What do you think?
Rate this book
主人恋日記 [Shujinkou Nikki] #1
Diary of a Female Lead: Shujinkou Nikki Vol. 1
The critically acclaimed meta shojo about taking charge of your own (love) life!
Tsujimura Aoi wouldn’t consider herself a main character by any means. Meek and insecure, she’s constantly alone, unlike her athletic older brother, Itsuki, or her mother, a famous shojo mangaka. Aoi doesn’t need to be the heroine, though—all she wants is a true friend. But Itsuki disagrees, and when he brings home Aoi’s effortlessly cool classmate Mizusawa Sena, the two concoct a plan to teach Aoi all about love, using shojo manga as their guide. Can this drab side character become an unparalleled female lead by falling for the perfect guy?
Tsujimura Aoi wouldn’t consider herself a main character by any means. Meek and insecure, she’s constantly alone, unlike her athletic older brother, Itsuki, or her mother, a famous shojo mangaka. Aoi doesn’t need to be the heroine, though—all she wants is a true friend. But Itsuki disagrees, and when he brings home Aoi’s effortlessly cool classmate Mizusawa Sena, the two concoct a plan to teach Aoi all about love, using shojo manga as their guide. Can this drab side character become an unparalleled female lead by falling for the perfect guy?
168 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2021
7 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 22, 2024
FIRST IMPRESSION VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/NSm6fw3FjZY
Oh my goodness, this was SO good!!!
I LOVED the story itself and all of the characters, but do you know the thing that MOST spoke to me about this story?
The power of shoujo.
Maybe that sounds really silly, but seeing how shoujo manga really has the power to influence readers feels like such a special thing. I have very much felt that personally, but seeing it shown in Aoi's life in just this first volume really touched and warmed my heart. It truly made me feel seen even as an adult in how shoujo manga has encouraged me through heroines that may feel like they don't have much self-worth only to grow and change because of the people around them and internal realizations that they DO have worth.
Now for the story, I loved EVERYTHING! However, that ending with Sena was SOOOOOOO good!!! I'm HYPED for the next volume, especially with all the warm fuzzies I felt and squealing I did when reading!
Aoi's family is really fun and love how much her older brother cares for her! Her mom definitely does too, and think you could really see that by the end. <3
Sena is a great male lead and really loved how he is being there for Aoi and is cheering for her.
This was definitely a very strong and amazing first volume! It felt so magical in its own special way and made me excited to be a shoujo manga reader! Definitely going to be recommending this one and definitely going to be preordering future volumes!
Oh my goodness, this was SO good!!!
I LOVED the story itself and all of the characters, but do you know the thing that MOST spoke to me about this story?
The power of shoujo.
Maybe that sounds really silly, but seeing how shoujo manga really has the power to influence readers feels like such a special thing. I have very much felt that personally, but seeing it shown in Aoi's life in just this first volume really touched and warmed my heart. It truly made me feel seen even as an adult in how shoujo manga has encouraged me through heroines that may feel like they don't have much self-worth only to grow and change because of the people around them and internal realizations that they DO have worth.
Now for the story, I loved EVERYTHING! However, that ending with Sena was SOOOOOOO good!!! I'm HYPED for the next volume, especially with all the warm fuzzies I felt and squealing I did when reading!
Aoi's family is really fun and love how much her older brother cares for her! Her mom definitely does too, and think you could really see that by the end. <3
Sena is a great male lead and really loved how he is being there for Aoi and is cheering for her.
This was definitely a very strong and amazing first volume! It felt so magical in its own special way and made me excited to be a shoujo manga reader! Definitely going to be recommending this one and definitely going to be preordering future volumes!
April 18, 2025
what a love letter to shoujo :3
October 29, 2024
With her mother a famous mangaka and her brother, Itsuki, a prince of her school, Aoi is the odd one out in her family. But when Itsuki and a classmate of Aoi’s, Sena, decide that she needs to find love, her fortunes may be changing for the apparently better.
There’s a reason this stands out and it’s entirely on the shoulders of our lead. Aoi’s kind of great and, while the basic plain girl becomes an exciting lead character has been done and done and done again, she makes this go down pretty easy for something that deliberately trades in cliches.
