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高校デビュー [Kōkō Debut] #1
High School Debut, Vol. 1
When Haruna Nagashima was in junior high her life consisted of playing softball and reading comics. But now that she's going to high school, Haruna decides to put all of her energy towards getting a boyfriend and having the high school romance of a lifetime. To help in her quest, she enlists cute upperclassman Yoh Komiyama to coach her as she eschews her jock tendencies and turns herself into the kind of girl who can catch a guy. Yoh agrees, with one catch: Haruna had better not fall for him!
179 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2004
About the author
Kazune Kawahara
176 books280 followersName (in native language) : 河原和音
• Birth Date: March 11th, 1972
• Blood Type: A
• Zodiac: Pisces
Kazune Kawahara made her manga debut at age 18 with Kare no Ichiban Sukina Hito (His Most Favorite Person). Also, while thinking of her manga, she often spaces out and brings grocery baskets home. Adores her nieces.
• Birth Date: March 11th, 1972
• Blood Type: A
• Zodiac: Pisces
Kazune Kawahara made her manga debut at age 18 with Kare no Ichiban Sukina Hito (His Most Favorite Person). Also, while thinking of her manga, she often spaces out and brings grocery baskets home. Adores her nieces.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 445 reviews
April 6, 2015
Probably one of my favorite shoujo mangas out there. All the characters are lovable despite their many flaws, particularly the main crazy duo: Haruna, who is just a ball of sunshine, and Yoh, the most adorable easily embarrassed kitten that can morph into a sexy mysterious man in like 2 pages. He's really multifaceted and that's pretty rare in shoujo love interests.
The story had moments that broke my heart and moments that made me laugh out loud. I'd say the plot has enough twists to keep you reading late into the night, although it does take a while to become its own unique story.
Recommended to anyone who hasn't read quite a lot of shoujo manga and wants to read something relatively short.
The story had moments that broke my heart and moments that made me laugh out loud. I'd say the plot has enough twists to keep you reading late into the night, although it does take a while to become its own unique story.
Recommended to anyone who hasn't read quite a lot of shoujo manga and wants to read something relatively short.
June 11, 2018
Haruna Nagashima was a softball player and comic reader in middle school, not the recipe for popularity with guys, she figures. New to high school, she has set out on a quest to get a boyfriend. But she needs to be more feminine, and way cooler, obviously! She tries a number of silly makeovers that fail—she’s Clueless!--so she enlists the help of a boyfriend coach, upperclassman Yoh, who will help her as long as she doesn’t fall in love with HIM. He’s had enough with love, been hurt before, and so on. But they are a cute duo in this quest. Thanks, Rod, for the rec of one of his fave shoujo mangas!
January 8, 2011
I am writing about the overall series. I finsihed reading the entire series on January 7, 2011.
The overal series was pretty great. I gave it a 4 star rating. Let's talk about some things now.
I. Love. Yoh. I just love him. He is so adorable! Andd I hate that I have to say that. But I can't help myself, he is SO ADORABLE! ANd cool, and awesome, and hot(lol) and all those other wors to descibe him. I love his personality and I love how he is easily embarrassed. He is just so ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!! I want him. And for all of you who think this is creepy(which it kinda is), I tend to fall for awesome fictional male characters. I LOVE YOH. And you would too if you ever read the manga.
Haruna. In the beginning of the manga I thought she was realy, really stupid. REALLY STUPID. And then later on I thought she was realy, really annoying and too much of a perfectionist. In the end, I ended up liking her. Maybe not in the ending because I didn't know my feelings for her in the end. She kinda made me have this weird angry-nice-weird-awkward vibe towards her. Her character is really thought out though. But overall, she's all right.
In the beginning of the book, I thought the whole concept was really kinda dumb. I mean, a love coach. That's just kinda ridiculous and desperate, which Haruna was, but pathetic. Though that whole concept fades later n, it was just really ridiculous. Ri-dic-u-lous. Ridiculous.
THere are many parts that made me laugh or gag when I was reading this manga. Let's look back in my brain and take a moment to laugh at them. HAHAHAHHA! LOL! LAWLS! OMG! OMG! HUH... FUNNY! AHHHAHAHHA LMAO!AHHAHAHH!hhohohohohohoho! omg! HILARIOUS.... Sigh... Huh... Funny.
Overall, the series was really great and funny and entertaining and sweet and sad and I recommend it to everyone I know and don't know. Though, the guys out there might now like it.
P.S. I really hate Assa.
I like Fumi.
I love Asaoka. ♥♥♥
The overal series was pretty great. I gave it a 4 star rating. Let's talk about some things now.
I. Love. Yoh. I just love him. He is so adorable! Andd I hate that I have to say that. But I can't help myself, he is SO ADORABLE! ANd cool, and awesome, and hot(lol) and all those other wors to descibe him. I love his personality and I love how he is easily embarrassed. He is just so ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!! I want him. And for all of you who think this is creepy(which it kinda is), I tend to fall for awesome fictional male characters. I LOVE YOH. And you would too if you ever read the manga.
Haruna. In the beginning of the manga I thought she was realy, really stupid. REALLY STUPID. And then later on I thought she was realy, really annoying and too much of a perfectionist. In the end, I ended up liking her. Maybe not in the ending because I didn't know my feelings for her in the end. She kinda made me have this weird angry-nice-weird-awkward vibe towards her. Her character is really thought out though. But overall, she's all right.
