Introduction

As an adult, I look back on my high school days and think… wow, those days were tough. I won’t sugarcoat it; my high school experience wasn’t my favorite part of youth. I’ve often wondered what might have happened if I had talked to that cute girl who seemed to like me or if I had stood up to that bully. Would things have turned out differently? That’s why, when I was given an early digital copy of The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl Volume 1, I was intrigued. While the premise may not have been entirely original, I wanted to see if this story of going back to one’s younger years would play out in a way that appealed to me. Did it meet my expectations, or will I look back years from now and see it as a waste of time? Let’s dive into the review! A big thanks to One Peace Books for providing us with an early digital copy!

Art Style

When I first started reading The Revenge of My Youth Volume 1 (Barnes & Noble), the art style didn’t immediately grab my attention. Don’t get me wrong, the art is nice, and I appreciate the detail in character design by Tantan, but it wasn’t extravagant. However, as I read on, I realized that the simplicity of the art style was actually perfect for this story. The characters are relatable and realistic, and I began to connect with them. For example, some of the MC’s (Shinichiro Niihama) bosses reminded me of the annoying ones I’ve encountered over the years, and even his friend/crush, Haruka Shijoin, felt familiar in some way. I think the art in The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl makes it easy for the reader to superimpose themselves into Shinichiro’s shoes and experience the story from his perspective.

Story & Characters

I wasn’t sure if I would love the story for The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl (Amazon)(, as this concept of going back in time has been done in several other series, like ReLife and Remake Our Life (I’ve noticed that many series love using “Re” in their titles). But I was pleasantly surprised when I finished Volume 1 wanting more! Unlike many other “back to the past” stories, this one quickly shows that Shinichiro, our MC, isn’t just going to lazily relive his second chance. He takes action right away. He improves his relationship with his sister, something he admits he failed to do in his past life, and his attitude toward his crush changes. He even stands up to a bully! While things could change drastically in the coming volumes, this first volume truly impressed me with its story.

Character-wise, I was also charmed by the cast. Shinichiro is a lovable MC who doesn’t try too hard to be different but instead reflects on his past mistakes and learns from them. Our female love interest is quite adorable, not overly complex, or exaggerated. As we soon discover (mild spoiler here), her future isn’t the brightest, and Shinichiro wants to help her gain more confidence and get closer to her. Shinichiro’s sister is also a nice addition, supporting him without any inappropriate flirtation or exaggerated behavior, unlike some other recent anime I’ve watched. All in all, the characters in The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl Volume 1 are solid, and I would love to see how they evolve in future volumes.

Pacing

One of the manga I mentioned earlier, ReLife, was a series I loved but hated the pacing. Some parts dragged on, while others were overly accelerated. It’s too early to say if the pacing of The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl will be different, but the first volume gave me hope. We didn’t spend a lot of time explaining every element of Shinichiro’s past; instead, the story interweaves his past and present seamlessly. For example, when Shinichiro meets the bully, we learn that, as a teenager, he was bullied for his shy demeanor, and as an adult, for his desire to just go to work and survive. Boiru Iseebi, the mangaka, should be praised for using past and future storytelling effectively in a single moment without dragging things out. Volume 1 is smooth and easy to read in one sitting.

Panel Layout & Flow

Like the pacing, The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl Volume 1 nails the panel layout and flow. Every panel is easy to follow, and there’s a smooth transition when Shinichiro reflects on his past or future. I never felt lost trying to determine when something was happening, and the panel designs were well-crafted to keep those moments of past/future revelations clear and engaging.

Themes & Tone

Stories like The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl often fall into two categories, neither of which is perfect. They can either become overly dramatic, like Tokyo Revengers, or be filled with unrealistic themes, like ReLife, where characters use a drug to de-age themselves. So far, The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl handles its themes perfectly. The story deals with getting a chance to redo your youth and take revenge on how fate played out, all while touching on sensitive issues like bullying, suicide, self-loathing, and social anxiety—issues that many teens face. These themes are executed thoughtfully, and unless future volumes complicate things too much, I don’t see this series falling into the trap of unrealistic or melodramatic tones. As of now, Volume 1 gives a true portrayal of how much a person’s past can impact their adult life, for better or worse. Trust me, I know how much your past can shape your adult experience.

Conclusion

If Volume 1 of The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl is any indication of how the rest of the series will unfold, I have a new favorite manga on my hands. I’m hesitant to make bold claims about its perfection, but Volume 1 left me with literally no complaints—other than wanting more. If you’re looking for a good “redo” story to check out, I 1000% recommend The Revenge of My Youth: Re Life With an Angelic Girl Volume 1, and I look forward to reviewing more of this series as it continues. Thanks again to One Peace Books for providing this early digital copy!

—Aaron