“I, Yuki, became the basketball team manager for one reason—I had a crush on the captain and wanted to be with him, always. But when Kido-senpai suddenly announced he got a girlfriend, where did that leave me? In the clubroom, crying my eyes out…until this cheeky brat of an underclassman showed up. And now that stupid, pretty playboy, Naruse, seems determined to wiggle his way into every corner of my life…” (Yen Press)
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Teenage romance is one of the most common explored themes in all of manga, with the awkwardness of high school and the confused feelings of someone coming-of-age. As a narrative device, it offers a simple route to either a touching exploration of youth or a comical reflection of the ‘informative years' – often an amalgamation of both. Mitsubachi Miyuki's “Cheeky Brat” leans on its comedic timing and lets love bubble beneath the surface in the inaugural volume, but still teases readers enough to warrant deeper interest in the story to unfold.
The comedic timing of “Cheeky Brat” is derived from the awkward courting of Yuki and Naruse, with the junior basketball player having a knack for popping in or disappearing into Yuki's life to complicate her rationalizing of her feelings. This happens in the most opportunistic times, giving Naruse the deserved moniker of ‘brat' as the way he inserts himself into Yuki's life is that of a timed nuisance. Furthermore, the young hopeful's own struggle shows him at constant war with himself – are his hijinks planned or is it teenage awkwardness?. Yuki, who tries to play it calm and collective, is not above her own slip-ups into adolescent awkwardness, her yelling threat of spanking Naruse during a game marking an uproarious moment that will take readers back to their own adolescent slip-ups. Overall, the series shows a knack for comedic timing and character building within the first volume – readers are likely to form an instant connection with the two.
The romance, still in its infancy, has yet to really culminate in anything significant as the two are still taking turns awkwardly exchanging their sentiments – it is apparent that the feelings are there and it is just a matter of how Mitsubachi Miyuki wants to direct her story. The other element that plays somewhat into the series is basketball, as it is the connection that keeps the two close together, Naruse a player and Yuji a manager. However, these elements rest rather unexplored in volume one and it seems unlikely that the emphasis will switch to sports or romance sans comedy, though it certainly does compliment the flow of action and conflict in the book. Regardless, the themes that are teased in the first volume would be welcomed to be further adapted under confidence in Miyuki's writing.
The art is apt for the romance genre, with a knack for capturing blushing girls and men trying to posture to appear ‘cool'. However, the book does lack defining panels or moments that will really stop the reader in their tracks. This, thankfully, in no way inhibits enjoyment of the aesthetic, it just feels like it falls a bit short of other romance series that can deliver those panels that really make you swoon over the characters.
“Cheeky Brat” delivers laughs in abundance in its first release while teasing readers of greater things to come. It is a series that may not reinvent or inspire those who are familiar with common tropes of the romantic comedy genre, but Mitsubachi Miyuki shows a command and understanding of the genre that is sure to please. Personally, I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume and whether love blossoms or the awkward dance continues.
