We've all struggled with thoughts of loneliness or inadequacy, thinking we're invisible in a world of billions of people. It hurts, and it's a feeling no one wants to have to endure. I Am Here! is a sweet little tale of a shy girl named Hikage who, with an unassertive personality, drifts through her high school days like a ghost, making no effort to stand out because she doesn't think she can or should. It's a heartwarming (and sometimes painful) tale of growing up that all audiences should be able to appreciate, especially if they've ever felt like they just didn't fit in.

Content

Hikage's a shy waif of a girl who doesn't think she merits much attention. All tol, she doesn't try hard for it, either. She blends into the background, often finding that students don't even remember her name. Her only real social interactions come in the form of her blog, which she updates regularly and communicates with readers who offer advice and words of encouragement. Everything changes (as is the norm in shoujo manga) when the most popula guys in school take special notice of her -- more than special notice, Hinata Muto, the object of so many girls' affection, has been watching her for some time now and actually means to confess to her. Hikage's world is turned upside down as vicious students wreak havoc on her newfound happiness in a fit of jealous and she learns who it is, exactly, has been following her online journal so long. It's a rush of new emotional highs and lows as Hikage steps out of the shadows and, like the flowers she tends on a daily basis, blossoms.

Though the story can take a turn for the predictable, this is a lighthearted tale of empowerment and the effect a positive outlook can have on life in general. Between volume 1 and volume 2 it's great to see Hikage blooming into a stronger young woman who's falling in love for the first time, and even though the circumstances are a little airy, the payoff is worth reading through Hikage's lowest points. Perhaps the most personable aspects of the story were the most attractive, how this lowly young girl really feels as though she only has a handful of strangers to run to online when she needs to talk -- though this is an older series, it's a resounding message for today: there are people who can help you, people who love you, if you know where to look.

Characters

Hikage Sumino is a relatable 8th grader who appears more boring and mousy than she is inside, and her design is pleasingly unique: her hair is styled in such a way that resembles a puppy's ears, reflecting her innate desire to be recognized and interacted with. She's sweet, though it's hard to overlook her glaring lack of self-condifence throughout the first volume, especially when it seems as though things are looking up fr her. Hinata, the "popular boy" in school, is our resident kindhearted bishounen who used to have a shy and lonely childhood. He's not particularly entertaining as a male lead, bu the chemistry between Hinata and Teru, his best friend, drives the more plodding scenes along since Teru is the life of the party.

Both novels surround these three characters, but incidental supporting cast members Aoi Nanjo (revealed later as MegaPig) and Arisa Tanaka (Hikage's first "real" friend) are unique enough in their own ways to carry the plot down the path we know it's inevitably going to go down.

Adaptation

Kodansha Comics did an excellent job releasing amalgamated volumes of this shorter series, retaining important honorifics and Japanese traditions. Conversations flow smoothly, and though this is a bit of a simpler story, it doesn't feel "dumbed down" as so many shoujo scenes tend to.

Visuals

I Am Here! uses soft lines and shoujo art to create its universe, and while it's a collection of lush high school interiors and Hikage's home, sometimes it can look quite dull in comparison to other, more striking manga series. It follows that same cookie-cutter motif we see all too often in these types of narratives. It works here, but it doesn't particularly stand out.

Closing

Both volumes of I Am Here! fall victim to shoujo elements, but the end result is still a touching tale that's worth your while. Hikage's struggles are real and understandable, and will likely speak to younger audiences. There's a positive message hidden behind the sweetness and occasional sour, and it's a touching little yarn that's preferable to catty high school drama any day. I Am Here! is a gentle read that's working toward a tidy conclusion that we can't wait to check out.

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

score3.5