- Chapters: 66 (As of June 9, 2018)
- Status: Publishing
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Shounen
- Serialization: Weekly Shounen Magazine
Synopsis
High school student, Kobayakawa, is a social outcast with a knack for painting. Due to some circumstances, he is given the duty of putting on make-up for Hoshino, one of the most popular girls in the school. This is because Hoshino looks drastically different without make-up on, and is afraid that she wouldn't be accepted if that were ever revealed. Kobayakawa's view of the world gradually changes as he helps Hoshino keep her secret.
I'm not going to foolishly say that depictions of flawed human nature are somehow a unique concept. That's a path well-traveled ever since storytelling was invented. An example of this within the high school setting is Nagashii Kohei's manga, Hoshino, Close Your Eyes. On the surface, it is very formulaic and predictable in its structure, but it makes up for this by being simultaneously unpredictable in its individual plot points while being emotionally gripping. This kind of manga is definitely not for everyone, but it's also not what you would expect from the start. Hopefully, by the end of this review, you'll know if it's worth reading or not.
Do You Love These Characters?
Let's start with the parts that I think will annoy people. First of all, if you ever watched Oregairu, and hated Hachiman, you may get some similar feelings here. There are differences though. Kobayakawa has an interesting back story that validates his contempt for social interaction. But if you just hate that character archetype, this manga probably won't change your mind. Furthermore, there's some contrivance to the story. New characters spawn into the story immediately once the last arc reaches its ending as if on queue. Also, if you have trouble sympathizing with the characters' problems, then I can see how they might get grating over time.
Everyone Has Problems
Now for what Hoshino, Close Your Eyes gets so right. The basic structure of the story consists of Kobayakawa and Hoshino meeting somebody with crippling personal issues, and then spending the next few chapters helping them resolve those issues. All the while, the two leads are developing further with each arc. It's a simple structure, but it does the job. I found myself astounded by the variety of the issues presented, from writer's block and stalkers to bullying and love triangles. The manga depicts each of these issues respectfully and each of their arcs are unique and fun to read.
But the arcs themselves are just the sideshow while Kobayakawa's character is what I'm really here to see. Every facet of his being splurges personality in a million ways. Pretending to sleep during breaks to avoid talking to people, painting people that he hates as a way to vent his frustration, and the way that he wants to skip school when he does something embarrassing in public. One of his lines, later on, brings me to tears by itself. "I don't like myself enough to be liked by anyone else." This is the difference between Kobayakawa and Hachiman. Kobayakawa isn't some self-righteous, stoic, misunderstood, tragic hero. He's a depressing, shy dunce, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Even People Who Appear Happy
Hoshino is the other main character, and for good reason. The contrasting values of a popular girl and a sad loner are interesting, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. She's quite dim and acts irrationally, she accepts that her friends don't like her for who she really is, but just because she looks good with make-up. She also understands that if they can't accept her real self, then they probably aren't very good friends. Regardless, she keeps up her facade because she's fine with that fake happiness.
This is particularly important because Kobayakawa has already seen what happens when that fake happiness is pulled out from under you. I have no clue where the author is going to take this plot point. He may either pull the rug out from under Hoshino and validate Kobayakawa's cynical attitude. Or nobody will care and Hoshino will realize that her friends do actually like her true self.
A Point to the Comedy
The comedy is another competent part of the execution. I love it when some serious event is going on, and then Kobayakawa somehow ends up being the butt of a joke. Not just because I'm a terrible person, but also because it integrates with the drama so well. I don't think I've ever had a weighty conversation with someone in real life where nobody tried to inject some levity, and I feel these dramas often miss this.
The comedy is also a method of fleshing out the characters, like when there's a chapter about fingernails. Hoshino mocks Kobayakawa for his terrible nail art, so he gets childishly defensive about it. It shows his competitive pride when artistry gets involved. We then see a blueprint for a fingernail with a functioning cannon the next day. Sure it's silly, but it got a chuckle out of me, so it clearly worked. These moments are somewhat rare, but very welcome each time.
Conclusion
Hoshino, Close Your Eyes is somewhat lacking when it comes to the technical elements of conventional storytelling due to being a little repetitive and predictable. Despite this, it has so much heart in its characters, that I can't help but love it anyway. But that's the important point to get across. The story will not hold up the manga by itself. If you do not find yourself attached to the characters, then you'll probably end up confused and bored.
On the other hand, the characters are so well-written, that I have to give the manga a recommendation. If you do find yourself about to drop it early on, I highly recommend reading to chapter 11 at the very least. That chapter was when I first knew I was reading something exceptional. But that's just how I see this manga. If you guys think the story does carry the manga by itself, or have anything else you want to say, let me know in the comments below.