Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai

Harem is such a complicated genre to make enjoyable. The very nature of the story demands that there won't be a resolution until the popularity drops, and usually the quality of the comedy dropped long before that. Add that from the start you know that the first interest will be the winner, or maybe the second one if the author is extremely risky; and you end up feeling as if the entire story is desperately trying to bait you into things that won't happen. The main route to get the reader interest is being funny, which is hard to make universal.

I wouldn't say that this manga is extremely funny, although it does reach situations so far fetched that make it enjoyable as a slice of life comedy. The secondary characters are, as it tends to happen, far better romantic options and knowing that they are just filler for the childhood friend can make then a bit irritating.

I think the main element that makes this one work specially well is the absolute lack of human contact the MC has. The standard route i giving the MC two school friends who will desire his girls and maybe work as consolation prices for the losers, but having absolutely no one (and each time the class mates talk about him they quickly jump to assuming he abused people and should be in jail) makes it a bit more natural that he wouldn't think about having a girlfriend at all. When you can't talk to anyone, or share your mundane happiness, your mind would be aiming to something much more basic than getting your privates wet.

As the formula starts to get in place they lose the ironic reminder that they don't have friends (since they clearly are friends), so I'd like to assume the author is aware of how he's dealing with that topic without making it overly obvious.

As a side note I really like the sketchy style and while panel layout is pretty standard and the faces can be confusing here and there, it does have a general feeling that makes it appealing.

Okay, so I picked this up randomly without really knowing much about it. It was a great decision. I later found out the original source material was a light novel series. And also found out that there was anime adaptation as well, so it became my goal to thoroughly read the manga before watching the anime (season 1 and 2). I gotta say I am really enjoying the manga. There are plenty of moments where I'm left wondering "how they would even animate that" or "is that even allowed to be on TV!?" but I'm really having fun with it. As my first ever manga, I really appreciate the pace of the story-line, the characters and their relationships, and the compact size of the physical manga. Definitely recommend this for a fun read.

Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends.

Now this Manga was something I didn't expect, looking at the front cover all I could think was "Oh man, another teen manga with overused content". Oh how I was wrong.

Story: 8/10

This Manga is easily one of my favorite manga I have read in a while, the overall story doesn't seem very powerful at first, but as it has progressed it has slowly begun to reveal interesting little tidbits into the past of each of the characters. Now, I'm keeping an open view on the story, as I have not read the entire series (as only 3 volumes are out in English at the time I'm writing this). Humor has a major influence on this Manga, as the activities that they partake in generate a lot of fantastic and down right raunchy moments.

Art: 8/10

The art style for this manga, isn't anything overly unique or bland. It pays attention to the details when it is needed and it works well with the overall light and Hilarious themes. each character looks different, not only in their general display but in their facial expressions and posture. As a big theme in this manga would definitely be comedy, the art does not disappoint in portraying these moments to the reader.

Character: 9/10

Now, surely having a club that is for making friends is going to generate a lot of "Interesting" characters, and oh my, how it does. Throwing all of these different characters into one room would make any normal person question whether or not it's some twisted social experiment. The club starts with just Kodaka and Yozora, but as the manga progresses characters are constantly joining this lively club. An obnoxious princess, Kodaka Fan-boy and an overly intelligent 10 year old nun later and you have the ingredients for madness.

Enjoyment: 9/10

If I was to put this manga into one word, that word would be "Hilarious". Due to the simple fact that this manga shows what you can do when it comes to comedy. I found myself Audible laughing on public transport, much to the discomfort of the other passengers. Along with all I have said so far, this series is really shaping up to be one of my top 3.

Overall: 9/10

If you have not had the time to check this manga out, I would thoroughly suggest you find a copy somewhere and give it a read. It's funny, raunchy and brings a smile to your face with every page. I personally cannot wait for the rest of this series to be published into English, and I refuse to watch the anime until I finish it.

I generally enjoy the typical love comedy harem type of anime, manga and light novels. For Haganai, however, not only did I simply like it, I absolutely LOVE it.

The characters in the novel are interesting, and slightly unique in their own ways. I love how the members of the neighbours' club converses amongst themselves, throwing in a whole lot of insults and unwholesome things all over the place. Take for Mikazuki Yozora,whom probably has the best choice of words I have ever seen in any manga, anime or light novel. Its not just simple insulting and swearing. Its an infinite chain of words that would completely, utterly, entirely pwn you, as she has clearly demonstrated on Sena, leaving poor ole meat with absolutely no room for any comebacks whatsoever. Sena, may appear to be the typical proud all-rounder, good in grades and athletics and such, but what I like is how she goes about, conveying and proclaiming her pride, demonstrating her superiority. This is especially so when she describes other girls beside her, stating that "there are two kinds of girls in this world, those that get along with me and the other bitches that don't". I absolutely love all the trash talking they do. Their conversations and choice of words are unique and frankly, rather witty, and the author does not hold back in using any foul language, which I greatly appreciate.

