Last Game

As you can see - I have rated this manga very low. It's a very typical manga. And not very enjoyable.

Story 4/10:

This manga is a very slow-paced story. It's a typical story where the girl doesn't understand the male protagonist's feelings and starts to realize her feelings very, very slowly. The romance is very slow and really get anywhere. Interesting romance really only happens at the end of the manga, which happens a lot in the manga I have read. The story is pretty boring and nothing really romantic throughout most of the story happens.

Art 7/10:

I really enjoyed the art style and thought it was very nice. The artist is very talented. I really don't have a lot to say though.

Character 6/10:

The characters weren't really that special to me. They didn't have a lot of originality and depth. It's a typical smart, quiet, ice girl and nobody knows anything about her except for Yagani.

Enjoyment 5/10:

I enjoyed the end, but nothing else really entertained me. There was some comedy and romantic parts. I don't enjoy slow-paced anime or manga. I feel like I waste my time and the story doesn't really get anywhere.

Overall 6/10

It was a meh manga. I have read better but also read worse. This is a great manga for people looking for calm manga.
TL;DR Story was slow-paced, not much romance. Art was pretty decent.
Characters didn't have a lot of development in my opinion. Enjoyment for me was at the end of the manga.

Ahhh, how much I wanted to love this series, but I just couldn't.

I'll go straight to the problem: pacing and characters.

For the most part, the story is slow, that in and of itself is not a problem, it allows the reader to become attached to the characters and understand them. Which in turns yields a more rewarding story, especially in romance. The problem is that at a certain point the story drags out to a painfully slow pace where the author does everything within their power to stop the story from progressing. The story would have been perfectly fine being 10 chapters shorter.

Adding insult to injury, the ending is then rushed. With the characters revealing their feelings in a ridiculous cliche moment and tieing all loose ends in just 3 chapters.

As for the characters, they are perfectly fine during most of the story, but towards the end, it feels as if I'm reading about two completely new people **SPOILERS AHEAD** Yanagi goes from being the guy that wants to prove himself by his own merits and who wants to be there for his love to being a clingy love-struck moron. Meanwhile, Kujou goes from being a girl who is learning how to relate to others and who is discovering her love for Yanagi to being cold and distant. **END OF SPOILERS** I don't think the way they behave towards the end is unrealistic or bad, but I do feel like they are completely different characters to the ones that they had been before and there is no progression from A to B to bridge the gap.

I decided to give this shoujo romantic comedy a shot because of course, it has a pretty high score on MAL and the art in the cover looked pretty cute. so when I first started reading this, I thought great we have a over the top rich guy in love with an emotionless straightforward talking girl who would make you laugh your head off with the things she comes out with

However as I kept reading the manga, the story felt pretty much the same by being a drag and included a "third wheel" character who shouldn't be there in the first place. Seriously the character Souma is just the typical whiny b*tch you always see in love triangle stories and it honestly drives me up the walls. If you know me, I hate sudden love triangles in romantic stories lol.

Yeah it's disappointing I didn't click enough with this rom com...oh well...

Story: 9

Honestly, this manga overloaded me with so many different emotions. There were times where I would be crying because of how cute Yanagi and Kujou were together, but there were also times wherein I had to take a break from reading because of a headache of frustration. The plot isn't completely original, I've seen other shoujo manga with an extremely similar plot to it, however, out of all the others, I strongly believe that this was the best way they were able to explain the actual story and what was going on in it. There are two things that disappointed me in the story, which was, firstly, the ending, which I thought was kind of rushed. The second thing I disliked was how slow-paced it was, but that didn't bother me TOO much.

Art: 8

The art was decent, but not enough for me to give it a perfect score. I did like the art very much and did in fact think it was cute, but it's just not my cup of tea. But that was only during the very beginning. Later on, I learned to slowly fall in love with the art style, and I have to admit, after finishing the entire manga I did miss it very much.

Characters: 9

The characters are slightly cliche in a way, I have to admit. But I do love them all. Though they may be stereotypes, the author proved that it's possible for a stereotypical story to be good, if written well. The two leads have an amazing relationship, and it always made me go "Aw!" Additionally, I don't usually favor clueless, way too innocent leads, but Kujou was an exception, she's definitely one of my all-time favorite shoujo manga protagonists.

Enjoyment: 10

I can't even explain how much I loved this manga. It's definitely one of my favorites and it really did raise my expectations for shoujo a lot higher. My heart was so happy as I read this, and it broke into pieces when I finished it (but that's only because I wanted more chapters).

Overall: 9/10

So I found this manga on a whim. Read it quick, like I would any Shoujo.

But as went down my list, and read more and more, I kept re-opening it to check over the small things.

Then a few updates just so happen to catch my eye, and I was taken in, absorbed into the beauty that is Last Game.

