Chapter 1: It all begins with one phrase: "Love...what a weird word!" It is here that we are introduced to our main character, Tsukamoto Tenma, a second year high school student, a young lady in love. She hopes to be in the same class as her love interest, Karasuma Oji. And, in fact, they are in the same class, 2-C. But her hopes are apparently dashed when Karasuma says he will be transferring out in two days, leaving Tenma devastated. She will not give up, however; but she does not know what to do. That is, until she decides to simply write exactly how she feels. Now, she has some trouble at first, but eventually writes her note, or rather, book, much to her dismay. She then rewrites it, this time as a scroll, and places it into Karasuma's locker. He reads it, and reads it, and reads it some more; he then rereads it, finding that the person who wrote it didn't write their name on it, again leaving her devastated. But, her depression is assuaged when she finds out that Karasuma is going to delay his transfer for one year.
Chapter 2: This one begins the same way, but with a slightly modified phrase: "Love...what a weird friggin' word." We meet our other main character, who just finished beating up a bunch of hoodlum. His name is Harima Kenji, a delinquent who goes to the same school as Tenma, and is in love with her as well. He, like Tenma with Karasuma, hopes to be in the same class as her, but he is told by an unknown student that he is in 2-D, but it's actually someone else whose name sounds very similar to his own. Harima punches out the unknown student, looks again for his name, and finds that it isn't with any second year classes. Harima wonders why, but is told by a teacher that he was held back as a first year student, and he remembers, disdainfully.
Thoughts: The short form of this review would simply state that these first two chapters served to establish the two main characters as well as establishing a contrast between them, and was done very well. I will give you a deeper version...right now! In chapter 1 we were introduced to Tsukamoto Tenma, a nice, determined girl, but seemingly nervous and forgetful, as seen with her note to Karasuma, first a book, then a very long scroll. That note, though, changed Karasuma's mind on transferring right away. We were also introduced to Tenma's younger sister, Yakumo, and that's really it, although, it is shown that she doesn't quite understand her sister's anxiety, but is supportive of her older sister.
In chapter 2, we are introduced to Harima Kenji, who is, fo all intents and purposes, a delinquent. We first see him after beating up some guys in some alleyway, he shows up to school in a not-school-approved t-shirt under is unbuttoned uniform coat, and punches out a couple of people. Kobayashi Jin-sensei did a very good job establishing these two characters, along with their contrasting characteristics. However, they do have a common trait, love, Tenma with Karasuma and Harima with Tenma. This would suggest a common theme that should continue throughout the series, but otherwise, no additional plot lines are formed here, though, but oh well, it's only the beginning. Now, I've read several volumes ahead, so I know much of what happens, but I (try to) look at this as though I'm reading it for the first time. One last point on the characters, I'll say it flat out, they're funny, the situations seem logical (maybe), which amplifies the hilarity. I look forward to more laughs.
The artwork in these first two chapters is nothing really remarkable, it could be better, but this is Kobayashi Jin-sensei's first go at a manga, so I'll cut him some slack. I can tell you though, from reading further, it becomes much better. But looking at it from a first time reader's perspective, it's not bad, but leaves a little to be desired.
That's all for the first two chapters of School Rumble. I'll post the review for the next two chapters tomorrow. Until then, God bless.
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