Itsuki might be all sorts of popular as well, but he still cares about his sister and the dynamic with the whole family is a real bright spot. Given that the mangaka is basing this on her experience drawing manga while raising children, it’s no surprise that they feel inherently believable. Their interactions make for a fun time even when the story isn’t really concerned about romance.
Which is good, since the way it tackles that romance is a little iffy. The about-face that Aoi does from being harried by Itsuki and Sena’s plan to find her love to then embracing it completely is really a bit abrupt and one of the things the story could have handled a little more smoothly than it does.
The way it handles cliches is fun, but it’s brutally obvious that we’re just waiting for Sena to step up and be the guy of Aoi’s dreams that all the effort put into the genuinely nice other dude feels a little wasted (I did love the term ‘false lead’ as an alternative to the ‘No Hope Rival’, I must say).
Back at it, I loved that Aoi isn’t actually all that fussed about love at the start and really just wants to make a friend she can share things with. There’s a more interesting path this story could have gone than the straight shot to Sparkle City that it ends up on.
In case you can’t tell, I think Aoi is better than the story proper. Not that the story proper is bad, using shojo as a metafiction within a shojo can be fun, but Aoi could be better served by something more novel. There’s also a speed to this that undercuts it - Aoi makes a friend pretty quickly, but said friend is woefully underdeveloped.
Aoi makes this interesting more than anything else. The way she’s roasted her own self-esteem by trying hard and not succeeding and then comparing herself to her more successful family makes it easy to feel where she’s coming from. She is ruthlessly hard on herself.
Honestly, all the stuff at the end where she ‘falls’ for the boring guy she has a lot in common with is really too pedestrian by half. If the story had been more of that I would have found it far duller, so, mercifully, he mostly hews to the periphery for now.
Even Sena, who’s way more restrained about his feelings, but still crushingly (cough) obvious to the reader, is kind of a one-note nice guy. Original this is not, no matter the angle of approach it chooses to take.
But, for me, it’s enough. The back and forth between the characters and Aoi’s general personality really make this kind of enjoyable and I didn’t dislike my time with it at all. It’s not the next great thing, but it’s enjoyable enough.
3.5 stars - rounding down because it does tend to be a bit banal as it follows certain story beats without the irony that it could probably use more of, given its use of its own genre within the story.
There’s a reason this stands out and it’s entirely on the shoulders of our lead. Aoi’s kind of great and, while the basic plain girl becomes an exciting lead character has been done and done and done again, she makes this go down pretty easy for something that deliberately trades in cliches.
Itsuki might be all sorts of popular as well, but he still cares about his sister and the dynamic with the whole family is a real bright spot. Given that the mangaka is basing this on her experience drawing manga while raising children, it’s no surprise that they feel inherently believable. Their interactions make for a fun time even when the story isn’t really concerned about romance.
Which is good, since the way it tackles that romance is a little iffy. The about-face that Aoi does from being harried by Itsuki and Sena’s plan to find her love to then embracing it completely is really a bit abrupt and one of the things the story could have handled a little more smoothly than it does.
The way it handles cliches is fun, but it’s brutally obvious that we’re just waiting for Sena to step up and be the guy of Aoi’s dreams that all the effort put into the genuinely nice other dude feels a little wasted (I did love the term ‘false lead’ as an alternative to the ‘No Hope Rival’, I must say).
Back at it, I loved that Aoi isn’t actually all that fussed about love at the start and really just wants to make a friend she can share things with. There’s a more interesting path this story could have gone than the straight shot to Sparkle City that it ends up on.
In case you can’t tell, I think Aoi is better than the story proper. Not that the story proper is bad, using shojo as a metafiction within a shojo can be fun, but Aoi could be better served by something more novel. There’s also a speed to this that undercuts it - Aoi makes a friend pretty quickly, but said friend is woefully underdeveloped.
Aoi makes this interesting more than anything else. The way she’s roasted her own self-esteem by trying hard and not succeeding and then comparing herself to her more successful family makes it easy to feel where she’s coming from. She is ruthlessly hard on herself.
