Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Personal Growth, Family
Cover Illustration for Volume 3
Synopsis:
Ever since the misanthropic Dark Overlord Allen rescued runaway Charlotte, his secluded mansion has grown more and more lively. One day, he is shocked to discover by chance that it’s Charlotte’s birthday tomorrow. Everyone else brings her gifts, but he hasn’t prepared anything to celebrate! With his dignity as a boyfriend on the line, he racks his brains for the best present ever—but something strange befalls Charlotte… What secrets lie hidden in her past and identity? Will the lovebirds finally muster up the courage to share their first kiss? What awaits them on their family trip to Ryugukyo, the mysterious snowy resort? Things come to a head with the schemers behind Charlotte’s plight in this adventurous climax! (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Naughty Final Confrontation!
After reuniting with her sister, the climactic volume in the Crash Course in Naughtiness series sees Allen and Charlotte enact their naughtiest pleasure yet – revenge!
In the latest chapter of this sweet rom-com, the action begins as the date nears Charlotte’s birthday. A supposedly momentous occasion, it’s an event that has Allen all up in trepidation. To kiss or not to kiss? And that’s not all that waiting for the blossoming couple. A surprise visitor from the past and an unfortunate meeting in the present will test this cute couple to their absolute limits.
A Birthday to Remember
As Allen and Charlotte’s relationship begins to blossom, an Evans family affair proves to be a final stumbling block to their happily ever after. All starting on Charlotte’s birthday, Allen’s wholesome anxieties about the right time to take the next step is interrupted by his significant others reincarnation syndrome.
With the first saint, Lydillia, stuck in Charlotte’s body, it quickly becomes apparent that Charlotte isn’t the first to get the short end of the stick in the Evans family. A tragic tale of duty and disease reveals that the saint may not be as ready to move on as she makes out.
Struggling to come to a solution, Allen’s magic turns out to be the key. Able to separate the two, the series goes into cuteness overload as Allen and Charlotte welcome Lydia into their ever-growing family as their adoptive daughter.
This isn’t the only family drama for Charlotte to deal with in the volume. Acting as the grande finale, the series finally tackles the confrontation between Charlotte, her parents and her fiancé.
Taking the form of a naughty revenge plot, the climax of Charlotte’s arc is handled adeptly by the author. It takes in Charlotte’s personality, her development over the three volumes, and the style of the series to provide a conclusion that gives the antagonists their just desserts, as well as not going too far to where it feels off-putting.
Overall, A Crash Course in Naughtiness provides everything and more as it ties up loose ends and prepares for a happy ending. For the third volume, the story goes into cuteness overdrive as it builds on creating the perfect family for Allen and Charlotte. Moreover, the story provides a satisfying conclusion to the betrayal arc that’s been ongoing since the series’ inception.
A Crash Course in Naughtiness Vol. 3
My Rating: 9/10
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You can read the third volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Following on from the celebration of all things that continued throughout 2023, with the second and final blogpost, I’ll be looking back at all my favourite new light novel series that were released throughout the year.
10) If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love
Cover Illustration for Volume 1
With the light novel market quickly becoming saturated by the villainess and Otome genres, you’d expect a level of exhaustion or quality drop to come into play. Thankfully, 2023 still managed to keep the high level of quality we’ve come to expect from the genre ever since they started coming to the West.
Marking the first of many from the genre to make my top 10 list of 2023, If the Villainess and Villain Met and Fell in Love takes the genre back to basics with a love story between two originally ill-fated characters.
Whilst a series of this calibre wouldn’t normally make the list, I was surprised by the story’s overall solid writing and in-depth spirit system, placing it well above average and well worth a read.
9) Lovestruck Prince! I’ll Fight the Heroine for My Villainess Finacée
Continuing with the villainess theme, this next title, released at the start of 2023, saw the genre come full circle.
Managing to make it to ninth on the list, Cross Infinite Worlds’ Lovestruck Prince follows the misadventures of Prince Vincent as he fights anything and everything that gets in the way of the romance between him and his supposed villainess fiancée.
