MANGA REVIEW | "Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life" - Vol. 3
I was starting to get worried for Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life, as the last volume seemed to go through one slice-of-life trope after another. Thankfully, in its third volume, we see Miyu Morishita’s story start to cut its own path. On top of that, we’re reminded why the titular character is considered by many to be one of the most adorably endearing manga characters in recent memory.
The summer season has arrived, and no one rocks the seasonal school uniform quite like Ogami. But there’s something on the mind of our favorite wolf girl, and it’s not food. Nay, it’s an upcoming math test, which is not Ogami’s strong point. Thankfully, she’s got a friend in Yutaka, who takes the time to help the lady study. But as they work through math problems (badly, mind you), Yutaka is reminded of why Ogami swoons the hearts of almost every student in their school.
Yutaka has some advantages over the other guys, including his kind behavior and understanding personality. Ogami trusts him with many things, be it brushing her tail or helping to clean the school pool. Even Ogami’s sister Itsuki sees the kindness that rests in his heart, as the guy helps the easily overwhelmed lady with an errand involving watermelons. And yet, Yutaka doesn’t realize just how many people at his school enjoy his company, a fact that comes to light when he musters up the courage to ask his classmates to hang out over the summer.
A couple of other monster girls get a chance at being in the limelight. For starters, there’s the unicorn Roman, who is having a hard time figuring out these love feelings other students have for her. Watching a romantic movie with Ogami and Yutaka certainly helps, but in the end, the rejections she must toss out keep piling on. Then there’s Kiba the pescian, whom Ogami and Yutaka aid at the family restaurant. When an infamous Internet critic arrives to hopefully give bad press, it’s both Kiba and Ogami who find a way to transform the troll into a true foodie lover.
Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life has room for two big summer staples in its third volume. A night catching bugs turns into a spooky escape that even gives the vampire Senga the creeps. (How he keeps running into his weaknesses has its solid laughs.) Then there’s the summer festival, with Ogami and Yutaka wearing yukatas for the festive event. What should be a finely planned event with food and fireworks turns into a whole spectacle, one involving an impromptu dip in the river!
Volume Three of Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life does a great job with carving its own path. Yes, it may have the classic rom-com and slice-of-life tropes, but these characters are far too endearing to put a damper on things. Morishita has figured out how to make this high school tale a lot more unique, outside of the fact that there are monster people attending the same school as humans. Here’s hoping that uniqueness will continue to bring plenty of warm and fuzzy moments in future chapters of Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
