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可愛いだけじゃない式守さん [Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san] #15
Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie 15
Shikimori seems like the perfect cute, fun to be around, sweet when she wants to be... but she has a cool dark side that comes out under the right circumstances. And her boyfriend Izumi loves to be around when that happens! A fun and funny high school romance with a sassy twist perfect for fans of Nagatoro-san and Komi Can't Communicate !
Shikimori and Izumi are high school sweethearts. They hold hands walking home from school, they flirt in the halls, they tease each other. But Shikimori knows what she wants, and how to get it, and she can turn from cutie to cool in an instant.
Shikimori and Izumi are high school sweethearts. They hold hands walking home from school, they flirt in the halls, they tease each other. But Shikimori knows what she wants, and how to get it, and she can turn from cutie to cool in an instant.
160 pages, Paperback
Published January 9, 2024
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 10, 2024
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Izumi has it out with Hayase, whose head butting with Shikimori comes from a deep sense of disappointment. Sort of. Then dates happen and we get another one of those hopeless game parodies.
Whatever I get into with this volume, let me be perfectly clear about one thing - Hayase makes a fantastic addition to the cast once she gets over her hangups with Shikimori. And those are basically stemming from a long-standing hero worship.
It’s interesting because it seems like their past encounter was far more formative for Hayase, who was so impressed by Shikimori that she chased her down several paths in life. And now she’s stuck standing up to her because Shikimori doesn’t recognize her and Hayase can’t figure out how to break the cycle.
That’s a really believable pattern of learned behaviour that just causes problems and it turns out that Shikimori got a lot from that encounter too, but she had her reasons for staying silent. It’s always a nice change to have Izumi come through in the clutch.
The only problem is that the solution basically boils down to conforming at school and, sigh, I said my piece on this last time and I am not one for dress codes, so this didn’t feel great. Coupled with a later scene on a date where Shikimori barely flashes her stomach at Izumi for two seconds and he loses it and there’s still this odd moralizing cropping up here that I don’t love.
Anyway, Hayase and Shikimori head out on a date to shop and Hayase is basically a hot mess of adulation that can’t handle being this close to her personal sun. Which makes for a great bit of silliness and even brings Hachimitsu into the mix in a move that turns out to be very boneheaded.
Hachimitsu is an excellent character when deployed properly, but her awkward interaction with Hayase is only half as bad as the sudden revelation that she and Hayase have a secret connection that suddenly gets brought to light and just doesn’t work at all.
The odds, outside of narrative fiat, are so long against this and none of this has come up before, which makes it feel like a real pull from nowhere rather than an organic storytelling moment. Coupled with an annoying Maple Story parody it’s super rough.
Oh, but then Izumi and Shikimori play a battle royale parody game and these can be fun when they’re done right, but an action manga this ain’t. Instead it’s a set-up for a lame gag where Shikimori kills somebody with a frying pan and also gains amazing gaming skills in no time at all.
(Also, this is so specific that only a total pedant would notice, but the game seems very obviously based on PUBG, yet the death box in said game is absolutely a total carbon copy from Apex Legends, something I only know because I spent most of lockdown playing it.)
It’s a real mess of a volume, honestly. Most of the Hayase plot resolution is good, minus my own bias, and she really does add some pep to a cast that mostly just tows the line of normal. Somebody a bit flashier is a welcome change.
And the stuff where Shikimori is setting herself up to be the breadwinner while Izumi keeps house is pretty great and more like the spirit the story had before. I think this series has just been going for probably longer than it necessarily needed to, is the issue.
I mean, I will stick with it. I like these characters for the most part and I have seen enough thin copycats to appreciate what I experienced as the original. And it’s no lie to say that this series had an absolutely amazing run of perfect to near-perfect volumes for a while. I miss those days.
3 stars - Shikimori, no, is not just a cutie. But she used to be a lot more than what we get here too.
Whatever I get into with this volume, let me be perfectly clear about one thing - Hayase makes a fantastic addition to the cast once she gets over her hangups with Shikimori. And those are basically stemming from a long-standing hero worship.
