GREAT ENDING. MAGNIFICENT ENDING. THIS MANGA TRANSFORMED FROM COMPLETE GARBAGE INTO A GOLDEN TREASURE.
I'M A FAN OF COMEBACK STORIES LIKE THIS ONE. THE JOURNEY FROM DESPERATION TO DELUSIONS, AND HOW THOSE DELUSIONS DRIVE HIM TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE IS BEAUTIFULLY PORTRAYED.
WITH THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE, THIS MANGA CAN BE HIGHLY ENJOYABLE IF YOU READ IT FROM START TO FINISH WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS. THE NARRATIVE IS WELL-CRAFTED, AND THE CONCLUSION IS SIMPLY OUTSTANDING.
DON'T FOCUS TOO MUCH ON THE CHARACTERS IN THIS MANGA; THE TRUE STRENGTH LIES IN ITS STORY. IT SHOWS HOW PEOPLE CAN CHANGE, WHICH IS THE TRUE BEAUTY OF THIS SHORT 28-CHAPTER MANGA.
It's my first time writing a review; I never thought I'd bother doing this, but this manga made me. I read a lot of manga, and they've made me feel all sorts of different emotions, but this one crushed me. It started great, and I had really high expectations, but the ending messed me up. I've read that many people say the ending is fair, that it was for the best, but it hurts like hell. Anyway, read it and let me know what you think. I really want someone to badmouth this manga. PEACE
I can't find a single flaw in this story.
But it didn't affect me at all.
Only the last two pages managed to stir something in my otherwise numb state, something that should have shaken me up.
Perhaps I've read too much manga and watched too many anime in the past two weeks, which is why I felt nothing during this entire manga.
I see that many people are dissatisfied with this manga, but I want to write this to say that I think it's a great one. It's short and to the point.
The only potential issue might be accepting that a beautiful 22-year-old girl would fall in love with a 50-year-old worn-out man.
This story did nothing for me, and I'm disappointed by its ending.
But I want to write this to say that I believe it can be enjoyed greatly, and the reason I didn't enjoy it is that I've oversaturated myself with stories in the past two weeks.
It just bugs me that I couldn't find a single flaw in it, nor did I ever sigh because something in the manga seemed stupid to me, yet I never connected with the story.
I don't want to rate it poorly.
I really don't want to because I like how everything played out, and it makes sense to me how the relationship between the two main characters developed and concluded, except for the very final two pages of the manga. I dislike those.
This manga would have been better if the characters were more likable. They came across as one-dimensional. The only character I liked was the female protagonist, though that seemed inevitable since she appeared flawless and served as a "mother" figure meant to save the male lead. It's common in manga centered around socially anxious characters to feature these "angelic" females (like in Welcome to NHK or this one). However, realistically speaking, for hikkikomoris to overcome their reliance on escapism, the characters need more depth. Genuine self-help must come from within themselves. While realism isn't expected in manga and anime, when a story focuses on hikkikomoris and their recurring social issues, solutions shouldn't revolve around angelic women or girlfriends.
The ending felt abruptly short and rushed. The pacing throughout was also hurried. The only reason I'm not giving this a zero is because I enjoyed the artwork. I don't dislike unlikable characters; in fact, I appreciate them initially for their potential character development. Unfortunately, there was none of that here.
I do not recommend reading this manga. It's disappointing.
Until yesterday, the title 'Me-Teru No Kimochi' meant nothing to me. And, judging by its sparse ratings, many others remain unaware of it. After reading all 28 chapters in one go without feeling bored once, my mission is to bring this hidden gem some much-needed attention.
If you've read 'Welcome to the NHK,' you'll have a good sense of how the story unfolds: a reclusive guy gets pulled out of his shell by a beautiful lady, eventually finding himself capable of living a more normal life. The significant difference between the two is that while it's fairly believable for a slightly eccentric young girl to want to use a loser for her own interests (NHK), it's quite... out there for a hugely breasted, supermodel-type 22-year-old woman to first marry a bald old man (because he resembled her father) and later mother/wife his 30-year-old son—a son who has locked himself in his room for 15 years. Where are these selfless 'would die happy after having sex with' women in real life!?