In the beginning of the book, I thought the whole concept was really kinda dumb. I mean, a love coach. That's just kinda ridiculous and desperate, which Haruna was, but pathetic. Though that whole concept fades later n, it was just really ridiculous. Ri-dic-u-lous. Ridiculous.
THere are many parts that made me laugh or gag when I was reading this manga. Let's look back in my brain and take a moment to laugh at them. HAHAHAHHA! LOL! LAWLS! OMG! OMG! HUH... FUNNY! AHHHAHAHHA LMAO!AHHAHAHH!hhohohohohohoho! omg! HILARIOUS.... Sigh... Huh... Funny.
Overall, the series was really great and funny and entertaining and sweet and sad and I recommend it to everyone I know and don't know. Though, the guys out there might now like it.
P.S. I really hate Assa.
I like Fumi.
I love Asaoka. ♥♥♥
March 20, 2017
Pre-review thought Is it just me or does anyone else feel like a pedo for crushing on 17-year boys?
June 28, 2018
High school, or how wanting to be cute and liked by boys and fit into gender norms can transform a happy, confident, athletic girl into a depressed, insecure one who is still badly dressed and doesn't have a boyfriend.
Yoh is kind of a sucky makeover coach, actually. I wish I thought that was the point. I'm sure he'll end up with the girl, although Fumi seems much nicer.
Yoh is kind of a sucky makeover coach, actually. I wish I thought that was the point. I'm sure he'll end up with the girl, although Fumi seems much nicer.
July 27, 2024
ughhh i’m rooting for the second ml even though ik they won’t end up together 😭
July 16, 2021
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/DjMEvKUZ0iM
Whoa! This was a lot more relatable than I expected it to be! I mean I figured it would be just a fun story where I would laugh, but Haruna reminds me A LOT of myself when I was a freshman in high school. No, I definitely didn't have a coach or read manga at the time, but her wanting to get a boyfriend and be attractive was who I remember being. I think it helps too that Haruna is a wonderful main character to follow. Haruna's personality absolutely shines on page and her drive to really give her all made me feel more empathetic (compassionate?) towards her because again, super relatable in trying to give your all and it still not feeling it's enough. Plus, because of her personality, it didn't make me feel I was silly or dumb for having such similar thoughts about love too when I was in high school.
I do like Yoh! While I feel I wouldn't like him a lot in real life (LOL), he does make a really compelling manga hero and excited to see his growth. (I could imagine his edges will be smoothened out at one point and definitely shipping him and Haruna!) It's refreshing to not have an instant romance (or even an inkling of!) but not an enemies-to-lovers either. They genuinely do have a coach and mentee kind of relationship, which I think is a first for me in reading.
I LOVEDDDDD Fumi! Massive spoilers with him so I can't say anything, but he is ADORABLE!
Something else that I think makes this a very strong opening series is that while Yoh may be harsh in his critics, I think the things he says (for the most part because I definitely frowned and did NOT like when he told Haruna not to workout anymore) is really helpful for high school girls. I feel he's almost giving "beauty advice," but it goes much deeper because this isn't about makeup. Yes, there is talk of clothing, but I feel a lot of what he shares is embracing who she (Haruna) is and not trying to be glamorized (but still look nice). The conversation they had about what kind of guys Haruna likes was VERY good and really hit the nail on the head for past high school me. That was excellent stuff he tells her!
Overall, I'm pretty pumped to see where this series go! I'm liking the message, Haruna's bright personality, and first love.
Whoa! This was a lot more relatable than I expected it to be! I mean I figured it would be just a fun story where I would laugh, but Haruna reminds me A LOT of myself when I was a freshman in high school. No, I definitely didn't have a coach or read manga at the time, but her wanting to get a boyfriend and be attractive was who I remember being. I think it helps too that Haruna is a wonderful main character to follow. Haruna's personality absolutely shines on page and her drive to really give her all made me feel more empathetic (compassionate?) towards her because again, super relatable in trying to give your all and it still not feeling it's enough. Plus, because of her personality, it didn't make me feel I was silly or dumb for having such similar thoughts about love too when I was in high school.
I do like Yoh! While I feel I wouldn't like him a lot in real life (LOL), he does make a really compelling manga hero and excited to see his growth. (I could imagine his edges will be smoothened out at one point and definitely shipping him and Haruna!) It's refreshing to not have an instant romance (or even an inkling of!) but not an enemies-to-lovers either. They genuinely do have a coach and mentee kind of relationship, which I think is a first for me in reading.
I LOVEDDDDD Fumi! Massive spoilers with him so I can't say anything, but he is ADORABLE!
Something else that I think makes this a very strong opening series is that while Yoh may be harsh in his critics, I think the things he says (for the most part because I definitely frowned and did NOT like when he told Haruna not to workout anymore) is really helpful for high school girls. I feel he's almost giving "beauty advice," but it goes much deeper because this isn't about makeup. Yes, there is talk of clothing, but I feel a lot of what he shares is embracing who she (Haruna) is and not trying to be glamorized (but still look nice). The conversation they had about what kind of guys Haruna likes was VERY good and really hit the nail on the head for past high school me. That was excellent stuff he tells her!
Overall, I'm pretty pumped to see where this series go! I'm liking the message, Haruna's bright personality, and first love.
