Review: OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB

But if we're talking about school-centric shojo manga, then we have to talk about one of the best-known titles from the 2000s, one I have somehow not properly reviewed until now.

OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB (Oran Koko Hosuto Kurabu), by Bisco Hatori.  First published in 2002 and first published in North America in 2005.

PLOT:

Ouran is one of the wealthiest, most elite high schools around...not that such things matter that much to Haruhi Fujioka.  She's there on a scholarship and just wants some peace and quiet away from all these rich weirdos.  Her search leads her by accident to the school's own host club, led by the ditzy yet charming Tamaki Suoh.  It also leads to her accidentally breaking one of their vases, so to repay them she must become a host herself.  Now Haruhi has to deal with menial chores, the snobbery of the student body, and the increasing (and increasingly manic) attempts by Tamaki to get her attention.

Review: THE FAILURE AT GOD SCHOOL

Let's take a look at some modern shojo school stories, starting with this recent title.

THE FAILURE AT GOD SCHOOL (Kami-sama Gakko no Ochikobore), based on the light novels by Natsu Hyuuga and character designs by Seikaisha with art by Modomu Akagawara.  First published in 2021 and first published in North America in 2025.

PLOT:

In a Japan not too different from our own, there are "Himiko," people who possess supernatural powers like telekinesis, telepathy, or the ability to manifest or manipulate the elements around them.  These people are tracked and classified by the government and most are sent to specialized schools to further refine their abilities so that they can aid their communities.  Only a select few possess potent enough powers to be classified as "gods," and Nagi is in desperate need of a god.

Her grandmother was a god who once staffed the local shrine.  Nagi's twin brother Takeru was supposed to take her place after her death, but his powers are lacking and his social anxiety has turned him into a hikikomori who communicates with her telepathically through a plush bear.  Nagi thought she didn't have any powers at all...until she gets an acceptance letter to Kannagara Academy after saving a missing neighborhood boy.  Now it's up to her to make friends, try and figure out what skills she might possess, and why she was sent there in the first place.

Review: ALICE THE 101ST

Of course, there are plenty of shojo titles about schools (and music schools in particular), but few of them are as messy as this one.

ALICE THE 101ST (101 Hitome no Alice), by Chigusa Kawai.  First published in 2007 and first published in North America in 2010.

PLOT:

There is no academy that can compare with the Mondonville School of Music.  Only the most talented kids are admitted, and only 100 students are admitted each year.  That's why everyone is surprised when there's an extra boy on this year's list by the name of Aristide Lang.

Aristide (nicknamed "Alice") comes from a long line of violinists, and while he's got an incredible ear for music he struggles with actually playing and the formality of the school's curriculum and students.  This combined with his short stature and pretty face makes him a target for bullies like Richard de Diamant, the wealthy second chair violinist who sees his place in the school as his birthright.  He doesn't understand why his late grandfather insisted that he come to this school, but Aristide is willing to work hard, make friends, hone his skills, and prove his worth.

Review: NEGIMA! MAGISTER NEGI MAGI

 It's back to school time here at The Manga Test Drive!  God knows there were plenty of magic school harem manga to pick from in the 2000s, and while today's title is not strictly a magical school title it did involve both schools and magic and was one of the most popular examples of its kind.

NEGIMA! MAGISTER NEGI MAGI (Maho Sensei Negima!), by Ken Akamatsu.  First published in 2003 and first published in North America in 2004.

 

PLOT:

Negi Springfield is a magical genius, a boy who managed to graduate from the magic academy at the tender age of 10.  Curiously, his first assignment after graduation is to become an English teacher at Mahora Academy, a non-magical, all-girl's school in Japan.  He's got his work cut out for him, considering that he has to keep over 30 rowdy girls in check, share a room with the hot-tempered Asuna, and keep her from blabbing to everyone that he has magic powers.  

Review: ALL PURPOSE CULTURAL CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU

This is a manga release I suspect most of you didn't even know existed.  As we'll see, maybe there's a good reason for that.

ALL PURPOSE CULTURAL CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU (Banno Bunka Nekomusume), by Yuzo Takada and Yuji Moriyama.  First published in 1998 and first published in North America in 2004.

PLOT:

Late one Christmas Eve, young Ryunosuke and his scientist father Kyusaku discover an injured cat.  Ryunosuke begs his father to save the cat, which Kyusaku does by implanting its brain into a prototype android body.  Now she is Nuku Nuku, a teen girl with the strength of a robot and the instincts of a cat.  All she wants to do is please her newfound family, even if it means dealing with school trips, alien cats, and Kyusaku's ex-wife.