I'll be frank: I didn't complete the manga. I only read what was available at the library and didn't bother finishing it online. It wasn't worth it since it's one of the WORST manga I've ever encountered. Sadly, I did read most of it, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts on this series. (Warning: Contains language and some spoilers.)
Story: 1/10 It's simply absurd. I started reading because it was there, but...ugh. My expectations were low, yet the reality was even worse. According to the description, "Hot Gimmick" is about a girl who's 'forced' to become a rich guy's 'sex' slave. The series is riddled with terrible clichés and unnecessary 'drama.' However, I must admit, the side story involving Hatsumi's sister and their childhood friend was decent and realistic.
Art: 3/10 The characters are unattractive, and often the backgrounds are actual photos of parks and such. It feels lazy and awkward seeing these characters in a 'real' picture.
Character: 3/10 I despise most of the characters. Hatsumi is frustratingly passive. Seriously, despite enduring countless abuses (mental, physical, sexual), she does NOTHING! We're supposed to like her because she forgives everyone and is too nice. What a role model... Then there are Ryoki and Azusa. These two jerks are...well, jerks. Ryoki is abusive and constantly torments Hatsumi to be his 'sex slave.' But it's okay because he loves her. BULLSHIT! Then the mangaka expects us to pity Azusa. He harbors a grudge against Hatsumi's father and tries to exact revenge by (attempting to) gang-bang her. Then we get into his 'sob-story.' Hatsumi's sister is manipulative and an asshole (until her relationship with their childhood friend, then she's tolerable). But I said "most." There are two commendable characters: The childhood friend and Shinogu. Both are genuinely nice, and it's a shame they're part of this manga. The childhood friend (I can't be bothered to look up his name, sorry) remains good throughout the series. But this mangaka deliberately wanted me to hate my favorite character, Shinogu. She did this by having him develop feelings for his sister. I respect how hard he tries to ignore these feelings, but THIS ISN'T NECESSARY!
Enjoyment: 1/10 Yeah.
Overall: 3/10 In summary, I detest the story, lazy art, and most of the characters; the only redeeming qualities were the side story and the two characters I mentioned. Sorry for the poorly crafted review, but please steer clear of this series.
It's somewhat absurd to observe the extent of influence a single stubborn woman can wield over an entire apartment complex. Yet, drama saturates every facet of this manga. Any remotely scandalous gossip spreads like wildfire, affecting everyone's behavior; past relationships are exposed, and current ones crumble within a few chapters. Romance here is fragile, intricate, and at times, downright foolish and incomprehensible. Ah, but isn't that just life?
What made Hot Gimmick most appealing to me was its portrayal of love. The characters are in high school, not entirely inexperienced but also haven't truly experienced real relationships. Upon encountering new situations and people, they uncover the essence of love—that all those sappy songs do express romantic feelings at some point. "What is this feeling?" "Why do I want this person more than anyone else?" "This is so stupid, so idiotic, yet my heart desires this."
The first half of the manga was better. After a while, it became irritating to see the same characters continually struggle with their emotions, making mistakes, and hurting those around them as they tried to reconcile their thoughts. But perhaps that underscores how love can turn toxic when it spirals out of control.
Returning to the plot, the drama within the apartment complex due to past relationships and nosy neighbors was utterly immature, causing me to roll my eyes frequently. It felt like something from middle school, ridiculous for adults to ostracize a family based on unconfirmed rumors, even if true, such behavior would be unkind.
I commend the mangaka for creating distinct characters, though character development seemed minimal for several, especially the protagonist Hatsumi. For much of the manga, she was a crybaby denying her greatest desire because it conflicted with her previous wants. While being generally kind is good, it often led to her being taken advantage of, which I consider one of her biggest flaws.
The men in her life include Ryoki (a childhood bully who is fearsome, commanding, and cold), Azusa (a childhood hero turned handsome model), and Shinogu (Hatsumi’s extremely kind brother). They make for quite an interesting group.
As for the artwork, I found the men attractive but not so much the females. It wasn’t due to crying, but rather their appearances were less appealing than the males’. Their overly large eyes gave them a childlike look, lacking the charm of the male characters.