February 3, 2023
Series Review - Feb 2023
This is the second time I've reread this series. I'm super biased in saying this, but I'm glad to report that it still holds up pretty well in 2023. 😊 I mean, it's absolutely an early '00s manga, so it could take a bit to get used to the tone and dialogue if you haven't read much from the time. While there were some brief moments where I felt kind of meh, overrall, the pacing, vibes and romance was great! These characters are all very dear to me, even Asami. 🤭 I absolutely loved the dynamic between Yoh and Haruna, and I felt that they were both very consistent, and also lifted each other up just as a couple should. Their beginning was *chef's kiss* and they were very fun to follow through the whole series. It was SO cute seeing Yoh develop over time and seeing his softer side. Haruna could've easily been a very frustrating FMC, but Kawahara did such an amazing job with her. She's honestly just such a pure and genuine and happy character that you really can't help but love and cheer her on! The side characters individually added great flavor, even when there were the addition of underclassmen in the latter half. (I almost wish they all got more too.)
It really didn't feel like I read 13 volumes, and coming from a time when some manga would be extended for no real reason, I'm REALLY glad that things didn't get drawn out and that the ending was very satisfying. The drama, obstacles and rivalries all just made sense too! Overall a very solid shoujo manga and one of my all-time faves.
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🥇Gold 🥇
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This is the second time I've reread this series. I'm super biased in saying this, but I'm glad to report that it still holds up pretty well in 2023. 😊 I mean, it's absolutely an early '00s manga, so it could take a bit to get used to the tone and dialogue if you haven't read much from the time. While there were some brief moments where I felt kind of meh, overrall, the pacing, vibes and romance was great! These characters are all very dear to me, even Asami. 🤭 I absolutely loved the dynamic between Yoh and Haruna, and I felt that they were both very consistent, and also lifted each other up just as a couple should. Their beginning was *chef's kiss* and they were very fun to follow through the whole series. It was SO cute seeing Yoh develop over time and seeing his softer side. Haruna could've easily been a very frustrating FMC, but Kawahara did such an amazing job with her. She's honestly just such a pure and genuine and happy character that you really can't help but love and cheer her on! The side characters individually added great flavor, even when there were the addition of underclassmen in the latter half. (I almost wish they all got more too.)
It really didn't feel like I read 13 volumes, and coming from a time when some manga would be extended for no real reason, I'm REALLY glad that things didn't get drawn out and that the ending was very satisfying. The drama, obstacles and rivalries all just made sense too! Overall a very solid shoujo manga and one of my all-time faves.
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🥇Gold 🥇
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May 16, 2008
Charming, makeover story, a manga Clueless. Kind of. Until now, Haruna has dedicated her life to softball. Now in high school, she has decided to dedicate her life to the pursuit of love. But she's hopeless. Not one single person will hit on her. So she gets a coach, the brooding, popular Yoh. As long as she doesn't fall for him, he will coach her. Typical manga plot here - the brother-sister type relationship that could become a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship at any time - a cozy way to look at boys, though, as platonic friends who can give clothing advice. Feminist message too - mocks the advice given from girls' magazines to pander to what girls think boys want. The message is to be yourself.
Haruna is a fan of girls' comics. Eventually, can see that Haruna and Yoh will learn from each other. Yoh is closed off, afraid of love after being hurt. Haruna is yearning to experience it for the first time.
Great characters, fun story. A girls' romance comic with a self-referential, self-mocking twist. And no sketchy panty shots in this volume.
Stylish illustrations, nice layouts - heighten drama and Haruna's emotions.
Haruna is a fan of girls' comics. Eventually, can see that Haruna and Yoh will learn from each other. Yoh is closed off, afraid of love after being hurt. Haruna is yearning to experience it for the first time.
Great characters, fun story. A girls' romance comic with a self-referential, self-mocking twist. And no sketchy panty shots in this volume.
Stylish illustrations, nice layouts - heighten drama and Haruna's emotions.
June 13, 2008
An excellent manga, plenty of humor, heartfelt dialogue and overall a highly recommended title!
May 29, 2022
One of my fav shojo mangas. this needs to be adapted into an anime! might've been published the yr I was born, but it never loses it's sparkle!
June 3, 2015
I loved this volume more because of Yoh than Haruna. The art really made the difference, especially how Yoh is drawn so full of character! Love all his expressions! Also how his character used so much dialogue, it defined his character to me. His friends were really great and helped define Yoh even more - he's "critical" so would make a good coach. Really though its all about the words he used! We do get a hint about his back story. Basically a stellar scene is words coming out of Yoh's mouth!
Haruna's problem is cute: now in high school she wants to leave behind her sporty roots and find a boyfriend. I liked the premise, she's a go getter that pursues a way to learn to be more approachable.
This is setup well, slowly building up and nothing too rushed with plenty of road blocks. I'm not bonded to Haruna (except that she's developing a relationship with Yoh)and this smacks as a big problem for me. I'm assuming the point is to put yourself in her place hence the lack of specificity in her character but I prefer to at least like her reactions to others and feel she's just a vehicle to experience the plot. :(
BOTTOM LINE: "I didn't really think about it that deeply..." Perfect dialogue.
Haruna's problem is cute: now in high school she wants to leave behind her sporty roots and find a boyfriend. I liked the premise, she's a go getter that pursues a way to learn to be more approachable.
This is setup well, slowly building up and nothing too rushed with plenty of road blocks. I'm not bonded to Haruna (except that she's developing a relationship with Yoh)and this smacks as a big problem for me. I'm assuming the point is to put yourself in her place hence the lack of specificity in her character but I prefer to at least like her reactions to others and feel she's just a vehicle to experience the plot. :(
BOTTOM LINE: "I didn't really think about it that deeply..." Perfect dialogue.