Honestly, all the stuff at the end where she ‘falls’ for the boring guy she has a lot in common with is really too pedestrian by half. If the story had been more of that I would have found it far duller, so, mercifully, he mostly hews to the periphery for now.
Even Sena, who’s way more restrained about his feelings, but still crushingly (cough) obvious to the reader, is kind of a one-note nice guy. Original this is not, no matter the angle of approach it chooses to take.
But, for me, it’s enough. The back and forth between the characters and Aoi’s general personality really make this kind of enjoyable and I didn’t dislike my time with it at all. It’s not the next great thing, but it’s enjoyable enough.
3.5 stars - rounding down because it does tend to be a bit banal as it follows certain story beats without the irony that it could probably use more of, given its use of its own genre within the story.
December 30, 2024
It was cute and wholesome, cart. wait. to see what happens next..
Read
February 4, 2025I’m going to eat dry wall this is so cute
August 15, 2023
i LOVE this so far
July 7, 2025
Insecure heroine done right.
July 6, 2025
2025 Goodreads Challenge - Manga #21/50
June 28, 2023
Such a refreshing manga.
I LOVED it 🥹 the side characters, the supportive family, breaking the gender and relationship norms, the understanding between the main couple.
One of my new favourite mangas, and thats a lot considering I read so many of them and forget what they are about the very next day.
I LOVED it 🥹 the side characters, the supportive family, breaking the gender and relationship norms, the understanding between the main couple.
One of my new favourite mangas, and thats a lot considering I read so many of them and forget what they are about the very next day.
December 31, 2023
this is exactly what I want when I read a shoujo. The storyline is refreshing, the character relationships are all healthy and complex, and the story doesn’t overuse cliche tropes. This gives me similar vibes to a Sign of Affection in that it’s unique in its own way, I hope we can get a possible print release.
November 8, 2024
This is actually so good ??? New fav???
November 8, 2023
It’s so cute and wholesome 🥰 I love how supportive and helpful her family is. And all the characters are fun and well written.
March 3, 2025
NOT THE EYEGLASS BASHING...? 😭
sena three-time winner of the yearning olympics
sena three-time winner of the yearning olympics
November 24, 2025
"What a lead needs isn't some special talent or anything. All they need is the drive that moves the story along. It's not about comparin' yourself to others. After all, you've been the lead of your own life from the beginning."
3,5
Abituata a convivere con un fratello maggiore adorato dall'intero corpo studentesco e con una madre che può vantare una carriera di mangaka di successo, Aoi si porta dietro un complesso di inferiorità che l'ha portata ad isolarsi e a rifiutare qualsiasi tipo di legame. Bassa autostima, la convinzione di non avere alcun talento particolare e di non avere la stoffa della protagonista: Aoi si tiene sempre in disparte (a volte viene avvicinata dalle compagne che vogliono avere notizie sullo status sentimentale del fratello, ma niente di più) e sembra non sentire la necessità di cambiare le cose. Almeno fino a quando il fratello maggiore Itsuki, con l'aiuto di un suo compagno di squadra (e compagno di classe di Aoi), Sena Mizusawa, non decide di intervenire: il risultato finale dovrebbe essere una sorta di corso intensivo, pieno di spunti presi dal mondo dello shojo manga, per permettere ad Aoi di uscire dal suo guscio, di connettere con gli altri e di innamorarsi per davvero. Non sarà facile, anche perché certe barriere non si superano al primo colpo, però, grazie alla vicinanza di Sena (ragazzo super popolare ed estroverso, un po' come Itsuki), Aoi troverà la sua prima amica, inizierà a liberarsi dal suo isolamento autoimposto...e farà la conoscenza di un possibile interesse amoroso (anche se il tipello mi sembra più fissato con Itsuki e Sena).
