Manga Discoveries: Bokura wa Itsumo
So I do like the occasional shoujo manga, but lately I feel like drama shoujo titles have become more like soap operas rather than romantic dramas. Lately there’s been too much of a reliance on melodrama to get readers. Even the insanely popular and praised, Kimi ni Todoke has it’s own share of melodrama. While the addition of melodrama might make for nice “oh snap” moments in the manga, it takes a toll on the human factor. Bokura wa Itsumo is a exception to the current trend in shoujo manga, and is an immensely satisfying read.
By definition Bokura wa Itsumo is a story about a love square, but I find that term misleading. Rather it’s better described as a parallel love story. There are 4 characters in BwI: Saeka, Nori, Kyo, and Haruna. In order to ratchet up the human factor, Fujimiya Ayu writes each chapter from the perspective of one of the four main characters. By alternating these perspectives, we get to see how each character thinks and develops as events of the manga progresses.
There were many times where I expected the story to go one way due to current standards of shoujo manga, but it ends up avoiding the pitfall completely. Rather than adding drama solely for drama; it’s added for the purpose of character development. Don’t expect to see bitch fights or back stabbing in this manga. Everything is treated subtly, and in a way it makes it more effective.
I found myself loving the characters with each passing chapter, and I’m anxiously waiting the next release. So if you’re someone like me, who’s sick of the current style of shoujo mangas… give Bokura wa Itsumo a shot.
_tekky99
Manga Reviews | tekky99 | 
December 9, 2009 12:49 am
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By Keo, December 9, 2009 @ 8:33 am
D: oooh this sounds interesting. But yeah most shoujo has melodrama intertwined with anything nowadays.
I find the changing POV’s nice, since although some manga does it this one changes by chapter to chapter which changes up things a bit more.
By Tarn, June 29, 2010 @ 8:00 am
I like this manga too, the character I love the most is Nori and Haruna, I really wants to read next vol. In my country, there are only 3 volumes, can’t wait to read it.