February 2, 2022
There's something special about that very first manga you ever read, like the very first Asian drama you ever watched. High School Debut is my first manga read over a decade ago (and for the interested, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge is the first Jdrama I ever watched and is still my favorite).
Anyway, Vol 1 starts the story of Haruna, a former softball middle school athlete who is determined to find love in high school. The only problem is that she has no experience, no sense of taste in clothes, hair or makeup, and even no sense of what she's looking for in a guy. Enters Yoh, an uber-popular, good-looking guy who knows what guys like in a girl. Haruna's fortitude and endurance when she played softball (he sees a video recording of her last game) impresses Yoh enough to get him to agree to be her love coach, as in, helping her debut in a way that will make finding a boyfriend an actual possibility instead of just a dream.
In Vol 1 Haruna and Yoh start the coaching experience, Haruna has her first experience being hit on even though it's by a dude who turns out to be an absolute creep, and she finally falls for someone, a super sweet guy in Yoh's group of friends. But since this is only Vol 1, we've got a long way to go.
Oh my goodness, so many feels. Rereading this series is like returning home for me and is the perfect series to read during February. There is actually a volume that covers Valentine's Day, so that will be fun. In Japan, girls give guys chocolate on Valentine's Day and on White Day on March 14th is when the guys reciprocate. It's so cute!
I love Yoh. He's still one of my favorite shoujo manga heroes. He's a little broody, a little anemic, a little angsty and emo, and he doesn't hesitate to be honest. But he's not a tsundere character, either, meaning someone who's just kinda cold and mean for a long time. I always liked Yoh from the very beginning because underneath all his angst, he's a pretty great guy and that becomes more and more apparent as the story progresses. One thing I didn't like about him in Vol 1 is his insistence that Haruna stops working out because muscles aren't attractive on girls. I disagree. If Haruna wants to work out, she should, and he shouldn't have any say in that, love coach or no. But it's Japan and I think that's more of a cultural thing at the end of the day.
Haruna, so crazy, so out there, but so genuine and just absolutely sweet. She's the complete opposite of introverted, broody Yoh, and I think she's amazing. I love how she throws herself into the dream of getting a boyfriend just like she threw herself completely into softball. She's a go-getter and even when things don't go her way, she picks herself up and keeps fighting. She is absolutely the most amazing shoujo heroine I've encountered and she is still my favorite, all these years later. I've got other heroines that I like, but no one beats Haruna.
On to Vol 2 when I get a chance!
Anyway, Vol 1 starts the story of Haruna, a former softball middle school athlete who is determined to find love in high school. The only problem is that she has no experience, no sense of taste in clothes, hair or makeup, and even no sense of what she's looking for in a guy. Enters Yoh, an uber-popular, good-looking guy who knows what guys like in a girl. Haruna's fortitude and endurance when she played softball (he sees a video recording of her last game) impresses Yoh enough to get him to agree to be her love coach, as in, helping her debut in a way that will make finding a boyfriend an actual possibility instead of just a dream.
In Vol 1 Haruna and Yoh start the coaching experience, Haruna has her first experience being hit on even though it's by a dude who turns out to be an absolute creep, and she finally falls for someone, a super sweet guy in Yoh's group of friends. But since this is only Vol 1, we've got a long way to go.
Oh my goodness, so many feels. Rereading this series is like returning home for me and is the perfect series to read during February. There is actually a volume that covers Valentine's Day, so that will be fun. In Japan, girls give guys chocolate on Valentine's Day and on White Day on March 14th is when the guys reciprocate. It's so cute!
I love Yoh. He's still one of my favorite shoujo manga heroes. He's a little broody, a little anemic, a little angsty and emo, and he doesn't hesitate to be honest. But he's not a tsundere character, either, meaning someone who's just kinda cold and mean for a long time. I always liked Yoh from the very beginning because underneath all his angst, he's a pretty great guy and that becomes more and more apparent as the story progresses. One thing I didn't like about him in Vol 1 is his insistence that Haruna stops working out because muscles aren't attractive on girls. I disagree. If Haruna wants to work out, she should, and he shouldn't have any say in that, love coach or no. But it's Japan and I think that's more of a cultural thing at the end of the day.
Haruna, so crazy, so out there, but so genuine and just absolutely sweet. She's the complete opposite of introverted, broody Yoh, and I think she's amazing. I love how she throws herself into the dream of getting a boyfriend just like she threw herself completely into softball. She's a go-getter and even when things don't go her way, she picks herself up and keeps fighting. She is absolutely the most amazing shoujo heroine I've encountered and she is still my favorite, all these years later. I've got other heroines that I like, but no one beats Haruna.
On to Vol 2 when I get a chance!
February 26, 2022
Ok me encantó ?????????? Que protagonista más hermosa no puede ser me la moRFO
4 de 5 estrellas.
4 de 5 estrellas.
January 13, 2012
This book got me curious after making my seemingly uninterested friend (who happens to devour books of all sorts: classics, academic essays, theories, etc) shout: "I WANT A BOYFRIEND!!!" after finishing the 13-volume manga of Kazune Kawahara.
I was quite surprised that the the main characters became a couple only after a few volumes in the manga. Since the synopsis tells us that there is an actual love-coaching happening between the clueless girl and the surprisingly fabulous-on-love, serious guy, I thought the "coaching", literally, would stretch until the middle of the manga revolving around this concept. I guess a follow-up reading after "Kimi ni Todoke", I was expecting a push-and-pull battle of emotions and plots for this title as well.
