My Love Story!!, Vol. 1

“My Love Story” is the newest American release by KawaharaKazune, the author of the popular, uncouth love story “High School Debut”. Having won a slew of awards in Japan, a warm American reception was expected for this slow-starting manga that reaches for your heart (and man-card). This charming tale opens on the day of middle school graduation for Gouda Takeo, the burly Judo captain. He is attempting to escape from his adoring kouhai to find the girl he is in love with—A classic confession scenario. When he catches up with her, however, he finds that she is already confessing to someone else: his best friend, Sunakawa Makoto. He can only look on as Makoto openly rejects the girl, in a manner that Takeo finds stunningly hurtful. As the two head for home (they of course live in the same apartment building), Makoto points out a groper on the train. Angered, our Takeo stomps over and easily strong-arms the pervert off the train at the next station. The police arrive to question the parties involved, when the groper quips that the girl was ‘asking for it’ because she was wearing an ultra-mini. At this point, Takeo loses his cool and actually punches the guy smack in the middle of the face—And with a meaty hand like his, it looked as if the point of impact was pretty much the entire visage itself! The next panels are of the following day: Takeo lounging around his room eating junk food due to suspension for the violence (in front of the police, no less). Makoto drops by to pass on the notes from school that day, when Mrs. Gouda pops in to announce the arrival of a guest, named Yamato Rinko. Neither boy can place the name, but it turns out to be the girl from the station… And when she enters Takeo’s messy room, his love is born. Rinko explains that she asked the cops for Takeo’s information so that she could thank him properly. She takes out a homemade cheesecake and the trio eats together. Accidents bring them together a few more times, while Takeo struggles to come to terms with the fact that a girl so pretty, talented and sweet would never fall for him. But let’s cut to the chase: this series is called “My Love Story”, and Takeo is the main character. I could never ruin that sweet, also accidental, confession scene for new readers, so I will just leave it at that! In any case, this book is a touching view of the oft-overlooked self-critical male. Now, shoujo’s target audience is girls and women, but there are a few men out there who enjoy a sweet story every once in awhile. Taking a gander at my manga collection, I found a ratio of exactly two male-centric shoujo stories for every eleven female-centric. This is a quite a staggering number, considering that shoujo claims to be story-oriented (a feature any gender can enjoy), but usually only depicts the theme-du-jour from a female standpoint. What about us guys who yearn for a cutesy, dramatic, intricately-woven slice-of-life? There are just not many books out there for people like us. Shonen, power-of-friendship sagas are a dime a dozen, but you have to really dig through the plethora of manga now on the market to find a spectacularly ordinary story that can whisk you from the confines of your reality, to the hopes, dreams, and desires of someone in another place. And when this occurs, we start to realize how similar we all truly are. Because when it comes down to it, we have all traipsed through feelings of inferiority or unworthiness at one point or another. These darker times are part of what makes us human; our experiences build us into the complex people who we are today. In this series, there are some brilliant moments brimming with unanticipated optimism, and the first volume of “My Love Story” does a truly marvelous job of encapsulating a turning point in Gouda Takeo’s life.

This is so good, it is super pure and cute and makes me feel all fuzzy. I love the story so far and all the characters are amazing. If you want an innocent no drama shojo story then this is the one for you.

I didn't know what to expect going into My Love Story, but I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this first volume. The story is sweet and funny. The characters are entertaining and relatable. The humor runs a little on the over the top side, but it also keeps the story moving at a quick pace, and Takeo makes for a great lead character. While this is a shojo series, the story is very accessible to both male and female readers, and while the back of the book shows a T rating, the first volume is very tame. Seriously, for something a little different you should check out My Love Story. It'll keep you smiling the whole way through. (And for a similar series, just with two guys instead of a guy and a girl, check out His Favorite.)

This is probably one of the cutest shojo manga I've read in quite a long time. Takeo isn't your stereotypical hero, nor is he the first thing many girls would ever consider for a protagonist of a shojo romance tale. However, after saving a girl from a pervert on the train, he is engaged in his first relationship ever. As of this volume, we haven't seen much of the pair together, but honestly, these two are adorable. Both characters are heartwarming innocent, and all of the supporting characters are super likeable as well. Also so far, the manga hasn't dragged, and its nicely paced. Things move quickly, but not in a confusing manner. So far,I strongly recommend this series to anybody who likes shojo manga. It's refreshing, charming, and overall enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

Okay, I know this is a shoujo ROMANCE, but can we take a moment to appreciate the BROMANCE in this first volume?! Wow! Definitely one of the best male/male friendships I've seen in shoujo manga! (I think the runner-up would be Shortcake Cake since that's the first one that comes to mind because it's REALLY good too!) I absolutely love how much Suna looks out for Takeo and wants him to be happy. There were a few pages where I felt the tear works just like the characters because Suna really is a special friend. <3 Takeo is nothing like any shoujo hero I've read before! I do think it's a little jilting(?) at first in how physically he is not like Suna, so it took me a few pages, but honestly, Takeo quickly won me over because he really is super cool! I love how caring he is and how he also wants Suna to be happy and is even willing to put his own happiness (Takeo) to the side so Suna can be happy. Plus, he's just a lot of fun! I really appreciate how straightforward he is and is quick to act. He may not think it, but he's perfect boyfriend material for our heroine! And speaking of, I really like Yamato! She is SO sweet and loved how she wanted to be honest with Takeo that she is not as "pure" as he might have imagined her to be (even though girl, you still/were are LOL). It was an interesting twist I didn't quite expect, but I am LOVING how these two are already communicating and embracing all the awkwardness of dating for the first time together. (Ha, though poor Suna with that ending though! LOL!) Overall, this was a great first volume! Very much looking forward to reading more!

perfect wholesome romance, it got me back into shojo manga only issue you’ll find is that all your money will go towards buying the next volume lol

True to the show. Not different at all from show

I would definitely suggest it to anyone who's a little sick of the usual 'pretty boy' routine. It's fun, fresh and a joy to read over and over again! :D

The story was awesome

英語の勉強と楽しみを兼ねて読みました。英語版だと原作の絶妙なニュアンスは死んでしまっているけど、やっぱり面白い。

As much as I enjoy shoujo manga and anime, they can also be very frustrating. A bunch of needless drama born from love-triangles, insecurities and the inability to TALK to each other like human beings. Even some of my favorites like Lovely Complex and Kimi Ni Todoke have had infuriating periods. Then comes My Love Story!!. It's difficult to explain why it's so good without spoiling anything with some examples, which I don't want to do. What I CAN tell you, however, is that this is a story with very likeable characters. The relationship between the characters, be it lovers or friends, are all heartwarming in some way. I can't promise that the series won't go downhill in the future (seeing how it's an incomplete series), but right now I can highly recommend this to all shoujo fans and non-shoujo fans alike.

Wonderfully wholesome tale. If you want a break from dark stories and angst, this is a beam of sunlight. I love the characters so much.