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This is still a premature review, but regardless here I am to provide you with a breakdown for the first 4 chapters!
"Make Heroine wo Katasetai!!", as the title suggests, is a romcom where the male lead supports the female lead to make a comeback against her love rival for her childhood friend.

And just as the premise suggests, so far, this is rather okay. The MC keeps on inadvertently making bold moves to the FMC, and he just doesn't realize it. It's cute for the first few times, but 4 chapters in, and there's not really much that differs. If nothing changes, the plot will only ... get progressively stagnant until it becomes another generic repetitive romcom we all familiar of. It's not its biggest strength, so to say.

As for the characters, none of them are notable other than the hero. He's definitely a breath of fresh air when you compare them to other shy MCs who don't have a spine, but just like other dense MCs, he's completely oblivious to his own actions. The heroine, on the other hand, is an extremely shy girl that can't properly convey her thoughts articulately. Akin to most romcom MCs, she's basically a female reincarnation of them, and that's where the MC comes in. It's an interesting dynamic, and I personally think it's the manga's main appeal if the author plays their card right.

All in all, I think it's worth giving a shot. The refreshing premise and the strong chemistry the main ship has warrants at least a short read. You'd get the basic idea of the plot upon the first 4 chapters, so there's nothing to lose! But then again, this is a premature review, so this may very well change for future chapters. (6.5 / 10)

Another one bites the dust. This manga has been regrettably axed at the 53rd chapter.

"No, Miyahara, Not You!" is a unique romcom with an interesting premise -- a MC who has a crush on one girl, but slowly developed feelings for his female childhood friend. From start to almost the end, it's actually pleasantly enjoyable with great fluff. The development from his denial to his acceptance is also quite smooth, with no signs of contrived writing. The manga had great potential.

One of my favorite parts of the manga is the dynamic between the three characters. They are all very cute together. Each chapter just makes ... you grin as you watch them do very silly things that a typical toddler would. It brings back some nostalgic memories, too, so to say.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of axing, this manga has a disappointing ending. As mentioned, everything up until the ending is fun and wholesome, being a solid 7/10. However, the ending really did kill the momentum. It begs the question of whether reading the manga is worth it. All in all, if you're looking to kill time through a fluffy ride, this manga is a good choice. If you're looking for an elaborate romcom though, this one sadly does not meet the bar.

Unfortunately, this manga has been axed at the 17th chapter.

However, for what it's worth, it's a really good 17-chapter journey. The main couple are remarkably charming, and the way they progress their relationship despite the obstacles is simply admirable and cute. The side characters the story introduce are also quite interesting, with each of them having their own intricate backgrounds that justify their decisions in the plot. In short, character-wise, this manga does not fail.

What I think most people might fail to appreciate is the action panels and fight choreography. Not only are the fights integrated well into the plot, it's also quite well drawn ... for a romance-focused manga. Super hype, to say the least.

Overall, I sincerely believe that this had the potential to be an easy 8/10 if the author was given more opportunity to develop the plot further, but it regrettably received the lumberjack treatment. Though like I said, it's been a super enjoyable 17 chapters for me, so if you're looking for some romcom to kill time, I think this one is a good pick. As rushed as it is, the ending is actually quite satisfactory in my opinion!

I may just have read the first 5 chapters, but I just want to provide another perspective for those who are curious about this manga.

This manga has among the worst male lead I've ever read in a romcom. The hero is so uninteresting that inside any other manga, you'd mistake this guy as the bland background character. He is literally portrayed as this weirdo who doesn't talk (a mute) and has eccentric hobbies (catching birds). Usually, those types of quirks are tolerable or maybe even redeemable, but definitely not in this context. He is also so dense that it felt like avoiding the FMC's advances ... is his job, but no, that's just his personality -- and it's infuriating!

Worse still, the heroine, the "perfect popular girl", is obsessed over this guy for literally no reason at all. The premise is about her being head over heels for the man, and the manga doesn't explain why she's the way she is. She thinks about him all the time, stalks him in and out of school, and even imagines an entire marriage with him... But why? There's no justification for the perfect girl who attracts pick-up artist 24/7 to be so infatuated by this background character. This relationship is so undeserved and one-dimensional that it's genuinely hard to read it unfold.

In short, due to the pathetic MC and questionable heroine's love, I don't recommend this romcom. This is just my experience with the first 5 chapters of the manga, so take this with a grain of salt. However, as reiterated, I truly didn't enjoy my time reading this. I told myself that I should at least read 10% of it (6 chapters), but I honestly couldn't. It was so tedious that I ended up skimming over most of the pages before dropping it.

