2024
There are two issues I have with "Country Building Story in Another World." The first how the protagonist handles conflict. Kai, the lead in the story, is naïve. He fights his enemies without concealing his identity and does not take measures to harm or kill bad people who can reveal who he is (and consequently, endanger those that follow him). Do I believe he should he kill every villain he comes across? No - but he should take steps to conceal himself and mitigate risk, which he often does not do. How Kai solves certain problems also becomes an issue. In one of the major
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conflicts of the story, he has a persecuted group start a protest in town instead of directly rescuing the hostages of said group. This is problematic for two reasons. Firstly, because the townspeople are discriminatory toward this group (meaning there is a chance of harm). Secondly, because Kai has the ability to avoid this by simply using his abilities. Ultimately, Kai makes a lot of bad decisions he shouldn't get away with. If he made those decisions, had negative results, and learned from them, that would be one thing. But that is never the case.
The second issue is regarding how Kai handles the women around him. This story is a harem, which is cool. What isn't cool is how he backs out of every opportunity at furthering the romance. Kai is not unaware about how these women feel - several of them have made it clear. Unfortunately, he delays his response to them each time. Kai doesn't really explain his rationale for this beyond commenting that he isn't ready yet. What is he waiting for? Considering his lifestyle and objectives, things are only going to get more complicated. Addressing these connections now will serve him well, even if it involves rejection/refusal toward one or more of the women. Alternatively, if he doesn't feel right about it, have him explain why that is. Having these conversations actually provides depth to the narrative. My guess is that in keeping relationships surface level the author doesn't have to flesh out that half of the story. This decision only frustrates readers, since progression is what they want to see. Hopefully something changes in Kai's approach.
In terms of the actual story, I found the central conflicts satisfactory. There is a clear enemy, objective, and road blocks along the way that need to be addressed. The cultivation skill and its god have mystery behind it, which prompts us to consider how it functions and came to be. Lastly, Kai is weak and strong. Weak in the sense that in a direct confrontation he might be screwed if he mismanages his resources (which provides some stakes), but strong because of the people around him and the fact he can teleport at will. Given his resources, Kai has navigated through most of his problems with ease.
The art is also pretty good and the personalities are distinct (though generic).
Ultimately what makes this story appealing is some of the tropes that many have come to enjoy of the Isekai genre. Unfortunately, since Kai is so trepid and naïve, it puts a damper on some of the main attractions for readers. I believe giving people an outcome is better than leaving them in stasis; hopefully the gridlock on romance breaks soon.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Feb 24, 2024
I personally enjoyed this series. But I think it's because I didn't put much stock into caring about specific events within the narrative. I instead concentrated more on some of the themes it tried to convey and trying to understand them.
Secret of the Alien is kind of all over the place when it comes to what occurs in the story. At the start, you are presented with what you believe to be a high-school romcom - in the next moment, you're experiencing a thriller. The story takes some dark turns thereafter, leaving you a little confused. What is this all about? Why does the tone
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of the story keep changing? To be honest I'm still unsure. My best guess is that the author is more interested in subverting expectations, along with communicating certain themes. I can appreciate that, but I'm certain some people want something less abstract, or vague. If you're the kind of person who likes consistency in tone and genre, this probably isn't for you.
That being said, I did like how the series depicted aliens. We, as humans, often like humanizing things. Whether it be animals, objects, or aliens. In truth, who is to say aliens view time, consciousness, or even the universe in the same way we do? Haru's actions in this story prompt you to think about how humans form expectations of the world around them. Especially as it pertains to consciousness and morality. I found one user on MangaDex (called McAlastair) put it well: "At the end of the day, Haru truly is an alien; even if she looks somewhat human, her way of thinking and morality is beyond most of our comprehensions. Instead of a Black-Grey-White Morality, she runs with Blue and Orange Morality. And... goddammit, my head hurts thinking about all this."
