Hakamada Mera is a name that is well-known around here on Okazu. From her early days with Saigo no Seifuku, originally published by Hobunsha (and eventually Seven Seas as The Last Uniform, as part of their original Yuri imprint, Strawberry and eventually reprinted in a 2-volume edition) through  Kanojyo no Sekai (彼女の世界) with Tokuma Shoten and, more recently, her excellent story in Galette magazine,  Fuwafuwa・Futashika・Yumemitai, Volume 1 (ふわふわ・ふたしか・夢みたい). Here Hakamada-sensei is again, working with yet another publisher, Dogenzaka Shobo, and their new to me imprint Lilie Comics. I gotta give this woman props. She’s really persevered, drawing the the stories she wants the way she wants.

Aikata System ~ Gakuen ga Eranda Unmei no Onna no ko~, Volume 1 (相方システム~学園が選んだ運命の女の子~) is right in her sweet spot – a school life drama with some real life drama baked in.

Nao’s school draws some of the best students because of the famous ‘Aikata System’ – a test that pairs you with you your perfect partner. Nao’s partner is one of the stars of the school, Ibuki, which puts a lot of pressure on Nao. Ibuki’s fan club is not at all okay with some first-year taking their idol’s attention…and Ibuki is definitely giving Nao a lot of attention.It’s frankly overwhelming. When Ibuki asks Nao to do the Aikata ritual with her, it looks awfully like a wedding ceremony and kiss.

Nao’s classmate Kaero has the opposite problem. Abiko-sensei is beautiful, with a voice like an angel and a really shitty attitude. Worse, Kaero is falling in love with her…and can see that Abiko is in love with Ibuki. Nao and Kaero are there to provide support to each other, at least, but it’s pretty clear that Ibuki and Abiko have some history that will have to be dealt with before anyone can move on.

Hakamada-sensei’s art has really tightened up over the years and, while her storytelling will never be sweeping epic, her characters here are likable. Which is all we can really ask of a school life drama.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Service – 0
Yuri – 6

Overall – 8

Volume 2 is out in Japan and I think I’ll be adding it to the next order. I kind of want to see what’s going to happen.