Shorty after, I bought the volumes, and now, everyday, I check to see if the scanlators have translated.

EVERY. DAY.

**NO SPOILERS**
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story:

I'm quite surprised when I say that the story is actually rather simple, as most Shoujo are, but this one seemed a bit unique, at least. Yanagi Hisato, stands at the paramount of society, high above those deemed beneath him in the social totem pole. He has the intellect, the athletic prowess, the drive; everything you'd need to be considered "Perfect".

But then she comes.

Kujou, a girl that eclipses him at everything: sports, tests, games; except that her place is perhaps the ground at which the social totem pole sits upon. She has no friends, and with her personality, it is definitely a possibility that she wouldn't ever.

Now, Yanagi isn't exactly fond of being merely "second place" at everything. The world doesn't seem to care - of course - a rich, beautiful, intelligent, romantic Yanagi is all they need. But Yanagi is different. His drive to succeed forces him to despise Kujou, and for a decade he follows her, through elementary school, middle school, high school, and college with the ultimate goal to make her fall for him, and then ruthlessly dump her.

Of course, that doesn't exactly work the way its intended. Their prolonged relationship eventually results in an unrequited love, and with how dense she is, its going to take a very long time until poor Yanagi finally gets to tell the lifeless Kujou how he feels.

Rating: 10.
tl;dr:
Romance. Comedy. College Students/Young Adult. Unrequited Love.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Art:

The art was simply outstanding. It's simple, but Amano is just perfectly showing off here. His artistic prowess gives the feel of beauty just when its right, and throws enough chibi in to alleviate a lot of the seriousness.

All of the characters have distinct eye patterns and hair to easily distinguish them from one another while not seeming too unrealistic or ridiculous. Backgrounds, scene transitions and panel framing is excellent, a top-quality piece.

Rating: 10
tl;dr: You shouldn't have any issues with the Art. Hell, that shouldn't even be an issue with manga anyways.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Characters:

Both Kujou and Yanagi adhere to the simple "Better but not best" paradigm in their own right; Yanagi is a perfect sweet talker, and knows girls like the back of his hand, while Kujou remains perfect at nearly everything BESIDES social interaction.

The only person on earth that Kujou can say she honestly cares for is her mother, as that is her ongoing source of inspiration of love. And despite having to remain "Spoiler Free" I will say that it's quite obvious that this eventually turns into Yanagi(C'mon its a Shoujo).

There are other side-characters that contribute to the feel of the story and allow motion of the main plot, but I wont reveal them for spoilers sake.

Rating: 10
tl;dr: Funny characters put into a horrible position of unrequited love with the densest romantic partner since the last intergalactic collision of Black Holes(although given the scale of the Universe that could be actually every second)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoyment:

If you don't like Special A, you probably wont like this manga. But if you are an avid fan of shoujo and you're looking for something to take up the next 2 hours of your time with restlessness and laughter, I HIGHLY recommend you find your favorite manga viewing site and give this bad boy a try.

I enjoyed it enough to write a review.

About an UNFINISHED manga.

Yeah.

Rating: 10
tl;dr: Read the last 3 lines. Yes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall:

Now, it doesn't come flawless. There are a few things here and there that are a bit weird, but in the end, you find yourself so immersed in it that they are ignored. If you have any last minute questions, feel free to PM me. I am very, very, interested in Last Game, and I have been for about 8 months now.

Rating: 10.
tl;dr: This could use an anime adaption.

**Some spoilers ahead**


Okay so on the rare occasions that I'm really, really satisfied finishing a series and I just want to write a review on a whim, I will do it like I usually do. I just had to let my feelings out, okay?


It's currently 3 am, and in the span of three days (under 24 hours actually), I finished Last Game: 9 chapters on the first night, up until Chapter 16 the next, and the rest of it today. Who can blame me? I loved it. SO MUCH.


So Last Game's premise is pretty common to me, especially with Shoujo manga. Rivals? Check. Dense female protagonist? Check. A rich heir to a prestigious company? Check. Love triangles? Check. A whole series devoted to two people who like each other, hold out on confessing and only get together during the final chapters? Check, check, and check.


Although nothing can really be considered original anymore, and one would prefer something unique, I believe that clichés can be good, if executed properly. Last Game is one of those; earning my perfect 10 was a no-brainer.


I admit I strayed away from Shoujo once I got into anime and manga again. I 've been invested in Seinen and Shounen for so long (What's not to love? Adventure! Action! Blood! Implied Romance!) But lately, I've been giving Shoujo a chance, and this manga reminded me how fun this genre was.


It's a light read, but it made me tear up a few times. It had me laughing a lot, too. Of course there were some situations that I already predicted, and some surprised me. (My favorite was Yanagi's dad!)The pacing was not bad for me. (Probably because I binged it, though.)