The manga didn't end with a bang, and I preferred the first half more than the second. Nevertheless, Hot Gimmick was a pleasant read for its romance. There is some smut, but not excessively so, and it feels somewhat unnecessary. It might not be appropriate for certain age groups, however.
Don't bother reading this. It's not worth your time, even as a "so bad it's good" kind of read. If you were intrigued by the premise because it sounded like it might cater to BDSM tastes, be warned: it doesn’t go there, so this manga fails even on that front.
This manga serves more as a cautionary tale about what happens when you lack backbone and let others walk all over you. While such a story concept isn't inherently bad and can indeed be interesting, this one is painfully tone-deaf and predictably cliché. It’s the worst rendition of the "jerk guy and doormat girl" trope you’ll find. The narrative reads like a poorly written y/n Wattpad story. If that’s your cup of tea, then you might enjoy this; otherwise, avoid it.
That said, I will admit that the artwork is appealing, with character designs fitting their respective characters well.
Reverse harem nightmare-
The main character lacks backbone, seemingly blessed by a deity to be infuriatingly indecisive throughout her life. An apt title for this manga might well be "Sexual Assault: The Manga".
My god, the men in this story are absolute trash. The protagonist gets to choose from:
-An asshole brat who assaults at any given moment, treats her like property, and has extreme sexist tendencies (the main guy).
-A creepy brother who turns out not to be a brother and has been in love with his technically-sister (shudder).
-Another jerk who roofies her.
Who would you pick?
The manga kind of forces you to choose the absolute scumbag that is Ryouki Tachibana. Intimate moments are drawn beautifully, and your heart will do that loop thing it's supposed to do in shoujos, except you'll realize our boy here is fondling the MC's breasts in public despite her telling him to stop. There's literally no concept of consent throughout, and then that sweet feeling is replaced by terrible nausea. Oh, and may I add, the manga artist has such a talent for drawing the main couple making out because those panels look so sweet. They stare into each other's eyes with such fondness and just confuse you as a reader. Did I mention Tachibana hits the MC and calls her derogatory terms as a form of endearment? Cute, right?
In my fury, I couldn't stop reading midway; I read it entirely in one sitting and proceeded to be sour the entire day.
Despite all this, if you're feeling particularly self-deprecating one day, give it a read and bask in that dominant-daddy-that's-an-actual-jerk-and-should-be-dumped-immediately also you-belong-to-me-so-don't-think-about-any-other-male-except-abusively-possessive boyfriend glory.
You know what serves her right for being a total idiot.
Story:
The story felt incredibly cliché and was definitely a letdown.
At first, I thought it was intriguing, but by the end, I was just thinking "WTF".
SPOILER
But honestly, who cares anyway?
So the girl ends up choosing Ryo-whatever and gets married, blah blah blah.
And the other guy becomes a monk.
I mean, seriously, what's up with that?!?
Art:
It was okay, I guess. It’s your typical shoujo art style.
Character:
The main girl is TOTALLY ridiculous.
I mean, seriously.
She still chose that Ryo-whatever guy,
even though he was literally torturing her.
Come on, who wants to be with someone like that?
Enjoyment:
I gave it a 1 because this might be the worst manga I’ve EVER read. :|
Overall:
3, since I kind of liked the art and how dreamy the brother looks. >:P
I appreciate the classic rich guy falls for a less wealthy girl narrative, but this story takes an unpleasant turn. The wealthy protagonist exhibits moments of sheer insensitivity that feel out of place, while the female lead is overly submissive, lacking in self-respect, making it hard to root for either character. If you're not fond of abusive male leads and excessively accommodating female characters who forgive easily without proper closure, avoid this manga.
Some might comprehend Hatsumi's affection for Ryouki due to his presence in her life, yet his treatment of her strikes me as repugnant. Domyoji from Hana Yori Dango was also spoiled, but at least he had redeeming qualities, which Ryouki lacks. This could be attributed to HYD's superior storytelling spread over numerous volumes. Meanwhile, Hatsumi embodies the stereotypical shy heroine who forgives all, stands up for little, and believes in nothing. I hope she evolves by the end, but seven volumes in, there's no sign of such development.
