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Description
From Chibi Manga:
After being transferred from school to school during her middle school years, Kanoko has entered Takara no Tani High School with Tsubaki. For some reason, she becomes the “Strategist” for Cultural Affairs Department in reference to the Three Kingdoms and ends up joining the Newspaper Club….?!
I have to say that this is probably one of the best I've read. Kanoko isn't anything like what I've seen before, she is just awesome! i'm always so surprised by her reactions xD i can see why Tsubaki sticks around her. i also love how she tries to play the part of an observer in her high school, it really puts a new perspective on things. a very good romance if you're looking for something away from the norm
I don't like shoujo manga. But every once in a while, I'll come across a gem that features a strong heroine who doesn't shame the female gender. Enter Koi dano Ai dano.
This manga didn't sound interesting from the BU description, but the high rating piqued my interest. Luckily, it was well worth the read. I'm feeling lazy right now, so I'm just going to list the pros and cons...
PROS: 1. A strong female protagonist. Kanoko is smart and calculating, with a bad yet charming personality. Even though she's really quirky and weird, it only makes you love her more. You can't help but to admire her independence and loyalty. 2. Amusing humor. It may not be ROFL-level humor, but I definitely chuckled quite a bit. 3. Cute main love interest. Tsubaki has a beautiful appearance but a terrible personality that only softens for Kanoko. I love how possessive and jealous he is because he likes her so much. Kyaa! 4. Decent art. I can't say it's the best ever because it seems geared towards teenage girls. However, it was still well within my tolerance range. 5. Distinct characters. Each character has his or her own unique personality. Some more development would be nice, but it's enjoyable as it is. 6. Clever, strategic warfare. Kanoko's "human observation and manipulation" borrows from sociology and psychology. It can even be kind of educational! Lots of times I thought, "OMG, that's so true!"
CONS: 1. Kanoko x Tsubaki. As much as I like them together, their pairing feels unrealistic. I know I'll get lots of hate for this, but I honestly don't think their relationship would happen in real life. Tsubaki is supposedly so good looking that he has a fan club. It's not uncommon to see a hot girl with a "meh" guy, but I've never seen a hot guy go for a girl much less attractive than he is, no matter how engaging her personality may be. Studies have even confirmed this. Basically, I wish Kanoko were a little cuter. Maybe long hair? However, this is all my personal preference, and I'm a pretty shallow girl! 2. KANOKO, Y U SO DENSE?! Why are all shoujo heroines so, so dense? Of all the stupid people I know, none of them are THAT stupid! While these stupid heroines usually just get under my skin, I will concede that Kanoko is an exception. Her density is a driving force for Tsubaki. It adds dimension to their relationship, instead of just making you feel frustrated.
As someone mentioned earlier, this manga isn't episodic, but I also feel that it took a while for the main plot to gain momentum. Nonetheless, Koi dano Ai dano is a really entertaining read. You definitely won't regret giving this a try.
This manga is not as episodic. The plot is event-driven and not character-driven, but there actually is a (rather complex) plot. It manages to keep the witty commentary on the status quo as well as other mangas through Kanoko's POV. IMHO, I think this manga is weaker than its prequel, simply because there is much less character development, despite the fact that it has an actual plot. It's got a lot of shoujo fanservice (because of Tsubaki) and tons of comedy, but it's not spectacular. The only thing that saves it from sinking below the depths is the exploration of Tsubaki's personality. Even though the development is minimal, it's nice to see what he's thinking all the time, especially in regard to his hopeless crush. The only problem is, by adding this huge smattering of romance to the plot, the author essentially cornered herself because of the heroine's rather cynical personality. I really cannot see this proceeding smoothly or realistically. Maybe some sort of epiphany will occur?
By the way, I should clarify something. The female lead is not stupid. Neither is she dense. She's just not aware of the effect she has on others. At all. Take Momoka for example. It took forever for them to become friends (both ways, mind you) because she did not realize nor accept the girl's sincerity. Ironically, she is wonderful at picking up on the feelings and intentions of everyone else except her own. (And occasionally, Tsubaki, but it's been shown that she mostly gets him, despite the fact that his obvious obsession with her confuses her).
Overall, it's a nice piece. Not great, but funny and cute and sincere. Far better than the average shoujo, but falling short of any sort of masterpiece. While its prequel was a witty commentary on shoujo cliches, this one attempts a plot drenched in romantic comedy, something that both helps it and hurts it.
If you like shoujo, read it. If you hate shoujo with a burning passion, I'd suggest just reading the prequel and then judge based on that. This sequel has made a return to shoujo roots.
