Once again we are given a brilliantly fourth-wall breaking cover for Not So Shoujo Love Story, Volume 3 by Curryuku. Hanna literally rips through an image of alien, but inexplicably charismatic, Hansum, while Rei trips as the stereotypical background of a shoujo manga Valentine’s Day rips beneath her hands. The fact that such a gag-filled manga takes time to layer in symbolism in the cover is 10 out of 10

In Volume 2, Rei and Hanna both began to understand a very little bit about each other’s lives. Here in Volume 3 the powder keg of Valentine’s Day in high school sets them both on an inexorable path towards one another. 

As with previous volumes, there are endless riff on the tropes of shoujo manga, and homages to other media. Hansum’s Tuxedo Kamen moment is on point. Within this, there is a touching story about two lonely girls and all the absolute weirdos around them.  I’d say for every eye-rolling gag, there is at least one that made me chuckle.

By the end of this volume Rei has softened up a bit and is trying to not only understand Hanna more, but has begun to make other friends, something she is still unused to. The fact that she and Susan now speak of something other than Hanna is a huge step forward. Hanna, still trying hard to communicate her feelings to Rei, is starting to get through Rei’s walls. 

Again, Viz Media Originals is doing a fantastic, full-color, job with this manga. Cutuku’s art and writing is great and of course, we’re all rooting for Rei and Hanna.

Ratings: 

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Service – Nope
Yuri – 8

Overall – 8

As a paean to the stupidity of high school, the tropes of shoujo manga and the joy of Yuri romance, Not So Shoujo Love Story continues to be a very fun read.