Besides the promise of a cute, fluffy rom-com, which is right up my alley, the series combines a fresh twist to the genre alongside some interesting mystery elements. These positives also continue into the novel’s sequel, which gives the villainess of the story the spotlight.
8) Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord
Completing the list of villainess light novels, for now, Villainess Level 99 makes it to eighth place on the list and the first to have had an anime on the series air or airing.
The story follows the tumultuous tales of Yumiella. Born as an Otome game’s hidden boss, she’s determined to keep out of the main game’s events, but this turns out to be a harder task than expected after discovering she’s at level 99 – one of the strongest humans on the planet.
Unlike the two previous Otome entries on this list, Villainess Level 99’s strength is drawn from its comedy. This series is filled with hilarious, memorable moments as Yumiella is drawn into increasingly crazy events and situations. Moreover, this series also features a cute romantic subplot, which serves as a nice bit of icing on the cake to this villainess kerfuffle.
Approaching the list’s halfway point and the next entry marks a change of genre.
Written by Fuurou, The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects falls into the category of a cutesy, slice-of-life story. Taking place on seemingly barren plains, the story sees Dias, the protagonist, learn to adapt to life after the war and attempt to grow his newly acquired territory.
Being one of several fish-out-of-water fluffy episodic adventure series, The Frontier Lord manages to stand out from the crowd and earn a place on this list through strong writing with a comedic undertone, a natural-flowing family dynamic between the main cast, and a well-developed tribal setting.
6) I Guess This Dragon Who Lost Her Egg to Disaster is My Mom Now
Earning its place at sixth and just missing out on a top-five spot, the next series on the list features a unique family dynamic.
I Guess This Dragon Who Lost Her Egg is a heartfelt story filled with betrayal and mystery. Following Lushera’s recent reincarnation, the story depicts the protagonist’s new life of danger and discovery as she learns to grasp what it means to be the child of a dragon.
Whilst this series is filled with interesting scenes of action and mystery, its interactions between the human child and dragon mother earned it a place on this list. From their early moments filled with miscommunication as two different species come to terms with one another to their eventual understanding and mutual fight on the mountain, their relationship is depicted with wonderful clarity.
Making it to the top five is a late arrival on the scene. Released at the end of December, Finding Avalon marks the first alternative Japan title to make the list.
Mixing a plethora of dungeon-crawler and mystery aspects, the story follows an avid gamer as he’s reincarnated into the game’s most hated character, Piggy. Faced with a world filled with unfortunate game events and an all too real in-game conspiracy, he’ll have to level grind like never before if he’s to protect both himself and his family.
Of all the new series I’ve read this year, this one shocked me the most. On paper, this series would have me running for the hills, but I was pleasantly surprised at how all the aspects of the series came together. A detail-orientated author, complex character dynamics and motivations beyond the usual harem antics make for one of the most engaging reads of the year.
Just missing out on a spot in the top three, The Crown of Rutile Quartz represents another late arrival onto the 2023 light novel scene – also premiering in late December.
A real culture shock affair, it’s a novel that focuses on a bastard son’s journey from everyday commoner to a nation’s prince regent. Half political drama and half war story, the first instalment of the series details Slaine’s troubled ascendancy to the throne as he soon discovers the true depths necessary to become a successful royal.
What makes this series one of the year’s highlights and deserving of a place on this list is how clear the author’s vision for the series was right from the word go. It’s a masterclass of balancing the themes of love, war and politics with the end product, creating a story where all the characters feel naturally human.
Reaching the top three, and finally, we’ve arrived at the brass tax section of the 2023 light novel celebration. Winning the bronze award is The Ephemeral Scenes of Setsuna’s Journey. A new title from Yen Press, it’s a story that mixes adventure alongside human drama.
Gaining a third chance in life, the story’s premise revolves around the newly summoned Setsuna. Having spent most of his life in a hospital bed, Setsuna is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the world after another hero offers up their lifeforce to him. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, of meeting new people, and experiencing new places.
What made this series worthy of a spot in the top three – the author’s innate talent for writing characters. Complex, flawed, and always engaging, they make the fantasy world of Setsuna’s Journey come to life as a vivid spectrum of lived experiences.
