Rough Ranobe

Spoilers ahead

Review

Does adolescent syndrome still exist once you enter college? Maybe a yes or a no, but as we enter the college arc of the Rascal series by Hajime Kamoshida, it's up to the main character Sakuta to prove it, he's taking statistical science btw and Futaba says it can be useful.

This time, it evolved to another idol character in the story, Uzuki, the leader of the idol group Sweet Bullet which Nadoka, the Siscon Idol was also a member. She is known for being a sore thumb in a crowd, and not able to read the room. She also helped Kaede to move forward with what high school to choose during Kaede's venturing out arc.

In regards to the romance between Mai and Sakuta, it's growing mature lately and new characters like another cute girl were introduced and so also that certain idol who already read the room made Nadoka open her eyes.

The tone of the story shifts to a serious and mature one. I don't know if being in college affected that but that's what I feel about it. There wasn't any mystery during the opening but we have glimpses of things that relate to the future. The author likes throwing life lessons and comparing realizations in between.

One of the characters I like here is Sakuta's new friend, Miori. Her scene with Sakuta and Mai replaced the humor that Nadoka or Tomoe can give. Miori can banter at the same level as Sakuta unlike the other two.

During the resolution of the conflict, I like the scene where Uzuki goes with them on the stage. I almost cried in that part, it was kinda cringy yet dramatic. Compared to the earlier volumes, Uzuki's arc ends with a “Now, I see”. College was huge and she was heavily influenced by the surrounding people from it. Sakuta pulled her along so she was able to walk forward and find herself that she isn't a lost singer.

The pacing remains the same. It wasn't dragging or a slow burn. As someone who read the fan-translated Sakurasou. The author likes gradual buildup and shatters emotions slowly.

If you like the theme “boy saves different girls and starts a harem” in a slice of life, not isekai and a classic high school rom-com. This is something to be read whether you watched the anime or not.

Rating

Art ☆☆☆ Character ☆☆☆☆ Story ☆☆☆ Enjoyment ☆☆☆☆

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Impression

No aberration-related problem was involved in this volume. The 3 stories are well connected, thank you to that certain character I expect she won't be there in the last chapter but she was on the cover. It's her time to shine. Ougi has this neutralizing effect among the girls, given Araragi just opens up to her out of the blue without quirks and banter. Just straight to the point you fool.

The three stories are all heavy in dialog due to the mystery involved in Araragi's past. Nisioisin style is to put everything vague by playing words in the story but he puts this character who is always straight to the point. It gives a certain balance. It lives out the name Oshino.

Some of my favorite scene here is Ogi throwing a chair to the window, the fight between Hitagi and Sodachi, and Hanekawa vs Ougi in the last chapter.

Due to the mystery/investigative nature of the volume, it feels more mature and has this serious tone, and Ougi neutralized it with her on-point character.

There are several illustrations even in the end. Sodachi by VOFAN is cute.

Rating

Art ☆☆☆☆ Character ☆☆☆☆ Story ☆☆☆☆☆ Enjoyment ☆☆☆☆

Impression

The short stories here feel heavier compared to the first 6, especially the last two, which happened after Tsukimonogatari.

I like the fact that the author overdid himself to insert these short stories just to connect the dots on what is happening and what will happen in the next volumes as he told from the Afterword.

Though the short stories have their message of the connection concerning the main storyline. I like Koyomi Torus as the Koyomi and Shinobu fought over donuts and it ended with Koyomi eating all donuts. I expect Shinobu will eat it all, but Hanekawa's analysis was on point. The subtle emotion between the characters is just there but it was conveyed after all.

Rating

Art ☆☆☆ Character ☆☆☆ Story ☆☆☆☆ Enjoyment ☆☆☆

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Impression

An action-packed volume having mecha and battle shonen content. Add the new fiance which is another princess of a certain kingdom, this time from the East.

I don't know if the author does have a hatred for the country that represents Yulong IRL. I'm expecting usual combat scenes instead, the Phrase suddenly appear and then wipe off that country. On the hand, the MC came to the rescue. Politics in this novel is not that complicated and toxic compared to IRL. The fight scene is fast and can be easily digested in words, my only issue is the MC's OP-ness is all over the place as expected.

A new girl is added to the harem, though she already appeared last time, call it a foreshadowing, as expected again. Hilde is the 2nd swordswoman next to Yae and then comes the Pruning.

Pam is an insert character here yet nice small plot twist connecting the chapters. The battle shonen started, a spirit appeared and another goddess which we can relate to the new fiance, the god of sword.

The volume doesn't have your walk-in-the-park tone due to the consecutive battles yet it still carries that easy-peasy life of the Touya and his smartphone in another world.

Rating

Art ☆☆☆ Character ☆☆☆ Story ☆☆☆ Enjoyment ☆☆☆

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