_ Shinonome Yuuko wa Tanpen Shousetsu o Aishite Iru_ is a shounen romance with heavy focus on the romance part. The source of romance/affection for our main characters (Minami Eita and Shinonome Yuuko) came from dialogue, light interaction and understanding. The characters dynamic might felt flat and/or toneless. But surprisingly, it was more colorful and enjoyable to read. There is no over-the-top drama, ridiculous romcom situation, or rushed/forced development. Everything flows naturally, simple and was very enjoyable to read from start to finish. And why is that? Lets find out!

First, this manga has very strict point of view, from male protagonist only (Minami Eita). Meaning? We absolutely have no idea what people were thinking or talking unless they told it in front of Eita. Furthermore, this manga also has subtle exposition and the main heroine ( Shinonome Yuuko) has very little expression to show. Do you know what I'm getting at? There are angst, insecurities, thrills, irritation, impending friend-zone, and more spice than it appears to be. This kind of narration is not rare to begin with, but often got switched to tell the important events when the main protagonist are not present at the moment. But this manga hold this rules strictly from start to finish. Like Kyon in _ Haruhi Suzumiya no Yuutsu_. So, it explored Eita's emotion in close, deep, and sometimes also made the reader felt the same way as him.

Second, very down to earth development. The romance part was being played slow and properly. If I'd say flourish gradually for both characters (Eita and Yuuko) such as: 'notice, 'concern', 'interest', 'disclosure', 'fixation', before developed into 'love spark'. This kind of play is actually very rarely seen on shounen romance or any kind of romance manga in this case. Many others were just too fast or too slow that the main couple became out-of-focus for the sake of the more interesting side couples. Some people might find it boring for lacking content, but for some people who digs this kind of thing (down-to-earth focused writing) it has so much appeal that we can't help but to be immersed in the story.

Third, the third parties. What kind of romance which doesn't have third party appearance? The third party appearance holds a certain degree of significance to further develop our main couple which is kind of common norm. In this case each one of them have different roles and purpose for our main couple (Tough, mainly for Eita). Take a look at Arumi-san for example, the way Eita acted as he was in the manga can't be separated from her presence and relationship with him in the past. Speaking about their relation of course we also have Eita's brother (Minami Keisuke) who served as enviable figure for Eita. This also implied that the current protagonist condition has definite reason. Properly written and properly connected.

Fourth, even though its labeled as 'shonen', but it felt strangely maturer than most romance stories in its respective genre. Of course I'm only talking in context, not content. This gave off very different impression from most romance I've ever read/watch as well as the way I think about them. Eita's fixation on Yuuko, Yuuko interest on Eita, the chemistry, role-play, and heck subtle exposition in which Eita felt towards Yuuko. Gave very special immersion on this one volume short romance manga. Innocent story with mature writing.

Fifth, the heroine. We already have very long and wide talk about Minami Eita, but how about our main heroine Shinonome Yuuko? Let me ask you something, when the last time you read/watch a romance which featured a quiet, book-lover who lacks facial expression? That alone is already a plus in my book. First of all, because that kind of heroine is (very) rare to begin with. And its refreshing to see a protagonist actually made an advance and the heroine was giving him ambiguous response. Do we have exposition of maiden in love? Well, I'm sorry we weren't getting any. Except that if you consider the last three chapters as one. Was Shinonome Yuuko always play a passive role? Of course not, she also had her fair moment to approach Eita. So both of them were actually pulling towards each other. Speaking about how was the romance dynamic being played.

Sixth, flaws. No ivory without fault, so does this manga. First of all, it feels too short. The end of this first volume is like an ending of a prologue. There are still more that we don't know about, particularly about the setting. How's their classmates saw them? Who was that random guy who spoke once to Eita in class? What kind of family Yuuko has? There are more questions which needs to be resolved. Well, it is understandable since this volume only covers one volume LN (There are three LN volume total), but still. Other than that, this manga feels dejected or plain. By means, there are no 'special features' which could make it stand out aside that the main heroine is an author. Thus it failed to draw crowds attention to at least look at the first chapter. There is also an issue with Eita's monologue which sometimes didn't flow very well (or maybe it was just a bad translation). And the artwork! While its not that bad but just didn't bite at all. This kind of quality is standing below the normal level particularly in shonen/seinen demographic.

_ Shinonome Yuuko wa Tanpen Shousetsu wo Aishiteiru_ offered a different take and perspective in seeing shounen romance manga. Because if we're talking about romance in shonen demographic, it always so poorly done, lazy or just barely romance. This manga proved once again that romance shounen manga has a caliber to be taken seriously, not just something only to pander the audience with the whole wish fulfillment and accidental fanservice. And I do hope we'll see more of male authors took the shounen romance manga in different light.