vaphelion

Horimiya makes up a good portion of my teenage years, and was one of the earliest mangas I've read. I'll be honest, it's nothing incredible, but it still holds a special place in my heart for its light-hearted comedy and romance. 

Story: 8.5

The story begins with Hori and Miyamura who are both opposites at school. Hori is popular and outgoing while Miyamura is quiet, withdrawn, and keeps to himself. Hori may look all put together and glamorous on the outside, but she's actually a frazzled older sister who takes care of the house. During a twist of fate, Hori encounters Miya in his regular state, but turns out, Miyamura isn't all that he looks on the outside either! He's got tons of piercings and several tattoos that he hides behind a secluded personality. The two unintentionally reveal their true states to each other, and thus beginning a sweet and budding love story.  

If you begin reading Horimiya for a well-developed romance, you may be a bit disappointed. While Horimiya's early chapters do focus on their relationship and feelings (at least up until Hori and Miya get together and a little after), it definitely takes a dive into a more light-hearted feel. While there certainly are plot elements, I believe you'd enjoy Horimiya a lot more if you were looking for a romance-centered slice of life. 

Art: 8

This manga has pretty standard shoujo art so it's definitely pleasing to look at, but it's not anything spectacular. It's cute and clear to the point, and has lots of funny expressions to match up with its light-hearted tone and humor. I don't really have much to comment on art since most manga styles are pretty similar but I would say it's a tad more expressive and clean than others. It's also pretty consistent and has even improved, considering it's been going on for a decade. 

Characters: 9

Hori is outgoing and vivacious, with a strong personality that doesn't shy away from speaking her mind. Contrary to his unconventional appearance, Miyamura is withdrawn and quiet, and only after he develops his relationship with Hori does he start growing out of his shell and making his own choices. 

I personally love the dynamics and friendships between all of the characters, and not just Hori and Miyamura. Each one has their own little quirk and traits that make them unique and add to the colorful mix of the story. I enjoyed how the author made sure to care for each character they included and give them their own distinct personality and background. Its focus on multiple characters is also why I'd lean this to be more a slice of life. They all learn and grow from each other and their selves and experiences. 

Overall: 9

I'm quite partial to Horimiya, simply because they're just plain adorable and hilarious to read about. I do think the concept is quite outdated (I mean, let's be honest, Hori's grand secret is that she looks like a mom after school, oh no, how shocking) but it isn't focused on for much of the series. In any case, I wouldn't go into this expecting anything particularly amazing but it's definitely a classic dare I say. It's totally worth a read if you're looking for fluff and comedy, and a dive into the cute and funny relationships between high schoolers, family, and friends.