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できそこないの姫君たち [Dekisokonai no Himegimi Tachi] #3
Failed Princesses Vol. 3
TANGLED EMOTIONS
The angst stirred up between Fujishiro and Kurokawa by the arrival of transfer student Akazawa Iroha has settled, yet Fujishiro’s feelings are still in turmoil. Will Aoda Izumi’s advice offer her some clarity of mind? To make matters even more complicated, there’s a class trip coming up—and the four girls are in the same group! Relationships might be confusing, but one thing is for sure: the trip is sure to make hearts race!
The angst stirred up between Fujishiro and Kurokawa by the arrival of transfer student Akazawa Iroha has settled, yet Fujishiro’s feelings are still in turmoil. Will Aoda Izumi’s advice offer her some clarity of mind? To make matters even more complicated, there’s a class trip coming up—and the four girls are in the same group! Relationships might be confusing, but one thing is for sure: the trip is sure to make hearts race!
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2021
18 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 30, 2023
I'm very confused as to why every character in this book seems to not believe in platonic hugs. Twice in this very short volume two (female) characters hugged and it either causes a gay panic or people misinterpret the hug as romantic. It's even weirder because all the characters involved are sapphic and do want those hugs to be more than platonic. So is the author actually trying to convince me that hugs are romantic and/or gay???
Other than that I enjoyed this volume more than the previous two. I'd give it 4 stars but I'm docking 1 for the needless sexualization of teenage girls when they were in the onsen. I know the onsen scene is extremely common in manga, but I find it really gross and never enjoy reading it.
Other than that I enjoyed this volume more than the previous two. I'd give it 4 stars but I'm docking 1 for the needless sexualization of teenage girls when they were in the onsen. I know the onsen scene is extremely common in manga, but I find it really gross and never enjoy reading it.
March 14, 2022
Love triangle time?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2021
We all have series we have no objectivity over. This is one of mine.
Ahem.
After Kurokawa and Fujishiro make up, they’re just as quickly drifting apart again. Iroha’s unrelenting enthusiasm brings them back together and with the addition of Izumi to the mix, a core friend group is formed. Would that anything was ever that easy...
It’s hard to pinpoint why exactly I love Failed Princesses so much, but I think the wonderful characterization won me over initially and it continues to pay out volume after volume. Even when they’re on the outs, it’s hard not to root for these two very different people to get together.
As such, the developing mess that is Kurokawa and Fujishiro’s relationship is absolutely fascinating to me. Watching Fujishiro grappling with her growing affection and trying to put it into words is unquestionably a high point of this volume, along with her realization that she can’t connect with Kurokawa on some levels as well as others.
Kurokawa has some definite issues of her own - her inability to see herself as even close to Fujishiro’s equal promises trouble going forward and within this story it specifically keeps her from seeing just how badly all of this is affecting the latter.
I don’t love Iroha - she feels far too thinly drawn compared to the rest of the cast (hell, even the former members of Fujishiro’s clique get more fleshing out from their mini-chapter). I’m hopeful we’ll get a bit more from her, but she’s a true side character at the moment.
Izumi, however, is quite the addition - somebody who speaks and acts kindly, but isn’t above being a little underhanded to get what she wants. She’s basically a version of Sayaka from Bloom Into You with far more agency and far less conscience. She and Fujishiro share one epic splash page, but she provides a lot of the conflict here - her arc is what I expected, but she’s a little better than you’d expect at the same time.
Needless to say, the class trip provides more than a little friction (and a rather touching moment... or is that two moments simultaneously?) and ends with a cliffhanger that shows that perhaps even the best scheme goes flying out the window, and hands get forced, when staring down the barrel of a burgeoning love.
Beyond Iroha, I could have done without the bathing segment, it’s not really what I’m here for, but whatever, it’s got a great moment where Fujishiro totally loses it for exactly the reason you suspect at least. That nearly justifies the whole thing.
Four star book, with five stars. This is how the Failed Princess ranking system works - it gets five stars automatically and if it doesn’t disappoint me I won’t touch it. Honestly, it’s the series I look forward to the most, read as soon as I get a new instalment, and go back to often - I’ve read the first volume more times than 90% of the manga I own. No objectivity, but also no objections.
Ahem.
