Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?! Volume 3 Review

Hello everyone and welcome back to Tiro Finale for another manga review. Here on Tiro Finale, we are big fans of the, Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?!, manga series. Well, at least I am. The other two have just yet to come to the realization of their love for the series. Having reviewed both the first and second volume of the series, it was only natural that we would be reviewing the third volume too. With the first two volumes being very well received, the expectations for the third volume to deliver are certainly high.  

The third volume of Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?! is comprised for 12 chapters in total; 10 from the manga's serial releases with another two bonus chapters known as the Extracurricular Bonus Manga. Just like the two volumes before it, the third volume covers an entirely new arc with a new teacher-student pairing. While things remain to be in the same universe, Soborou switches it up a little this time around with the introduction of new locales and tropes.

The first chapter, Mission Quimpossible, introduces our two new characters while reintroducing recurring characters from the previous volume. Matsukaze-sensei, her younger sister Saya, and our protagonist from the second volume, Suzuki, make a return as they meet up with our new duo from the neighboring Kawanuma East High School. The new student-teacher duo in questions comprise of Hazakura Hikari, a care-free physical education teacher, and her student and childhood friend, Takahashi Takashi. Aside from the naming conventions, the first chapter serves to establish the dynamics between Hazakura-sensei and Takashi. For the sake of simplicity, we will be referring to them as Hikane and Taka, as they refer to one another within the story, throughout the rest of the review.

While the first chapter does certainly have its fair share of classic Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?! spiciness, things do not ramp up until the beginning of the second chapter, Gym Storage Rhapsody. In this chapter, we ask the age old question of, Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?!, as Taka finds himself inexplicably in the same room as Hikane as she is changing out of her swimsuit. As Taka tries to get himself out of the precarious scenario that he is in, things go from bad to worse in typical ecchi fashion. It may almost seem naive to include a nudity warning at this point in the series. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that, owing to the nature of Hikane's swimsuit, you will be greeted with full nudity for this chapter. While this chapter did not stand out much for me in terms of art, humor or its scenario, I was particularly fond of the little heartwarming scene towards the end of the chapter.

While on a shopping trip together with Hikane, Taka inadvertently finds himself ending up lingerie shopping with Hikane. Aptly named, Right On, Bra, the third chapter further explores the dynamics of the relationship between the bashful Hikane who treats Taka like a younger brother and Taka himself who aims to shake off his image of being perceived as being a little boy. It certainly would not be a Why The Hell Are You Here, Teacher?! chapter if it did not feature some form of playful twist halfway through its scenario. Surprisingly enough, it is Taka who unexpectedly gets the upper hand in this scenario with Hikane finding herself in even more compromising scenarios that she did not expect to be in with him.Things do get a little silly towards the end of the third chapter but, as we will find out later on, it helps to slowly shift the character dynamics in their story arc. 

The fourth chapter, The Kissing Link, sees the reunion of Matsukaze-sensei and Suzuki as they stay over at Hikane's place after the four of them end up spending too much time going over the details for the joint cultural festival. Hikane has a devious plan of setting the two up in her room but things, as expected, backfire on her and Taka as they attempt to peek one the couple. Lapses of logic are generally expected in this series' stories but, even more so, in this chapter as one ridiculous situation simply paves way for another. Does it make sense? Absolutely not. But, is it entertaining? Without a doubt.

Come the fifth chapter of the volume, Unsolved Trsyteries, the relationship between Hikane and Taka start to being increasingly tense especially as Hikane notices a change in the status quo of their relationship. Taka gets sick during a classroom field expedition and Hikane subsequently steps out to care for him. This serves as an opening to a flashback scene of when the two were younger, not unlike the scene with Kojima-sensei and Sato from Volume 1. Aside from being a very, very lewd chapter, this chapter also plays an important role in explaining the background of the relationship between the two. Namely how Hikane perceives Taka and, in return, has interacted with him up until the beginning of the arc. As a middle point of the entire arc, it serves as the important turning point in the relationship between the two characters not just as teacher and student but, as childhood friends too.