2) Butareba – The Story of a Man Turned Into a Pig
My silver award winner and series narrowly missing out on the top spot, Butareba, is one that many may dismiss simply through seeing its title.
What at first seems like another gimmicky, weird reincarnation story soon unfolds into an interesting mix of dark fantasy and mystery. Following the story of a man unfortunate enough to eat a raw pig’s liver, it sees him reincarnate into the body of a pig under the care of a Yethma named Jess. Any illusions that this may be a comfortable second life for him are soon shattered, however, when he discovers that this world is hiding a cornucopia of dark secrets.
Beyond its slightly raunchy style of comedy, the series reveals an ever-twisting mystery that I couldn’t help but place high on the list. Dark, powerful and emotional, it fits alongside the developmental journey of Jess and Mister Pig completely, leaving you raw from the tragic decisions they must make by the volume’s end. It’s a series that perfectly encapsulates dark fantasy without making it too edgy.
1) Fake Saint of the Year: You Wanted a Perfect Saint? Too Bad!
Cover Illustration for Volume 1
Reaching the crème de la crème, the apex of the new series in 2023, and for me, there could only be one series that wins the coveted gold award – Fake Saint of the Year!
The general premise of the series follows the hijinks of a man reincarnated into the body of his least favourite character from an Otome game, the villainess Ellize. Given this unique opportunity, Niito decides to use this twist of fate to enact some of the wrongs of the game and enact a happy ending between his favourite characters, Verner and Eterna. Unfortunately, even as the strongest fake saint in history, he can’t predict the strange mysteries that lie within this fantasy world.
Comedy, mystery, romance, tragedy; this series has it all. Honestly, this series has no business being as good as it is. Cooking up deep philosophical questions alongside raunchy comedy and deranged otaku fantasy creates a story of pure magic that all light novel enthusiasts should check out.
JP Cover Illustration for Brunhild the Dragonslayer Vol. 1
2023 has been a busy year for fans of light novels. With more series than ever being licensed and in more genres than ever before, sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of all the different series being released, especially the ones earmarked for the future.
Bearing that in mind, and whilst I take a little bit longer to compile my own lists of my favourite new and continuing series of 2023, here’s a short list of series that I’m looking forward to with a release date for 2024.
(Please note that I haven’t added any series from J-Novel Club to this list because I’m reading their newest licenses in pre-pub format, and it wouldn’t be fair to add them to the list when I’ve already started to formulate an opinion of their general story already)
1. The Evil Queen’s Beautiful Principles (Seven Seas Entertainment)
First on the list is the newly announced title from Seven Seas Entertainment, The Evil Queen’s Beautiful Principles.
It was a toss-up whether to pick this series or Reincarnated as the Hero’s Friend for this list, but what clinched it for me was that this series is written by the same author as Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter, Reia. Given the well-thought-out story of the former, I’m intrigued to see how the author will tackle a series filled with revenge and royal schemes.
2. Rich Girl Caretaker (Monogatari Novels)
Cover Illustration for Volume 1
Moving away from revenge and royalty, the second series I’m looking forward to in 2024 is the rom-com Rich Girl Caretaker.
One of the premier titles from fledgling publisher Monogatari Novels, this long-running title, originally published by HJ Bunko, follows the misadventures of Itsuki as he ends up hired to look after one of his rich classmates, Konohana Hinako.
Having already read parts of the manga for the series, I’m looking forward to seeing its zany comedy come to life in novel format.
3. Brunhild the Dragonslayer (Yen Press)
For the final title on this list, we turn to Yen Press and the slew of titles they’ve announced over the year. Of these titles, however, the one that caught my attention the most is the Dengeki big-hitter, Brunhild the Dragonslayer.
Not knowing much about the series, I find myself putting it on the list simply from the hype it generated amongst light novel fans. A dark fantasy revolving around the concepts of revenge and justice, sign me up!