Allora, ho trovato questo primo volume molto carino, molto bene anche il tratto dei disegni. Spero che il personaggio di Sena venga approfondito nei prossimi volumi, perché per ora rimane un po' un mistero (a volte mi dà l'impressione che voglia davvero aiutare Aoi, in altri casi mi sembra che i suoi sentimenti siano più profondi del previsto). Per quanto riguarda la protagonista, Aoi mi ha fatto molta tenerezza: non è facile convivere con persone di successo o che comunque sono capaci di interagire facilmente con gli altri e che sono apprezzati da tutti. Lei si è sempre vista come quella che vale meno e, per certi versi, ha cercato di proteggersi da eventuali ferite e delusioni, finendo per isolarsi e rimanere in disparte. Tralasciando la fissa di Itsuki per lo status sentimentale della sorella, sarebbe interessante vedere Aoi imbarcarsi in un percorso di crescita personale che le permetta di prendere in mano le redini della sua vita, di prendere finalmente consapevolezza del suo valore e di sentirsi a suo agio con sé stessa.
Certo, mettersi a parlare già di amore quando ha scambiato tipo due parole con Tokunaga è assurda, ma facciamo finta di niente (a parte che si è capito fin da subito che strada prenderà la storia).
Questo primo volume è decisamente promosso, vediamo come procederanno le cose nei prossimi (siccome non ho autocontrollo ho recuperato i primi quattro numeri, così posso farmi un'idea più precisa e capire se andare avanti con questa lettura anche in futuro).
3,5
Abituata a convivere con un fratello maggiore adorato dall'intero corpo studentesco e con una madre che può vantare una carriera di mangaka di successo, Aoi si porta dietro un complesso di inferiorità che l'ha portata ad isolarsi e a rifiutare qualsiasi tipo di legame. Bassa autostima, la convinzione di non avere alcun talento particolare e di non avere la stoffa della protagonista: Aoi si tiene sempre in disparte (a volte viene avvicinata dalle compagne che vogliono avere notizie sullo status sentimentale del fratello, ma niente di più) e sembra non sentire la necessità di cambiare le cose. Almeno fino a quando il fratello maggiore Itsuki, con l'aiuto di un suo compagno di squadra (e compagno di classe di Aoi), Sena Mizusawa, non decide di intervenire: il risultato finale dovrebbe essere una sorta di corso intensivo, pieno di spunti presi dal mondo dello shojo manga, per permettere ad Aoi di uscire dal suo guscio, di connettere con gli altri e di innamorarsi per davvero. Non sarà facile, anche perché certe barriere non si superano al primo colpo, però, grazie alla vicinanza di Sena (ragazzo super popolare ed estroverso, un po' come Itsuki), Aoi troverà la sua prima amica, inizierà a liberarsi dal suo isolamento autoimposto...e farà la conoscenza di un possibile interesse amoroso (anche se il tipello mi sembra più fissato con Itsuki e Sena).
Allora, ho trovato questo primo volume molto carino, molto bene anche il tratto dei disegni. Spero che il personaggio di Sena venga approfondito nei prossimi volumi, perché per ora rimane un po' un mistero (a volte mi dà l'impressione che voglia davvero aiutare Aoi, in altri casi mi sembra che i suoi sentimenti siano più profondi del previsto). Per quanto riguarda la protagonista, Aoi mi ha fatto molta tenerezza: non è facile convivere con persone di successo o che comunque sono capaci di interagire facilmente con gli altri e che sono apprezzati da tutti. Lei si è sempre vista come quella che vale meno e, per certi versi, ha cercato di proteggersi da eventuali ferite e delusioni, finendo per isolarsi e rimanere in disparte. Tralasciando la fissa di Itsuki per lo status sentimentale della sorella, sarebbe interessante vedere Aoi imbarcarsi in un percorso di crescita personale che le permetta di prendere in mano le redini della sua vita, di prendere finalmente consapevolezza del suo valore e di sentirsi a suo agio con sé stessa.
Certo, mettersi a parlare già di amore quando ha scambiato tipo due parole con Tokunaga è assurda, ma facciamo finta di niente (a parte che si è capito fin da subito che strada prenderà la storia).
Questo primo volume è decisamente promosso, vediamo come procederanno le cose nei prossimi (siccome non ho autocontrollo ho recuperato i primi quattro numeri, così posso farmi un'idea più precisa e capire se andare avanti con questa lettura anche in futuro).
