Thread: Chapter 237 Discussion *Spoilers*

Even thought I like Onigiri, I am quite sure that can't happen (and for stupid-manga-statistic : The queit and innocent types of girls don't get the guy they want mostly - Love Hina, Ichigo 100% and more).

I totally agree, Ichigo 100% was a big disappointment because unlike School Rumble there was a clear pathway for Jumpei to be with Aya (btw interesting note, Aya and Yakumo are voiced by the same seiyuu, weird huh). But I was sadden that the manga ended the otherway. Most shonen will end with the guy (usually a loser, loner or weirdo) ending up with the obnoxious yet tender inside girl (strange but Naru and Eri are voiced by the same seiyuu as well ^_^).

I usually root for the underdogs but usually it's disappointing. (Like I'm watching Hana Kimi right now and rooting for Mizuki and Nakatsu).

Originally Posted by aulzon

Yeah but I think that's because KJ himself is rooting for flag. I dunno I seem to remember a rumour bout him married to half-white japanese girl. This chapter at least gives those rooting for Yakumo a glimmer of hope.

I was joking when I was agreeing with you earlier. The man’s already said that he ignores popularity polls.

Originally Posted by aulzon

She thinks Eri might be better for Harima than herself, but she acted upon bringing Harima with the one he loved (Tenma).

Ah, but then that was at the expense of her sister’s own feelings. Also, if she doesn’t act on her belief that Eri is better for Harima than herself, that non-action will just prove Yakumo was right about Eri having a strange strength that she doesn‘t have (and being better suited for Harima, as a result).

Originally Posted by aulzon

Yakumo understands Harima the best out of the three (Tenma and Eri). "A strong heart that won't sway" That seems to perfectly describe him.

I hope you realize the obvious problem Onigiri would face if Yakumo is correct about this (his heart won't sway). Then, it faces a dilemma if Yakumo is wrong (Would she still even like him or is she even the one his heart sways towards?).

Originally Posted by aulzon

I don't think that's very naive considering the amount of tunnel vision he has for Tenma.

It doesn’t matter if Harima is more naive than Yakumo in comparison. This wouldn’t change Yakumo’s naivety.

Originally Posted by Urameshi-sama

I think the series is nearing a climax, but not an end.

Oh, that wouldn’t be good if the series climaxed and didn’t end. There’s a reason why authors end things right after the climax.

Originally Posted by aulzon

Most shonen will end with the guy (usually a loser, loner or weirdo) ending up with the obnoxious yet tender inside girl (strange but Naru and Eri are voiced by the same seiyuu as well ^_^).

Not quite. Most shounen (or any other type of series) end with the guy ending up with whatever girl he has the most developed relationship with. That the two characters often have stereotypes like Harima and Eri do is just a coincidence.

I was joking when I was agreeing with you earlier. The man’s already said that he ignores popularity polls.

Duh, it was pretty obvious, but I made the point that because Yakumo is popular in Japan and he can't ignore that segment of fans for so long, this chapter was just a bone to throw to those people.

Ah, but then that was at the expense of her sister’s own feelings. Also, if she doesn’t act on her belief that Eri is better for Harima than herself, that non-action will just prove Yakumo was right about Eri having a strange strength that she doesn‘t have (and being better suited for Harima, as a result)

I don't think she does it at the expense of her sister's own feeling. By uniting Tenma and Harima, Yakumo wants to Harima to somehow express his own feelings that he longed to express. The thought about Eri being better for Harima than herself has nothing to do with the same thought that Yakumo wanted Harima to express himself to Tenma by uniting them.

I hope you realize the obvious problem Onigiri would face if Yakumo is correct about this (his heart won't sway). Then, it faces a dilemma if Yakumo is wrong (Would she still even like him or is she even the one his heart sways towards?).

Yep, but she said he wouldn't be so careless. That means it would have to take a long while or a love revelation for him to like anyone other than Tenma. We've seen how many times he spent with Eri alone and Yakumo alone. Still he feels the same for either girls the same as ever and still he feels the same for Tenma the same as ever.

I didn't want this to be a war about Flag vs. Onigiri (because I sense you're a flagger). This was just a refreshing chapter and I have no illusions about the very very small possibility that Yakumo and Harima might end up together.

Not quite. Most shounen (or any other type of series) end with the guy ending up with whatever girl he has the most developed relationship with.

The problem is the time romantically and developmentally between the three girls are small in School Rumble. If you count up the development between Yakumo and Eri they are no more progressed than when they started. And there is a large love-you/hate-you obnoxious girl plus outcast/weird/nerdy guy. I think as early as I can remember watching anime all the major popular animes and manga follow this line. Sailormoon and Tuxedo Mask, Asuka and Shinji, Naru and Keitaro, Bulma and Yamcha. To lesser extent Ichigo and Rukia, Naruto and Sakura, and Luffy and Nami.

At least Harima is more interesting character than all main heroes from other shounen (kill Keitarou...).