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You can check out any of the series I’ve mentioned in the post by following these links:
Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, School Life
Sub-Tags: Gyaru, Cute, Heartwarming
Cover Illustration for Volume 1
Synopsis:
Kashima Ryuto is a gloomy high-schooler who quietly spends his days watching his crush, the beautiful Shirakawa Runa, from afar. She rules the school and has had no shortage of boyfriends. Although Ryuto is fully convinced she’d never accept him, fate leads him to confess his feelings to her anyway. To his astonishment, she accepts—simply because she’s “available” at the time—but the surprises don’t end there. She immediately invites him over as if it’s the most natural thing in the world! This odd couple is different in just about every way—the friends they keep, their hobbies, their love lives—but with every passing day, they grow a little bit closer. This may not be Runa’s first relationship, but their dating story is going to be full of firsts for them both! (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Relationship of Differences!
The Gloomy High-Schooler and the Gyaru
The second of JNC’s newest licenses with an anime currently airing, Makiko Nagoaoka’s fluffy rom-com series, Our Dating Story, makes for the focus of my latest review.
Not what most would consider a conventional paring, the story of Our Dating Story follows the blossoming relationship between the gloomy high-schooler, Ryuto, and his new girlfriend, the shining Gyaru, Runa. Whilst Runa only originally accepts his confession because she’s available, Ryuto is determined to make their romance a reality and make Runa’s ideals of love come true. What follows is a series full of firsts that’ll turn their love-fantasy into a love-reality.
Deciding on the cute and fluffy approach to the rom-com genre, this series sets itself apart almost immediately by making its female lead experienced. Not getting a large showing in this genre style, this series manages to get away with an experienced lead by suggesting that Runa’s exes have only ever been after one thing and that she’s never truly experienced the other joys of dating.
Determined to have true love blossom between them then, Ryuto’s approach sees him take the slow and steady route.
Throughout the first volume, Ryuto shows Runa that he views her as an individual rather than the Runa cultivated by rumours or her ex-boyfriends. He showcases this by taking Runa on dates and other activities with her favourite hobbies as a focal point, showcasing that he constantly wants to learn more about the real her.
Ryuto’s forward-thinking action plan clearly has an effect. From shopping dates to boba tea sampling, Runa quickly notices the difference between Ryuto and her past relationships. Ryuto’s efforts to make her happy are always something that she brings up in his favour, either to herself, her friends or her classmates. It also shows that Ryuto is willing to move beyond being passive, an aspect that does tend to hamper the genre.
Rumours and Relationships
Whilst this series may focus more on the fluff side of things, there’s still intrigue to be found in its human drama. For the most part, this drama focuses on Runa’s past – how she deals with relationships and how her peers perceive her suspected promiscuous nature.
The author’s focus on how Runa deals with a new relationship is a strength of the series. Having been tricked by men she’s loved in the past, every so often, her insecurities play out in her time with Ryuto. Both jealousy and possessiveness come out from time to time, usually reassured by a quick-thinking Ryuto.
Drama about Runa’s past and her peers occurs during the plot climax of the novel. Concerning rumours spread by a newcomer in class, what should’ve seen an end to their relationship is turned on its head thanks to Ryuto’s growing confidence. It promises great things ahead for the two of them, given that they’re both willing to fight for their relationship.
In conclusion, Our Dating Story’s premier volume makes for a great taster of what’s to come in the series as a whole.
A blend of cute, fluffy moments alongside interesting moments of human drama, the series is at its best when focusing on the protagonists. From how the story highlights Runa’s insecurities in contrast with her outward personality to Ryuto’s focus on Runa as an individual, there’s plenty for any rom-com enjoyer to like in this series.
Our Dating Story Vol. 1
My Rating: 8/10
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You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Despite several twists and turns, Ayako and Takumi finally managed to have a successful first date. It’s looking like Ayako will be able to come to terms with Takumi’s feelings at her own pace…or so she thinks until her daughter suddenly lays down the gauntlet, declaring that she’s gunning for Takumi! Now forced to choose between accepting Takumi’s feelings or handing him over to her daughter, will Ayako finally come to see him as a potential partner? Or will her daughter’s advances close the book on her and Takumi’s romance forever? (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Mother-Daughter War of Love!
A Daughter’s Game
With their progress at love at a stalemate, my latest review returns to this age-gap rom-com as a war of romance has begun to rage.
