Title: High School Debut Vol 12
Author: Kazune Kawahara
Publisher: Viz
ISBN: 9781421529226
May Contain Spoilers
From the back of the book:
For Yoh’s birthday, Haruna makes plans for the two of them to go on an overnight trip. Wait a minute… Overnight means… they’ll be sharing a room?! Close quarters create an intimate setting for romance, but will that be the case for Haruna and Yoh?
This series never fails the bring a smile to my face. I can’t believe that there’s only one more volume left to enjoy! This installment did not disappoint, as Haruna again bumbles her way through high school and tries to keep her relationship with Yoh on an even keel. Even when she shows a decided lack of common sense, Haruna is always so good natured that it’s hard for anyone to get mad at her. Taking her seriously is always an issue, but all of her friends know that she has their best interests at heart.
I loved the personal relationships in this volume. Haruna and Yoh are both stressing about being alone on an overnight trip, and they both try to hide how nervous they are. Haruna does an awful job, but Yoh stays pretty cool, which only makes Haruna more miserable. She thinks that Yoh isn’t physically attracted to her, and that is just eating her up inside. Because they care so much for each other, the two are able to discuss their feelings openly, and smooth over their miscommunication, but then the gang runs interference. Kind of a cop out ending for their first adventure alone, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.
My favorite chapter featured Asami and her jealousy because Haruna is monopolizing Yoh’s time. She can be so mean and petty, but Haruna still considers her to be a good friend. When Asami decides that Haruna isn’t good enough to be Yoh’s girlfriend, feelings are hurt all the way around. I thought that Asami’s personality was captured to a T here, and that both Haruna and Yoh have the patience of saints. Asami demands to be the center of attention, and when she isn’t in the spotlight, she gets nasty.
High School Debut continues to be an entertaining title, with convincing relationships and touching comedy. Haruna has come a long way from the lonely tomboy in the first installment. Her openness and good-natured personality has even brought Yoh out of his shell. Haruna is so cheerful that it’s hard to resist her goofy charms, and she will win over even the most jaded of readers.
Grade: A-
