Okay, so this is a manga that a friend recommended to me. After reading the summary, I decided to dive right in. Now, I realize my review might seem quite negative, but that's mainly because I prioritize my enjoyment of a manga above all else. If I can't enjoy it, I won't re-read it or recommend it to others.
Let's start this review with an analysis of the story and plot.
Story - 4
I'm giving this manga a 4 for its plot because it had an incredibly interesting premise: A girl obsessed with a deceased actor decides to steal his belongings from other crazed fans. Sounds promising, right? Well, this setup only lasts for the first few volumes before shifting towards a more typical shoujo plot. If you're looking for a Lupin the Third type manga with some romance, look elsewhere because this one lacks in that department. The only standout part of the story is the side tale about two flying squirrels.
Art - 6
The art was significantly better than average, as I actually liked this mangaka's style. Was it the fanciest art ever? No. Were the lines clean and nice? Mostly, yes. Hence, a pretty solid "Fair" rating.
Character - 3
This is where the manga takes a major nosedive into an Olympic pool full of acid. The heroine starts off as a strong, independent woman who can rob you and knock you down without hesitation. But after the first few volumes, she becomes wishy-washy, easily influenced, and a typical shoujo stereotype, which ruins the manga for me. If you're okay with seeing a girl act like someone passed around at frat parties just because some guy says he "likes" her after abusing her, then go ahead and read this manga if you're a masochist.
Enjoyment - 3
This category heavily influences my overall opinion since everything else feeds into it. I just couldn't enjoy this manga once it abandoned its original premise for a poorly written, bro-code-breaking mess. That's just my personal take, as I did NOT enjoy reading this type of manga even though it was recommended to me.
Overall - 4
Even though I criticized the manga quite harshly, it had its small good points, like the two squirrels, and the ending was slightly funny. So, averaging out to a solid 4 seems fair and appropriate for this manga in my view.
To summarize, if you want to read a manga with copy-and-paste characters (one character is literally named Ryu #2), overdone male characters who love being jerks (one guy shoots the heroine and expects her to fall in love with him), and a female lead who's overly thirsty, then this is your manga. But if you aren't into that, avoid this manga and read something else, maybe an actual romantic comedy.
This is my absolute favorite among all the works by this author. The female lead is spirited, adorable, and incredibly cool with her fearless attitude, determination, perseverance, and strong will. She's a thief who sets her sights on the artifacts of her late beloved actor, Akira Nanae, who died in a plane crash. Enter the charming and dashing Ryu Eba, who receives an award that was previously given to Akira and is dubbed the "new Nanae" (though he despises being compared to Akira). As she attempts to steal the award from Ryu, who becomes unusually interested in her and captivated by her personality, the two inevitably grow closer and fall for each other.
Thus began their wild and lovable relationship. The story is humorous, cute, and entertaining. There wasn't a single dull moment, and I finished it in one day, sacrificing sleep without regretting it even a bit! As the plot deepens, it only gets more interesting. Although the final arc became somewhat predictable, it didn't deter me from finishing the manga.
The artwork is excellent, and I can't find any faults with the manga. The smut is mild, and there are no disturbing scenes. All in all, I highly recommend this manga. It makes for a very good read, and I'm sure I'll revisit it in the future.
Popular Reviews
Okay, so this is a manga that a friend recommended to me. After reading the summary, I decided to dive right in. Now, I realize my review might seem quite negative, but that's mainly because I prioritize my enjoyment of a manga above all else. If I can't enjoy it, I won't re-read it or recommend it to others.
Let's start this review with an analysis of the story and plot.
Story - 4
I'm giving this manga a 4 for its plot because it had an incredibly interesting premise: A girl obsessed with a deceased actor decides to steal his belongings from other crazed fans. Sounds promising, right? Well, this setup only lasts for the first few volumes before shifting towards a more typical shoujo plot. If you're looking for a Lupin the Third type manga with some romance, look elsewhere because this one lacks in that department. The only standout part of the story is the side tale about two flying squirrels.
Art - 6
The art was significantly better than average, as I actually liked this mangaka's style. Was it the fanciest art ever? No. Were the lines clean and nice? Mostly, yes. Hence, a pretty solid "Fair" rating.
Character - 3
This is where the manga takes a major nosedive into an Olympic pool full of acid. The heroine starts off as a strong, independent woman who can rob you and knock you down without hesitation. But after the first few volumes, she becomes wishy-washy, easily influenced, and a typical shoujo stereotype, which ruins the manga for me. If you're okay with seeing a girl act like someone passed around at frat parties just because some guy says he "likes" her after abusing her, then go ahead and read this manga if you're a masochist.
Enjoyment - 3
This category heavily influences my overall opinion since everything else feeds into it. I just couldn't enjoy this manga once it abandoned its original premise for a poorly written, bro-code-breaking mess. That's just my personal take, as I did NOT enjoy reading this type of manga even though it was recommended to me.
Overall - 4
Even though I criticized the manga quite harshly, it had its small good points, like the two squirrels, and the ending was slightly funny. So, averaging out to a solid 4 seems fair and appropriate for this manga in my view.
To summarize, if you want to read a manga with copy-and-paste characters (one character is literally named Ryu #2), overdone male characters who love being jerks (one guy shoots the heroine and expects her to fall in love with him), and a female lead who's overly thirsty, then this is your manga. But if you aren't into that, avoid this manga and read something else, maybe an actual romantic comedy.
This is my absolute favorite among all the works by this author. The female lead is spirited, adorable, and incredibly cool with her fearless attitude, determination, perseverance, and strong will. She's a thief who sets her sights on the artifacts of her late beloved actor, Akira Nanae, who died in a plane crash. Enter the charming and dashing Ryu Eba, who receives an award that was previously given to Akira and is dubbed the "new Nanae" (though he despises being compared to Akira). As she attempts to steal the award from Ryu, who becomes unusually interested in her and captivated by her personality, the two inevitably grow closer and fall for each other.
Thus began their wild and lovable relationship. The story is humorous, cute, and entertaining. There wasn't a single dull moment, and I finished it in one day, sacrificing sleep without regretting it even a bit! As the plot deepens, it only gets more interesting. Although the final arc became somewhat predictable, it didn't deter me from finishing the manga.
The artwork is excellent, and I can't find any faults with the manga. The smut is mild, and there are no disturbing scenes. All in all, I highly recommend this manga. It makes for a very good read, and I'm sure I'll revisit it in the future.