Currently finishing volume seven, I'm tempted to abandon this series, but with just over four volumes left, I'll persist. The artwork remains consistently appealing, and amidst the clichés and absurdity, there are genuinely sweet moments. For those enticed by the one-girl-many-guys dynamic, consider reading Hana Yori Dango, Vampire Knight, or Parfait Tic instead.
The first time I picked up this manga, I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading twenty-two chapters in a single sitting. It was incredible; there wasn't a moment when I wondered, "How long will this take?" I never checked how many pages were left, which is unusual for me. I'm quite disappointed that there isn't more content. It feels like there should be more than just 54 chapters; it concluded without any warning. The character development didn't meet my expectations either, as much remained unchanged.
Hmm... I'm not sure how I feel about this series. It's a mix of fan fiction and Gossip Girl, both of which I enjoy, so from that perspective, it was good. I found myself entertained and oddly addicted, even though all the characters were pretty terrible people (except maybe Shinogu, but the sister/brother dynamic weirded me out). It worked in Clueless, but here, the brother-sister relationship felt creepy. The author left a lot to the imagination too. I was slightly annoyed we didn't get any follow-up on Asuza... Did he go after Ryoki for revenge? It seems we have to come up with our own endings a bit. I enjoyed the little extra about Akane and Subaru, but the 10 Days extra was terrible. I might be in the minority here, but I was glad she ended up with Ryoki. He was by far the most interesting character, though his self-centeredness and abuse make it hard to understand why anyone would choose him. Hatsumi, on the other hand, was an absolutely terrible character, on par with Bella from Twilight. I almost didn't want to read about her because she was so helpless. Also, this series is the most rape-y weird thing (manga-wise) I've ever read. I don't know if that made it more unbelievable or more terrifying. All in all, it was addictive, and I actually liked reading it most of the time, though I wouldn't put it on any pedestal. 6/10.
Popular Reviews
I'll be frank: I didn't complete the manga. I only read what was available at the library and didn't bother finishing it online. It wasn't worth it since it's one of the WORST manga I've ever encountered. Sadly, I did read most of it, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts on this series.
(Warning: Contains language and some spoilers.)
Story: 1/10
It's simply absurd. I started reading because it was there, but...ugh. My expectations were low, yet the reality was even worse. According to the description, "Hot Gimmick" is about a girl who's 'forced' to become a rich guy's 'sex' slave. The series is riddled with terrible clichés and unnecessary 'drama.' However, I must admit, the side story involving Hatsumi's sister and their childhood friend was decent and realistic.
Art: 3/10
The characters are unattractive, and often the backgrounds are actual photos of parks and such. It feels lazy and awkward seeing these characters in a 'real' picture.
Character: 3/10
I despise most of the characters. Hatsumi is frustratingly passive. Seriously, despite enduring countless abuses (mental, physical, sexual), she does NOTHING! We're supposed to like her because she forgives everyone and is too nice. What a role model...
Then there are Ryoki and Azusa. These two jerks are...well, jerks. Ryoki is abusive and constantly torments Hatsumi to be his 'sex slave.' But it's okay because he loves her. BULLSHIT! Then the mangaka expects us to pity Azusa. He harbors a grudge against Hatsumi's father and tries to exact revenge by (attempting to) gang-bang her. Then we get into his 'sob-story.'
Hatsumi's sister is manipulative and an asshole (until her relationship with their childhood friend, then she's tolerable).
But I said "most." There are two commendable characters: The childhood friend and Shinogu. Both are genuinely nice, and it's a shame they're part of this manga. The childhood friend (I can't be bothered to look up his name, sorry) remains good throughout the series. But this mangaka deliberately wanted me to hate my favorite character, Shinogu. She did this by having him develop feelings for his sister. I respect how hard he tries to ignore these feelings, but THIS ISN'T NECESSARY!
Enjoyment: 1/10
Yeah.
