Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on I Started Pretending to Be a Mysterious Girl at an All-Girls School After TS-ing, and Somehow Ended Up Surrounded by Yandere Girls
This title is quite the mouthful, isn't it? "I Started Pretending to Be a Mysterious Girl at an All-Girls School After TS-ing, and Somehow Ended Up Surrounded by Yandere Girls" promises a wild ride, and while it delivers on some fronts, it also left me wanting more in others.
First Impressions
Going in, I expected a lighthearted, comedic romp with plenty of yandere antics. The premise screams chaotic fun, and the initial chapters definitely lean into that. A guy suddenly finding himself in a girl's body, deciding to play the mysterious transfer student, and attracting obsessive attention? Sign me up!
What Works Well
The protagonist, Tsubasa, is genuinely endearing. There's a certain charm to her awkwardness and her attempts to navigate this bizarre new reality. I found myself rooting for her, even when her chuunibyou tendencies got a little over the top. Futaba is another standout character, acting as a chaotic force of nature.
The story also tackles surprisingly heavy themes. It explores the desire to live, the meaning of self, and the motivations behind suicidal ideation. This adds a layer of depth that I wasn't expecting, making the story more than just a fluffy gender-bender.
Areas of Concern
The biggest issue I have is the apparent lack of actual yanderes. The title promises a harem of obsessive girls, but it seems like only one character truly fits that description. I was hoping for more intense, over-the-top yandere behavior, and the story fell a little short in that regard. The pacing also feels rushed, and the story ends far too soon. I felt like the characters and relationships had so much more potential to explore.
Final Verdict
"I Started Pretending to Be a Mysterious Girl at an All-Girls School After TS-ing, and Somehow Ended Up Surrounded by Yandere Girls" is a fun, if somewhat misleading, read. The characters are likable, the humor is on point, and it tackles some surprisingly deep themes. However, if you're expecting a full-blown yandere harem, you might be disappointed. It's a good story, just needs a bit more of what the title promises.
