Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on I Disguise To Be Plain, However It Wasn’t What I Thought. The Girls Have Unexpectedly Good Intuition.
First Impressions
Okay, so going into this one, the title alone promised a potentially fun, lighthearted read. The whole "hidden handsome guy" trope is something I usually enjoy, and the tags suggested a fluffy romance with some school life shenanigans. I was hoping for a protagonist who might be a bit awkward but ultimately capable, and a story where the girls' intuition played a clever role in uncovering his true self.
What Works Well
The initial premise is definitely intriguing. The idea of a "high-spec" protagonist deliberately trying to blend in is a classic setup that can lead to interesting character dynamics and comedic situations. There's potential for some sweet romance as the girls start to see past the disguise.
Areas of Concern
However, as I delved deeper, I started to see some potential pitfalls. The biggest issue that stood out to me was the portrayal of the protagonist. The whole appeal of this type of story hinges on the protagonist being, well, protagonistic. If he's constantly clueless or gets walked all over, it can be frustrating to watch. The idea that the female leads only become interested in him after discovering his looks also raises some red flags. I personally prefer characters who appreciate inner qualities over superficial ones, so that aspect could be a turn-off for some readers like myself.
I also worry about the heavy reliance on manga references as a plot device. While a little bit of meta-humor can be fun, overdoing it can feel forced and lazy. I'd rather see the author create organic situations and conflicts that arise naturally from the characters and their relationships.
Final Verdict
Overall, "I Disguise To Be Plain..." has an interesting premise with the potential to be a fun, lighthearted read. However, the execution seems to be falling short. I'm hesitant to fully recommend it at this stage. If you're a die-hard fan of the "hidden handsome guy" trope and don't mind a potentially passive protagonist, it might be worth checking out. But if you're looking for a story with a strong, capable lead and genuine character development, you might want to proceed with caution.