However, if you can get past the basic premise, you're in for something special. Slowly but surely, Haruka—the aforementioned big-breasted lady—tries to coax her reclusive 'son-in-law' out of his room by initially trading a notebook they can communicate through to work around his shyness and later helping him talk, go out, and... well, do 18+ things I'll cover at the end. Early on, especially, there's always comedy preventing the mood from becoming depressing (just like in NHK), with the reclusive lead plotting how to win the heart of his new 'mother' and naming a dog after her to practice calling her name affectionately. (Note: The dog and he grow close—there's mouth-on-mouth action! If you love your dog more than you should, this manga is for you!)
Ignoring Haruka's devotion to bald old men and losers, the biggest issue the series faces is, unsurprisingly (for an NHK fan), its ending. It's open-ended and rushed, and it didn't even conclude very well regarding the relationship between the main characters. It wasn't the worst ending ever, but there are far better executed endings out there. The mangaka working on 'Gantz' simultaneously may have influenced how the story ended.
Honestly, I'd recommend this to anyone not so cynical they'd judge it based on its first chapter or basic premise. It's a heartfelt comedy/drama, sure to engage anyone who can relate to the lead and enjoyable for those seeking something different from the usual romantic comedy offerings. The art is very appealing, allowing readers to fully grasp why the reclusive lead gets tongue-tied around his new 'mother,' and the manga is short enough to read in one sitting. What do you have to lose? Give it a go!
Extra: The manga isn't ecchi until towards the end when a few chapters focus on a sex scene. There aren't any nipples or private parts shown, but there's plenty of kissing and touching, and it's made perfectly clear what's happening. If you're against cunnilingus in your manga, then this might not be for you. But let me reiterate: the scene is near the end and only covers a few chapters. The sex scene serves a purpose, meaning it would be wrong to classify the manga as pornographic because of it.
A dazzling constellation of every bad manga trope. This was utterly diabolical. Why do the Japanese find it so hard to actually tackle the issue of hikikomori in a manga? A couple of series (NHK, Onani Master) have touched on reclusive characters, but the majority of hiki coverage in manga is like this. Insulting to the intelligence of the reader, ridden with cliché, just awful, awful, awful. God.
This story is not for everyone. It starts poorly, develops even worse, and the ending is heartbreaking. Yet, its final moments make this manga a hidden gem.
The concept of hikkikomori was previously well explored in Welcome to NHK, where humor and comedy were the strong points. Here, we face a darker scenario, one steeped in tragedy from start to finish.
The following contains plot details.
Me~teru no Kimochi isn't centered around the hikkikomori character; it's about Haruka, the mother. From the beginning, the manga shows her seeking a protective role, wanting to be the caretaker. Her romantic relationships revolve around fulfilling that need to nurture. She did so with Shintarou's father, an old sad man she believed she could heal. They marry, he dies, and she fails to cure him completely. Thus, unable to fulfill her purpose, she turns to the source of her husband's illness: his son. Her mission remains incomplete until she can pull Shintarou out of his room, house, and sedentary life. In doing so, she discovers that healing Shintarou also heals herself, and she falls in love with him again as his caretaker.
The ending is brutal but essential. Haruka realizes her presence at Shintarou's home achieves nothing. She bids farewell without words, just through intimacy. She promises to watch over him from afar. And she does. In the last chapter, panels show Shintarou failing in his jobs while she observes from a distance. Ultimately, their reunion isn’t a "happily ever after" but a final goodbye. Haruka turns away in tears, finally giving up on him. "I took care of you, I loved you, and I healed you." She understands her ultimate sacrifice: to heal the man she loves means distancing herself from Shintarou. He understands too and thanks her, saying, "Thank you, Mother."
The work isn't perfect, far from it. However, the mangaka’s intention shines through. The fanservice, erotic scenes, or lewd moments detract from it, yet they are integral to conveying the message. I would have appreciated more insight into Shintarou's journey and suffering after Haruka’s departure.