Our lead in the story, often called "class rep" is also kind of interesting. He's strangely fixated on being "good" even though his actions often work against what is morally correct. As a character, I would describe him as hollow. One could argue this is due to poor characterization (a fair argument, considering the speed and pace of the story) but I intuit that it's intentional. It plays off of the absurdity of Haru's actions quite well.
The art style is good. It conveys what is going on appropriately and matches the style/tone of the manga. On many occasions I found myself rather disconnected from characters, sometimes having difficulty perceiving their emotions. I think this is because of how the eyes and faces were drawn. The pupils and irises were often shaded (sometimes seeming to blend together), making it difficult to "see" into the eye. On crazy or emotional characters this effect worked well.
All in all, I enjoyed "Secret of the Alien." But I believe it's because I tempered my expectations early on. For people who are looking for consistency or something that "makes sense," this one might throw you for a loop.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Sep 18, 2023
I would stay away from this if you're looking for meaningful progression between the leads.
Manga like this create meaningless barriers to prevent characters from getting closer to one another, rather than actually putting thought behind what might stand between them. As an example, Akutsu not wanting to reveal her feelings could - in a similar story - be based in pride, given the fact that she is a delinquent and Ooyama is on the wimpy side. And, Ooyama, despite being wimpy, could have redeeming qualities that Akutsu might find attractive. Instead, Ooyama remains a dense cardboard cutout for self-insertion, and Akutsu can't admit her
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feelings out of a vague sense of embarrassment that is never really explained. At some point, you would imagine these characters would break past these trivialities given their interest in each other, but it has yet to happen.
"Please Go Home, Akutsu-san!" acts as if a confession is a requisite for dating someone. Sometimes, relationships just happen; people spend time close to one another, develop feelings, and eventually romance is born. A confession is not needed for this connection to proceed - but in stories like this everything comes to a stand still. It's quite obvious by observing the relationship that the feelings between Ooyama and Akutsu are mutual. Both leads know about their shared interest in one another - so why harp on a confession? Well, the answer is simple. The author wants to milk this for as long as possible. This is likely because the author believes that interest in the story is sustained by the "will they or won't they" aspect of the narrative. While this is correct, it is not the only method to keep people reading. How the relationship develops after both characters come together (whether it is "official" or "unofficial") is plenty interesting - as long as time is taken to develop these characters. It is, however, easier to keep interest hinging on the "will they or won't they" aspect. All it requires is for the author to keep doing what they are doing. Unfortunately, this leads to a loop. And this is why stories like this are frustrating. We, as readers, simply want to proceed.
With that being said, my recommendation is not to waste your time. That is, at least, if you are looking for something that gets to the point.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Dec 28, 2022
Some small spoilers ahead. Not enough to ruin your reading experience should you choose to read it.
Very good thus far!
Siegfried (aka Aikawa) is intelligent, adaptive, and sociable, though naive and out of his element. He has an ability that compensates for his sudden entrance into this world, though aspects of its activation move us to question whether or not it is a double edged sword. Several interactions between himself and characters in the story also help us raise questions about why he might be in this place. Namely, his encounters with Lastiara.
Siegfried, when compared to most protagonists of the Isekai genre, is not defined
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by the usual tropes. He isn't a "nerd," "loser," or "NEET" - nor is he a submissive (or lazy) individual who chances upon power. He is weak, driven, and needs to build himself up to survive in this world he now finds himself in. This setup is what I appreciate most about this series. It deviates from what we're used to seeing, and positions the narrative to have depth.
That being said, getting to know a bit more about Aikawa's past and what he was like in his world would help a lot. As it stands, it is difficult to get behind his central goal (returning to his sister) because we haven't experienced their relationship and why he values it so.
The supporting cast isn't bad, but they lack development. Dia, for instance, is shallow when it comes to her motivations. I found it difficult to care about her situation, even when more details came about her past. The rapport between Dia and Sig is good, but is overshadowed by how disconnected we are from them as characters. I'm hoping that over the coming chapters these characters are expanded upon.
The art is nice. Action flows from panel to panel, and has the appropriate impact where needed. The action scenes are illustrated well, with a good sense for how to read the fight. This differs from other manga I've read, where it can be challenging to follow the sequence of each action. It's also easy to tell each character apart from one another (solid character design). No complaints when it comes to the art.
The setup is basic, but has promise. Rather than presenting a character that doesn't value the world they came from, we have someone who is trying their damnedest to go back. Getting powerful is about the return, not about getting powerful for power's sake. It's a repudiation of what the genre is usually about (power fantasy self-inserts). I appreciate that.
When comparing this to other Isekai manga, this one stands out. I wouldn't consider it the best, but it's among the best I've come across so far. Give it a try - if you like Isekais you will enjoy it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 8, 2022
Another rendition of the “possessed by ghost romance" trope. I think what’s interesting about this take on it is that the ghost actively assists the male lead with his romantic pursuits.
Some may find Torii’s reluctance to intervene with the ghost early on in the story problematic. This is focused on around Chapter 21. I won’t spoil what happens, but the issue on intervening is addressed somewhat.
This manga is best appreciated by individuals who don’t think too deeply about what establishes and maintains a romantic relationship between characters (besides the obvious “love/like at first sight”). Rather, the tension of “will they or won’t they” and the
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antics that move both characters along this continuum is what will sustain interest in the series. Personally, I find that this manga moves forward at a steady pace and furthers the romance between its main characters sufficiently well.
If I had any complaints though, I would say that the characters are lacking. These kind of stories are reliant upon the romance between the leads and, consequently, tend to have a weak supporting cast. Additionally, the leads themselves are seldom developed beyond their initial archetypes. The school setting and age help to minimize this issue by justifying this lack of development as “being limited by the inexperience of youth” (a subconscious supposition by readers), but I find this justification lacking; there have been plenty of school stories that have featured deep, meaningful young characters. For those looking for something substantial out of this story beyond its romance, look elsewhere.
Other than that, and for what it is, it’s pretty entertaining. Good if you want to kill some time.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Jan 7, 2022
Kujonin is not better than the average Isekai. After reading the reviews suggesting as much, I gave it a shot. Its premise is interesting, yes, but the story itself falls into many patterns that place it within the category of "isekai power fantasy."
Here's a list of tropes present in Kujonin:
-OP MC.
-MC gains power ridiculously fast and easy.
-MC attracts women without having to work for it; one interaction or trait is sufficient for creating this attraction.
-Women near the MC want to have sex at really weird times.
-MC denies all advances from women for no reason.
-Ecchi is random and over the top; there's no flow to it,
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and it's often placed in weird spots.
-Vague magic and leveling system.
-Bad pacing (mostly rushing characters and setting).
This list is not exhaustive, but it does cover most of what I think is bad about the story.
So, should you read this? If you're into Isekai stories and don't care much about the quality, give it a read. If you value quality, pacing, etc., this isn't for you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Nov 11, 2021
Short, sweet, and conclusive.
What I like most about this manga is that it doesn’t misuse its tropes. The premise of tall girl likes short boy is actually built upon, rather than remaining a quirk to attract readers.
The “conflict” of the story is largely “will they or won’t they,” like most romance stories. Fortunately, this isn’t overdone and obnoxiously drawn out. The short chapter and page count make this manga speedy, but lengthy enough to enjoy what the narrative has to offer. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the characters is the most rewarding part of this reading experience.
This manga does have some downsides, though.
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The speediness proves to be a double-edged sword, in my view. While it affords the series an appreciable brevity, more is left to be desired. If the conflict was “will they or wont they,” the resolution leaves us with “now what?”
Ultimately, “Ookii Kouhai wa Suki desu ka?” provides a good reading experience. The characters are simple, but not one-dimensional. The story is sweet, but to the point.
If you’re looking for a short romance story that goes somewhere, you’ll probably like this manga.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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