As You Like Me, Not My Daughter reaches its third instalment, the tides of romance between Ayako and Takumi have run aground. Sick and tired of all the will they won’t they routine, the latest volume finds Ayako’s daughter Miu attempting to change the status quo. Confessing her own feelings for Takumi, the gauntlet has been laid for the ultimate contest of love and war.
This latest volume perfectly plays into the reader’s usual frustration over a lack of progress in light novel romcoms. Miu, much like the audience, has grown tired of all the pussyfooting around that’s been happening between her mother and childhood friend. As a result, Miu decides to take action to get the two of them together by making Ayako jealous and realise what she would miss without him.
On the whole, this isn’t a bad plan. Her actions lead to a series of suitably hilarious situations between the two promising lovebirds. From swimsuits to hot spring breaks, Ayako gets more and more daring. Unbeknownst to her, Miu’s actions seem to have had a very solid effect.
A Mother’s True Feelings
These new feelings that Ayako has been suffering from finally take full effect as the volume reaches its climax. Fully coming to terms with the fact that she loves Takumi forces her to decide whether she can be selfish for once in her life.
What follows is an emotional scene as mother and daughter come together as equals to discuss their feelings and their future. The acceptance that change is okay and that their family dynamic will still keep brings a conclusion that I’m sure many readers will be happy about.
Overall, the third volume of You Like Me, Not My Daughter continues the series’ fun yet slightly risqué antics. Keeping the series’ signature blend of spice, the focus on the mother-daughter relationship in this volume was appreciated, and by the end, all three members of the main cast feel like family.
As this volume brings the will they won’t they chapter to bed, it’ll be interesting to see how the series develops now that both main characters’ feelings are out in the open.
You Like Me, Not My Daughter?! Vol. 3
My Rating: 8/10
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You can read the third volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Josei
Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Second Chances, Cute
Cover Illustration for Volume 1
Synopsis:
Viola wants nothing more than to break off her dull arranged engagement with Phillip. He’s the son of a duke, and Viola is thoroughly convinced she’s an unfitting future wife for a man of his station. Worst of all, he seems utterly uninterested in her. So when Viola is in a carriage accident, she takes the opportunity to fake amnesia in hopes of getting out of her betrothal. Little does she know Phillip is also an opportunist, and he takes advantage of the situation by feeding the “amnesiac” Viola a tale she can scarcely believe—that they’ve been passionately in love this entire time! Now trapped in her own lie, Viola is forced to play along. Can this curious couple outwit each other into happiness? Or will their bizarre web of deception get them both caught? (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Lie that Leads to a World of Love!
Liar, Liar
Featuring lies, love and truth, my latest review sees me return to the J-Novel Heart catalogue and their latest title – Fake It to Break It!
The story finds its protagonist, Viola, at an impasse. Stuck in a seemingly loveless engagement, she’ll do anything to find a way out. Luckily for her, the chance arises after she’s caught up in a carriage accident. Taking advantage of the situation, Viola pretends to have amnesia as an easy way to escape her engagement without repercussions. She is blindsided, however, when her fiancée also uses this as an opportunity. No longer dull and uninteresting, he regales the amnesiac Viola of how much they love each other, forcing her to find out the truth.
Whilst this series won’t win any awards for originality, the story is solid and written entertainingly and engagingly. Mixing up themes of misunderstanding and second chances, it finds the two leads locked in a battle to keep their versions of reality alive. As the two investigate to find the truth, they become closer to each other than ever before. Perhaps even realising that love can blossom between them where once there was nothing.
Parroting the Truth
Key to the series’ entertainment value comes from its deuteragonists, Viola and Phillip. Viola brings the comedic value to the partnership as her constant lies about her amnesia bring with it a house of cards. Not naturally gifted in the art of deception, she often only manages to blunder through tense situations. Phillip, on the other hand, brings along the intrigue. After Viola’s amnesiac event, Phillip undergoes a sudden personality change that forces Viola to investigate. Slowly picking apart his tangled web, she discovers that his newfound feelings may be older and deeper than she ever realised.