It’s interesting because it seems like their past encounter was far more formative for Hayase, who was so impressed by Shikimori that she chased her down several paths in life. And now she’s stuck standing up to her because Shikimori doesn’t recognize her and Hayase can’t figure out how to break the cycle.
That’s a really believable pattern of learned behaviour that just causes problems and it turns out that Shikimori got a lot from that encounter too, but she had her reasons for staying silent. It’s always a nice change to have Izumi come through in the clutch.
The only problem is that the solution basically boils down to conforming at school and, sigh, I said my piece on this last time and I am not one for dress codes, so this didn’t feel great. Coupled with a later scene on a date where Shikimori barely flashes her stomach at Izumi for two seconds and he loses it and there’s still this odd moralizing cropping up here that I don’t love.
Anyway, Hayase and Shikimori head out on a date to shop and Hayase is basically a hot mess of adulation that can’t handle being this close to her personal sun. Which makes for a great bit of silliness and even brings Hachimitsu into the mix in a move that turns out to be very boneheaded.
Hachimitsu is an excellent character when deployed properly, but her awkward interaction with Hayase is only half as bad as the sudden revelation that she and Hayase have a secret connection that suddenly gets brought to light and just doesn’t work at all.
The odds, outside of narrative fiat, are so long against this and none of this has come up before, which makes it feel like a real pull from nowhere rather than an organic storytelling moment. Coupled with an annoying Maple Story parody it’s super rough.
Oh, but then Izumi and Shikimori play a battle royale parody game and these can be fun when they’re done right, but an action manga this ain’t. Instead it’s a set-up for a lame gag where Shikimori kills somebody with a frying pan and also gains amazing gaming skills in no time at all.
(Also, this is so specific that only a total pedant would notice, but the game seems very obviously based on PUBG, yet the death box in said game is absolutely a total carbon copy from Apex Legends, something I only know because I spent most of lockdown playing it.)
It’s a real mess of a volume, honestly. Most of the Hayase plot resolution is good, minus my own bias, and she really does add some pep to a cast that mostly just tows the line of normal. Somebody a bit flashier is a welcome change.
And the stuff where Shikimori is setting herself up to be the breadwinner while Izumi keeps house is pretty great and more like the spirit the story had before. I think this series has just been going for probably longer than it necessarily needed to, is the issue.
I mean, I will stick with it. I like these characters for the most part and I have seen enough thin copycats to appreciate what I experienced as the original. And it’s no lie to say that this series had an absolutely amazing run of perfect to near-perfect volumes for a while. I miss those days.
3 stars - Shikimori, no, is not just a cutie. But she used to be a lot more than what we get here too.
April 19, 2025
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, Vol. 15 (My Kindle Review)
With Izumi’s help, Shikimori and Hayase manage to make their reunion with each other very happy and even emotional while they immediately become fast friends. We also get to see Shikimori get help with her online playing skills and it turns into a funny gaming experience. The bonus story centers on her middle school years and how she was already turning heads with her uniqueness. A (100%/Outstanding)
With Izumi’s help, Shikimori and Hayase manage to make their reunion with each other very happy and even emotional while they immediately become fast friends. We also get to see Shikimori get help with her online playing skills and it turns into a funny gaming experience. The bonus story centers on her middle school years and how she was already turning heads with her uniqueness. A (100%/Outstanding)
April 4, 2024
I'm really like the flash backs!
December 7, 2025
(english copy from my Instagram @agamundisr_escritor / @leyendoconalice)
Konnichiwa to all readers 🌸
Today I bring you the review of the fifteenth volume of “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie”. That said, let’s begin:
💕The volume opens with Ayase telling Izumi how she first met Shikimori back when she practiced karate. She admired her so deeply that she followed in her footsteps, reaching the same belt level and even participating in the national championship. In the present, Ayase admits that when she learned Shikimori had transferred schools, she pushed herself academically to enter the same one in hopes of becoming her friend.