Are you a fan of sweet and pure fluffiness? Do you not mind the lack of stories in your romcoms? If so, Senko-san might be the romcom for you.

After realizing my fondness of the genre, Kitsune Senko-san really is a romcom that I extensively tried to pick up. However, despite re-reading this 3 times, I just can't get past the 13th chapter. The main concern I have with the manga is simply due to the lack of story and development. The male lead is suddenly accompanied and spoiled by an 800 year old waifu god, and then the rest of the chapters are just them ... cuddling 24/7 non-stop. This is usually fine with most romcoms that already have an established relationship as the premise, but I'm not so keen on this one. Just a few chapters in after the male protag meets with the kitsune heroine, he took a bath together with her, got his ear cleaned, slept together (in a wholesome way) etc -- it feels quite undeserved if I have to be honest.

Of course, I'm not saying that this is bad, not at all. I'm just saying that this isn't my cup of tea. When I read romcoms, the part I'm most interested in and expectant of is the development in the main ship's relationship, and that part is regrettably absent in this title. Some people that don't see development as a priority will most likely enjoy this manga a lot, but as I said, I'm unfortunately not one of them.

I would usually mention other aspects of the manga when I make reviews, but since I only consumed only a small portion of the manga, this is all I can say with confidence. Overall, if you don't mind the scarcity of plot, then this one is definitely worth a shot. Otherwise, I don't recommend it.

Noa-Senpai is an extremely sweet and smile-inducing romcom. The premise revolves around both sides being extremely dense, but contrary to most titles that use this trope, this manga stands out as it is packed other flavors other than just your usual Ecchi silly moments.

Believe me when I say I don't like Ecchi manga. It usually distracts the story and flow just for a one-time lewd gag that they'd never look back again. However, Noa-senpai's case works as the story actually revolves around these 'accidents' -- the manga expand on them instead.

The premise is simple: the heroine is an insecure woman who has failed in a ... lot of relationships, be it friendship or romance, so she strives to just have a long-lasting friendship with the main protagonist who happens to be very compatible with her. The plot also adds fanservice abundantly here and there, but it turns what usually are disposable one-liners into the main focus of the story. They are the source of the developments in the pair's relationship, and they are quite amusing.

The characters in this romcom are also remarkable, as each of them play a unique role in the story, effectively enriching the personality the chapters evoke. You'll always end the chapter with either a grin or a huge smile on your face. It's also worth mentioning that the art here is absolutely beautiful. The panels have incredible details on the backgrounds, and the design for the characters are also very charming. Really easy on the eyes.

Overall, I believe that this title is worth a shot, especially so if you are into the genre. It's a very good read, and I see it as romcom first before Ecchi. Even if you are hesitant, I'd say give it a shot still.

I truly started this manga thinking I'd put it as one of my favorites, only to be sorely disappointed halfway through and all the way to the end. It's mediocre at best. I'm sure that most of us have already seen the movie, and it's a gem. But this review is specifically about the manga adaptation, so let's set aside our bias for a moment.

There are many things I have trouble accepting in this manga, but let's start with the trivial-but-notable one: Shouko's (the heroine) naivety. I'm not even sure you could call it naivety. In fact, I think it's within reason to call ... it foolishness. I can understand her guilt and mindset, but she is portrayed as a saint here. Ridiculed, bullied, physically abused... whatever it is, she'll endure it and forgive the instigator. It is simply infuriating to see her endure these undeserved suffering and have her accept them as water under the bridge.

Without going much into spoilers, another part that left an even bitter taste in my mouth was the indecisiveness as to which aspect to advance -- romance or friendship. In the end, neither was accomplished. Most if not all of the drama of the friend group ended up being messy, and the "antagonists" are redeemed through contrived means that felt extremely forced. The romance that was hinted at the halfway point was thrown out the window and remained unresolved even during the ending. We have no closure on either. They are incomplete, empty, and utterly unsatisfying.

That said, there is one silver lining to this adaptation -- the protagonist's backstory and motivations. His history between the female lead was depicted extremely well here, and the conclusion he came to is quite reasonable as well as touching. This is the highlight of the entire manga, and if my memory serves me correct, largely absent in the movie adaptation. A real shame.

In the end, I find this adaptation to simply be an inferior version of the movie. The reason why it is rated this high in MAL is simply because of everyone's bias for the movie. If you're still curious, only the first 4 chapters, the backstory, are worth reading. Beyond that, there is little that the movie didn't do better.

