Normally, I’m into rom-coms about fools in love. I especially like the ones where it’s obvious both people like each other, but neither has the spine to admit it. And yet, I don’t know what it is about Akira Failing in Love, a new romantic comedy by Shinta Harekawa. There are some good ideas here in its premiere volume, but why aren’t they properly executed?

Akira Failing in Love focuses on Hajime, who is excited that he’s sharing the same class as the titular character. As kids, the two walked home from school together, but Hajime never really got to know Akira during those strolls back to the abode. At first, Hajime fears that Akira may not like him, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Akira loves Hajime so much that she’s planned the next three years around getting close to him, confessing her feelings, and (hopefully) dating him.

What I like about Akira Failing in Love is how relatable the titular character is. Her means of coming up with plans to get close to someone she likes might seem crazy at first. However, when you think about it, the difference between Akira and just about any average person is that she’s got a physical plan to succeed in love; most of us just keep those plans in our brains. On top of that, how she beats herself up when a plan goes awry is basically how any of us would feel if our attempts at love have been thwarted.

The problem: this manga really doesn’t do anything new both with its humor and narrative. As I’m seeing Akira tutor Hajime terribly or fail at cooking sweets, there’s a part of me that feels like laughing. But I don’t, because I’ve seen these plot-lines done over and over again far too many times than I can count. Even the Sports Day festival, which has Hajime constantly getting one-upped by the much-stronger opponents, isn’t making me chuckle like other Sports Day-based stories in manga and anime that I’ve watched.

As for the narrative, Akira Failing in Love appears to be going the “she’s out of my league” route with Hajime. He thinks he’s not good enough to be Akira’s boyfriend, a trope that hasn’t been topped since The Dangers in My Heart. Nothing new is added to the formula, making every misunderstanding or flub lacking anything of interest. Dare I say, it’s kind of a bore.

It’s a real shame, as the art style is really good. Every frame of Akira captures both her gorgeous looks and cutesy attitude in wonderful ways. Hajime is showcased with the right balance of dorkiness and heart. Harekawa knows how to draw people with such detail and beauty, all the way down to a character’s eye pupils when they’re flustered.

Alas, the good art might not be able to sway me enough to give Akira Failing in Love another go. The plot is too predictable, and the humor suffers from having too many other comics pulling the same stunts. I really want to root for Akira and Hajime, as I’m sure they’re two good kids who really could make for a lovely coupling. But that support may have to come from afar, as Akira Failing in Love, well, fails to make me love it enough.

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.