My Divorced Crybaby Neighbour

Enjoyable but could have been better with a more solid plot

I really enjoyed reading this manga, it made me smile almost the entire time I was reading it which doesn't happen often. It has a few things that I see people didn't enjoy about it like Sawatari (the neighbor) and that he had no personality but I think he did because I've seen people like him in real life lol. Just easy going, happy go lucky and seem like their head is always in the clouds and to me that was Sawatari-kun. Even though he was a young good looking guy, it didn't seem like sex was high on his priority list because it wasn't. He lived in a relatively small town and was more than likely a virgin that had little to zero interactions with women his age other than his sister because he lived in an area with an older demographic and worked a lot. Plus he was her next door neighbor at first so he had listened to her crying through the thin walls of the apartment and when he first talked to her it was when he saved her from being pursued by an older man awkwardly and drunkenly touching her. So he did things the proper way and made her comfortable while taking things slowly. Add in all the factors of him most likely being a virgin, growing up and living in an area with an older demographic, being close to his younger sister and family, his happy go lucky attitude, all these things made me actually like the guy lol. If you really pay attention then I'm sure you won't think the MC is plain or a cardboard cutout lol. One thing I kinda found weird was the fact that they never called each other by their birth name but only their family name, even at the end. Another thing was the ending because it was so abrupt and it didn't even seem like an end to anything, so unless it's not finished, it made no sense. As for the actual MC, Ochiai-san was a great character that I started out feeling bad for but as the story progressed the more I started to feel happy for her and all the little things that helped her break from her depression. She wasn't 100% in the clear yet by the end but it's always a work in progress and she made me smile a lot. Overall it was a great uplifting read that made me smile and left me wanting more. As of writing this it's been 7 months since the last chapter but I hope we get more in 2024.

And the solution is NOT "more cowbell".

I really like the pace of this one; usually in slice-of-life manga there's really not much momentum to speak of, but here there are very clear goals that the main couple is heading toward. I'm not sure how long it'll go, but I think we can assume at some point that Ochiai's thirst will eventually abate.

As far as Sawatari is concerned: well, this just isn't his story. I agree with the criticism below; he tends to "go with the flow" rather than getting down to business with Ochiai (and if we're being honest Ochiai's tactics leave a lot to be desired as she tends to be self-defeating). But Sawatari and Ochiai are not like other couples and this is not a manga that clearly defines both characters as individuals while progressing their relationship.

In fact, I would say this manga is entirely about Ochiai and how she copes with her feelings of loss, self-loathing, etc. in the wake of her divorce. Now if only Karasuma weren't the only one getting some action....

Manga is a very broad and diverse medium, with a very wide level of style and plot complexity.

This manga falls on the simpler side, both in terms of drawing style and plot. however, that's not a bad thing, as it's a very enjoyable read and better than many MANY more "mainstream" manga.

It's sweet homey, sometimes sad, but overall it captures very well the feel of "ordinary life" and getting to know someone.
drawing style is a bit rough, but also warm, homey and pleasant. the rougher drawing style actually supports the feel of life they're living in a run down apato, as well as Ochiai-san's emotional state of mind.

Ochiai-san and her backstory are interesting and I'm quite fond of her as a character. Being weak willed, she is completely broken by divorce and her self-loathing and low self esteem can ring bells with more people than we think. Seeing her slowly heal, grow out of her trauma and misery and learn to love live is the best part of this manga. OK OK I will also address the elephant in the room: she is also hot af, and yes, seeing her IS pleasant.

As a slice-of-life manga, it doesn't skimp on daily life, details, etc. (for example, buying a bicycle or umbrella) and I find these chapters very enjoyable.

I DO however have a few issues with it:

1. Sawatari-kun. He is the most annoying part of the manga later on, and that's because he is basically a cardboard cutout instead of a character. In my view, he is even worse than bland eyeless "protagonists" in other online manga like "Gambare, Douki-chan" or "Getsoyoubi no Tawawa" - these guys at least have SOME emotional reactions; they get flustered, etc.
   But Sawatari, no. Dumb plastered smile and that's it.

only time he ever shows any emotions is when he protects her in first chapter. from there on till latest chapter (53 at moment of writing this comment) he always has this plastered oblivious smile on him, and he doesnt seem to IN THE LEAST notice the beautiful (stacked, curvy) girl next to him nor react to her in any way different that he would benevolently react to a say a child or a kitten.

It's really annoying when you think about it. and it also breaks the immersion, one keeps wondering OK whats up with this guy? Being slow is one thing but this is on another level.

2. (connected to that)

there's no "action" between them. I mean - COME OON, you have a healthy 20-sth man who is with a VERY physically attractive woman. You don't need to make it a hentai and one can be discreet about it and still let the readers know that it HAS happened. Without sex in such situations as between two of them, plot realism suffers.

So yea, overall it's a good and pleasant read if you can swallow Cartboardari-kun.

Okay, so it's a twitter strip. The art isn't stellar but it isn't that bad. The characters are fun and it's really nice to see something positive for a change. I loved it and am looking forward to part 2!

I randomly stumbled upon this comic on tiktok, and have since binge-read it all. I can't wait to read more and see how the story will continue. Please keep up the amazing work

So, this review is only at ch18. So my opinion could have changed.

I was not sure to read this and check this site and was shocked by the rating. After reading it I don't get it. 11% is for a 1 rating. Is this story amazing? No, but it a good read and fun till now. Also love a bit of yandere in a story hahaha. Just give it a shot.