Daijoubu

I am going to restart my manga reviews and I thought the best place to begin was with Hinano’s Haruhi doujinshi, called DereDere. First, a word about my rating system. I’ve decided to use dangos rather than stars, so this doujinshi gets 3 1/2 dangos. The image above, featuring the cover, is usually the only type of image I will use in reviews. Also, I should point out that this manga, being self-published by Hinano, is sold out and therefore out-of-print. I’m still going to go ahead and review it, because Hinano is interested in feedback and maybe this review will generate such a tremendous demand that she will have to reprint it (lol). Also, an earlier Hinano doujinshi is still available, so perhaps I’ll review that too! Now on with review!

The cover of this work features a very manly Kyon, who holds a meido-style Haruhi firmly in his grasp. He looks almost detached, gazing out at the reader as he firmly holds a startled and blushing Haruhi. To be honest, he looks less like Kyon than the illustrations of him within the work itself do — perhaps Hinano has let her romantic inclinations get the upper hand here? Or perhaps this is how Haruhi, in dere-mode, sees him? Going by the cover, readers of this work are clearly in for something of a role reversal from the usual tsuntsun Haruhi. How does this all work out?

Like many doujinshi, this is a new work based on a preexisting series. Hinano clearly understands the essence of these characters: Kyon’s deadpan reactions, Mikuru’s skittishness and Haruhi’s overbearing attitude (well understood by a tsundere like Hinano) come across very convincingly. The basic plot is quite simple: Haruhi is jealous of Kyon’s attraction to the deredere Mikuru, and insists on switching roles with her. There’s a lot of humorous fun as Mikuru struggles with her unaccustomed tsuntsun role. Fans of a Kyon-Haruhi romantic pairing will be well satisfied with the scenes of these two alone together in the later pages. Hinano has chosen to rely on some standard cliches here, which may disappoint those longing for some real fireworks, but her caution allows this doujinshi to easily and believably fit within the established Suzumiya Haruhi continuity.

The artwork is good, with the embarrassed Mikuru and the final panel of Haruhi :P-ing, being particular highlights. The only not-entirely convincing image is the depiction of Nagato Yuki, who appears in only two panels (!). The balance between humor and romance is excellent, but the work, though well proportioned for what it is, does leave one longing for more. Perhaps Hinano would consider a longer work next time, maybe with some action thrown it to accompany the gags and *doki*doki* moments? But, in conclusion, I must say this work is a cute Haruhi doujinshi and an improvement on Hinano’s last work, Love Mates. Oh, but Love Mates is good work too and you should all go and buy it now!!