スキップとローファー. 1

I decided to read this after learning it was set at my high school. The atmosphere of the school building, the class competitions, and even the smallest details were faithfully depicted, bringing back memories of that time. Although it’s a school-life manga, the appeal isn’t limited to the protagonist alone. Whether they’re the popular kids in class or those who aren’t, each character is carefully portrayed not merely as a “role,” but as a human being with their own worries and emotions. You can really feel that the author pours love into every character, and as you read, you naturally find yourself empathizing with one of them or another. Reading about the unique relationships among high school students, their anxieties about the future, and the little misunderstandings that arise, there are many scenes that make my heart ache. At the same time, it really makes me realize, “I’ve gotten quite old myself.” It was a bit too dazzling for a “youth zombie,” so I’m deducting one point just for that.