_"In their history, or my parents’ history, or my friends’, where do I fit in? If only I could be a part of it…"_ --- Minor spoilers ahead. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347628487/original.png) Before I delve into the review, let me disclose something. I am incredibly biased towards this manga. The first time I read it, I was the main character's age. Now, I am 22. In short, this manga has been a part of my life for over six years. _Principal_ is what I would call a comfort series. Typically, I'm not one who turns to sad or melancholic stories for comfort. But _Principal's_ character drama is incredibly compelling, empathetic, and, in the end, hopeful. But I'm getting ahead of myself. _Principal_ was serialized in Cookie magazine in 2010. It ended in 2013 with 26 chapters total. A brisk read, all things considered, especially if you are accustomed to long-running shounen or hundred-chapter epics. The manga's author, Ikuemi Ryou, is a well-known, well-regarded shoujo veteran whose other works include _Anata no Koto wa Sorehodo_, _Taiyou ga Mite Iru_, _Cousin_, and several others. _Principal_ is arguably her most popular work to date and received a live action adaptation in 2018. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347630558/original.png) The premise of _Principal_ is straight-forward and perhaps even a little redundant if you are an avid fan of shoujo. Shima Sumitomo's parents are divorced. Her mother is on her fourth marriage and rather than impose upon the newly weds, Shima decides to leave Tokyo and go stay with her biological father in Sapporo. At least, that's what she tells people who ask. The real reason behind her sudden escape was a fallout with her friends. After what seemed like a minor disagreement, she is greeted by a cold atmosphere in class, suddenly ignored and excluded by them. Rather than confront the isolation, Shima decides to take the "coward's way out" by transferring schools and giving herself a fresh start. It's also Shima's chance to grow closer to her father, whom she doesn't share much of a relationship with. In his own words, she's always taken after her mother. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347628277/original.png) Once arriving to Sapporo, Shima immediately becomes acquainted with her new neighbors, two boys from her class: Wao Sakurai and Gen Tatebayashi. Despite being polar opposites, they're inseparable best friends. On the surface, Wao is kind to all, with a bright smile and calming presence. He's been sickly from birth and his single mother struggles to support their family financially. Despite this, he never lets anyone worry about him. He is not one to complain or tell other people his problems. As a result, Wao is withdrawn and distant in a way that Shima - and everyone else, for that matter - can't quite understand. Of course, Wao can't hide anything from Gen: the only person who can read him perfectly and see past the friendly facade. At first glance, the latter is rude, dismissive, and lacking in tact; the complete antithesis of the former. He doesn't seem interested in making friends outside of Wao and is incredibly protective over him. In addition to being best friends, Wao and Gen just so happen to be the most popular boys in school. Beloved by their peers, an unspoken rule has been set upon the two. No one is allowed to get too close to them, lest they risk being blacklisted by the female student body. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347631855/original.png) When Shima learns of this rule, she is terrified of history repeating itself and becoming isolated once more. Despite this fear, she finds herself further entrenched in Wao and Gen's lives. And, as her relationships with the two boys deepen, she discovers that their histories are much more complicated than anyone could have expected. At it's core, _Principal_ is about loneliness. Despite being a shoujo that features not one but two endearing male leads, there is little focus on romance. That's not to say that love is not an important part of the narrative. In fact, it is the driving force. But for the main heroine, her struggles do not center on burgeoning romance. Not at first, at least. img300(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347633001/original.png) First, she must come to terms with her relationship with her father. He cares for her more than anything but, due to their estrangement, he is a little awkward at expressing his affection. Shima loves him too. She loves him so much, in fact, that she's willing to cheer him on as he pursues new romance after ten years of solitude, even if that means sacrificing her own happiness in the process. Then she must adapt to a new home life, where she finds herself closest to the one person she's developed feelings for, and who is now completely off limits. Shima must learn to love this person in a different way, and support him as he fights for love elsewhere. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347633116/original.png) Even when it seems like things might finally be getting better, Shima finds herself yet again confronted by inconvenient feelings that she must stifle for the sake of her friends. Again and again, Shima gives up parts of her own happiness to support others. That's what I mean when I say that this manga is primarily about loneliness. Shima is terrified of being alone. That's why she left Tokyo in the first place. And yet, despite having made a new life for herself in Sapporo, surrounded by family and friends and a golden retriever - all of whom love her - she finds herself more lonely than ever. I mentioned earlier that I am biased towards this manga. It's exploration of loneliness and lost connections is primarily why I got so attached as a teenager. There are a lot of sad moments that, if you're sensitive like me, will leave you big puddle of tears. It's not all doom and gloom, of course. There is humor too (and it's pretty well done, if I do say so myself). img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347632348/original.png) Overwhelmingly, however, the atmosphere of _Principal_ is a bit melancholic. Not in any excessive or self-indulgent way, mind you. But Shima does struggle a lot with feelings of being left behind. If you've ever experienced the despairing realization that you are no one's first choice, then I would equate that feeling to this manga's subject material. But don't let that discourage you from giving _Principal_ a chance. There are several other draws to keep you invested beyond the themes. The characters, for one, are some of the most human I've yet to encounter, Wao and Gen especially. They are initially introduced as untouchable idols, worshipped by their classmates. But later its made clear that they are just as flawed as anyone else, prone to pettiness and insensitivity and selfishness. The rest of the cast are just as well-fleshed out, even the minor characters. Everyone has a motivation for acting the way they do, and no one is written without an acute level of humanity. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347632826/original.png) Also, as you may have noticed by now, the art is stunning. Ikuemi Ryou's genius does not stop at crafting compelling narratives. Her art, _especially_ her character design, is distinct and beautiful and so very expressive. I've yet to find an artist who can capture subtle emotion the way she does. img300(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347632951/original.png) If nothing else I've said yet has enticed you, then I can at least promise there's a happy ending (albeit, not the ending you are likely expecting). --- _"While I was sleeping today, I thought about what it would be like if you never came into our lives, and it made me extremely lonely."_ It honestly astounds me that I am the first to review this manga. Anytime I recommend someone read _Principal_, they always end up loving it. And so it makes me sad to see that, even after all this time, not many people have heard of this gem. Truly, it is an underrated piece of art. There is so much heart and love poured into these characters, it would be a shame to miss out on their story. If you have made it to the end of this review, then all I can say it please read _Principal_. It's beautiful and meaningful. I really can't sing it's praises enough. img500(https://data.whicdn.com/images/347632614/original.png)

springdaughter