Tags: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Cute, Misunderstandings

A Battle of the Seatmates!

A Battle of Wits

In Yuuki’s latest quest to rid Yui of her seatmate killer ways, the main story sees the pair challenge each other to a battle of wits to see who can get the highest score on the midterms. Although the outcome is more or less a given, considering Yui’s less-than-studious nature, the journey is filled with all sorts of comedic joys.

The series’ main draw is the interactions between Yuuki and Yui. Quips and references are once again out in full force as the series continues to prove that there’s never a dull moment between the two.

Particular points to draw attention to in this volume revolve around Yui’s name being used in words with both positive and negative connotations. It really does help to draw how Yui sees herself (astyute) and how Yuuki views her (Lyucifer). The two couldn’t be more opposing if they tried!

Seatmate Killer vs Seatmate Breaker

The Seatmate Killer’s sequel also sees the introduction of a rival to Yui’s cursed communication skills. The seatmate breaker has an equally infamous reputation amongst their classmates. Rio is yet another seatmate who has a penchant for leaving their neighbours in tears – although it’s for entirely different reasons.

Rio is stern and a stickler for the rules, admonishing anyone who breaks the school’s code of conduct. The second volume of the series sees her in an impossible dilemma – attempting to soften her image and become closer friends with Yui.

Asking Yuuki to help with her issues, misunderstandings begin to fly, and we see all the different sides of her personality. Rio quickly becomes another likeable member of the cast, given the gap between her stern exterior and cute needs to become Yui’s best friend.

Additionally noticeable about Rio’s introduction is the author’s use of repeating events from the previous volume with Yui’s scenes swapped with Rio. Highlighting the difference between these two characters, the events at Yuuki’s home go quite differently under Rio’s introduction. For one, Rio’s meeting with Yuuki’s sister is as friends rather than as a fake girlfriend. Moreover, Mina isn’t able to wrap Rio around her finger in quite the same way as she would Yui. Rio is a mellowing influence on Mina, able to get her off playing games and have her start studying for her exams.

Overall, Seatmate Killer’s latest volume sees a welcome return to the clever and quick-witted quips that make the series so entertaining. The addition of a new, likeable character is also welcome, providing the series with interesting dynamics and the potential to explore different dimensions of the series as it moves on into its third volume. Seatmate Killer is yet another strong entry in the growing list of light novel romcoms!