Masamune-kun’s Revenge is probably the least popular manga or anime I have completed. It doesn't totally surprise me that the anime's popularity never really translated to popularity with the manga, as honestly the adaptation feels kinda hollow

However, the manga is unexpectedly an emotional joyride

When you dont go into a series with pre-set expectations or comparisons, its very easy to enjoy a piece of material for what it is. Comedies are supposed to make you laugh, romances are supposed to give you a warm smile (or cry depending on which side youre on), and shonen make you want to jump out of your seat. When you begin to compare and contrast different anime in the same genre (such as "[x] anime so much more realistic" , or "has better artwork") you have become a critic rather than a viewer. And at that point the enjoyment factor considerable drops.

Masamune-kun’s Revenge is a fun harem-eseque manga that in the last act of the show pivots into a highly emotional climax. Throughout the course of the series, I couldnt help but feel like it was getting inspiration from Oregairu SNAFU, in its characters as well as dramatic plot lines. Although from the beginning we are given the idea that this MC wants revenge on his childhood crush, it is clear that something deeper will occur.

The cast of characters is quite extensive for a manga with only 50 chapters. These (majority) female characters are introduced into the story fairly well, but unfortunately arent given adequate conclusions. The extra volume following the conclusion of the story helps fix this (with characters like Fujinomiya) but still....

The part of Masamune-kun’s Revenge that everyone will remember and point out first is Yoshino's character. A character who at first comes off simply as a side character who simply wants revenge similar to Masamune for how her master [Aki] has treated her over the years. But it becomes clear with the progressing in chapters that she might actually be more fond of Aki than initially thought. The first climax of the story, the true origins of the title "Pig-legs" was quickly one-upped in suspense and emotion with the revelation of Yoshino's true feelings. I think a lot of her character was executed extremely well. As a viewer it is easy to see how she gradually started to develop feelings for the MC without even realizing it. The pain she gets in trying to figure out how to deal with her feelings while things go on with Masamune and Aki is gut-wrenching. I again couldnt help but feel a call back to Yui Yuigahama, a character who goes through very similiar feelings in the 3rd and final season of Oregairu. As a human, you really can feel how hard it must be for her to repress how she feels in order to make sure the master she cares so much about [Aki] can be with the guy she likes. The manga takes a bit of a tumble in how it ends up handling this love triangle, which I am almost certain is because initial audience reception most likely was not as positive as the mangaka hoped so they changed it last second.

The ending of Masamune-kun’s Revenge was certainly rushed. It went back and forth between the love triangle a bit too frequently without giving meaningful results. However the backbone of the characters relationships and feelings built over the course of the story made me realize the MC could end up with either girl, because the story built a solid relationship between both female characters and Masamune. I personally may have felt more happiness when Yoshino finally confessed, but looking at the story it makes sense why things end the way they did.

Masamune-kun’s Revenge doesnt really do anything too above-and-beyond amazing, but it also doesnt have anything in particular that makes it bad. The character design and storyboard is pretty, the plot is enticing, and it makes you feel every type of emotion.