Both of their lies, however, are brought hilariously crashing down in no small part thanks to an overly talkative parrot. Whilst this brings with it its own convoluted misunderstanding from the past, this doesn’t stop the two blossoming lovebirds as they move to accept each other’s failings.
With all the misunderstandings put to rest, the last parts of the volume finds their relationship moving into a fluffier dimension. In a move that’ll likely have any fluffy rom-com enjoyer jumping for joy, the end of the story sees the sugar piled on for a conclusive happy ending.
They say two wrongs don’t make a right, but sometimes, two lies do. Solid and entertaining, Fake It to Break It makes for a great addition to the J-Novel Heart line-up, with a foray into misunderstandings and second chances.
Fake It to Break It Vol. 1
My Rating: 8.5/10
If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.
You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Sub-Tags: Cute, Heartwarming, Personal Growth
Cover Illustration for Volume 2
Synopsis:
The wizard Allen’s naughty lessons take a new turn when he begins to realize his true feelings for Charlotte—feelings that he knows he should keep locked away but threaten to burst out any minute. With a zany elf novelist, a rebellious young Fenrir, and a formidable Infernal Capybara jumping into the scene, will Allen finally succeed in confessing his love to Charlotte? Can he save her from her mysterious pursuers? Meanwhile, they journey to the Athena School of Magic and Allen’s family home when they hear the news that Charlotte’s sister Natalia has enrolled as a student, but there’s trouble brewing… Magic explodes and emotions overflow in this wholesome hurly-burly romcom! (Source: J-Novel Club)
The Naughtiness of Love and Family!
The Indulgences of Love
Ever since she arrived at Allen’s doorstep, Charlotte has seen her once-sheltered world completely turned around. Through the Dark Overlord’s specialist guidance, Charlotte has grown from strength to strength with a little help from a series of naughty indulgences.
Continuing to show Charlotte the hedonistic side of life, Crash Course’s sequel starts with both her and Allen discovering the naughtiest indulgence of them all…love!
Personal growth has always played a major role in the story, and the second instalment continues to well-actualise the deuteragonist’s development. Given the problems both characters have faced with others in the past, the realisation of their mutual feelings for each other comes on rapidly (perhaps even slightly too rapidly).
What follows is half the novel dedicated to the heartwarming and cute moments the two of them share as they stumble through the plot holes of early romance. From discovering the infinite naughty pleasures that can be had by doing them together to surviving several life-threatening incidents, they quickly prove that their relationship is as solid as a rock.
An Academy Face-to-Face
With their confidence at an all-time high and their relationship set on solid foundations, the story’s second half deals the newly-christened couple, a challenge that’ll test them on their past insecurities.
News has travelled that Charlotte’s little sister, Natalia, has come into trouble at Allen’s former academy. Subverting everyone’s expectations, however, it seems that Natalia is the trouble rather than being in it. Leader of a gang for justice, she’s become the head of the school, squashing any potential troublemakers on her rise to the top.
Besides a few comedic moments, including Allen’s parents and his cringy past, this latter section of the novel hits all the right emotional beats. Seeing her sister again leaves Charlotte understandably conflicted. Swirling with anxiety over the potential scenarios that could follow, Allen offers Charlotte a lifeline – disguise herself and see the type of woman her little sister has become.
Despite the cagey start between them, it becomes clear to Charlotte that Natalia is still kind at heart, resulting in an emotional reunion.
As the sun sets on A Crash Course’s sequel, it brings with it several new developments, both plot and character-wise, to keep the series fresh.
Whilst the series’ heartwarming and humorous moments are great, the sequel’s best moments can be found as it hits new emotional beats. A particular highlight comes as Charlotte is forced to face her past demons in the form of her little sister. The anxiety and apprehension that coincide with an eventual happy reunion hit all the right notes.
A Crash Course in Naughtiness Vol. 2
My Rating: 9/10
If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.
You can read the second volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Finally, the screenplay is complete, and Ryou Takamori and the crew can start filming their short movie! After borrowing equipment from Ai Himejima’s agency, they head to a faraway beach to shoot one of their scenes. It’s not all fun and games, however, when an argument breaks out between Hina Fushimi and Shizuka Torigoe— and that’s before Ryou learns Hina and Ai are auditioning for the same role in a musical! He roots for both, but he knows only one of them can pass… (Source: Yen Press)
A Battle of Love and Acting!