After Kurokawa and Fujishiro make up, they’re just as quickly drifting apart again. Iroha’s unrelenting enthusiasm brings them back together and with the addition of Izumi to the mix, a core friend group is formed. Would that anything was ever that easy...
It’s hard to pinpoint why exactly I love Failed Princesses so much, but I think the wonderful characterization won me over initially and it continues to pay out volume after volume. Even when they’re on the outs, it’s hard not to root for these two very different people to get together.
As such, the developing mess that is Kurokawa and Fujishiro’s relationship is absolutely fascinating to me. Watching Fujishiro grappling with her growing affection and trying to put it into words is unquestionably a high point of this volume, along with her realization that she can’t connect with Kurokawa on some levels as well as others.
Kurokawa has some definite issues of her own - her inability to see herself as even close to Fujishiro’s equal promises trouble going forward and within this story it specifically keeps her from seeing just how badly all of this is affecting the latter.
I don’t love Iroha - she feels far too thinly drawn compared to the rest of the cast (hell, even the former members of Fujishiro’s clique get more fleshing out from their mini-chapter). I’m hopeful we’ll get a bit more from her, but she’s a true side character at the moment.
Izumi, however, is quite the addition - somebody who speaks and acts kindly, but isn’t above being a little underhanded to get what she wants. She’s basically a version of Sayaka from Bloom Into You with far more agency and far less conscience. She and Fujishiro share one epic splash page, but she provides a lot of the conflict here - her arc is what I expected, but she’s a little better than you’d expect at the same time.
Needless to say, the class trip provides more than a little friction (and a rather touching moment... or is that two moments simultaneously?) and ends with a cliffhanger that shows that perhaps even the best scheme goes flying out the window, and hands get forced, when staring down the barrel of a burgeoning love.
Beyond Iroha, I could have done without the bathing segment, it’s not really what I’m here for, but whatever, it’s got a great moment where Fujishiro totally loses it for exactly the reason you suspect at least. That nearly justifies the whole thing.
Four star book, with five stars. This is how the Failed Princess ranking system works - it gets five stars automatically and if it doesn’t disappoint me I won’t touch it. Honestly, it’s the series I look forward to the most, read as soon as I get a new instalment, and go back to often - I’ve read the first volume more times than 90% of the manga I own. No objectivity, but also no objections.
April 25, 2021
It's so funny that normally I'd be really put off with how shallow everyone is in this series, but they're all so brutally honest that's hard for me to be mad. Or more like Ajiichi doesn't try to justify it, just shows it for what it is, so it doesn't bother me as much. Also, teenagers tend to be pretty shallow and at least this series isn't trying to send a message or justify it. It's just "yeah, these kids are shallow. Some are trying to be better, others aren't, thank you and have a nice day".
Anyway, the class trip is underway and it was so much fun watching Iroha and Kurokawa fangirl over and over. I too fangirl a lot and watching two teenager girls unabashedly squee over their favorite show was great. I have to say, though, I really feel for Fujishiro having to room with Iroha. I'm an introvert and if I had to room with someone as extroverted as Iroha I would be beyond exhausted. Not that I dislike Iroha, her bubbly and energetic personality is refreshing, but my goodness I can't imagine how exhausting rooming with her would be.
Not much to say on the drama front; there was a ton of it and it quenched my thirst, but the one that the moment that stood out was Fujishiro coming to the realization that she wants to be the most important person to Kurokawa. That moment where all the pieces come together and while it answers some questions, it raises others. The artwork captures this moment well, having done mostly in shadow that compliments Fujishiro's panicked expression. While this series isn't anywhere close to Bloom into You's artwork and expression, it does a great job in perfectly capturing a character's feelings in the moment. And this scene is definitely one of the better examples of Ajiichi's talent.
That's all I've got for now, but there's definitely more that can be discussed. A shame that I blew through the first three volumes in one afternoon and now I have to wait several months for the next one, but it was worth it.
Anyway, the class trip is underway and it was so much fun watching Iroha and Kurokawa fangirl over and over. I too fangirl a lot and watching two teenager girls unabashedly squee over their favorite show was great. I have to say, though, I really feel for Fujishiro having to room with Iroha. I'm an introvert and if I had to room with someone as extroverted as Iroha I would be beyond exhausted. Not that I dislike Iroha, her bubbly and energetic personality is refreshing, but my goodness I can't imagine how exhausting rooming with her would be.