Overall: 3/10
In summary, I detest the story, lazy art, and most of the characters; the only redeeming qualities were the side story and the two characters I mentioned. Sorry for the poorly crafted review, but please steer clear of this series.
It's somewhat absurd to observe the extent of influence a single stubborn woman can wield over an entire apartment complex. Yet, drama saturates every facet of this manga. Any remotely scandalous gossip spreads like wildfire, affecting everyone's behavior; past relationships are exposed, and current ones crumble within a few chapters. Romance here is fragile, intricate, and at times, downright foolish and incomprehensible. Ah, but isn't that just life?
What made Hot Gimmick most appealing to me was its portrayal of love. The characters are in high school, not entirely inexperienced but also haven't truly experienced real relationships. Upon encountering new situations and people, they uncover the essence of love—that all those sappy songs do express romantic feelings at some point. "What is this feeling?" "Why do I want this person more than anyone else?" "This is so stupid, so idiotic, yet my heart desires this."
The first half of the manga was better. After a while, it became irritating to see the same characters continually struggle with their emotions, making mistakes, and hurting those around them as they tried to reconcile their thoughts. But perhaps that underscores how love can turn toxic when it spirals out of control.
Returning to the plot, the drama within the apartment complex due to past relationships and nosy neighbors was utterly immature, causing me to roll my eyes frequently. It felt like something from middle school, ridiculous for adults to ostracize a family based on unconfirmed rumors, even if true, such behavior would be unkind.
I commend the mangaka for creating distinct characters, though character development seemed minimal for several, especially the protagonist Hatsumi. For much of the manga, she was a crybaby denying her greatest desire because it conflicted with her previous wants. While being generally kind is good, it often led to her being taken advantage of, which I consider one of her biggest flaws.
The men in her life include Ryoki (a childhood bully who is fearsome, commanding, and cold), Azusa (a childhood hero turned handsome model), and Shinogu (Hatsumi’s extremely kind brother). They make for quite an interesting group.
As for the artwork, I found the men attractive but not so much the females. It wasn’t due to crying, but rather their appearances were less appealing than the males’. Their overly large eyes gave them a childlike look, lacking the charm of the male characters.
The manga didn't end with a bang, and I preferred the first half more than the second. Nevertheless, Hot Gimmick was a pleasant read for its romance. There is some smut, but not excessively so, and it feels somewhat unnecessary. It might not be appropriate for certain age groups, however.
Don't bother reading this. It's not worth your time, even as a "so bad it's good" kind of read. If you were intrigued by the premise because it sounded like it might cater to BDSM tastes, be warned: it doesn’t go there, so this manga fails even on that front.
This manga serves more as a cautionary tale about what happens when you lack backbone and let others walk all over you. While such a story concept isn't inherently bad and can indeed be interesting, this one is painfully tone-deaf and predictably cliché. It’s the worst rendition of the "jerk guy and doormat girl" trope you’ll find. The narrative reads like a poorly written y/n Wattpad story. If that’s your cup of tea, then you might enjoy this; otherwise, avoid it.
That said, I will admit that the artwork is appealing, with character designs fitting their respective characters well.
Reverse harem nightmare-
The main character lacks backbone, seemingly blessed by a deity to be infuriatingly indecisive throughout her life. An apt title for this manga might well be "Sexual Assault: The Manga".
My god, the men in this story are absolute trash. The protagonist gets to choose from:
-An asshole brat who assaults at any given moment, treats her like property, and has extreme sexist tendencies (the main guy).
-A creepy brother who turns out not to be a brother and has been in love with his technically-sister (shudder).
-Another jerk who roofies her.
Who would you pick?
The manga kind of forces you to choose the absolute scumbag that is Ryouki Tachibana. Intimate moments are drawn beautifully, and your heart will do that loop thing it's supposed to do in shoujos, except you'll realize our boy here is fondling the MC's breasts in public despite her telling him to stop. There's literally no concept of consent throughout, and then that sweet feeling is replaced by terrible nausea. Oh, and may I add, the manga artist has such a talent for drawing the main couple making out because those panels look so sweet. They stare into each other's eyes with such fondness and just confuse you as a reader. Did I mention Tachibana hits the MC and calls her derogatory terms as a form of endearment? Cute, right?
