Title

Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san?

Also known as: Jirai nan desu ka? Chihara-san, 地雷なんですか？地原さん, That Girl Is Cute... But Dangerous?, Jirai Nandesuka? Chihara-san, Chihara, es-tu une Jirai ?

by Ryon

Score from AniList: 71/100releasing

Comedy Romance Slice of Life More like Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san?

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It’s the start of a new semester, and high school junior Kuroki finds himself seated beside the girl everyone whispers about: Mai Chihara. With her gothic fashion, jet-black hair, and intense stare, Chihara is said to be a “landmine” girl or jirai-kei, the hyper-feminine, dark aesthetic often associated with yandere tendencies and unstable personalities. But when Kuroki accidentally draws Chihara’s attention, he discovers she isn’t nearly as unstable as people claim. Beneath the intimidating aura is a surprisingly sweet girl… if a little weird. Hesitantly, Kuroki begins to learn more about Chihara and her strange quirks. Is there more to her than her volatile reputation? Or is all the dark clothing just a red flag in disguise? (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A sweet, wry school romcom about a student whose gothic reputation hides a gentler heart, with a slow-burn tone and a lot of quiet charm.

Pros

A fresh take on a misunderstood classmate
Gentle, observant humour
A slow-burn tone that feels comforting

Cons

The premise is simple and can feel slight
The romance develops at a gentle pace

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Read the full take

Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san? is a sweet, wry school romcom about a boy who ends up seated beside the girl everyone whispers about. She has a gothic look and a reputation for being unstable, and he assumes the worst. When he accidentally draws her attention, he discovers that she is not nearly as unstable as people claim. The comedy is observant and gentle, and the premise is a neat reversal of first impressions. The characters are charming, and their developing friendship feels warm and believable. The honest cons: the premise is simple and can feel slight over a long run, and the romance moves at a gentle pace that some readers will find slow. Some jokes lean on the same reactions. Still, it is a cosy, pleasant read for fans of slice-of-life romance. If you enjoy stories where first impressions are wrong, this is a good pick.