Nonetheless, I realized that the "coaching" was actually laid out throughout the whole series. Quite subtle though. At first it was literally coaching Haruna how to be attractive to guys and how to act around guys courtesy of Yoh of course. As they became a couple (eventually), it became clearer that it was Yoh whom was picking up more lessons from Haruna's passionate and pure love for him. Though having more experience in relationships, Yoh learned how to properly and sincerely love the person he is in a relationship with. Dating a girl whose idea of love were purely based on shojo manga, magazine write-ups and baseball strategies (it's comedy but logical) caused him to be more expressive of his own intentions and feelings; to act according to how he feels like to get her to understand his own affection to her.
As Yoh acknowledged by the end of the series that he might have been interested in Haruna from the very beginning she boldly asked Yoh to be her "love coach". Yoh, who seemed cold to everyone on first impression, had a dramatic turn of character. He was communicating better to friends, family and even strangers. Haruna saw through him as he did her from the start. Overall, I think it is Yoh who was the most rounded of all the characters involved.
I simply love Haruna for being the innocent girl she is. I admire her "I'll do my best" attitude because she brings the phrase fully to life. She's a typical shojo character that cries a lot. Though I can relate to her the most when it comes to fantasies of ideal first loves LOL.
If there is one side-character I want to highlight as well is Yui Asuoka. He's a sensitive and witty guy. He has a mischievous streak as well. He constantly pokes fun at Yoh since he can read the boy's actions so well. He tricked Haruna several times and "joked" around that he was interested in her; constantly dropping hints of choosing him over Yoh if ever they decided to break up. "Constantly dropping hints" only as it was clear as day for him that Yoh and Haruna was too deep into each other to notice anybody else outside their love bubble. When one is in this position of Asuoka, who actually likes Haruna but has to hide it for his best friend's happiness, a rather effective way of saving one's self from heartache is to deny; deny the fact that you feel that way towards that person. Make it a joke to them and convince yourself that it is a joke for you too. Defense mechanism. I guess that in all characters, he is one of the most mysterious. I'd give it to Takahashi Mami, Haruna's best friend for actually pointing this denying attitude of Asaoka for us.
Speaking of Mami, I'd love to have Asaoke and her to be together since they match each other so well. Both characters are smart, beautiful, sensitive and dedicated friends. Though they both seem perfect already and doesn't seem to have the dynamics aside from compatibility for a fun romantic story, I'm curious about that open-ended angle in chapter 46(?) when Mami seemed so show interest towards Asaoka.
And so finally (this is quite a long review), I thought 52 chapters was actually quite short for Koukou Debut. Quite short because I wanted more fluff from Haruna and Yoh. They are such a lovely couple, seriously. They have the common happy story of a high school sweetheart but then it made me realize why we constantly long for this kind of memory from the past at any given point in our life, despite the commonness. We long for it because it's beautiful in every way.
I love the fact that by the end of the series, when Yoh graduated from high school and was to separate from Haruna and everyone to pursue college in Tokyo, it made me feel nostalgic as well of the past 51 chapters of happiness and craziness of their lives. As if I was really part of Haruna and Yoh's group of friends, experiencing the same love and bitter memories of the last three years of high school life.
Though the very ending was surprisingly unromantic, I'm happy they retained just the right amount of romance and comedy throughout the beginning until the end of the series. :)
I was quite surprised that the the main characters became a couple only after a few volumes in the manga. Since the synopsis tells us that there is an actual love-coaching happening between the clueless girl and the surprisingly fabulous-on-love, serious guy, I thought the "coaching", literally, would stretch until the middle of the manga revolving around this concept. I guess a follow-up reading after "Kimi ni Todoke", I was expecting a push-and-pull battle of emotions and plots for this title as well.
Nonetheless, I realized that the "coaching" was actually laid out throughout the whole series. Quite subtle though. At first it was literally coaching Haruna how to be attractive to guys and how to act around guys courtesy of Yoh of course. As they became a couple (eventually), it became clearer that it was Yoh whom was picking up more lessons from Haruna's passionate and pure love for him. Though having more experience in relationships, Yoh learned how to properly and sincerely love the person he is in a relationship with. Dating a girl whose idea of love were purely based on shojo manga, magazine write-ups and baseball strategies (it's comedy but logical) caused him to be more expressive of his own intentions and feelings; to act according to how he feels like to get her to understand his own affection to her.
As Yoh acknowledged by the end of the series that he might have been interested in Haruna from the very beginning she boldly asked Yoh to be her "love coach". Yoh, who seemed cold to everyone on first impression, had a dramatic turn of character. He was communicating better to friends, family and even strangers. Haruna saw through him as he did her from the start. Overall, I think it is Yoh who was the most rounded of all the characters involved.
I simply love Haruna for being the innocent girl she is. I admire her "I'll do my best" attitude because she brings the phrase fully to life. She's a typical shojo character that cries a lot. Though I can relate to her the most when it comes to fantasies of ideal first loves LOL.
If there is one side-character I want to highlight as well is Yui Asuoka. He's a sensitive and witty guy. He has a mischievous streak as well. He constantly pokes fun at Yoh since he can read the boy's actions so well. He tricked Haruna several times and "joked" around that he was interested in her; constantly dropping hints of choosing him over Yoh if ever they decided to break up. "Constantly dropping hints" only as it was clear as day for him that Yoh and Haruna was too deep into each other to notice anybody else outside their love bubble. When one is in this position of Asuoka, who actually likes Haruna but has to hide it for his best friend's happiness, a rather effective way of saving one's self from heartache is to deny; deny the fact that you feel that way towards that person. Make it a joke to them and convince yourself that it is a joke for you too. Defense mechanism. I guess that in all characters, he is one of the most mysterious. I'd give it to Takahashi Mami, Haruna's best friend for actually pointing this denying attitude of Asaoka for us.