Popular Reviews
GREAT ENDING. MAGNIFICENT ENDING. THIS MANGA TRANSFORMED FROM COMPLETE GARBAGE INTO A GOLDEN TREASURE.
I'M A FAN OF COMEBACK STORIES LIKE THIS ONE. THE JOURNEY FROM DESPERATION TO DELUSIONS, AND HOW THOSE DELUSIONS DRIVE HIM TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE IS BEAUTIFULLY PORTRAYED.
WITH THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE, THIS MANGA CAN BE HIGHLY ENJOYABLE IF YOU READ IT FROM START TO FINISH WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS. THE NARRATIVE IS WELL-CRAFTED, AND THE CONCLUSION IS SIMPLY OUTSTANDING.
DON'T FOCUS TOO MUCH ON THE CHARACTERS IN THIS MANGA; THE TRUE STRENGTH LIES IN ITS STORY. IT SHOWS HOW PEOPLE CAN CHANGE, WHICH IS THE TRUE BEAUTY OF THIS SHORT 28-CHAPTER MANGA.
It's my first time writing a review; I never thought I'd bother doing this, but this manga made me. I read a lot of manga, and they've made me feel all sorts of different emotions, but this one crushed me. It started great, and I had really high expectations, but the ending messed me up. I've read that many people say the ending is fair, that it was for the best, but it hurts like hell. Anyway, read it and let me know what you think. I really want someone to badmouth this manga. PEACE
I can't find a single flaw in this story.
But it didn't affect me at all.
Only the last two pages managed to stir something in my otherwise numb state, something that should have shaken me up.
Perhaps I've read too much manga and watched too many anime in the past two weeks, which is why I felt nothing during this entire manga.
I see that many people are dissatisfied with this manga, but I want to write this to say that I think it's a great one. It's short and to the point.
The only potential issue might be accepting that a beautiful 22-year-old girl would fall in love with a 50-year-old worn-out man.
This story did nothing for me, and I'm disappointed by its ending.
But I want to write this to say that I believe it can be enjoyed greatly, and the reason I didn't enjoy it is that I've oversaturated myself with stories in the past two weeks.
It just bugs me that I couldn't find a single flaw in it, nor did I ever sigh because something in the manga seemed stupid to me, yet I never connected with the story.
I don't want to rate it poorly.
I really don't want to because I like how everything played out, and it makes sense to me how the relationship between the two main characters developed and concluded, except for the very final two pages of the manga. I dislike those.
This manga would have been better if the characters were more likable. They came across as one-dimensional. The only character I liked was the female protagonist, though that seemed inevitable since she appeared flawless and served as a "mother" figure meant to save the male lead. It's common in manga centered around socially anxious characters to feature these "angelic" females (like in Welcome to NHK or this one). However, realistically speaking, for hikkikomoris to overcome their reliance on escapism, the characters need more depth. Genuine self-help must come from within themselves. While realism isn't expected in manga and anime, when a story focuses on hikkikomoris and their recurring social issues, solutions shouldn't revolve around angelic women or girlfriends.
The ending felt abruptly short and rushed. The pacing throughout was also hurried. The only reason I'm not giving this a zero is because I enjoyed the artwork. I don't dislike unlikable characters; in fact, I appreciate them initially for their potential character development. Unfortunately, there was none of that here.
I do not recommend reading this manga. It's disappointing.
Until yesterday, the title 'Me-Teru No Kimochi' meant nothing to me. And, judging by its sparse ratings, many others remain unaware of it. After reading all 28 chapters in one go without feeling bored once, my mission is to bring this hidden gem some much-needed attention.
If you've read 'Welcome to the NHK,' you'll have a good sense of how the story unfolds: a reclusive guy gets pulled out of his shell by a beautiful lady, eventually finding himself capable of living a more normal life. The significant difference between the two is that while it's fairly believable for a slightly eccentric young girl to want to use a loser for her own interests (NHK), it's quite... out there for a hugely breasted, supermodel-type 22-year-old woman to first marry a bald old man (because he resembled her father) and later mother/wife his 30-year-old son—a son who has locked himself in his room for 15 years. Where are these selfless 'would die happy after having sex with' women in real life!?
