3 Years

Status: Finished

At first sight, Asaki China is like any other manga heroine you've ever known: a loudmouth tomboy enrolling into high school, living the Shoujo Dream: what else but fall in love, yadda yadda. But of course, as she is more reminiscent of a monkey guy than she is of a girl, her chances of getting that love is close to nil. Until she meets her new classmates, the class clown Haruka and the intimidating giant Shindou anyway...

Bored already? Don't worry, so was I. But there is a reason this short story on four chapters made me bawl a river in my room, and it isn't because of the ugly art.

Art - 0.2 /10.0
Whatever praise you're expecting me to say about this manga, it doesn't extend to the art style. My first impression was that China looked like a pig, and the two male protagonists a bear and a weasel. And I don't know about you, but bestiality isn't really my thing. Either way, I sucked it up and kept reading. And that's when we get to the good part...

Plot/Concept - 9.7 / 10.0
I love, love, LOVE the simplicity of 3 Years. I can tell you what it isn't: it isn't a intricate plot with some innovative, imagination-rocking idea; it isn't a rollercoaster drama where you keep holding your breath all the way. It isn't even original, or unique, and maybe that's what makes it so goddamn special. This story is as real as it can get when the main characters all look like animals, and anybody can relate to it. This is a story about growth, and regardless of if we've already been there or are on our way there, we still know what the mangaka is trying to tell us. And the message, in stark contrast to the way it is drawn, is hauntingly beautiful.

Characters - 9.5 / 10.0
Okay, none of the guys had me squealing, and I didn't cheer the heroine on as if she was my best friend. But these characters are stunningly realistic, and that's what makes you like them. They're not gorgeous or even remotely close to being perfect in any way, but they're people, not just characters on paper. You either are one of them or could have been. You might even know somebody just like them. Regardless, they're not your stereotypical shoujo characters -- they're actually real.

Romance - 9.8 / 10.0
I clicked, I saw, I cried. No, really. I usually don't sit around sniffling my way through mangas, but this one had me in tears with only four chapters worth of pages, to boot. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll tell you: just read it. You won't regret it.

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This is one of my all-time favorite manga, even despite how ugly it is. I love coming-of-age stories, but this one is definitely the cherry on top of all the coming-of-age manga I've ever read. It may not be for anyone, because it's rather serious and brutally honest: it's not your usual ditzy shoujo. But if you're ever in a mood for a story that actually speaks to you, this one is going to break your heart. That I can swear.

Overall Rating: 9.8 / 10.0

Credits for the scans: Perfect Illusions