Where ample character development is made within the first half of the arc, things take a slower pace in the subsequent chapters. Starting with the sixth chapter, Nude and Confused, where the two go on an involuntary streaking spree within the school. This chapter sees the return of Soborou's trademark use of tight angles in confined spaces. Both of which are well illustrated in the locker scene. While it may not be the most memorable chapter of the entire volume, it still remains passable thanks to the excellent artwork.

Chapter 7, Nude and Confused, sees the story arc progressing alongside the overarching plot that is the inter-high cultural festival. Everyone is hard at work in ensuring that the festival will be a success except for Hikane who has wandered have to her own devices. Of course, this winds up in Hikane getting into a spot of bother which ends up affecting Taka as well. Taka who generously offers to help Hikane out ends up being grossly misunderstood when Suzuki stumbles upon the two of them leading to a rather comedic ending to the chapter. As a bonus, the Matsukaze sisters even make an appearance towards the end of the chapter.

With the emphasis having mostly upon Hikane and Taka throughout the arc, we get a break from the duo with Matsukaze-sensei and Suzuki playing the role as the main characters for the eight chapter, The Keys to Her Heart. In an attempt to disguise herself at the cultural festival, Matsukaze-sensei is dressed up as a high school student as she goes on a date with Suzuki. There is even an adorable scene where Suzuki has to call Matsukaze-sensei by her first name in order to keep her identity a secret. Of course, none of this worked against the keen eye of Hikane who spots the duo and sets the two up in a compromising little situation.

The inclusion of Matsukaze-sensei and Suzuki in the previous chapter may seem a little unrelated to the entire arc as whole. As it turns out, that chapter was the beginning of a minor arc of sorts which spends the final three chapters of the volume. The midpoint of that mini arc comes in the ninth chapter, The Wet Look, which takes place in a haunted house. In an effort to get the jump on Taka, Hikane finds herself in the very scenario that most of the male protagonist ask at the beginning of each chapter. Despite Taka's best efforts to help her out, the chapter ends in a relationship bungle as we reach the climax of the relationship between Taka and Hikane.

As things become increasingly tense between the two, a wild bear mascot appear in the tenth and final chapter, Bearly Legal. As Taka works to investigate the person within the rogue bear mascot, it is his longstanding relationship with Hikane which eventually aids him in coming to the solution to the issue. Where it may seem like the two had been constantly misunderstanding each other up until this point, all of this comes a to an end as the two finally confront their true feelings. As strongly as the arc first began, it comes to an end on a stronger note.

Compared to the first two volumes which carefully balanced a triangle of comedy, ecchi and character development, the Hikane-Taka arc seemingly had a greater focus on the erotic-comedy side of things. Nevertheless, Soborou masterfully ties it all up together with some very serious notes towards the end including a brilliant illustration of Hikane in her "Cops and Robbers" outfit. As an added bonus, the final chapter of this arc also serves to neatly tie up the Matsukaze-Suzuki arc too!

Following the ten chapters, compiled releases of the second volume also come included with two additional omake chapters. These chapters are exclusive to the complete third volume's release and was not included as part of the regular serial releases. 

The first extracurricular chapter features Suzuki and Matsukaze sisters. Maya has to stay home to look after Saya after she catches a bad flu. Certainly enough, things become lewd very quickly when Maya has to give her younger sister a wipe down. I like to think of this chapter as the precursor to the fifth volume in which Saya plays a big role in.

The second extracurricular chapter centers on Hikane and Taka following the events of the third volume. Hikane is late for a swim meet and requires Taka's help in fitting into her swimsuit in which, you guessed it, lewdness ensues. Fun reads as they are, the extracurricular bonus chapters are largely fan service chapters of what is already a very fan-service heavy manga. Because they are often devoid of any story, I often find them rather forgettable with one exception in the upcoming volumes. 

Despite that, Volume 3 still remains to be an excellent outing for the Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher?! which does a great job of keeping the story and characters fresh despite the recurring formula that it applies. Hikane and Taka's characters roll several archetypes into a single, surprisingly healthy relationship. All the while, Soborou's excellent artwork plays an integral part of maintaining the allure of the series. They may not be sweetest or even the mature pairing but, they are still my pick for the most adorable pairing to date. 

As usual, if you have any questions about the series or this volume, do not hesitate to let me know in the comments section below. Until the next time, thank you so much for reading and have yourself a wonderful day ahead!