As an avid scholar of the medium, it is a pleasure to dissect one of the most charming and structurally sound romantic comedies to grace the pages of *Weekly Shōnen Jump* in recent years. "We Never Learn" (known in Japan as *Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai*), written and illustrated by Taishi Tsutsui, is far more than a simple harem story; it is a poignant exploration of the friction between innate talent and personal aspiration.
The Premise: A Scholarly Challenge
The story follows Nariyuki Yuiga, a third-year high school student who is the personification of "hard work." Coming from a destitute family, Nariyuki’s only goal is to secure the "Special VIP Nomination," a prestigious scholarship that would cover all his future university tuition. However, the academy’s headmaster sets a peculiar condition: Nariyuki must tutor three female geniuses and ensure they get into their first-choice universities.
The irony lies in the "paradox of talent." Rizu Ogata, a "Mechanical Thumbelina" who can solve complex equations in seconds, wants to study psychology and the arts to understand the human heart—subjects she consistently fails. Fumino Furuhashi, the "Sleeping Beauty of the Literary Forest" whose prose can move readers to tears, is obsessed with astronomy and mathematics, despite being unable to grasp basic formulas. Later, they are joined by Uruka Takemoto, a world-class swimmer who needs to improve her abysmal English scores to study abroad.
Demographic and Genre
*We Never Learn* is firmly rooted in the Shōnen demographic. While it utilizes many tropes common to the "harem" and "slice-of-life" genres, it distinguishes itself through its pacing and character development. Unlike many of its contemporaries that rely solely on "ecchi" humor or static archetypes, Tsutsui’s work focuses heavily on the pedagogical journey, making the act of studying a central narrative engine.
Thematic Depth: Talent vs. Passion
The core theme of the manga is the struggle against one's own nature. The series asks a fundamental question: *Should you do what you are good at, or what you love?*
Rizu and Fumino are constantly told by society and their families that they are "wasting" their gifts by pursuing fields they struggle with. Nariyuki, who has no "natural" genius but has mastered the art of learning through sheer persistence, becomes the perfect catalyst for their growth. He doesn't just teach them formulas; he validates their right to choose their own paths.
As the story progresses, the cast expands to include Mafuyu Kirisu, a cold but deeply caring teacher who serves as a cautionary tale of someone who abandoned her passion for her talent, and Asumi Kominami, a "ronin" student (a graduate studying for retakes) who works at a maid café to fund her dream of becoming a doctor like her father. These characters add a layer of maturity to the story, shifting the focus from teenage crushes to the looming anxieties of adulthood and career choices.
Narrative Structure and Art
Taishi Tsutsui’s art style is clean, expressive, and masterfully balanced. He excels at "visual comedy"—using exaggerated expressions and clever paneling to enhance the humor—while maintaining a soft, delicate touch during the series' more emotional, "quiet" moments.
One of the most innovative aspects of *We Never Learn* is its approach to the "harem" ending. Without spoiling the specifics, the manga eventually utilizes a "parallel story" format (the *Route: If* chapters), allowing the author to explore various outcomes for each heroine. This narrative choice respects the reader's investment in every character, acknowledging that in a story about choosing one's future, there are many valid paths to happiness.
Conclusion
For fans of *The Quintessential Quintuplets* or *Nisekoi*, "We Never Learn" is essential reading. It is a heartwarming, funny, and surprisingly inspirational series that reminds us that while we might be born with certain gifts, our true identity is forged through the things we struggle to master. It is a celebration of the "underdog" spirit and the beautiful, messy process of growing up.
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