High School Debut, Volume 8 Book

So, really, I assure you that I do, in fact, read. I just don't list all the comics on here, so that I can conceal the sheer volume of how much I consume.

But I'm popping back in with volume 8 of HSD because it's my favorite of the series so far, and because I just feel such affection for the central couple: super-reserved, slightly acerbic hottie Yoh and naive, eternally peppy ex-jock Haruna. With about nothing in common but their mutual devotion, Yoh and Haruna manage to come through their (mostly internal) dramas--and much of the growth, especially in this volume, is Yoh's. Haruna's personality provides him with some pretty unique challenges, and if Yoh's love was ever in doubt at any point, all doubt is silenced in the first part of the volume when he takes an alarmingly out of character (and hilarious) step to pull Haruna out of a bad emotional place. Another highlight of Yoh's includes his reaction to a challenge of sorts from a would-be rival in studliness.

High School Debut is a pretty good example of how very enjoyable well done shojo comics can be.

Join me next time, when I wax poetic about Skip Beat!