Nousatsu Junkie

There are countless aspects I adore about this manga. Currently, I'm on chapter 60, and all I can say is that it has been an incredible journey. As the synopsis suggests, the story revolves around a model with a fearsome appearance and a boy pretending to be a female model. However, the reality is that this manga offers much more than what a brief summary can convey.

Honestly, I was growing weary of shoujo manga. They seemed repetitive: love, love, love, and more love. I craved something more profound, and I found it in Nousatsu Junkie. It's astonishing how well-developed each character is and how realistic the narrative becomes. What I cherish most about this manga is that every character has a purpose to strive for, and even when they face numerous failures, they remain strong enough to keep pushing forward. This is a true life lesson.

I also appreciate the romance in this manga for a very simple reason. Being in love isn't an obstacle in the characters' lives but rather a driving force that motivates them to grow and achieve their goals. If you're searching for a quality shoujo manga with some depth, I wholeheartedly recommend Nousatsu Junkie.

This manga is likely one of my all-time favorites. I was taken aback when I discovered it wasn't as popular as I had imagined, and it truly deserves more recognition for its uniqueness. ANYWAYS.

I adore the story; this gender-bender plot transcends the typical sneaking-into-school romance trope by focusing on modeling. The narrative is humorous, captivating, and the romance is equally enjoyable thanks to its characters. Even though the two main characters fall in love rather quickly early in the story, it remains entertaining.

The artist delivers the artwork flawlessly, and personally, I am a fan of the clothing designs.

The characters are funny and distinctive, straying from the conventional shoujo manga heroine archetype. Naka, being a tall and beautiful model, struggles with smiling when she gets too nervous. Umi, a male pretending to be a female model, is an eccentric character who frequently teases Naka and is generally rude and short-tempered but gradually softens as the manga progresses.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this manga. The excellent execution of romantic comedy, witnessing the main characters grow, and seeing the story unfold motivates me to keep reading. I hope more English chapters are released, as I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this one.

I've decided to revise my earlier review and set aside my personal bias towards this manga. To start, the story brings originality in subtle ways, like the female protagonist's struggle to smile properly, yet it remains as enjoyable as other manga based on similar models. As the series progresses, the characters embody typical teenagers striving to survive under the harsh spotlight of the entertainment industry. Fukuyama-sensei masterfully blends maturity with innocence in each character. The artwork is visually pleasing, without any distortions that might discourage readers.

Overall, it's an entertaining, heartwarming read and generally a good manga to dive into.

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Story: 7/10

Please read the synopsis first. Let's be clear, this manga is a shoujo manga and this type of conflict with our protagonist is not a first in anime/manga history. However, the story is still good. It separates itself from all the shoujo cliches that usually make up this type of story. The story had me HOOKED up until about halfway. After that, my binge reading had stopped because I felt like many of the same issues were repeated, and the story felt drawn out. Despite this, it was still a very enjoyable read. I feel as though this story is more of a coming-of-age or "life journey" type of story for many lovable characters, and that is why it is still enjoyable.

Art: 7/10

The art itself is nothing impressive. It is much better than I could ever do, and it certainly is not the worst; the art is good. If you were to see the arts compared to many other manga or anime though, the art style would not necessarily stand out. That is why I rated it a 7.

Character: 10/10

I feel like the characters are the part of this manga that truly stands out more than anything. We follow many characters, not just our main ones (Umi and Naka). I found myself relating to a lot of the problems, despite the fact they were in the modeling, artsy, and photography world. I cried with them, laughed with them, and followed the journey to them finding themselves. They are the most memorable part of this read.

Enjoyment: 7/10

I quite enjoyed this manga. Is it something I would want to read again? Probably not. However, it was a good read and I do not regret reading it at all. I would recommend this manga to anyone who enjoys shoujo manga that follows the characters closely, and has more than a few characters it follows.

Overall: 8/10

This is a very good manga. The characters make this manga what it is. The story and art aren't bad, they just aren't that memorable. However, I believe this manga deserves the 8 I have given it, because despite the cliche story, it is not a manga full of cliches. Very well done!

I just finished this manga and thoroughly enjoyed both the characters and the storyline. It's a really sweet and delightful story, perfect for anyone looking for something nice and enjoyable. Despite its length, I recommend reading it in full to decide if you truly like it or not. The artwork was impressive, though it varied depending on where you sourced it from. Mine was a bit blurry as I didn't get it from a high-quality site, but I still appreciated it. The character profiles were adorable and well-developed, making their personalities easy to understand. I had so much fun with this manga, especially with its cute romantic moments. Overall, it was a great read, and I suggest giving it a try. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :] :] :]

I recently finished reading all the available chapters and I must say, I haven't read a manga this fantastic since Vampire Game.