Not much to say on the drama front; there was a ton of it and it quenched my thirst, but the one that the moment that stood out was Fujishiro coming to the realization that she wants to be the most important person to Kurokawa. That moment where all the pieces come together and while it answers some questions, it raises others. The artwork captures this moment well, having done mostly in shadow that compliments Fujishiro's panicked expression. While this series isn't anywhere close to Bloom into You's artwork and expression, it does a great job in perfectly capturing a character's feelings in the moment. And this scene is definitely one of the better examples of Ajiichi's talent.
That's all I've got for now, but there's definitely more that can be discussed. A shame that I blew through the first three volumes in one afternoon and now I have to wait several months for the next one, but it was worth it.
February 23, 2021
Love it, love it, love it! Totes adorbs!
I admit, with as many manga as I read (50+ volumes per month), and the length of time since volume 2, I had to go back and re-read the previous volumes to figure out everything. This is such an interesting series. Two gorgeous Gyaru girls secretly in love with two super cute Otaku girls. Such an interesting concept. So much drama, though! OMG Fujishiro is such a drama queen! But, she seems to be settling down a bit. Her affection for Kurakawa is mellowing her out a little bit at a time. I really like watching these girls, they're so fascinating. Such divergent lives, yet they're all four connected together by a somewhat odd friendship. I am excited to see what happens next!
I admit, with as many manga as I read (50+ volumes per month), and the length of time since volume 2, I had to go back and re-read the previous volumes to figure out everything. This is such an interesting series. Two gorgeous Gyaru girls secretly in love with two super cute Otaku girls. Such an interesting concept. So much drama, though! OMG Fujishiro is such a drama queen! But, she seems to be settling down a bit. Her affection for Kurakawa is mellowing her out a little bit at a time. I really like watching these girls, they're so fascinating. Such divergent lives, yet they're all four connected together by a somewhat odd friendship. I am excited to see what happens next!
August 26, 2021
A very drama filled volume. It’s almost all from Nanakis point of view which dragged the volume overall down for me. I feel Kanade didn’t get as much development because of this, while the first two volumes iirc split their povs pretty well. This volume is also very focused on Nanakis relationship with Kanade rather than sweet moments. While there is some bonding with the group the main topic is Nanaki’s feelings. It’s all handled well. As an extra treat we get to see them go on a field trip, another way this series never gets too repetitive or boring. This one was probably the most enjoyable for me as I love seeing the characters bond with each other and a good drama in manga is always good to read.
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February 16, 2025i am not planning to continue this manga after this volume and its not just because of the needless sexualisation of underaged girls, which btw was very off-putting and NOT appreciated.
the entire manga so far has just been adding new characters and conflicts without truly addressing its central conflicts. this makes the story very difficult to follow through and exhausting because it's slow in its plot progression but also fast-paced? like uhhh please make it make sense, i don't quite get it. the new conflict presented in this volume just warranted an eyeroll from me and a sigh because that was when i realised i wasn't going to be continuing with this series.
the entire manga so far has just been adding new characters and conflicts without truly addressing its central conflicts. this makes the story very difficult to follow through and exhausting because it's slow in its plot progression but also fast-paced? like uhhh please make it make sense, i don't quite get it. the new conflict presented in this volume just warranted an eyeroll from me and a sigh because that was when i realised i wasn't going to be continuing with this series.
September 16, 2022
A very eventful school trip. This is one of the slower GLs I’ve read with Fujishiro still coming to terms with how she feels about Kanade. There’s some moments meant to make people excited but seem sort of bait-y. While I appreciate that I didn’t feel like the girls were specialized during the bath scene the way they were in mangas like BNHA, the bait scenes between Iro and Izumi and some of the dialogue is meant to hint at a romance that we don’t seem close to at this point.
Still, it’s a pretty cute story aimed at a younger crowd.
Still, it’s a pretty cute story aimed at a younger crowd.
July 16, 2023
Hasta cap 14-22
Cada vez Fujishiro se pregunta más y más si lo que siente por Kurokawa es solo amistad...aunque Izumi parece querer parar ese pensamiento, como si no quisiera que Fujishiro y Kuro lleguen a tener algo más.
