No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!, Vol. 4 (Volume 4) (No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!, 4)

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Normally I hate comedy based on “look how pathetic this person is”, but somehow, I’m still rooting for Tomoko, even when she’s doing the stupidest things possible. I think it’s because there’s a fondness in her portrayal that allow me to focus on similarities without cringing from the discomfort.As No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! Book 4 opens, Tomoko has forgotten how to talk to other people, particularly boys. To improve her social skills, she decides to become a club hostess — which is like deciding, since you can’t get a basketball through the hoop, to join the WNBA. It’s the exaggeration that makes this so funny instead of painful. Of course, as soon as she seizes on this idea (based on a TV interview), she envisions herself as the best hostess ever.I’m impressed by the non-verbal humor segments that work so well. As part of her self-imposed hostess training, Tomoko is working on lighting cigarettes and preparing drinks. She still thinks of life as a video game, working on speed instead of human interaction and trying to figure out tasks to complete to mark progress. In spite of how out of her league she is, she’s still keeping a positive outlook, as though she just needs to find the next new trick to make things all better. I think it’s that optimism and the resulting enthusiasm that makes her such an interesting read to me.Also, it’s rare to me to see a teen character who’s shown as so honestly sex-crazy while having absolutely no idea what to do about it. She has bizarre fantasies, but I think that’s a realistic part of having adolescent hormones.Much of this volume revolves around end-of-year activities, from a school marathon (where Tomoko is handicapped by badly having to go to the bathroom) to not knowing what to do with her winter break holiday — although Mom has ideas about cleaning — to a Christmas party with school friends. The last chapter ends on a high note, as Tomoko marks her sixteenth birthday by pretentiously engaging in what she thinks of as adult activities, which include drinking black coffee at a cafe and appreciating the depth and fascination of mature literature, without pictures. Again, she’s marking life by ultimately pointless details, but those elements give her hooks to start understanding the bigger picture. (Review originally posted at ComicsWorthReading.com.)

I actually haven't read it yet but the anime was funny and I know I'm going to love this based on the last few mangas of this series I read. The only thing that was weird was that the book came covered in some sort of shampoo or lotion? I was able to wipe it off with a wet wipe without damaging it but that was strange. Overall, this series is very funny and quirky.

Manga looks great and shipped quickly, thank you!

Tomoko's antics on this volume live up to the rest of the manga already released.Winter break sure did a number on her and her relationship with her mother and brother, but that's to be expected from Tomoko and the manga in general.With that said, I'm a little disappointed with Yen Press with this release. The reason why I'm giving this a 4 star review is because of a few errors with the actual quality of the book.There's a printing error on page 21, Tomoko's name isn't aligned with her uniform tag and overlaps with the cake (minor error, but noticeable).Another error I've found with my copy was a blank page on the bonus chapter at the end of the book (the Omake). Right after the afterword with the authors, a two page chapter begins, however, only the second page is shown, which might confuse people who haven't already read the fan-made translations since there's no context to follow on what's going on.Just a heads up to anyone who have yet to buy their copy of this volume.

This was still a fun book but compared to the first and second it's not as funny. The art and style is as good as ever but in some parts I feel a lack of comedy making it seam rushed.

God I love and hate this manga. I love it cause she reminds me a little of myself during high school. She is awkward/cute and funny while struggling with high school life. I hate it because she sometime does some things that are questionable and embarrassing that I find myself saying No No No Why? Double Facepalm. I guess that why I can't get enough of Tomoko. She's a nice girl with flaws and I want to keep rooting for her and watch her develop and grow as a character.

Man this series makes me cringe so much because when I was in high school I too was like Tomoki, but it made it into a comedy that made me reflect back and laugh at myself which made me love the series.

It's more than just the comedy the anime makes it out to be. Definitely worth a look

Very good. Great book. Arrived quickly.Just want to give tomoko a hug. Will buy more. Xxxx

Mi tomo favorito hasta el momento.