^ y'know, looking back at all those shonen romantic school comedy, i gotta agree.

Originally Posted by Kolox

At least Harima is more interesting character than all main heroes from other shounen (kill Keitarou...).

yup yup i didn't like love hina because of that (double kill keitarou)

Originally Posted by diokhan

^ y'know, looking back at all those shonen romantic school comedy, i gotta agree.

i agree

Originally Posted by aulzon

Duh, it was pretty obvious, but I made the point that because Yakumo is popular in Japan and he can't ignore that segment of fans for so long, this chapter was just a bone to throw to those people.

Yakumo still has some issues that spending time with Harima can help her bring them into the open (like, her manga editor dream). Considering how seldom Yakumo has appeared in the last eighty chapters, I think Kobayashi can ignore fans for as long as he wants.

Originally Posted by aulzon

I don't think she does it at the expense of her sister's own feeling. By uniting Tenma and Harima, Yakumo wants to Harima to somehow express his own feelings that he longed to express.

I’m not sure where people got this idea that Yakumo just wanted Harima to express his feelings. It’s pretty clear from scenes in Chapters 159 (which has Yakumo getting wowed by Tenma and Harima’s relationship; “Even when they weren’t talking they had a natural relationship!!” Heh) and 206 (where Yakumo symbolically puts Harima and Tenma together with dolls) that her goal was to do more than just giving Harima a shot at Tenma. And that is at the expense of her sister’s desire to have a relationship with Karasuma.

On a semi-unrelated note, I find the thought of Yakumo wanting to help Harima express his feelings ironic when I think about the way she helps him deceive Tenma in Chapter 205.

Originally Posted by aulzon

The thought about Eri being better for Harima than herself has nothing to do with the same thought that Yakumo wanted Harima to express himself to Tenma by uniting them.

Yeah, and? I never said it had anything to do with it, so I'm not sure what you're trying to refute here.

Originally Posted by aulzon

We've seen how many times he spent with Eri alone and Yakumo alone. Still he feels the same for either girls the same as ever and still he feels the same for Tenma the same as ever.

Does he now? What exactly does he feel for Eri right now, and is that the same as it was in the beginning of the series?

Originally Posted by aulzon

The problem is the time romantically and developmentally between the three girls are small in School Rumble. If you count up the development between Yakumo and Eri they are no more progressed than when they started.

No, there's a clear difference in development for Oudou, Onigiri, and Flag. Oudou has hardly changed from the second chapter, Onigiri has been stagnant for around 150 chapters, while the relationship between Eri and Harima has been changing almost constantly from the beginning. Also, you're just looking at relationship development; you also need to consider the individual character development, especially in series like School Rumble where relationships hardly progress. In this regard, Eri’s interest in Harima has received the most development by far.

Yakumo still has some issues that spending time with Harima can help her bring them into the open (like, her manga editor dream). Considering how seldom Yakumo has appeared in the last eighty chapters, I think Kobayashi can ignore fans for as long as he wants.

That's a great motto for a mangaka, "ignore fans as long as you want and you will be successful".

I’m not sure where people got this idea that Yakumo just wanted Harima to express his feelings. It’s pretty clear from scenes in Chapters 159 (which has Yakumo getting wowed by Tenma and Harima’s relationship; “Even when they weren’t talking they had a natural relationship!!” Heh) and 206 (where Yakumo symbolically puts Harima and Tenma together with dolls) that her goal was to do more than just giving Harima a shot at Tenma. And that is at the expense of her sister’s desire to have a relationship with Karasuma.

With 159, Yakumo just realized Harima liked Tenma.

The thing with the dolls were the girls wanted to know who Harima would pick (Eri, Tenma or Yakumo). Yakumo didn't put the dolls together unless I'm missing a page but the two dolls being together just symbolizes who Harima wanted to be with, not her wanting Tenma and Harima to be together neccessarily.

On a semi-unrelated note, I find the thought of Yakumo wanting to help Harima express his feelings ironic when I think about the way she helps him deceive Tenma in Chapter 205

Well you interpret it as Yakumo helping him deceive Tenma, I interpret it as Yakumo seeing Harima in trouble and helping him out. (Assuming you're talking bout the lobster thing).

I get the feeling you are trying to antagonize Yakumo by making her seem like some manipulative person. She just wants what is best for Harima and what is best for Tenma. With Harima she wants him to progress as a mangaka (she was the one that convinced him to continue drawing manga, something he loves, while on the other hand Eri ripped apart his manga) and she just wants Tenma to be happy.

Does he now? What exactly does he feel for Eri right now, and is that the same as it was in the beginning of the series?

As far as the progressions: It is exactly the same. See 217, where Harima rejects Eri's feeling. He is shocked when he finds out Eri "doesn't" like him but any guy would. It's a blow to your confidence when you go out on a limb like that thinking a girl likes you (even though he was right). Eri still plays coy with her feelings, Harima is still confused and likes Tenma. That seems like the status-quo for some time now. The beginning of the series Harima didn't care for anyone besides Tenma. He's made some friends but I'm talking bout progressing romantically. The only two that slightly progressed (and I mean very slightly, is Yakumo and Eri). But both are still no where close until one of them fully confesses or Harima has a revelation. Eri had her chance but she denied it and slightly implied it(to Harima of all people, tied for the most oblivious with Tenma about other people's feelings). Yakumo has a self-enforced restrain on herself so she probably won't confess.


Remember, in School Rumble things can change quickly. Even though KJ was setting up Hanai and Mikoto at the beginning, Asou and Mikoto came out of no where and there was a large progression during the basketball arc. Out of no where one chapter came and we haven't heard from the couple yet. So nothing is out of the question.

Originally Posted by aulzon

That's a great motto for a mangaka, "ignore fans as long as you want and you will be successful".

Some fans will not like developments other fans will. Mangaka need to learn that they can't please everyone, otherwise their stories go nowhere and they make everybody mad about the lack of progress.

Originally Posted by aulzon

With 159, Yakumo just realized Harima liked Tenma.

Yakumo realized that way back in Volume 7. In Chapter 159, she acknowledges their relationship as something meaningful.

Originally Posted by aulzon

Yakumo didn't put the dolls together unless I'm missing a page but the two dolls being together just symbolizes who Harima wanted to be with, not her wanting Tenma and Harima to be together neccessarily.

Yakumo hooking the two up in the chapter right after that strongly suggests she did want them to be together.

Originally Posted by aulzon

Well you interpret it as Yakumo helping him deceive Tenma, I interpret it as Yakumo seeing Harima in trouble and helping him out. (Assuming you're talking bout the lobster thing).

It is an act of deception. It's also Yakumo interpreting Harima in trouble and doing what she thinks will help him out. But, she's not truly helping him at all; in that case, the truth would have sufficed better. All Harima had to say was that he was there because he wanted to be with Tenma (or his friends).

Originally Posted by aulzon

I get the feeling you are trying to antagonize Yakumo by making her seem like some manipulative person. She just wants what is best for Harima and what is best for Tenma. With Harima she wants him to progress as a mangaka (she was the one that convinced him to continue drawing manga, something he loves, while on the other hand Eri ripped apart his manga) and she just wants Tenma to be happy.

Not really. It's more like I'm trying to antagonize you, heh. It's true that she wants the best for both Harima and Tenma, but she's come across a situation where the two do not necessarily coincide. I think it's a shame that Kobayashi hasn't been properly developing this potential conundrum, as I believe Yakumo may need to learn to step aside and not interfere, sometimes.

Also, Eri didn't rip his manga. That was a fake, and she too wants the best for Harima and Tenma.

Originally Posted by aulzon

It is exactly the same. See 217, where Harima rejects Eri's feeling.

And why does Harima do this instead of going immediately to Tenma after he believes Tenma loves him (again)? Why does the knowledge that Eri loves him prevent him from moving towards Tenma?

And you seem to forget that Eri was an acquaintance to Harima, then an enemy, then his nemesis, then more of a frienemy, then something more like a friend. If this keeps up...

Originally Posted by aulzon

He is shocked when he finds out Eri "doesn't" like him but any guy would. It's a blow to your confidence when you go out on a limb like that thinking a girl likes you (even though he was right).

Yes, it is. However, is it so terrible that you need to run away from school?

Originally Posted by aulzon

He's made some friends but I'm talking bout progressing romantically.

Yes, and this is why you aren’t getting anywhere, because you’re focusing on how Harima appears on the surface.

Originally Posted by aulzon

Yakumo has a self-enforced restrain on herself so she probably won't confess.

Ah, Yakumo has a breaking point, just like everyone else. If it gets to be too much for her, I’m sure she could snap and confess to him, though I don’t think it would make an impact on him.

Originally Posted by aulzon

Remember, in School Rumble things can change quickly. Even though KJ was setting up Hanai and Mikoto at the beginning, Asou and Mikoto came out of no where and there was a large progression during the basketball arc. Out of no where one chapter came and we haven't heard from the couple yet. So nothing is out of the question.

There's scenes like the one they pair up in the Sports Festival that hinted further development down the line. Furthermore, Mikoto and Asou are lesser characters; main characters can't hook up with someone for no apparent reason like minor characters can. Of course, it’s possible that Harima can get attached to Rinko, but it‘s not going to happen.

Originally Posted by ultraness

Ah, Yakumo has a breaking point, just like everyone else. If it gets to be too much for her, I’m sure she could snap and confess to him, though I don’t think it would make an impact on him.

Oh. it would have great impact - it's just not that impact that Yakumo would wish for after confessing. Harima would be totally scared and maybe ashamed that he treated her like that when she had such feelings toward him. Moreover, she is Tenma's sister - what would happen if he just rejected bluntly ? I can't see Tenma being happy about that. Meeting her afterwards wouldn't be an option either and he needs her help. The moment Yakumo confesses to Harima, will be also his funeral.