💕With Izumi’s help, that wish finally comes true. Ayase agrees to follow the school’s rules and approaches Shikimori with sincerity, asking to be her friend and bringing closure to the conflict left from the previous volume.
💕The central chapter offers a calm date between Shikimori and Izumi while they go out to eat. We already see Ayase and Shikimori’s new friendship beginning to grow, giving us comedic moments—especially the gag where Shikimori ends up completely stuffed after devouring ramen.
💕In the final chapters, we learn more about Ayase’s past as a former videogame addict. During an outing with Shikimori, they run into Hachimatsu, which makes Ayase nervous. However, while sharing an ice cream, they realize they once played several online RPGs together without knowing it, marking the start of a real, in-person friendship. Meanwhile, Shikimori and Izumi try an online game where she—unsurprisingly—ends up protecting him and becoming a pro in no time, much to the amazement of her friends.
🌸Conclusion: This volume closes the conflict arc, reinforces Shikimori’s role as a guardian of the rules, and deepens Ayase’s backstory. The humor focuses more on Shikimori this time, striking a charming balance between comedy and emotional development.
Arigatou gozaimasu for your time 🌸
Konnichiwa to all readers 🌸
Today I bring you the review of the fifteenth volume of “Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie”. That said, let’s begin:
💕The volume opens with Ayase telling Izumi how she first met Shikimori back when she practiced karate. She admired her so deeply that she followed in her footsteps, reaching the same belt level and even participating in the national championship. In the present, Ayase admits that when she learned Shikimori had transferred schools, she pushed herself academically to enter the same one in hopes of becoming her friend.
💕With Izumi’s help, that wish finally comes true. Ayase agrees to follow the school’s rules and approaches Shikimori with sincerity, asking to be her friend and bringing closure to the conflict left from the previous volume.
💕The central chapter offers a calm date between Shikimori and Izumi while they go out to eat. We already see Ayase and Shikimori’s new friendship beginning to grow, giving us comedic moments—especially the gag where Shikimori ends up completely stuffed after devouring ramen.
💕In the final chapters, we learn more about Ayase’s past as a former videogame addict. During an outing with Shikimori, they run into Hachimatsu, which makes Ayase nervous. However, while sharing an ice cream, they realize they once played several online RPGs together without knowing it, marking the start of a real, in-person friendship. Meanwhile, Shikimori and Izumi try an online game where she—unsurprisingly—ends up protecting him and becoming a pro in no time, much to the amazement of her friends.
🌸Conclusion: This volume closes the conflict arc, reinforces Shikimori’s role as a guardian of the rules, and deepens Ayase’s backstory. The humor focuses more on Shikimori this time, striking a charming balance between comedy and emotional development.
Arigatou gozaimasu for your time 🌸
January 20, 2024
what a cute volume.....hayase and shikimori finally connect and hayase makes a cathartic confession of their past history. shikimori and izumi have an adorable ramen date, where they speak of the future (coming home after work to each other - squeee!!). then, hayase and shikimori hang out and hachimitsu joins, only for hachimitsu and hayase to realize they are ONLINE BESTIES!!!!!! the gaming section was SO adorable, and as a gamer, I totally relate.
my only complaint with this volume was hayase's 'you'll get fat' text to shikimori, which I'm sure was born from a place of minor jealousy (not jealous of shikimori but of the quality time she/izumi are spending together). was unnecessary and shikimori did get self-conscious.
my only complaint with this volume was hayase's 'you'll get fat' text to shikimori, which I'm sure was born from a place of minor jealousy (not jealous of shikimori but of the quality time she/izumi are spending together). was unnecessary and shikimori did get self-conscious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
While I wasn't as emotional over Hayase's and Shikimori's "reunion" so to speak, the final two chapters more than made up for it. They also reinforced the idea that Hachimitsu is the best character in the series don't @ me.
More laidback in the second half but just as rewarding, another solid volume.
More laidback in the second half but just as rewarding, another solid volume.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews