My interest in this manga comes from my aunt. She recommended me to watch the anime, My Love Story!! (aka Ore Monogatari!!–which can be found on Hulu). Now I haven’t watch anime (except for Dragonball Super) in a long time. I started an episode or two, but opted for the live action movie instead. The movie interested me enough that I decided to read the manga. And so here I am writing about it.
Ore Monogatari!! My Love Story!!
Written by Kazune Kawahara and Aruko
Published by Betsuma/Shueisha
Genre: Romantic, Slice-of-Life, Shoujo
Volumes: 13
You can read it here.
Synopsis
Takeo Gouda is a big guy with an even bigger heart. He is always interested in girls who aren’t interested in him. That is until he meets Yamato.
Review
The manga was difficult for me to read at first because 1. I don’t regularly read manga and 2. I’m usually motivated to read manga because of the live action dramas. So far this manga only has a live action movie and anime. The only other manga I’ve read recently (Itazura Na Kiss, Hana Yori Dango, Good Morning Call, and Good Morning Kiss) were all drama mini series that I previously watched.
After finally overcoming my initial difficulties, I found the manga refreshing. Simply because we are shown a different point of view compared to the typical shoujo. It nice to have a male perspective of the relationship. Even though I’m not entirely convince.
The story can sometimes be exhausting. I honestly think it’s because it’s slice-of-life. Despite that, I absolutely love Takeo and Yamato’s relationship. They are so cute and I think that is what makes it worth reading. Takeo is sweet, caring, and always trying to help out. We were able to witness his main fault-naivety. He wants to help so much that he doesn’t see how it can hurt others. I don’t like that we were hardly able to see Yamato’s faults. Sure, she gets jealous and becomes insecure, but that type of thing happens in any relationship. I wonder (since I only read up to volume 5) if they reveal some more of her faults. They were still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship anyways.
The Best
The relationship between Takeo and Yamato. They are so cute together. I also love the relationship between Takeo and Sunakawa. I don’t know if I’m the only one who gets this vibe, but I feel like Sunakawa (the best friend and not the sister) is secretly gay and in love with Takeo. It’s just some things he does or doesn’t do that make me wonder or he could just be a kid who’s not interested in a relationship; he could be asexual. Hmm…maybe I’m thinking too much into this.
Sunakawa just really loves Takeo.
The Worst
There was hardly any character growth which I think is a common theme for shoujo. I also don’t like how innocent and pure everyone seems to be. Takeo not wanting to kiss Yamato until almost a year after they’ve been dating–yea, that seems so romantic and realistic. They don’t wait that long, but I’m disgusting that he even suggested it. I can’t imagine dating someone for almost a year and they have never kiss me. I’d questioned his interest in me–which, by the way, Yamato does.
Favorite Scenes
There wasn’t any scenes that stood out to me particularly, but I did enjoy the following ones:
Takeo in a daze after meeting Yamato
When Yamato confesses how she feels about Takeo
This chapter was one of the annoying ones where she wanted to hold his hand, but was afraid to because he called her pure. It was strange that holding hands is even considered impure. I guess it’s the intention behind it.
Let me kiss you
Cute, but cheesy at the same time
Book-to-Life Connection
The book-to-life connection is a list I create from things that I find interesting from the book/manga/movie/drama that I’m writing about. I may or may not write further on the topic.
Sacertorte Recipe
Culture
Judo
Ore Monogatari!! Movie
Paper Cranes
Yamato bakes so much! I did consider attempting to make the things she bakes but I don’t even like baking like that.
Have you read another Shoujo from the male perspective?
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