November 21, 2024
3.5 stars. Maybe because of the hype, I expected too much. Someone said this was the next Yamada-kun or A Sign of Affection, and this was nowhere near the level of the first volume of Love, That's an Understatement for shoujo loner girl in high school tries something new upon meeting a new boy or The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity for relationships/romance. There is potential for greatness, but perhaps a slow burn of it. I didn't find the heroine as interesting, as she seems to be a well developed 2D character with hints of depth. I am getting a wee bit of early ick from the guy that seems to be the lead as he seems to be interested in her physical looks, including a scene with a similar vibe to "why don't you smile more? You look prettier when you smile." And, that is not Yamada-Kun at lv 999 or Sign of Affection level relationship. So, coming in with the hype, I was disappointed and probably a harsher judge with the lacking areas. Because of this, I bumped up the score from a 3 to 3.5, which is what I think I would have given it had I not had any hyped expectations. It is enjoyable with potential and had some fun twists on things in a newish way, covering familiar tropes. That seems like a standard 3.5 score for me.
August 13, 2023
Últimament, l'algoritme de Twitter em mostra uns comptes que fan unes recomanacions de shojosei 100% ON POINT ♥ Aquesta sèrie és la típica història d'amor d'institut entre una noia molt introvertida i poc sociable que té un germà estrella del bàsquet i un any més gran ben popular. A més la mare és mangaka de shojo d'èxit i a la família són força cursis i romàntics, però la noia no viu bé estar a l'ombra de dues persones tan talentoses... El germà i un company de l'equip de bàsquet de la mateixa classe que la germana decideixen ajudar-la a tenir més confiança en ella mateixa i l'animen a buscar xicot (mmmm well...). Sorpresa, sorpresa apareixen feelings inesperadament Molt cuqui!!!
September 24, 2025
I think I'm going to have a love-hate with this one.
The main character Aoi is like a more pathetic version of Mugi from Pink & Habanero, with such social anxiety and a sad outlook of herself. She's honestly so depressing to 'be around.' But this is a shojo manga, so of course she's going to ditch her glasses, wash her hair, find her confidence, and transform into a butterfly before it's all over with. What perks up this cliche story is that Aoi is aware of all the shojo manga tropes - her own mother is a popular mangaka - and starts using them to change herself and pursue love. So it's kind of 'meta.'
The art is super polished which adds to the feeling this is all a little too cliche and perfect. But after finishing volume 1, I want to know what happens next. Bring on the 'glow up.'
The main character Aoi is like a more pathetic version of Mugi from Pink & Habanero, with such social anxiety and a sad outlook of herself. She's honestly so depressing to 'be around.' But this is a shojo manga, so of course she's going to ditch her glasses, wash her hair, find her confidence, and transform into a butterfly before it's all over with. What perks up this cliche story is that Aoi is aware of all the shojo manga tropes - her own mother is a popular mangaka - and starts using them to change herself and pursue love. So it's kind of 'meta.'
The art is super polished which adds to the feeling this is all a little too cliche and perfect. But after finishing volume 1, I want to know what happens next. Bring on the 'glow up.'
August 16, 2023
Sama seperti cover manga ini yang cantik dan manis, the story is really heartwarming like a teenage love story in general, flowing but not so childish, apalagi klise. I like how each character develops, from the very shy to the cute beautiful princess, even though I don't forget that there must be help from a handsome man, but yeah, it's also a shoujo manga. But I really like their story hingga bikin ketagihan.
The art is cute and beautiful, especially how the author describes FL's cute facial expressions.
The art is cute and beautiful, especially how the author describes FL's cute facial expressions.
January 26, 2025
3.5 stars
The first volume of Diary of a Female Lead was a decent read with some refreshing elements. Aoi’s insecurities and her struggle to step out of her family’s shadow felt relatable, even if the premise wasn’t entirely new. What stood out was the dynamic between Aoi and Sena, her brother’s friend, who uses shoujo manga clichés to help her gain confidence. While some parts felt predictable, the self-aware humor and Aoi’s small moments of growth kept it engaging. It’s not groundbreaking, but there’s enough charm to make me curious about what’s next.
