After Yusra lost her parents in a military conflict in the Middle East, she was sent to America to live with her aunt. It was there that she found Joseph, a Jewish boy. They discovered that they were able to talk through telepathy and through that they were able to stay close friends.. However, there is something more to them than just telepathy..or their friendship.
Joseph and Yusra: A Complicated Friendship
is an OEL Manga Webcomic that follows the life and difficulties of these two friends, and the problems they end up in.
On the May 2015, the author announced that this comic would be a Series Hiatus. And later she told that she had discontinued Complicated Friendship and now it has been rebooted in a different universe (can be read here.)
Now it has a Character Sheet.
This series provides examples of:
- Alpha Bitch: Betsy likes to tease Yusra.
- Barrier Warrior: Yusra's abilities seem to manifest as such.
- Brilliant, but Lazy: Yusra skipped a grade yet has terrible study habits.
- Catchphrase: Yusuf always calls Joseph 'homie'
- Chekhov's Gunman: Muna's ex was only a oneshot? He is working with Yusuf.
- Compressed Hair: Without her hijab, Yusra's hair goes all the way down to her knees. It's actually discussed in a short the author made.
- Confessional: Played for Laughs when Mary uses her portable confessional on Joseph (a cardboard box placed on his head). However, the advice she gives is genuinely helpful.
- Double Consciousness:
- Yusra's life-style is really controversal for conservative Muslims. Despite looking incredibly religious to non-Muslims, she dislikes wearing long skirt, plays music, and even does not hesitate to talk with men.note
- Muna is non-pragmatical as she does not wear hijab and torelates Yusra's life-style. Add to it, after she held back people who blame Yusra, a women who always patronizing them told Muna that the reason why she cannot have her own family is she "leads astray" Yusra and does not "easy things" such as wearing hijabs.
- Friend to All Children: Joseph babysit a number of kids, including Bracha, and is a camp counselor at a Jewish summer camp.
- Genre-Busting: It's a Slice of life romantic comedy thriller supernatural war story?
- Gray Rain of Depression: This happens when Mary told Joseph and Yusra that they can be chased and involved in Middle Eastern conflicts thanks to their power.
- Halloween Episode: It had its own story in the form of a Grotesque Cute Elseworld
- Joseph: Are you out of your freaking mind?Mary: Maaaaaayyyyy-be?
- Important Haircut: Yusra's aunt cut off her long hair at the beginning of the second book after breaking up with her boyfriend.
- Jive Turkey: Yusuf (the foreign exchange student living with Joseph), really doesn't get American slang (even though he bought a book to help him.)"Homie!! Let's play this kick butts game!"
- Kids Are Cruel: In the first chapter or so, three kids take Joseph's yarmulke and stomp on it
- Like Brother and Sister: Yusra refers to her relationship with Joseph as this right before running into her ''actual'' brother.
- Mêlée à Trois: Yael, Yusuf, and Mary. Also, it can be said for Israeli Military, Palestine one, and American Government.
- Mundane Utility: Joseph and Yusra use their psychic link as an alarm clock and to help Yusra skip a grade in school.
- Not What It Looks Like: This has happened to Joseph and Yusra three times. The second time and the third were played for laughs. The first time... not so much.
- Nun Too Holy: Mary, dear god, Mary. She curses, encourages violence, carries firearms everywhere, and then there was this:"Jesus, help a sister out would you?"
- Odd Friendship: It's right there in the title
- Power of Love: Can activate Joseph and Yusra's superpower.
- Psychic Link: Yusra and Joseph have shared one since they first met. They were perfectly capable of understanding each other despite the fact that Yusra did not know a single word of English at the time.
- Regal Ringlets-Ojou Ringlets: To some extents, Yael's hair is like this.
- Running Gag: Every time Joseph ends up holding Yusra, for whatever reason, he freaks out and starts apologizing regardless of the circumstances. Followed by Yusra yelling at him to stop.note
- Secret Test of Character: Mary tested Yusra and Joseph's ability.
- She Is Not My Girlfriend: Both Joseph and Yusra have this mindset.
- Shipper on Deck: Mary ships Yusra and Joseph like you wouldn't believe.
- Shout-Out: When they first meet, Yusra's aunt and Joseph's mother bond over their favorite Midnight character named Tedward.
- Silent Snarker: Luke (Mary's
adoptive brother) is deaf yet still manages to get in a line or two on her. - Slasher Smile: During her introduction, Mary gives one that brings to mind Fran Madaraki.
- Spin-Off: Muna's Story is.
- Teens Are Monsters: Betsy and her friends took Yusra's cap off when she was performing on the masquerade stage.
- Telepath: Mary can hear psychic conversations, she just can't send them.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Mary loves herself some chocolate.
- Valentine's Day Episode: It had its own pages, which is not romantic ones.
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Joseph has a crippling fear of bugs.