I love it. I love it. I love it. The heroine is super refreshing! I was expecting another typical shoujo type girl, but this is different. The dialogues are incredibly enlightening, refreshing, funny, and engaging. The heroine is really observant, smart, sly, and cunning. She likes to observe people and "plot" when need be. She has perfected the whole people-watching routine. She loves information gathering and is incredibly good at it. As a result of her routine, habits, and favorite part time--we get a plot that's well thought out and entertaining.
The only things she seems to be not all-knowing are in the friendship and romance department (social stuff that has to do with her directly).
It's is ultimately a romance story.
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
The main guy Tsubaki has been in love with Kanako for 2 years. Kanako is very dense, thus did not pick up Tsubaki's love for her even after all the "skin-ship" he had shown towards her. It's pretty funny how Tsubaki is worry over how to *firstly* make Kanako view him as a guy. Haha!! I admit, Kanako's obliviousness gets a bit grating at times because I just can't fathom how anyone can be that dense.
Is the romance developing at all? Sure, it is. Slowly. I anticipate some love rivalries soon and hopefully that'll get things moving quicker. (at chapter 10 at the time of this comment)
I would recommend this for anyone who's looking for a non-typical shoujo manga with strong, smart female lead and HOT male lead who fell in love first.
I think the thing that stood out the most in this manga for me (that made me fall in love with it) is the cunningness and the unique disposition of the heroine. She is the reason why I'm following this manga and silently thank (SOOOO MUCH) the scanlating group who's scanlating this!!
EDITED: OMG. I didn't know there was a prequel to this manga. Meh. Didn't read that and I'm still enjoying it just fine: you don't really need to read the prequel "warao kanako-sama" to understand/love this manga.
really refreshing and funny manga. Naedoko is my favorite female character and she's better than Misaki in KWMS, she's always thinking logical and really lack of love (or i can say, she's don't believe of love). I just feel sorry for Tsubaki and his one-sided love to her. a handsome and popular guy at school had one-sided love to a unpopular and four-eyed girl like Naedoko ( it's what all the people in this manga say) but that the funny about this manga. Realllly worth to read for you who bored for normal shoujo manga !
but hope Naedoko will understand Tsubaki feelling for her and she keep being the Naedoko as always. and hope no love rival at this story ....
This manga is not like most of the shoujo out there. You have a strong female lead and a hot guy you're cheering for, but the stories won't revolve about their (one-sided, so far) romance.
The chapters are extremely funny and the smart and obnoxious Kanoko will make you fall in love with the story and feel a bit sorry for poor Tsubaki.
The lack of angst is a plus! Nothing more refreshing than a relaxed male lead who won't doubt his feelings every two chapters.
First reading the warau kanako sama, and I have fallen to the characters, especially Naedoko Kanako. She is indeed very rational and she is not so dependent to her surrounding. But this what makes her character unique. The stories plot are not so boring because it shows little by little how her friendship grows with her surrounding esp. with Tsubaki. Then KDAD is the continuation of warau kanako sama and it's really fun reading how kanako always trying to do something like a strategist when we watched those war drama.
If you want to find a manga with no whinning character but strong character I guess this is much do for you. To tell in advance kanako is SOooo Damnn Dense but this is the fun part of the manga.
FINALLY, a shoujo where the female lead isn't a bimbo and the male lead isn't your average popular guy! The story is fairly original even if the setting isn't, and the characters are beyond amazing.
Tsubaki may seem like your average cool male lead, but he's anything but. He's sane, logical, and places Kanoko above everyone else. There's no stupid ex-gf's or other angst following him. Just him and his love for Kanoko which is wonderful (and often hilarious) to see. Kanoko on the other hand is one of my favorite female characters of all time (right up there with Sul from Cheese in the Trap). She's strong, incredibly intelligent, and I love how she thinks.
I would read this just for the characters. The whole manga is pure fun, and the political edge it has is fascinating. All in all, a fantastic shoujo.
Rating is a bit lower than I wanted to originally give it as it's not completed. Hopefully, the mangaka won't screw things up before then, although the way this story's going right now, I doubt that'll happen.
It's very shoujo-like and involves a lot of school politics. If that sounds interesting to you, definitely give it a go. The main character is a scheming mastermind, but is dense to the feelings of her best male friend, who is coincidentally the hottest guy in the school (lol.), she changed schools a lot which gives her various other different and interesting acquaintances. The plot is pretty solid and the characters are fascinating. It's only a little text heavy and I guess some people may find it a bit boring. All it all it's an overall well executed manga, and if the authors keep it up I can only recommend it.
Edit: I didn't even realize this was a sequel. So much for requiring knowledge of what happened, right?
Ok, so I am just reading it all in one go right now, but Kanoko is just too awesome for words. A lot of manga get comments saying "she's not your typical shoujo heroine", but few move as far away from the stereotype as this. I know it's not the same, but the relationship between the male and female leads reminds me more of the excellent and twisted Sundome than it does most shoujo, it's really so funny to see the boy so powerless.
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