The story starts with Naka Kaburagi, a fourteen-year-old model who struggles to get jobs due to her inability to look "cute and less like a dangerous criminal." She aims to emulate her role model, Umi. Upon meeting Umi and picking up one of "her" items, Naka uncovers the secret that forms the basis of the series.

Story 8/10: The plot isn't overly clichéd but does have some cheesy parts that made me want to fangirl over it. I appreciated how the story primarily revolves around the two protagonists and their gradual comfort with each other, supporting one another through the ups and downs. Some parts infuriated me so much I closed the tab, but curiosity about what would happen next and how supporting characters would react brought me back.

Art 9/10: While not perfect, the art style initially put me off, especially the facial expressions. However, as I progressed through the 62 chapters, I began to enjoy and occasionally laugh at the humorous expressions. The art doesn't fully embody the "shoujo" feel, but certain panels exude it. I liked how the mangaka depicted clothing and even deformed characters in some scenes. Overall, the art was lovely.

Character 10/10: In my opinion, the best aspect of this manga is the character development. The characters are complex; I couldn't help but hate them one moment and love them the next. Their relationships were well-developed, and I enjoyed watching Naka and Umi grow closer and more trusting. Some characters annoyed me intensely, while others' interactions, particularly the cocky male ones, were amusing. One character, who acts and looks like a pedophile, I utterly despise.

Enjoyment 10/10: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I loved the romance, especially when Umi did something ridiculously pervy to Naka. At this point, after 62 chapters, I think anyone would enjoy it, even those who usually dislike shoujo manga.

Overall 9/10: Everything about the story piqued my interest. As someone who loves crossdressing themes, this was a must-read. I loved it so much I'm considering buying every English volume. The characters are amazing, except for that pedophile guy...

I genuinely recommend this to anyone, though some content might be inappropriate for younger audiences. I absolutely adored it and believe others will feel the same way.

I recently completed reading the available chapters of this manga, and I must admit it captivated me. After indulging in more serious reads, I was on the lookout for something fresh and entertaining when I stumbled upon this series. The story is adorable, and although the gender-bender aspect is quite peculiar, it's precisely this detail that makes the manga intriguing!

What I appreciate most about the manga is the relationship between the main characters, which gives readers a sense of comfort. Naka is a girl riddled with insecurities because people constantly tell her she has a criminal-like face, whereas Umi lives two entirely different lives, compelled by circumstances to pretend to be someone else almost all the time. As they become friends, they start understanding each other and healing one another's wounds. Naka finally finds someone who accepts her along with her flaws, while Umi discovers someone to whom he can reveal his true self. Isn't finding such a place where you can be yourself and beside someone who understands and accepts you just what everyone desires? I believe this is the central theme of this manga, and it's what I like most about it.

The plot is also enjoyable and grows increasingly interesting as the storyline unfolds. So if you start reading it and don't find it captivating right away, don't worry! Please give it a chance and don't abandon it! If at first glance the manga seems ordinary, you'll be surprised by how much fun it becomes! You'll get to witness genuinely cute moments ^_^ and discover surprising new aspects of the characters' personalities and feelings (especially the boys'). And if it still doesn't seem engaging enough, how about the beginning of a love triangle?

In conclusion, I think that if you are a fan of shoujo manga, Charming Junkie is a promising manga you should consider reading! Sorry for not providing more details, but they would likely turn into spoilers XD

For a first serialization, this is quite impressive. I initially read it a couple of years ago when the complete scanlation wasn't yet available. I enjoyed it then and felt satisfied after reading the rest once everything was translated. Charming Junkie is primarily a shoujo manga, featuring many typical shoujo tropes. However, the story handles them well, minimizing clichés. The narrative revolves around Naka and Umi's journey and growth as models and their eventual romance, with numerous characters either helping or hindering them along the way. It has elements of a coming-of-age story.

The storytelling is simple yet effective, especially considering how much the art improved over time. Initially, the art wasn't bad, though there were some oddly drawn panels and proportions. One standout feature is the mangaka's reaction shots, which are hilariously done. During pivotal moments in Umi and Naka's modeling careers, the illustrations beautifully captured their progress.

Of course, this manga isn't for everyone. Some readers might be put off by how Naka and Umi's feelings develop for each other. At first, their relationship is filled with bickering and teasing, making it surprising that they ended up together. The whole thing reads like a romcom to some extent. However, I found their relationship very enjoyable because despite its rocky start, it evolved into something much deeper. Their mutual support and encouragement transformed an unlikely friendship into a more profound connection.

I'm currently re-reading this series, and it's one that feels great to revisit due to its enjoyment factor. While it may have clichés, the way they're handled and the diverse cast of characters make it a series any shoujo fan could grow to love. Though I haven't mentioned the other characters much, they significantly contribute to the plot in their own ways.

Overall, I give it a 9/10. It's an old but gold read. Definitely check it out!