Speaking of Mami, I'd love to have Asaoke and her to be together since they match each other so well. Both characters are smart, beautiful, sensitive and dedicated friends. Though they both seem perfect already and doesn't seem to have the dynamics aside from compatibility for a fun romantic story, I'm curious about that open-ended angle in chapter 46(?) when Mami seemed so show interest towards Asaoka.
And so finally (this is quite a long review), I thought 52 chapters was actually quite short for Koukou Debut. Quite short because I wanted more fluff from Haruna and Yoh. They are such a lovely couple, seriously. They have the common happy story of a high school sweetheart but then it made me realize why we constantly long for this kind of memory from the past at any given point in our life, despite the commonness. We long for it because it's beautiful in every way.
I love the fact that by the end of the series, when Yoh graduated from high school and was to separate from Haruna and everyone to pursue college in Tokyo, it made me feel nostalgic as well of the past 51 chapters of happiness and craziness of their lives. As if I was really part of Haruna and Yoh's group of friends, experiencing the same love and bitter memories of the last three years of high school life.
Though the very ending was surprisingly unromantic, I'm happy they retained just the right amount of romance and comedy throughout the beginning until the end of the series. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2015
Read full review at: http://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.gr...
As I had watched the film, the summary of the manga was known to me. So, when I started reading it I knew what was going to happen more or less, and some part of me was afraid that it would be just like so many other romantic manga out there. But then the fun part begun! The story I knew concluded in the third volume! Now, if you've read manga with many volumes, like this one, you know that it can take a really long time for the feelings of the protagonists to finally get to one another. And here in this one, not only they confess to each other, they also decide to go out! In the third volume. And there are still ten more volumes to go. This fact alone picked my interest.
As it turns out, if someone asked me about the story of High School Debut I would probably give a different answer from the given summary. Ok, this is the starting point, but this manga has so much more! Haruna and Yoh do go out, but we watch them struggle to make this relationship work. There is jealousy, there is fighting, there are expectations to be met. One of my favourite parts is when Haruna tries to plan the perfect date for Christmas and it all goes wrong. It's not romantic at all, although they do have fun.
Both of the protagonists in High School Debut are likeable enough. I mean Haruna is always trying her best, sometimes maybe too hard, and she always tries to meet every obstacle with a smile, but she is also hopeless. She believes everything she reads in women's magazines, even though the bits of advice they give don't suit her. She could just be herself, maybe with a different wardrobe. She should embrace the fact that she is athletic and very good at softball. Yoh, on the other hand, plays it cool most of the time. He pretends that he doesn't care but he's actually very shy and gets embarrassed pretty easily. Although sometimes I feel like he could show his affection to Haruna more, there are times when he makes up for it. But my favourite character is Yoh's friend, Yui. You never really understand his deal. His thoughts are a mystery and his actions are often confused as jokes. He's not even sincere to himself about his own feelings. But he does help the story to move forward and I would surely miss him if he weren't there.
All in all, High School Debut was a fun read. It made me laugh more than once, it pleasantly surprised me and I didn't realise when I finished thirteen volumes. But I wouldn't say that it didn't have its flaws. Sometimes it got a little cliche, other times the characters were frustrating but my biggest problem was that the art style was somewhat generic. I felt like I had seen the same design many times before, so the characters weren't memorable to me. I would recommend it to those who want to read a pleasant and quite funny romantic manga.
As I had watched the film, the summary of the manga was known to me. So, when I started reading it I knew what was going to happen more or less, and some part of me was afraid that it would be just like so many other romantic manga out there. But then the fun part begun! The story I knew concluded in the third volume! Now, if you've read manga with many volumes, like this one, you know that it can take a really long time for the feelings of the protagonists to finally get to one another. And here in this one, not only they confess to each other, they also decide to go out! In the third volume. And there are still ten more volumes to go. This fact alone picked my interest.
As it turns out, if someone asked me about the story of High School Debut I would probably give a different answer from the given summary. Ok, this is the starting point, but this manga has so much more! Haruna and Yoh do go out, but we watch them struggle to make this relationship work. There is jealousy, there is fighting, there are expectations to be met. One of my favourite parts is when Haruna tries to plan the perfect date for Christmas and it all goes wrong. It's not romantic at all, although they do have fun.
Both of the protagonists in High School Debut are likeable enough. I mean Haruna is always trying her best, sometimes maybe too hard, and she always tries to meet every obstacle with a smile, but she is also hopeless. She believes everything she reads in women's magazines, even though the bits of advice they give don't suit her. She could just be herself, maybe with a different wardrobe. She should embrace the fact that she is athletic and very good at softball. Yoh, on the other hand, plays it cool most of the time. He pretends that he doesn't care but he's actually very shy and gets embarrassed pretty easily. Although sometimes I feel like he could show his affection to Haruna more, there are times when he makes up for it. But my favourite character is Yoh's friend, Yui. You never really understand his deal. His thoughts are a mystery and his actions are often confused as jokes. He's not even sincere to himself about his own feelings. But he does help the story to move forward and I would surely miss him if he weren't there.