One other thing that I found in this novel, that I am rather fond of, is the author's precise and well-timed manipulation of words. When the characters are shouting some ridiculous nonsense, the font tends to be enlarged. You may not notice this, but it truly adds to the effect of the speech or conversation. The author, at times, would also reduce the font size, creating an effect of meekness, subtlety and shyness. All of this play around in your head very well, creating extremely vivd and vibrant imagery in the readers' minds. The author has one of the more engaging styles of descriptive writing there is. This is perhaps one of the things that draw me to Haganai so much, the fact that you can very vividly, accurately, precisely imagine what is going on in the novel, completely grabbing my attention and interest.

The art, is rather interesting. The hair highlights are different from what can be typically depicted in other manga/anime/light novels, and gives the characters an entirely different aura. The art can create a "standing out" effect upon the characters, giving them a more complete, vital, and a somewhat angelic presence. The only shortcoming about the art, is that at certain times when the characters are shouting and displaying great and strong emotions, the art does not do justice to the words that have just been said, the manner of conversation which had transpired, by half-heartedly conveying and illustrating the characters' emotions, giving a reduced and weaker effect of the characters' strong, overwhelming emotions. Other than that, the artwork is spectacular.

The theme of friendship is unconventional, but still extremely well-conveyed, in this novel. Most shounen manga/anime that I have watched, often have friendship being depicted as doing the right things together, accomplishing the same goals, with united spirit and purpose of mind. Haganai, on the other hand, depicts friendship as, being comfortable and relaxed, being who you really are in front of those whom you call your friends, that is the rendition of friendship I have garnered in this novel. Far from those thematic friendship stereotypes, Haganai often has the members of the neighbours' club waging constant war and conflict amongst themselves, all in the good sense. Friendship is in this unconventional sense, but it is well conveyed, nonetheless, to see even this other perspective, of comfort, and unpretentiousness amongst those whom you call your friends. One of the best lines, or quotes about friendship that I have seen in any manga/anime, was said by Yozora, about that of true friends. Many other shounen manga/anime that I have come across do not depict this at all, making Haganai unique in its rendition of friendship.

The plot itself(I realised I had completely left this out), is rather simple and generic.It is not too different from other works out there. However, maybe due to my own ignorance and inability to think, I had never thought that this was going to be a harem story. The characters do not show any particular, strong interest in Kodaka at the start, but would gradually show and expose their feelings. Before, I had only thought that it was just a regular club, going about in their slice-of-life activities. Then, the love interest starts coming out, and before I knew it, the story became that of a harem. Perhaps this is also another selling point of Haganai, the gradual, inconspicuous development of a harem.

Overall, I completely enjoyed myself throughout the read, from start to end(please don't end yet though). Never once did I find myself not smiling while reading the novel, and at times rolling on my bed in sheer laughter. There was never a boring bit to the novel, and this novel is probably one of the best there is of the genre. Of all things that I have read/watched, the manga/anime of the same genre of love, comedy, harem and friendship of such, at most I would say that I like it. Haganai, on the other hand, is absolute LOVE.

This manga has great potential but sadly drops the ball..as is it still ongoing I cannot comment on the my overall opinion of it or how i fell about the ending-as an ending can make or break a story. (although I do not plan to find out as I have lost interest and do not plan on forcing myself to read the rest).
Everything about the anime is ok..go ahead and read if, if you want and have the time. It really isn't that bad but nothing ground break or worth being on my list of book I want, or even recommended manga.
The humor in the manga can be very funny but the humor can only go so far in a story that seems to drag on forever.

The charters are were I have the most problems with. I know in literature, especially manga, writers are allowed to stretch the word of disbelief. But you want me to believe that these girls....who are popular, beautiful smart, and are shown to have people wanting to be there friend...want to join this club because they have a "hard time making friend"? Really????
I can buy maybe 1 of them being popular and wanting to join the club for fun..but..I honestly was hoping/expecting for something more along the lines of "Princess Jellyfish" charters. Being a group of misfits and having there own quirks.

A review of "Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai"

This book was recommended to me by a certain place, and I find it extremely interesting. I also got it at a very reasonable price.

The characters all felt like they were just copies from other works I've read, and that's quite alright, cause I love when an apathetic guy gets dragged into the creation of a club! Looking at you Kyon, you lovable, sarcastic, unwilling club member. Oh, and Kodaka too I suppose.

The plot development is what you'd expect from a romantic comedy, full of the standard anime shenanigans and your share of odd characters. It's a hotblooded and rebellious adventure about trying to make friends! No friends? Look no further than to this story to encourage and inspire you to stop staring at your computer screen and make some comrades! Not once was I bored reading this.

I can't say the writing was very good, b-but it's not like it was bad either! I-It's just that...ah! Go away!

The paper (?) used for the cover was nice enough. Buriki proves once again that s/he is amazing at making Sena and Yozora jaw dropping. If you see this somewhere and the cover caught your eye, give it a shot. You can also get it at a very reasonable price!

Overall score: ☆☆☆☆

(If you get the joke, good for you. If you didn't...read the book and find out! It's really enjoyable. You can also get it for a very reasonable price!)