Manga spotlight: Koukou Debut

Koukou Debut, also known as High School Debut, is a surprising shoujo manga that focuses on the romance of an unlikely couple and personal growth.  Haruna, an athletic girl who missed out her chance at romance during middle school, decides that for her high school debut she’ll concentrate as hard on romance as she did on softball in middle school. Unfortunately, the hopelessly unfashionable Haruna doesn’t quite understand that romance isn’t something you can easily acquire by brushing up on techniques and practicing hard. Her attempts to attract the opposite sex fail miserably.

Yoh and Haruna meet in a 'Cinderella'-like fashion

Enter Yoh, a cool upperclassman, who is one of the most sought after boys in Haruna’s high school. After witnessing Yoh’s unparalled good taste, Haruna begs him to coach her in the arts of romance. With Yoh’s guidance, Haruna becomes more attractive and appealing, triggering feelings even in the seemingly distant Yoh. Haruna likewise feels an attraction to her coach, but due to her own insecurities and lack of confidence doesn’t believe that someone as cool as Yoh would be attracted to her. The discovery of their mutual feelings is played out beautifully, with some interesting missteps and misunderstandings to heighten the suspense when they both realize their true feelings.

Of course, love is just like softball.

Haruna tries hard at romance by herself without much success.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a shoujo manga, if the relationship went smoothly. There are rivals to Yoh’s affections, which even include his own sister, Asami, who interferes constantly. Then there are the ex-girlfriend and all the other girls in the high school who can’t quite accept that someone as ordinary as Haruna can become Yoh’s girlfriend. However, this is where Haruna shines as a shoujo heroine. All that time spent practicing softball has made her surprisingly the toughest girl in school, which makes her a very hard target for bullying. The scene where Haruna tells Yoh how she “solved” the bullying done by her female upperclassmen was probably one of my favorite in the manga.

When bullied, Haruna fights back. It's what makes her a great heroine.

Probably one of my favorite moments in the manga. Yoh's reaction is refreshing because, up to that point, it was so uncharacteristic of him.

The manga then steps into high gear to explore what it really means to be in a relationship. While Haruna and Yoh are still getting used the emotional aspects, the potential to explore the physical end of their relationship rears its head in an overnight trip. Unfortunately, Haruna and Yoh never get to stage due to their mutual embarrassment and due to the interference of Yoh’s sister and their friends. Even though as a reader, you’re left disappointed that they didn’t “do it”, you’re left with an impression that Haruna and Yoh’s relationship has been strengthened by the experience.

After awhile even Haruna manages to catch the eye of some guys other than Yoh.

Haruna and Yoh graduate to the next year, forgetting that Yoh's still handsome and quick to become the target of affection for incoming first-years.

The manga probably could’ve ended there, short and sweet. The manga then explores Yoh’s upcoming graduation and Haruna’s reaction to an eminent and upcoming change in their relationship. These last chapters felt more like filler to me, since most of the interesting aspects of Haruna’s and Yoh’s relationship had already been explored earlier. However, one thing that the manga does do well in later chapters is examine how Yoh has been changed with his relationship with Haruna, so it is somewhat worthwhile to stick around to see that.

Overall, I enjoyed Koukou Debut. Haruna makes for a great shoujo heroine, as clueless as she is strong. Yoh is interesting as a seemingly too cool upperclassman who isn’t as secure in his own emotional feelings as he lets on. And the supporting cast, Yoh’s sister and their mutual friends, are mostly likable in their own way.  I’d definitely recommend it.

Volume 11 can be preordered in North America. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.

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