So Cute It Hurts!! Volume 1 Review

Genre: Comedy, Romance | Writer: Go Ikeyamada | Release Date: 2012

Volume 1 introduces twins Megumu and Mitsuru Kobayashi, who swap schools for a week due to Mitsuru’s failing grades. Megumu, an otaku, struggles at the all-boys school, while Mitsuru enjoys his time at the all-girls school. Early on, Megumu is saved from falling by Aoi Sanada, but their awkward encounter leaves her flustered. Meanwhile, Mitsuru discovers the popular model Azusa Tokugawa bullying a deaf girl, Shino Takenaka, and unexpectedly feels protective of her.

At the boys’ school, Megumu faces Yukimitsu Mogami, a jealous boyfriend, and accidentally wins a fight against him, earning a spot in the school’s elite “Magnificent Seven.” Sanada continues to protect her, though his personality is rough around the edges. The twins’ separate storylines develop romantic tensions—Megumu grows fond of Sanada, while Mitsuru becomes drawn to Shino.

Azusa continues tormenting Shino, leading Mitsuru to intervene. The school’s toxic social structure is apparent, with students blindly following Azusa’s lead. After Azusa humiliates Mitsuru with a water balloon, he nearly blows his cover but quickly recovers. His expert kendo skills make him an unexpected force at the school, even deflecting an egging attempt.

The volume blends humor, action, and romance, though it highlights frustrating gender tropes. Megumu’s ditziness and Mitsuru’s overconfidence contrast well, but some plot points feel exaggerated. Still, the story remains engaging, with entertaining character interactions and dramatic developments. The mix of comedy, school drama, and romance makes for an enjoyable, if occasionally flawed, shoujo adventure.

Gō Ikeyamada’s writing is lighthearted, comedic, and full of romantic energy. The story follows twins Megumu and Mitsuru as they swap identities, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments. The dialogue is playful and exaggerated, fitting the manga’s shoujo tone. Themes of identity, first love, and self-discovery drive the narrative. While the pacing is fast and engaging, some tropes feel predictable. However, Ikeyamada’s ability to balance humor with sweet, emotional moments keeps the story enjoyable. Fans of romantic comedies will appreciate the energetic storytelling and charming character interactions.

Ikeyamada’s artwork is vibrant, expressive, and quintessentially shoujo. Characters have large, sparkling eyes and exaggerated facial expressions that heighten the comedy and romance. The panel layouts flow smoothly, making the story easy to follow. Backgrounds are often minimal, focusing attention on characters and their emotions. Costume designs, particularly the school uniforms, are detailed and stylish. Action lines and decorative effects enhance key emotional moments. While some artistic choices lean into genre clichés, the overall aesthetic is charming and polished. The illustrations effectively complement the playful, romantic tone of the story.

The Verdict:

In the end, So Cute It Hurts!! Vol.1 is actually a pretty solid read.  The two main leads, Megumu and Mitsuru are pretty cool protagonists and despite my initial feelings about the story, it’s actually turning out to be really interesting, especially with the addition of the love interests Shino and Sanada, and some of the antagonists, Azusa.  So Cute It Hurts!! Vol.1 gets 3 out of 5.