Para el viaje escolar son sólo dos personas por habitación, e Izumi se queda con Kuro, además le da a entender que los abrazos no significan nada...es obvio que quiere a Fujishiro solo para ella.
Kuro perdonó a sus antiguas amigas y les hizo ver que Fujishiro es una buena chica que la ha hecho llegar muy lejos...y Fujishiro al fin descubre que le gusta Kurokawa.
Cada vez Fujishiro se pregunta más y más si lo que siente por Kurokawa es solo amistad...aunque Izumi parece querer parar ese pensamiento, como si no quisiera que Fujishiro y Kuro lleguen a tener algo más.
Para el viaje escolar son sólo dos personas por habitación, e Izumi se queda con Kuro, además le da a entender que los abrazos no significan nada...es obvio que quiere a Fujishiro solo para ella.
Kuro perdonó a sus antiguas amigas y les hizo ver que Fujishiro es una buena chica que la ha hecho llegar muy lejos...y Fujishiro al fin descubre que le gusta Kurokawa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
They Ripped Up The Gates??
AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I was tricked into believing this was a three volume series!! It can’t leave me on that ending!!! This was so good, the drama and angst were really amped up in this one. The relationships are really developing and we get closure from one area. Fujishiro is still prone to bouts of jealousy and I feel like my heart is going to break for Izumi in the next volume. T.T I need the next volume!!
AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I was tricked into believing this was a three volume series!! It can’t leave me on that ending!!! This was so good, the drama and angst were really amped up in this one. The relationships are really developing and we get closure from one area. Fujishiro is still prone to bouts of jealousy and I feel like my heart is going to break for Izumi in the next volume. T.T I need the next volume!!
September 8, 2021
I honestly just not trust Izumi. I think she does have romantic feelings for Fujishiro.
I am glad that girls from different groups are able to get along, but just something about Izumi, I dont trust, especially after the way the volume ended. She has some alternative motive to room with Kurokawa for the four day trip.
Volume 4 is out but no library has it. I wonder if someone has some of the next chapters online. I need to know what is going on.
I am glad that girls from different groups are able to get along, but just something about Izumi, I dont trust, especially after the way the volume ended. She has some alternative motive to room with Kurokawa for the four day trip.
Volume 4 is out but no library has it. I wonder if someone has some of the next chapters online. I need to know what is going on.
February 24, 2021
So so so good.
Fujishiro is still my absolute favorite! This manga is so good, I really enjoyed the twist with Izumi! I can't wait to see what happens next. Fujishiro finally came to terms with her feelings and I thought it was adorable that she has no fear about saying it aloud or literally anything else for that matter. Definitely one of my favorite mangas.
Fujishiro is still my absolute favorite! This manga is so good, I really enjoyed the twist with Izumi! I can't wait to see what happens next. Fujishiro finally came to terms with her feelings and I thought it was adorable that she has no fear about saying it aloud or literally anything else for that matter. Definitely one of my favorite mangas.
October 31, 2024
This volume felt like one step forward and two steps back. Our main couple goes right back to having issues and now another friend enters the fray and is set to throw another curveball. I am enjoying the overall progression of Nanaki and seeing her come to terms with her feelings. I hope that the Izumi arc doesn't go on for too long.
September 25, 2021
Me está gustando la dirección que toma la historia.
A diferencia de otros manga yuri que empiezan de lleno con una relación, está se está tomando su tiempo pero no hay duda que va para allá.
A diferencia de otros manga yuri que empiezan de lleno con una relación, está se está tomando su tiempo pero no hay duda que va para allá.
January 5, 2022
I liked the exploration of their relationships. Could’ve done without the bathhouse nude scene, and the yuri fan shipping and pushing two of her friends together.
February 10, 2022
the princess jellyfish energy in this series is so immaculate!!
May 2, 2022
i can’t stop reading this series
May 4, 2022
Things are heating up! Drama incoming!
December 11, 2022
It keeps getting better!
December 30, 2023
Okay, did not expect all of the possible ships here lmao
January 16, 2026
IZUMI WHAT ARE YOU DOING
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews