Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends, Vol. 1

I've not seen the anime or read the light novel of this series, so I went into the manga blind. I found the plot description above amusing and saw potential for this as a series. I was not disappointed. The plot follows a group of students who, well the title "I don't have many friends" seems a bit misleading as they don't seem to have any friends. One of them gets the idea to start a new club, "The Neighbor's Club," to find people who are as desperate for friends as they are.The first volume does a good job of introducing a few of the cast members (and shows us a bit of a preview of who will join later). It sets up the personalities well and does a good job of showing not only how desperate these people are for friends, but also why they would have trouble making friends. It should be noted that someone going into this series looking for a lighthearted manga with cute characters making friends will probably be disappointed. Some of the characters are rather unpleasant. I do not say this to insult the series, in fact I applaud it for this choice, these are rather damaged people looking for friends, but lack the social skills to keep one.For a first volume, we mostly just get our standard character introduction chapters (which are handled rather well) and there are two chapters involving video games as a way of socializing. My favorite was chapter four in which they play a dating sim game in order to developed social skills. The choices they make in game were utterly hilarious, and I refuse to spoil it here.In terms of the look, the art style is a little rough at times, but good. The style follows many more recent anime in trying to give characters more realistic features, which not only gives it both a sense of reality and also makes some of the jokes work better when it does exaggerate.In closing; it's an interesting start and I look forward to seeing the direction this series takes. Often very funny if you know what you're getting into beforehand. I give it a solid recommendation and will be adding it to my list of series to collect.Note: Funimation has licensed the anime for the US so hopefully we'll see a release of that soon too.

Hasegawa Kodaka is a new transfer student that comes off as a troublemaker due to his blonde hair and his seemingly fierce gaze and facial expression; because of this he has a hard time making friends. One day he comes across a classroom where a fellow student, Mikazuki Yozora, is having a lively conversation with someone--which is strange since Yozora isn't often seen smiling and generally gives out a don't-bother-me vibe. Curious to see who Yozora is talking to, he rushes in only to find out that she was conversing with her "air friend". A conversation between Yozora and Kodaka follows about making friends so Kodaka suggests joining a club. Yozora takes it a step further and decides to create one: the Neighbors Club. Here, they will seek out fellow socially inept individuals that want to make friends and work together to, well, make friends.Volume 1 opens up with a future scene in which the club is already established, has members, and a club activity is taking place. What kind of activity? Nabe, in the dark...Rewind time a bit and five chapters, referred to as "Club Activity Log[s]", follow.Club Activity Log 1: Hasegawa Kodaka (summary: Kodaka, who appears to be the main character/narrator, and Yozora are introduced; the Neighbors Club is created)Club Activity Log 2: Yozora & Sena (summary: Sena, a potential Neighbors Club member, is introduced)Club Activity Log 3: The Hunt (summary: Kodaka, Yozora, and Sena try playing a co-op video game to enhance their social skills)Club Activity Log 4: The Wonderful World of Bishoujo Games (summary: Sena has the club try out a different video game to play together)Club Activity Log 5: Little Brother (summary: Kusunoki Yukimura is introduced)*As a bonus there's a 13-page preview to  Mayo Chiki! Vol. 1 This title is rated "Older Teen (16+)". Based on what I've read about the characters and their personalities I can see the potential of this needing that rating. Be warned that if you're gonna' give this to a kid, there is some cussing. The "b-word" is dropped around 4 times. Then there are one or two other minor swear words. No f-bombs. "B" is as big as it gets. If you don't consider that an issue at all, then you'll be good to go. There's also no fan service or sexual situations to watch out for...yet.Just another word of warning: have average expectations. If you come in thinking you're gonna' laugh your head off you might be disappointed. At least, that's how I felt. It's not bad. There's comedy. I guess I just built it up in my head a bit too much. Nothing stood out to me as, "This is amazing! I must read more!". And I can't say, "If you like BlahBlahBlah, then you'll like this!" because there's really nothing that I can think of that I'VE seen or watched to compare this to. That's either because it's fairly original or I'm just not familiar enough with other titles to do a comparison.To be fair, this volume lists seven main characters at the beginning for this series but only four of them had a proper introduction; the advisor and two other members haven't officially made an appearance. It's good enough for me to look into the continuation and enough for me to say "Look into this, yourself". Maybe not to purchase right away, though. See if a friend has it or something and read it before buying a copy for yourself. Also,  Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends, Vol. 2  and  Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends Vol. 3  are available for preorder.

The anime for this series was one of the first I ever watched, so I'm extremely biased towards this series. It's a trashy harem manga, but I'd say one of the better ones. If you don't like that genre, however, then this wont change your mind.

Start with Haruhi Suzumiya (hard headed girls) and an average boy who doesn't mind getting pushed around. That is where the resemblence ends. The club is the "make friends" club for kids who don't have any (friends). So naturally everyone has some social ... difficulties (ha!).The art is almost moe at times, but at other times it has a rougher look and smaller eyes as is becoming more common in modern manga. The comedy is over the top with ridiculous personalities and pretty good fun. The facial expressions are exceptional; there are subtle cues in every drawing which makes the comedy even better. Expect cameos by characters in other manga (in the video game). For fun, try to guess where they're from.3 color pages in front, and they look good and aren't sexy as usual. Just the normal characters with cute expressions.As I've said before, I love almost everything from Seven Seas, and this is no exception. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys situation comedies.

I bought this book out of whim with a gift card I received for Christmas, and when I got it, I immediately started reading it. It gets a bit wordy at times, but it takes me back to some of the things I used to do in highschool with my friends. There were a few times I laughed out loud while reading. I'd say that it is definitely worth picking up, and I certainly plan on picking up the second book.Also, Nabe in the Dark sounds quite fun.

Couple marks

I purchased this as part of a gift for a friend who loved the anime and I tell you he noted this present more than a figurine I got him as well. Based on the light novel I've been assured it is a great read and a very good series. Highly recommended for fana

This manga series really rocks my socks off! Never have I laughed so much while reading a manga book, NEVER! Haganai is a real piece of art, The artwork is gorgeous, and the humorous atmosphere never leaves the "room" for a single page, and you'll never feel bored with this series. Love it!

It's so funny and full of charm! (Watching the anime first doesn't ruin it at all) I love the illustration it feels simple, not cluttered with detail but rather it has just the right amount of detail, it's so beautiful and awkward!

Naja bei der Beschreibung steht "Taschenbuch" wollte eigentlich das Lightnovel, sorgt für Verwirrung da weder Manga noch Comic in der Beschreibung steht dachte ich es wär das Lightnovel, bitte Beschreibung überarbeiten, ansonsten ganz gut, aber eben nicht der Beschreibung entsprechend :/