All in all, High School Debut was a fun read. It made me laugh more than once, it pleasantly surprised me and I didn't realise when I finished thirteen volumes. But I wouldn't say that it didn't have its flaws. Sometimes it got a little cliche, other times the characters were frustrating but my biggest problem was that the art style was somewhat generic. I felt like I had seen the same design many times before, so the characters weren't memorable to me. I would recommend it to those who want to read a pleasant and quite funny romantic manga.
March 20, 2017
Last year, at Animecon, I bought 3 of the 3-in-1 volumes, but I never got round to reading them. Until last night that is, I wanted something that wasn't too much for my head to take in, something light and easy, and I settled on this one. I had time to read one of them (after that I was too tired), and I am hoping to read the other 2 today.
It was a fun, hilarious manga, though I do worry about the girl. She seems to have absolutely NO fashion-sense (who walks outside in a dress meant for a party and adds some sort of transparent shawl to the mix?), she just stands stock-still when going out. But we also see another side to her, and I really liked her. Though I hope Yoh is able to help out this girl and give her some common sense. :P Fumi x Haruna? Oh yes, definitely ship it, though ultimately I am hoping Yoh and Haruna get together (the CHEMISTRY!!!).
It was a fun, hilarious manga, though I do worry about the girl. She seems to have absolutely NO fashion-sense (who walks outside in a dress meant for a party and adds some sort of transparent shawl to the mix?), she just stands stock-still when going out. But we also see another side to her, and I really liked her. Though I hope Yoh is able to help out this girl and give her some common sense. :P Fumi x Haruna? Oh yes, definitely ship it, though ultimately I am hoping Yoh and Haruna get together (the CHEMISTRY!!!).
July 22, 2016
I feel like I should only rate and review novels on goodreads...because when I read manga, I'm not necessarily looking forward to compelling plots and thought-provoking, earth-shattering ideas and all that extravaganza. I can save that for my precious novels. I read manga to wind down, and think of all things fluffy and you know....hot, and fantastic art is a must. That is what is most important.
Kokou debut is definitely not the best manga I've read, or one of the better ones. It is satisfying is you really have nothing to do, if you are at a relative's house against your will or anything along the lines of that. In that regard, it won't disappoint.
Kokou debut is definitely not the best manga I've read, or one of the better ones. It is satisfying is you really have nothing to do, if you are at a relative's house against your will or anything along the lines of that. In that regard, it won't disappoint.
June 8, 2022
Rating, 2.3
I didn't like this that much, but I don't hate it either. It isn't much of what I'm interested in, but it's okay.?
I didn't like this that much, but I don't hate it either. It isn't much of what I'm interested in, but it's okay.?
July 22, 2022
Haruna is just the sweetest, I adore her energy.
I love the whole "popular guy helping oblivious girl" troupe and Yoh has his sweet moments, I like how thoughtful he is.
I love the whole "popular guy helping oblivious girl" troupe and Yoh has his sweet moments, I like how thoughtful he is.
May 13, 2008
Overall Rating: C
Synopsis: A shōjo manga created by Kazune Kawahara, the series follows Haruna Nagashima, who has just entered high school. In Middle School, Haruna was dedicated to softball, and didn't get involved in much else. Now, in High School, she has decided to apply the same dedication to finding a boyfriend. There's only one problem, she doesn't have a clue how to get started.
At the beginning of the manga, we see Haruna in ridiculous outfits (well, not that ridiculous, but pretty bad), and awkwardly standing around at dating spots. Fortunately, she accidentally runs into Yoh, who gives her some advice. She decides she wants him to coach her, and help her find a boyfriend. It doesn't hurt that he is a hottie.
At first, Yoh refuses, but eventually he relents, on one condition. Haruna is not allowed to fall in love with him!
So far, High School Debut seems thoroughly average. The plot is your standard high school makeover, with the hot guy coaching the plain girl on how to be more attractive. Will they end up falling in love with each other? I hope not, since that would be boringly typical for a plot like this. I'm hoping for something more along the lines of The Wallflower, an excellent makeover manga about a goth girl and four bishōnen. Unfortunately, this manga isn't doing much for me. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. Hopefully, the plot will pick up some, and the characters will become more interesting.
For more manga and anime reviews, please check out Hobotaku.
Synopsis: A shōjo manga created by Kazune Kawahara, the series follows Haruna Nagashima, who has just entered high school. In Middle School, Haruna was dedicated to softball, and didn't get involved in much else. Now, in High School, she has decided to apply the same dedication to finding a boyfriend. There's only one problem, she doesn't have a clue how to get started.
At the beginning of the manga, we see Haruna in ridiculous outfits (well, not that ridiculous, but pretty bad), and awkwardly standing around at dating spots. Fortunately, she accidentally runs into Yoh, who gives her some advice. She decides she wants him to coach her, and help her find a boyfriend. It doesn't hurt that he is a hottie.
At first, Yoh refuses, but eventually he relents, on one condition. Haruna is not allowed to fall in love with him!
So far, High School Debut seems thoroughly average. The plot is your standard high school makeover, with the hot guy coaching the plain girl on how to be more attractive. Will they end up falling in love with each other? I hope not, since that would be boringly typical for a plot like this. I'm hoping for something more along the lines of The Wallflower, an excellent makeover manga about a goth girl and four bishōnen. Unfortunately, this manga isn't doing much for me. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. Hopefully, the plot will pick up some, and the characters will become more interesting.
For more manga and anime reviews, please check out Hobotaku.
December 30, 2015
Seperti judul bukunya, High School Debut, komik ini menceritakan tentang si tokoh utama yg baru masuk SMA, Haruna, sedang berjuang untuk mengubah dirinya yg tomboi dan kuat agar menjadi feminin supaya segera dapat pacar.
