Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou Manga review

English: The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel

Type: Manga

Volumes: Unknown

Chapters: Unknown

Status: Publishing

Published: Apr 30, 2010 to ?

Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of Life, Seinen

Authors: Miyahara, Ruri (Story & Art)

Serialization: Young King Ours

Bokura wa minna is not anything spectacular, in fact, in five years when I've read more this and that, I'll come back and call it slightly generic. But in a industry that thrives on re-using scenarios and ideas, you always have to have something special to succeed. Some cases it's a twist that has never been seen before  and for some cases it's as simple as a well written story and characters like this one.

(Check out the anime review of Bokura wa minna kawaisou here)

Driver on the story is romance, seen mainly from the focus point of Usa Kazunari, the male lead. The struggle for the attention of Kawai Ritsu is full of embarrassment, hardship and heart-warming moments. I'd call it basic moe, if not for the realistic way it is presented. The series does give you a scent of comedy from the very beginning, but you'll be surprised just like I was. At times the comedy goes deep, and for many beyond the borders of their comfort-zone.

Naturally, the comedy comes mainly from the characters and their interactions. The small community of the Kawai complex includes two males and four females. And in my eyes, every single one of them deserve the title of a main character. The adult trio that is tasked with the dirty jokes and being a nuisance to Usa, the lovely but surprisingly scary grandma, and our main character couple that are in charge of the awww-moments. They all play a significant role in making this manga what is is, and their chemistry is either freakishly good luck or work of a genius author. 

Usa Kazunari is not a main character who would be in the finals when world championships are held, but he is a likeable and not in any way a bland boy, who's job is to be the foundation of the romance and a gear in the comedymachine. Kawai Ritsu / senpai / Rit-chan is a female lead that can be described with one word: absolutely adorable. She is the quiet type with character, in other words a bookworm with cool personality. 

The overall quality of the art in the manga is high, and when the artist goes for the close-ups on characters showing various emotions, I froze and stared at the screen for a moment in awe. 

 Bokura wa Minna is different. There is no need to rip your hair out out of frustration, no need for unnecessary screaming at the monitor for not giving us what we want, because the progress is smooth and natural. Yes, the story has a slow pace, but that comes as a given when one of the tags is Slice of Life. I encourage you to pick it up, and witness the joys and horrors of living in the Kawai complex.