Otome no Teikoku

An ensemble of high schoolers at an all-girls school laughs its way through daily life and develops quirky relationships with one another. That is the whole premise, and it is the right kind of premise for this series. The strength is in the people, not in any single plot.The cast is the reason to read. Each character has a distinct personality, and the friendships feel lived-in. The comedy is light and often silly, and the everyday moments add up to a warm, cosy portrait of school life.The weaknesses are real. The run is very long and the structure is loose, so readers who want a clear story arc may feel adrift. Some ecchi-tagged humour appears in places and can feel out of step with the rest.Recommended for fans of cosy, cast-driven school comedies. Read it in short bursts and enjoy the company.