Film Antics and Stagnation
Marking my 200th post on this blog site, my latest read finds me returning to a series filled with potential blossoming romances. For the latest outing of The Girl I Saved on the Train’s story, its cast of characters move on to the next stage of making a movie – starting filming.
As part of shooting for a movie, Ryou and his potential lovers have plentiful opportunities for harem hijinks and misadventures. However, through reading this volume, I couldn’t help but shake the feeling that this series is suffering from a short burst of stagnation. Four volumes in, and on the romance side of this rom-com, the lack of progression has started to wear thin.
For as much as I find the constant run-around between Ryou, Hina, Ai and Torigore entertaining, it’s becoming ever more apparent that this series can’t sustain itself on this content alone. At some point, something will need to take place to move both parties from their current seats of complacency and toward an eventual confession.
Something to Strive For
Thankfully, not everything about the series falls under the category of stagnation. Featuring in the latter half of the novel, the author makes a great realisation of the main character’s motivations and development.
One of the principal themes of the series is about the actualisation of one’s future. By the end of this volume, three of the main characters have moved closer to realising their possible futures – Hina, Ai, and Ryou. Hina and Ai, despite the former’s setback, have come to the decision that they want to follow a career in acting. In the same vein, Ryou has also discovered a possible path to ambition, finding himself behind the camera. Seeing others display their talents has unlocked his talents for directing and scriptwriting.
Ryou discovering his first moments of ambition and purpose holds potentially great things for the series’ future, especially if Ryou’s new purposeful outlook leads to development in romance.
The Girl I Saved on the Train’s fourth volume provides an overall mixed experience. Whilst the series’ usual mix of hijinks continues to be entertaining, the romantic aspect of the story leaves something to be desired.
Fortunately, the final moments of the story save this volume somewhat. Renewing a sense of ambition and purpose into several of the main characters can only mean good things for the future of the series. With their goals set in motion, it provides some more room for a potential romance to finally blossom.
The Girl I Saved on the Train Vol. 4
My Rating: 6.5/10
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You can read the fourth volume of this series digitally and physically through the list of distributors found on the Yen Press website.
Yoshin and Nanami are about to mark their one-month anniversary of dating: the day they are due to break up. As the end of their relationship nears, they plan their final dates—to the amusement park and the zoo! Yoshin prepares to tell Nanami how he truly feels about her, and Nanami gears up to tell him that her confession was actually based on a dare. As their intentions become crossed, their final dates begin, and the moment of truth soon arrives. With the fateful day upon them, the love that the two have been nurturing will finally be put to the test. What will be their final decision? (Source: J-Novel Club)
An Anniversary of Looming Reveals!
The Last Two Dates
Yoshin and Nanami have thoroughly enjoyed the last three weeks together. From sleepovers to hot springs adventures, the two have come ever closer to each other and slowly discovered what it means to fall in love. Unfortunately, those carefree times together had to come to an end at some point, as the fourth volume finds the lovebirds resting upon the realisation that their upcoming anniversary means they’ll have to reveal their shocking confessions.
In light of these looming confessions, the two resolve to make their potential last week together a good one – organising a special double date bonanza. After much thought, the two dates they decide on are true classics, starting at a theme park and then having their last date at the zoo.
Regardless of confession anxiety, Yoshin and Nanami have a great time at both locations. Expect to see the series’ signature sugary-sweet style out in full force, only this time, the couple seem bolder than usual. Perhaps down to the thinking that they might have only a few opportunities left to show their love, the romantic novices take strides in their confidence, even allowing Yoshin to initiate a few smooches.
Truth, Dares and Love
Having done everything they can to secure a positive result, the climax of the volume finally deals with the dare issue.
Given the sufficient gravitas expected of an issue built up over four volumes, it starts with both parties obviously shocked at the fact that they’ve both been keeping secrets around the dare. What follows is a series of apologies that turn into declarations that eventually turn into a series of passionate kisses.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Yoshin and Nanami are still together after revealing the truth. If anything, revealing the truth to each other has made their relationship stronger. With their deceit out of the way, they’re finally able to enjoy their relationship with no strings attached.