In my fury, I couldn't stop reading midway; I read it entirely in one sitting and proceeded to be sour the entire day.
Despite all this, if you're feeling particularly self-deprecating one day, give it a read and bask in that dominant-daddy-that's-an-actual-jerk-and-should-be-dumped-immediately also you-belong-to-me-so-don't-think-about-any-other-male-except-abusively-possessive boyfriend glory.
You know what serves her right for being a total idiot.
Story:
The story felt incredibly cliché and was definitely a letdown.
At first, I thought it was intriguing, but by the end, I was just thinking "WTF".
SPOILER
But honestly, who cares anyway?
So the girl ends up choosing Ryo-whatever and gets married, blah blah blah.
And the other guy becomes a monk.
I mean, seriously, what's up with that?!?
Art:
It was okay, I guess. It’s your typical shoujo art style.
Character:
The main girl is TOTALLY ridiculous.
I mean, seriously.
She still chose that Ryo-whatever guy,
even though he was literally torturing her.
Come on, who wants to be with someone like that?
Enjoyment:
I gave it a 1 because this might be the worst manga I’ve EVER read. :|
Overall:
3, since I kind of liked the art and how dreamy the brother looks. >:P
I appreciate the classic rich guy falls for a less wealthy girl narrative, but this story takes an unpleasant turn. The wealthy protagonist exhibits moments of sheer insensitivity that feel out of place, while the female lead is overly submissive, lacking in self-respect, making it hard to root for either character. If you're not fond of abusive male leads and excessively accommodating female characters who forgive easily without proper closure, avoid this manga.
Some might comprehend Hatsumi's affection for Ryouki due to his presence in her life, yet his treatment of her strikes me as repugnant. Domyoji from Hana Yori Dango was also spoiled, but at least he had redeeming qualities, which Ryouki lacks. This could be attributed to HYD's superior storytelling spread over numerous volumes. Meanwhile, Hatsumi embodies the stereotypical shy heroine who forgives all, stands up for little, and believes in nothing. I hope she evolves by the end, but seven volumes in, there's no sign of such development.
Currently finishing volume seven, I'm tempted to abandon this series, but with just over four volumes left, I'll persist. The artwork remains consistently appealing, and amidst the clichés and absurdity, there are genuinely sweet moments. For those enticed by the one-girl-many-guys dynamic, consider reading Hana Yori Dango, Vampire Knight, or Parfait Tic instead.
The first time I picked up this manga, I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading twenty-two chapters in a single sitting. It was incredible; there wasn't a moment when I wondered, "How long will this take?" I never checked how many pages were left, which is unusual for me. I'm quite disappointed that there isn't more content. It feels like there should be more than just 54 chapters; it concluded without any warning. The character development didn't meet my expectations either, as much remained unchanged.
Overall score: 8. Recommended: yes.
Some spoilers ahead:
Hmm... I'm not sure how I feel about this series. It's a mix of fan fiction and Gossip Girl, both of which I enjoy, so from that perspective, it was good. I found myself entertained and oddly addicted, even though all the characters were pretty terrible people (except maybe Shinogu, but the sister/brother dynamic weirded me out). It worked in Clueless, but here, the brother-sister relationship felt creepy. The author left a lot to the imagination too. I was slightly annoyed we didn't get any follow-up on Asuza... Did he go after Ryoki for revenge? It seems we have to come up with our own endings a bit. I enjoyed the little extra about Akane and Subaru, but the 10 Days extra was terrible. I might be in the minority here, but I was glad she ended up with Ryoki. He was by far the most interesting character, though his self-centeredness and abuse make it hard to understand why anyone would choose him. Hatsumi, on the other hand, was an absolutely terrible character, on par with Bella from Twilight. I almost didn't want to read about her because she was so helpless. Also, this series is the most rape-y weird thing (manga-wise) I've ever read. I don't know if that made it more unbelievable or more terrifying. All in all, it was addictive, and I actually liked reading it most of the time, though I wouldn't put it on any pedestal. 6/10.