Are you tired of reading shallow romcoms? Are you a big fan of pure love romcoms? Then allow me to present what might just be the best executed light-hearted fantasy romcom ever!

Ikeinaiyo is a romance fantasy that uses some of the most generic tropes in fiction to create one of the most wholesome and fluffy experiences I've ever read. I am genuinely surprised by how effective most of the cliche scenarios and premises this manga has. What usually are major weaknesses in similar titles are this manga's greatest strengths. Some of the usually irritating or forgettable tropes (such as "dense MCs" and "pure heroine") were ... actually executed so beautifully that they've become enjoyable, completely surpassing my personal expectations and prejudice.

One of the main reasons why Ikeinaiyo is such a great romcom to me is its emphasis on "true, pure love". As a vanilla addict, I can assure you that this manga doesn't disappoint in that department. There is no harem, no triangles, no love drama, no frustrating misunderstandings. None of that is ever present in Ikeinaiyo. The male lead strives to give the female protagonist the happiest experience in the world, and he does so in the best way possible. It's pure satisfaction and wholesome. The romance between them developed seamlessly, too, which makes reading experience all the better.

Another part of what makes Ikeinaiyo so fun to read is its roster of unique characters. None of them were ever a miss. Every major side character has their own distinct personality and role in the story, as well as add a different flavor to the already rich world-building. Even the background characters, who are usually easily forgotten in other series, are so well-integrated that they fit naturally and are never intrusive. They all interact so well with the main ship that you can't help but smile while reading.

Overall, an extremely strong recommendation. This is a must-read if you are into vanilla romance. It's genuinely so charming that I can't think of a single real flaw.

This isn't your average happy-go-lucky manga, but more of a healing and heartwarming one.

Coming from someone who usually enjoys classic, lighthearted romcoms, I found it refreshing to read something different for a change. The premise of this manga leans on the unusual side: the hero and heroine are university exes, and 17 years after their break-up, she asks him to freeload together with her 14-year-old daughter.

Right off the bat, this screams red flag, and I agree. I had difficulties trying to come to terms with the premise at the first few chapters. But I decided to continue reading out of curiosity, and the rest of ... the chapters are actually pretty wholesome. Some heartwarming scenes are noticeably contrived, but they are still nice overall.

What also sets this manga apart from other titles is how openly the author shows the male lead's inability to move on, and that single decision changes everything as you can slowly see his emotional growth and mindset shifting over time. It's quite interesting to me, and unprecedented in other romcoms due to the nature of this unique premise.

All in all, I'd say if you're looking for something different, this is worth a look. Is this a must-read? Probably not. I can totally understand if you don't like the concept outright.

Are you looking for a well-crafted fantasy isekai manga with rich worldbuilding, intricate plot, deep characters, funny humor, unique protagonist, and perhaps a slight touch of romance? Here, I present, the absolute pinnacle of modern fantasy manga worth every second of your time!

There's a lot to praise here, but what sets this manga apart from 90% of the fantasy titles out there is... nearly everything! Starting from the very beginning, the premise is basically your average isekai. A seemingly ordinary guy gets reincarnated into a medieval world with fantasy elements. But unlike your typical isekai protagonists, the main character wasn't endowed with any special powers. ... No cheating, no infinite inventory, no super strength, no nothing. In fact, he has a mana capacity so low it's even weaker than that of a child in this new world. He eventually proves himself through sheer intelligence and sharp problem-solving, often using morally questionable methods like manipulation and deception. This is already a breath of fresh air compared to the usual "I'm stronger than you" trope in fantasy manga.

Besides the main character, the rules of the world are introduced very thoughtfully and gradually. There is no overloading info-dump anywhere. The story explains the basic concepts of the world, such as magic and history, just enough to support the current events. This is further enhanced by the well-developed characters, each having their own motives, backstory, and desires.

There is a tiny romance aspect in this manga. Not enough to hinder the pacing, but just enough to enrich the reading experience. The overall tone is also light-hearted, with the joyful humor prompting you to grin every chapter, but serious scenes are present and will remind you of the plot's depth. Emotional chapters do exist, and though few, they moved me more than once.

All in all, it’s honestly wild how underrated this manga is. I can’t believe it has only a 7.2 average rating at the time of writing. It has everything needed to be a solid 8.0+ on this site, and I'm guessing the low number of reviews is because the readers are left too flabbergasted to type. Seriously, though, read this.