Manga 23688 Mairunovich

This ended up being one of my favorites. It is completely frustrating, there are many times I wish someone would slap the MC, I thought she was quite lame multiple times, but that is why I enjoyed it. It was focused on love as these types usually are, but it's different from those I've read so far. There were times where I wanted to drop it because I wasn't sure I liked where things were going, but I kept reading because I needed to see if things would change. In other words, you might get impatient, but it is worth it.

Overall, my favorite part ... about this manga is that it managed to surprise me and I found it pleasing that it represented the struggles of the different types of relationships that exist.

If you're looking for something where you follow an irritating yet charming girl as she learns about love and what it's supposed to be, and follow her through her trial and errors as she figures it out, this is a good read.

Story: It was interesting, but definitely didn't go the way as expected in most shojo manga. You follow the main girl Mairu as she dates various people, with Tenyuu by her side. The morals of this manga are questionable, as it heavily implies that Mairu is only worth something if she puts on makeup and gets pretty. In fact it seems that the moral of the story is "If you don't wear makeup or be fashionable you are trash and will never get a boyfriend." The whole time I expected her to get with Tenyuu, but after about 75 chapters we've only got to the ... point when she realizes they are friends. Her brother's short story arc was also engaging as well.

Art: The art is adorable, and they way the uglier men are portrayed are humorous. Tenyuu looks remarkably similar to Sensei in Hirunaka no Ryuusei, which is all good as they both have fabulous art styles.

Characters: Ah characters. Maori is quite a sorry excuse for a main character. Although slightly interesting at first with becoming pretty for revenge, she becomes quite shallow and uses Tenyuu to make her pretty to get other men. Her sole purpose is to get a boyfriend and her whole universe revolves around this aspect, even if it means tossing away her only friend Tenyuu at the boyfriend's request. She is the shining example of "that friend" whom completely ditches you once they have a bf/gf even when you helped them get them in the first place, and then expects you to help/comfort when they inevitably get into a fight or get dumped. Tenyuu is a good character, but his backstory is never talked about and he only appears occasionally to save Maori's ass after a makeup disaster. He is quite a generic character though, with the whole "mysterious and beautiful boy uninterested in girls living by himself in an apartment but always comes to the main girl's rescue in a badass fashion."

Enjoyment: The whole time I was expecting Maori and Tenyuu to get together, but I was obviously let down as she dates guys in story arcs I skipped. Although she is a weak crybaby and annoying as hell, it was still interesting enough to read all of it.

Overall: Still worth the read, just expect a more realistic (?) take on romantic life.

STORY:
Story? What story?
I'll admit that the first few chapters of Mairunovich were enjoyable. I had a few laughs and was entertained enough to continue reading. I was curious, wondering how it would unfold. But after reaching the 62nd chapter, I was left in bitter disappointment. I just didn't get it. The story had the potential to grow further but the author chose to make Mairu finding love, the main and only focus. While enjoyable in the beginning, it soon becomes tedious when the same thing happens over and over again.

Art:
The arts drawn well, no characters look the same. But still nothing special.

Characters:
Where do I begin? ...
The characters were the main letdown in this manga. Particularly Mairu, the main female lead who is one of the most annoying, and frustrating characters i've ever come across. What is there to like about a character who's so preoccupied with getting boyfriend, that she's willing to sacrifice the only friend who's supported her over it? And you'd think that from once being shunned for her unattractiveness that she wouldn't be so judgmental on appearances. But no. After her transformation she's just as superficial as the rest of them.

Tenyuu, the male lead who Mairu calls her "God/Angel" was the sole reason she decided to change in the first place. Tenyuu as a character doesn't contribute much, other than consoling Mairu in her times of need. Majority of the time their "friendship" (If you can call it that) was one-sided. Tenyuu being the one who'd always tend to Mairu's woes while she never bothered to ask if he had any. It was only until much later in the manga when she finally took a break from dating. She realised that Tenyuu, was a human with issues and feelings too.

The other characters are really not worth mentioning, though I did quite like her childhood friend Mirai. He was the only person who was fond of her before the make over. But once again, you end up pitying him because of Mairu's fickle, selfish display of emotions.

Enjoyment:
Having read 62 chapters, I can't exactly say that i didn't enjoy parts of it.
Its definitely not the worse manga i've read. But to have a main character who constantly needs a boyfriend to prove her self worth and uses other people for her own gain. Is just plain wrong. It seems the transformation only made her pretty on the outside, while she became ugly on the inside.

Would not recommend this manga to anyone.