Di volume awal, memang komik ini berkesan agak konyol. Cara2 Haruna untuk dapet cowok dan lingkungannya itu berkesan kayak cewek gampangan banget. Terlalu mengumbar, kekanakan, dst. Mungkin karena dia juga masih bau kencur yaa.... ^..^
Setelah melewati 1 ato 2 buku awal yg bikin geleng2 kepala, dan si Haruna sukses dapet pacar,, akhirnya cerita mulai menjadi sedikit seru >> yupsss!! kehidupan sekolah penuh acara & pembelajaran ini-itu pun muncul^^ Tapi entah sejak volume berapa,, ceritanya jadi bikin emosi dan bosen lagi. Menurut saya, terlalu liar dan bebas untuk ukuran kehidupan anak SMA. Selain itu, alur ceritanya pun mudah banget diprediksi--terlalu khas komik shojo tapi terlalu liar, datar dan ga ada twist apapun--sehingga saya memutuskan untuk menyetop koleksinya di buku 9.
Dari segi gambar,,gambarnya kaku. Tapi kadang lumayan bagus,, meski sering juga Haruna terlihat terlalu perkasa^..^ Sebenernya ingin beri 1 bintang. Tapi karena ada masa2 bagus yg pernah diberikan komik ini, so I gave 2 stars.
Di volume awal, memang komik ini berkesan agak konyol. Cara2 Haruna untuk dapet cowok dan lingkungannya itu berkesan kayak cewek gampangan banget. Terlalu mengumbar, kekanakan, dst. Mungkin karena dia juga masih bau kencur yaa.... ^..^
Setelah melewati 1 ato 2 buku awal yg bikin geleng2 kepala, dan si Haruna sukses dapet pacar,, akhirnya cerita mulai menjadi sedikit seru >> yupsss!! kehidupan sekolah penuh acara & pembelajaran ini-itu pun muncul^^ Tapi entah sejak volume berapa,, ceritanya jadi bikin emosi dan bosen lagi. Menurut saya, terlalu liar dan bebas untuk ukuran kehidupan anak SMA. Selain itu, alur ceritanya pun mudah banget diprediksi--terlalu khas komik shojo tapi terlalu liar, datar dan ga ada twist apapun--sehingga saya memutuskan untuk menyetop koleksinya di buku 9.
Dari segi gambar,,gambarnya kaku. Tapi kadang lumayan bagus,, meski sering juga Haruna terlihat terlalu perkasa^..^ Sebenernya ingin beri 1 bintang. Tapi karena ada masa2 bagus yg pernah diberikan komik ini, so I gave 2 stars.
October 9, 2008
Loved this new series. This series is about Haruna when she was in Junior high was was only interested in Manga and Softball, now that she is in High school she wants to find a boyfried. She does everything wrong. She reads all sorts of magazines to figure out how she is suppose to get a guy. Since she isn’t succeeding on her own she decides she needs help so she asks Yoh who is an up classman to help. The only condition he has is she is not allowed to fall in love with him. Of course now that he is coaching her he takes her out to buy clothes and tries to tell her how to act. She’s always blushing around him and still does things wrong. She also meets his friends and sister in this. I am already in love with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2010
Okay. I'm linking my review to just volume one, but let it be said that I devoured this 13 volume series almost in a single shot. Guilty pleasure, shojo manga at its best...and one of the few that's actually given me some giggles along the way. In short, 'tom boy' Haruna decides that she wants to get in touch with her feminine side after starting high school. Translation: she wants a boyfriend. She plans, she researches, she fails miserably. And then she enlists the coolest, cutest guy in school to be her "love coach." Sweet and funny series. Sometimes over-the-top with drama, but I expect nothing less from my shojo.
December 7, 2012
... Wow... This was an... interesting book. Um... There were so high points that made you laugh really hard but there were more low point. The whole book was simply awkward. It was extremely fun to read and to make fun of (shout out to Lily) but if you want a fantastic manga that you will fall in love with, I say that this isn't for you. Bottom line is: absolutely amazing to make fun of, horrible for a serious read.
May 17, 2013
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE high school debut!!!! Especially because Haruna is just like me, except I don't even try to get hit on.
Anyways Haruna doesnt know anything about clothes, like me.
She doesn't know how guys think, like me.
So this book was kinda like watching myself, but there's no Yoh in my life.
All the good looking guys are jerks.
I'm still too young to even think about dating :)
Anyways Haruna doesnt know anything about clothes, like me.
She doesn't know how guys think, like me.
So this book was kinda like watching myself, but there's no Yoh in my life.
All the good looking guys are jerks.
I'm still too young to even think about dating :)
August 10, 2016
A tomboyish girl name Karuna, wants to find a boyfriend now that she's starting high school. So she enlists the help of a student name Yoh to help her. Well this was a surprisingly good start to the series. I like the main character and one scene in particular made me smile. Definitely reading more of this series.
July 30, 2024
Yes, I'm in my manga phase again 🤭🤭🤭
March 28, 2023
the male leads trauma is that hes too pretty and ppl hate him for it…. BAHAHHAHAHAHAHHS
June 9, 2021
I absolutely love High School Debut. It was sweet, quick, and easy reading. And not to mention the cute male lead lol- who also happens to have good character depth and development.There not to much it beside that. The female character is so relatable- especially as a teenager. The search for perfection is not a foreign concept for anyone. I loved the ending as well! If your new to manga this is a great place to start. Much love for High School debut <3
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