High School Debut Volume 12 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Haruna Nagashima, a tremendously talented and prolific athlete in junior high school, turned her focus to boys when she entered high school.  After failing to attract a boyfriend, Haruna recruited the very popular upperclassman, Yoh Komiyama, to coach her on how to attract boys.  He agreed to help her as long as she didn’t fall in love with him, but the two eventually started dating.

High School Debut, Vol. 12 is filled with dating drama.  First, Haruna and Yoh take an overnight trip to celebrate Yoh’s birthday.  Haruna starts to wonder what she’s gotten herself into when she realizes that they will share a hotel room.  Will double beds be enough to keep them from… going all the way?  Then, Yoh’s sister, Asami “Asa” Komiyama, explodes with jealousy over Yoh’s relationship with Haruna, and Asa turns against Haruna, who is supposed to be her friend.  What’s really going on with Asa?

THE LOWDOWN:  When a shojo high school romance offers several scenarios for fractious teen romance in one volume, it is worth reading.  Creator Kazune Kawahara plays with all the possible angles of this mismatched couple that is Haruna and Yoh.  They’re actually a cute couple, but their personality differences are like flying rocks and pebbles destined to put cracks in their romance.  High School Debut may not be unique, but it’s clever in the way it successfully delivers the fuss and spectacle of young love.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for a high school drama that offers lots of dating drama will want High School Debut.

B+