The first volume of Diary of a Female Lead was a decent read with some refreshing elements. Aoi’s insecurities and her struggle to step out of her family’s shadow felt relatable, even if the premise wasn’t entirely new. What stood out was the dynamic between Aoi and Sena, her brother’s friend, who uses shoujo manga clichés to help her gain confidence. While some parts felt predictable, the self-aware humor and Aoi’s small moments of growth kept it engaging. It’s not groundbreaking, but there’s enough charm to make me curious about what’s next.
May 9, 2025
reminds me of she is all that but with out the cruelty factor that I remember. All the people around her are supportive and trying to help her gain confidence I could lie and say that feeling good about yourself isn't part of it, but it is. I do like that she wants friends too, maybe we could get a little more focus on that. Its nice that she seems to understand that pushing her self more into the shadows made her lonely in more than one sense.
September 7, 2024
[ 3.75 ]
Am I reading too many mangas these days? Yes. Do I care? No.
This one is giving me major Kimi Ni Todoke vibes except the female lead is a lot more assertive and clear-headed than Sawako. I'm loving it so far. Let me gobble up the other volumes. Also, Sena might just become a new addition on my "Shoujo Best Boys" List.
Am I reading too many mangas these days? Yes. Do I care? No.
This one is giving me major Kimi Ni Todoke vibes except the female lead is a lot more assertive and clear-headed than Sawako. I'm loving it so far. Let me gobble up the other volumes. Also, Sena might just become a new addition on my "Shoujo Best Boys" List.
April 6, 2025
Self deprecating female lead
I love it!!! The artwork style reminds me of something from the mid 2010s and I miss that style sometimes. I love the family dynamic. They all truly love each other and want to support Aoi. Just bought this on a whim but I think it's really good and worth continuing with the series.
I love it!!! The artwork style reminds me of something from the mid 2010s and I miss that style sometimes. I love the family dynamic. They all truly love each other and want to support Aoi. Just bought this on a whim but I think it's really good and worth continuing with the series.
November 17, 2025
The wholesome romcom concept is cute, but it was not executed well. The manga art is beautiful, but the story just lacks proper execution for a blossoming romance. Somewhat of a snoozeville most of the time, but I was able to finish the book.
I will not be continuing with this series, as it’s a bit too dry for my taste.
I will not be continuing with this series, as it’s a bit too dry for my taste.
August 17, 2024
This is totally a me problem - it just rubbed me the wrong way as someone who's aro/ace and brought up very unpleasant memories of high school. Though in all fairness, it also would have been a better book had it leaned harder into the metafiction and/or parody angles.
August 25, 2024
Omg GLASSES DO NOT = UGLY!!! I’m tired of series giving people with glasses “makeovers”. As a fellow member of the four eyes club, I feel hurt! Lol.
But besides that, I LOVED this!!! I can’t wait to read more…
But besides that, I LOVED this!!! I can’t wait to read more…
December 18, 2024
Read for MizzManga's 12 Volumes of Christmas reading challenge. Prompt: Most Anticipated
This was so freakin cute! I love the tropes and the set up for the drama of high school romance. Can't wait for volume two!!
This was so freakin cute! I love the tropes and the set up for the drama of high school romance. Can't wait for volume two!!
December 21, 2024
I adore an FMC who isn’t obsessed with popularity but also wants to be loved. And her being afraid of standing out is so cute and adorable. I also love when the older brother is overprotective and supportive.
Plus, brother’s best friend???? I mean, COME ON. How could I not love it??
Plus, brother’s best friend???? I mean, COME ON. How could I not love it??
April 11, 2025
The story is sooo cute and the art is so gorgeous! I loved all the dogs and the direct reference to other shoujo manga. Only thing that lowkey annoyed me was the whole glasses thing; it's just unnecessary, she looked so beautiful with them on too.
July 17, 2023
ma cristo ma me lo dovevate dire mesi fa che si poteva mettere questo magico manga su goodreads, ingrati
August 11, 2023
4⭐️
Ayyy que buen comienzo de manga💗
Ayyy que buen comienzo de manga💗
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews