Too Many Losing Heroines! (2022)
[負けヒロインが多すぎる！@comic]
Volume 1
Author: Takibi Amamori
Artist: Itachi
Original Character Design: Imigimuru
Publisher: Ura Sunday Comics
Synopsis:
A fan of romantic comedies finds himself in the middle of one where he's stuck with the girls who didn't win.
Story/Characters:
I'm sure you've heard me rant about my frustration with Japanese romcoms (and romcoms in general). Very rarely to they land with me. Oh, if they're decent, they'll hook me in the start, but it's a rare thing for one to stick the landing in the end, at least as far as I'm concerned. Now, this series hasn't ended yet, so who knows if it'll hold up, but at least as far as the anime adaptation has gotten, I've been quite happy with this one. (I may need to start picking up the light novel to get ahead in the story as this version only releases a single volume per year.)
I like the premise of following the losers in romantic stories and particularly having a very meta-aware protagonist at the epicenter (with the fact that real life, at least in the context of the story, doesn't always match up with fiction). Our protagonist's very name is supposed to tell us what a bland mob he is, but Nukumizu actually has his share of quirks and this plays off well with the girls as they're introduced. I love the magnetism of Yanami who draws you in with her off-kilter charm but also sets off alarm bells at the same time about what a mess she is. She has a great dynamic with Nukumizu to the point where you're both rooting for them to eventually get together but also desperately hoping it doesn't happen because it isn't really the best thing for either of them. We get introduced to our other two losers this volume. The sporty Lemon doesn't look like she has the same loser DNA as Yanami, but she's got the same childhood friend curse (and also, does the sporty girl ever win in a non-sports-themed romance?). The shy, awkward bookworm Komari more easily fits the bill as the type who doesn't have a snowball's chance (but in a situation that actually inverts the whole childhood friend curse thing). One thing I like is that the author doesn't take the easy route of making either the love interests or the winning heroines bad people. In fact, one of the main reasons it hurts so much is because they're not bad people (maybe a bit dense, especially the guys). Making a hate sink is easy but it's not compelling character writing.
Here in the first volume, the focus is primarily on Yanami while we just kinda get the plates spinning with Lemon and Komari. It's important to building the dynamic between the main duo and we can build up from there.
Art:
Part of the reason I decided to get the manga was because I saw Itachi was doing the art. I really liked his work in Haganai and he's at the top of his game here. Everything looks gorgeous, but he also has a great talent for comedic wildtakes and such. There are a number of pervy shots, but I think it has more value that simple fanservice. Similar to Yofukashi no Uta, I believe the artist is going for "adolescent vision", where every little flash of skin or fortuitous angle gets a little more attention. Nukumizu tries to be above it all, but he's still an adolescent boy with some rather attractive girls spending a lot of time in close proximity to him. It's thematic, you see... and fanservice. ^_^;
Other:
We get a full-color fold-out illustration of Yanami and Nukumizu and under the dust cover is a bonus illustration of Yanami.
Conclusion:
This may very well be the perfect romcom for people who have seen too many romcoms. We have great characters, good comedy, amazing art and no small bit of heart as well. If you've wanted to see what life's like for the ones who don't get the "happily ever after", this is worth a read. If you like it as much as me, you're sure to want it in your collection.
Own It