Omae o Otaku ni Shiteyaru kara, Ore o Riajuu ni Shitekure! Novel Review

My Thoughts on Omae o Otaku ni Shiteyaru kara, Ore o Riajuu ni Shitekure!

"Omae o Otaku ni Shiteyaru kara, Ore o Riajuu ni Shitekure!" – or "Make Me a Normie!" for short – is a series that I found to be a surprisingly engaging ride, despite some stumbles along the way. It's a high school rom-com with a twist, and while it might not reinvent the genre, it offers enough heart and humor to make it worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of shows like Toradora! or Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki.

First Impressions

Initially, I was a bit hesitant. The premise – an otaku and a popular girl teaming up to pursue their respective crushes – felt a little tropey. I went in expecting a fairly standard romantic comedy, but I was pleasantly surprised by the nostalgic feel and surprisingly deep character interactions that unfolded as I read on.

What Works Well

What really hooked me was the dynamic between the two leads. Their partnership, built on mutual assistance and growing friendship, is the heart of the story. I appreciated the main character's growth throughout the series. Seeing him evolve from a socially awkward loner to someone more confident and capable was genuinely rewarding. The humor is also well-done, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that stem from the MC's mishaps and the characters' quirky personalities. The author clearly understands the high school experience, and the story resonated with me on an emotional level, reminding me of my own youth.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoyed the core story, I did find some aspects a bit lacking, and some reviewers expressed similar feelings. The love triangle felt somewhat forced, with one side of it not getting nearly enough development to feel believable. This made the romantic tension drag on longer than necessary. Later arcs, particularly the university arc and the "Azuki" volume, felt like unnecessary additions that detracted from the overall quality of the story. The added drama and repetitive plot lines made those sections feel more like a chore than an enjoyable read. Also, some issues with translation consistency were a bit distracting.

Final Verdict

Overall, I'd give "Omae o Otaku ni Shiteyaru kara, Ore o Riajuu ni Shitekure!" a solid recommendation, especially if you're in the mood for a lighthearted and engaging high school rom-com. Just be aware that it has some flaws, particularly in the later volumes and the handling of the love triangle. If you can overlook those issues, you'll find a story with plenty of heart, humor, and surprisingly relatable characters.