I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular? Novel Review
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By honmachi kamakura, 本町かまくら
90 chapters
2020
Description
In the summer of my first year of elementary school, I confessed to my childhood friend, Karen, within two minutes of coming across her. Many years have passed since then, and I am now in my second year of high school. As of now, I’ve confessed my feelings to her 9999 times. Every time, I was rejected. But, I didn’t give up, and so I made this 10000th time my last chance to confess to Karen. “I’m sorry” she rejected me right away! I finally gave up and started trying to find a new love. But then, Karen started coming onto me, and I started to get popular?! What? Why? The mentally strongest high school student will be born here! Most of the characters are idiots, but they all go through their youth in their own clumsy ways.
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Publication Information
- Original Publisher
- kakuyomu
- Original Language
- japanese
- Type
- Web Novel
I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular? Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator
My Thoughts on I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular?
This title alone grabbed my attention, and after diving into the story, I can see why it has a dedicated following. It's a lighthearted rom-com with a touch of wish fulfillment, perfect for a casual read.
First Impressions
The premise is undeniably absurd. A guy confessing to his childhood friend ten thousand times? It's a bit much, and I initially wondered if I could suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it. The initial chapters do a decent job of setting up the dynamic, even if the sheer number of rejections feels more like a gag than a genuine portrayal of unrequited love.
What Works Well
The humor is definitely a strong point. The misunderstandings and awkward situations the protagonist finds himself in are genuinely funny. There's a certain charm to the "dense protagonist" trope when it's done well, and I think this novel manages to pull it off. Many readers praised the sweet, sugary feel of the story, especially after the MC gives up and other girls start taking an interest. It leans heavily into the "suddenly popular" aspect of the title, which is undeniably satisfying to read. The author creates a fun, if slightly unrealistic, world where everyone is a little bit quirky and love is always just around the corner.
Areas of Concern
While the wish fulfillment aspect is appealing, it also contributes to some of the story's weaknesses. The reasons behind the childhood friend's constant rejections can feel contrived and frustrating. Some readers, including myself, might find it difficult to root for a character who seems to be intentionally dragging things out for no good reason. I also found myself questioning the motivations of some of the other female characters who suddenly become interested in the protagonist. It can feel a bit shallow at times, and the protagonist's reactions can sometimes seem a bit... spazzy, as one reviewer put it.
Final Verdict
Overall, I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular? is an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, rom-com. If you're looking for a lighthearted read with plenty of sweet moments and aren't too bothered by some questionable character motivations, this might be right up your alley. Just be prepared to turn your brain off and enjoy the sugar rush.
