No Gyaru in This Class · review
Premise A youth story about change, where Mirei and Yushin reinvent themselves in high school — altering their looks, personalities, and outlooks — and in the process, discover friendship, romance, and the everyday joys of youth life. A slice-of-life romcom that thrives on subtle growth rather than melodrama. --- Story — 7 At its core, the story is standard high school romcom fare. What sets it apart is the absence of heavy-handed melodrama or forced melancholy. While drama isn’t inherently bad, it’s often overused to the point of spoiling the flavor of a narrative. Here, the writing keeps things light, straightforward, and easy to follow, which makes every chapterenjoyable.
It’s generic in structure, yes, but executed with enough polish that you never feel bored. The story flows naturally, and its charm lies in how it embraces simplicity without trying to be more than it is.
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Pace — 10
This is where the manga truly excels. The pacing is near perfect — relationships develop gradually, without unnatural leaps or rushed emotions. You can practically chart the timeline of growth, and it would feel seamless.
The way Mirei and Yushin gravitate toward each other, slowly but surely, sets the tone for the rest of the cast. Their bond becomes the nucleus around which friendships form, expand, and deepen. It’s commendable how organic this feels.
For comparison, take Kimi wa Ore no Yasashikunai Haru. While enjoyable, its pacing faltered — friendships and romance bloomed unrealistically fast, leaving the female lead’s feelings underdeveloped and her sudden acceptance of a confession questionable. No Gyaru In This Classroom avoids this pitfall entirely. Within a year, friendships feel earned, and love blooms at a believable pace. That balance makes the manga stand out.
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Characters — 7
The cast is solid and consistently likable. Their personalities are fun, their interactions are natural, and the pacing allows you to acclimate to them gradually. Unlike many romcoms where side characters feel disposable or irritating, here the ensemble is fresh and engaging. It’s rare to find a cast where you genuinely enjoy everyone, but this manga manages it.
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Art — 6
The art is decent — not breathtaking, but serviceable. It supports the story well enough without detracting from the experience. While it doesn’t elevate the manga to new heights, the strength of the pacing and character work ensures the visuals don’t need to carry the narrative.
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Overall — 7.8
A slice-of-life romcom with near-perfect pacing, a genuinely likable cast, and a story that embraces simplicity without falling into melodrama. The art may be modest, but the execution of relationships and growth more than makes up for it.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, well-paced high school romcom, No Gyaru In This Classroom is absolutely worth your time. Personally, I’d rate it closer to 7.8 rather than the measly 7.11 it currently holds — it deserves better recognition.