The characters were not hard to love either. Yanagi was the most relatable of all, (yes, I definitely break down in embarassing and awkward situations, if only internally) and Koujo's social awkwardness was familiar as well. I also freaked out when she took up accounting, because I'm taking up the same thing! Of course I had the initial dislike for the ones in the way of the main characters: Souma and Momoka (who I strongly felt are compatible and should get together.) I definitely like the character development of these two; falling in love with someone who doesn't feel the same, getting rejected, and finally, not just trying to move on, but cheering for their love as well. I ended up loving them as well


I've found that the antagonist of this story was not some disapproving relative or a long lost childhood friend, but how cowardly the main characters were with confessing to the other. I definitely don't want to hold a grudge against someone long after finishing reading. Everyone went through a lot, (although it wasn't fixated on the romance sometimes, thank God), and when it has come to the conclusion, it's unfolding was extremely gratifying.


Though it is hard for me to get some life lessons from plots with a light mood, (because I definitely need a long-ass mission with revenge and betrayal for me to get the picture) I definitely picked up some. It made me realize how effort is important, and superficial exteriors aren't. It's also okay to have people do things for you, and not just you doing it. Most of all, you need people in your life, too. There are people who love and care about you.


I must be pretty lucky to stumble upon this manga when it has already concluded. God knows I would've died waiting for the next update. I also found it at the right time because another semester in college has started and I needed a stress reliever of some sort.


Someone needs a read that isn't too heavy, and makes them smile, laugh, and feeling good after. I recommend this one. It's not bad to read all at once, too. (Or rather it's impossible not to read all at once.)


This is my first review by the way, probably my only one in a long time. (Unless I find another series that affects me so much, I want to write about it.)


Please excuse me while I think about this amazing manga for a week more.

In short: the most frustration you can experience in 11 volumes. Even the ending doesn't make up for how ridiculously slow every. single. other. chapter dragged on. Everything that this series accomplishes could probably have been easily done in half the number of volumes... or even 1/4th.

I think this series might be geared towards individuals who may have never experience romance before. But if you have liked another human being even once in your life, you would know that Kujou's character and personality is far too exaggerated and unrealistic. That was probably the biggest turn-off for me reading the entire series - watching her fumble through romance in a way that felt much too ridiculous and unbelievable.

The only reason I can rate it somewhat average is because the art is decent and there are at least several cute moments that were redeemable. But otherwise - this series gets a hard 2 or 3 (at best) for the story, plot progression, character development.

This is the only manga that I read over 10 times!!! Never got bored with the plot. Kujou and Naoto really cute you know!! I really excited for every scenes. I really hope this manga get into anime! I dream about this for a long time ago.

I really like Naoto blushed when he suddenly show his love to Kujou. hahahahaha so cute!!!!!! I can't stop smiling right now ehehehe. I give the STORY 1000000000/10!!!

it is good to have a family like Naoto's. They are really nice.

If this manga get animation series, I guarantee it will da boommmmmm!! wow so many !!!!!! look how excited I am. hiks

This manga is very cute, if you like a character like Tamaki-Senpai from OHSHC (Ouran Highschool Host Club), you might as well love Yanagi.

In this story, it talks about how Yanagi was the best of the best at his school, popular with the ladies, just a popular little boy with high scores, and a very wealthy young boy with a wealthy family. Until one day a quiet girl named Kuro transfers to his school. In one of the first tests that Kuro takes, she gets a perfect score, leaving Yanagi close to her percentage by just a few points. He tries to make her fall for him, but little does he realize, Kuro doesn't care about him nor even want to be near him. In every sport, activity, Kuro would always beat him. Yanagi would always want to beat her and this kept going on, and he would always be in Second place. When they graduate, Kuro had already decided to go to a public school since she couldn't afford going to a private school like Yanagi. Little does Yanagi know, he transfers to the same school as her and tries to beat her. In short, they grow up together and Yanagi falls for Kuro, without realizing it.

Kind of like how you would relate to Tamaki's feelings towards Haruhi in OHSHC.
If you like comedy and romance, some cute scenes, this manga is perfect for you!
Or in short, if you love OHSHC you will love this one too. Especially Yanagi! ;)

I usually don't read romance manga, mostly because romance-oriented characters annoy me. This manga pleases me because it breaks away from all those stupid stereotypes. Sure, the male lead may act stereotypically lovestruck or nervous, but both protagonists manage to show strength and weakness enough to make you want them to get together. The art is pretty good. I appreciate the facial structures and how everything looks cute without being overly so. I only gave the story an 8 because even though I do really like it, it is fairly stereotypical and does really focus on the romantic tension between the characters. The characters are so likable, though, that I can excuse that and give the whole thing a 10.