To conclude, the fourth instalment of the Hookup Hiccups saga makes for a wonderful continuance to the series.
Portraying the final week before their respective confessions, the author expertly mixes the series’ usual sugary-sweet tone with two protagonists who have grown bolder due to a potential end to their relationship. The result: strides in confidence and progress.
Furthermore, this volume deals with the constant elephant in the room – the dare. Dealt with thoroughly and maturely, both Nanami and Yoshin come out of the experience stronger.
As the story comes to a close on the fake confession arc, it feels as though a weight has been lifted on the series. Now, unencumbered by deceit, the story can move forward to new and exciting storylines for the couple.
An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 4
My Rating: 9/10
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You can read the fourth volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Tags: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Seinen
Sub-Tags: Age-Gap, Misunderstandings
Cover Illustration for Volume 2
Synopsis:
It was a bumpy road getting here, but things have finally settled down for Ayako and Takumi, who have decided to take it slow and avoid making any dramatic changes to their relationship. At least, that was what Ayako thought they had decided. Just when she feels like she can finally relax, Takumi asks her out on a date! After focusing on nothing but raising her daughter for the last decade, Ayako has no idea how to mentally prepare for an event like this. The pressure’s on for Takumi as well—he’s spent the last ten years dreaming of their first date, so it has to be perfect! Will the couple manage to get over their nerves and have a night to remember? Or is their first date end before it’s even begun? (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Single Mother’s First Date!
All That Could Go Wrong Before a Date
Is there a chance that an age-gap romance can blossom? After the first volume, all signs point to an overwhelming maybe!
With Takkun’s confession all out in the open, the second volume finds the two age-gap romantics’ relationship in a kind of limbo. Ayako’s inability to give a straight answer to the confession has the two pussyfooting around each other, not quite knowing where they stand with one another. As a solution to the situation, Takkun suggests moving the relationship forward by asking Ayako out on a date.
Unfortunately for Takkun, the best-laid plans often go awry, and his plans for the first first date suffer one misfortune after another. Takkun’s detail-orientated nature deals him a blow as he overstresses himself and becomes ill on the eve of their original date. Although, it’s not all bad, as Ayako comes to nurse him back to health.
Delaying the date also allows the two lovebirds to become closer due to the schemes of one of Ayako’s close friends and boss, Yumemi. Her meddling forces Ayako to reveal all the positive qualities that Takkun has to offer.
All That Could Go Right During a Date
After their little setback, the second half of the volume finally finds the two able to go on their first date, with the choice of venue being a theme park.
Whilst the choice of a theme park may seem a little odd at first, Takkun’s thought process for the event is clear. Having had most of her twenties taken up raising Miu, Takkun hoped to recapture some of those youthful moments Ayako inevitably missed out on. Takkun’s idea worked a treat as Ayako seemed truly happy throughout these date scenes.
Ayako and Takkun’s time together doesn’t end at the end of the date, however, as a flat tire and a torrential downpour forces the two to spend a night at a love hotel. Obviously, nothing happens between the two, but they end up getting closer through a late-night chat. In a series such as this, any progress is good progress.
Overall, the second volume of You Like Me,Not My Daughter makes for a wonderful sequel, as the potential lovebirds are determined to progress beyond their current point of limbo.
With the first volume dealing with the practicality of an age-gap romance, the second instalment has a heavier focus on compatibility. Through the volume, the story showcases what they like about each other as well as showing how well they work together. If they hadn’t worked well together, it would’ve been highly likely that their first date would never have gone ahead.
As the end of the volume finds Ayako on cloud nine, her world is about to be turned upside down. Miu, frustrated with their lack of progress, has declared war by announcing that she’ll join the battle for Takkun’s affection. For the third volume, the author is looking to move the series forward by having Ayako deal with an ultimatum – acknowledge her feelings or lose Taku.
You Like Me, Not My Daughter Vol. 2
My Rating: 8.5/10
If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.
You can read the second volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
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