However, if you can get past the basic premise, you're in for something special. Slowly but surely, Haruka—the aforementioned big-breasted lady—tries to coax her reclusive 'son-in-law' out of his room by initially trading a notebook they can communicate through to work around his shyness and later helping him talk, go out, and... well, do 18+ things I'll cover at the end. Early on, especially, there's always comedy preventing the mood from becoming depressing (just like in NHK), with the reclusive lead plotting how to win the heart of his new 'mother' and naming a dog after her to practice calling her name affectionately. (Note: The dog and he grow close—there's mouth-on-mouth action! If you love your dog more than you should, this manga is for you!)
Ignoring Haruka's devotion to bald old men and losers, the biggest issue the series faces is, unsurprisingly (for an NHK fan), its ending. It's open-ended and rushed, and it didn't even conclude very well regarding the relationship between the main characters. It wasn't the worst ending ever, but there are far better executed endings out there. The mangaka working on 'Gantz' simultaneously may have influenced how the story ended.
Honestly, I'd recommend this to anyone not so cynical they'd judge it based on its first chapter or basic premise. It's a heartfelt comedy/drama, sure to engage anyone who can relate to the lead and enjoyable for those seeking something different from the usual romantic comedy offerings. The art is very appealing, allowing readers to fully grasp why the reclusive lead gets tongue-tied around his new 'mother,' and the manga is short enough to read in one sitting. What do you have to lose? Give it a go!
Extra: The manga isn't ecchi until towards the end when a few chapters focus on a sex scene. There aren't any nipples or private parts shown, but there's plenty of kissing and touching, and it's made perfectly clear what's happening. If you're against cunnilingus in your manga, then this might not be for you. But let me reiterate: the scene is near the end and only covers a few chapters. The sex scene serves a purpose, meaning it would be wrong to classify the manga as pornographic because of it.
A dazzling constellation of every bad manga trope. This was utterly diabolical. Why do the Japanese find it so hard to actually tackle the issue of hikikomori in a manga? A couple of series (NHK, Onani Master) have touched on reclusive characters, but the majority of hiki coverage in manga is like this. Insulting to the intelligence of the reader, ridden with cliché, just awful, awful, awful. God.
This story is not for everyone. It starts poorly, develops even worse, and the ending is heartbreaking. Yet, its final moments make this manga a hidden gem.
The concept of hikkikomori was previously well explored in Welcome to NHK, where humor and comedy were the strong points. Here, we face a darker scenario, one steeped in tragedy from start to finish.
The following contains plot details.
Me~teru no Kimochi isn't centered around the hikkikomori character; it's about Haruka, the mother. From the beginning, the manga shows her seeking a protective role, wanting to be the caretaker. Her romantic relationships revolve around fulfilling that need to nurture. She did so with Shintarou's father, an old sad man she believed she could heal. They marry, he dies, and she fails to cure him completely. Thus, unable to fulfill her purpose, she turns to the source of her husband's illness: his son. Her mission remains incomplete until she can pull Shintarou out of his room, house, and sedentary life. In doing so, she discovers that healing Shintarou also heals herself, and she falls in love with him again as his caretaker.
The ending is brutal but essential. Haruka realizes her presence at Shintarou's home achieves nothing. She bids farewell without words, just through intimacy. She promises to watch over him from afar. And she does. In the last chapter, panels show Shintarou failing in his jobs while she observes from a distance. Ultimately, their reunion isn’t a "happily ever after" but a final goodbye. Haruka turns away in tears, finally giving up on him. "I took care of you, I loved you, and I healed you." She understands her ultimate sacrifice: to heal the man she loves means distancing herself from Shintarou. He understands too and thanks her, saying, "Thank you, Mother."
The work isn't perfect, far from it. However, the mangaka’s intention shines through. The fanservice, erotic scenes, or lewd moments detract from it, yet they are integral to conveying the message. I would have appreciated more insight into Shintarou's journey and suffering after Haruka’s departure.