
●Rec
- Genre: comedy romance ecchi
- Author: hanamizawa q-tarou
- Artist(s):
- Year: Nov 19, 2002 to Mar 19, 2013
- Original Publisher:
- Status: Finished
Associated Names
Japanese: ●REC
Official Webtoon
- Official Site
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia
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Matsumaru Fumihiko
Main
A 26-year-old average salaryman who works in the marketing department of a snack company. He always tries hard to get his advertisement projects chosen, but almost always fails at this. His latest project, Nekoki (cat tree), was chosen for the mascot of a...
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Onda Aka
Main
A 20-year-old aspiring seiyuu who idolizes Audrey Hepburn. She is a little eccentric in her actions as she often quotes movie lines from films Audrey Hepburn starred in. It is very easy to mistake her for a minor, so the first episode can be a bit shockin...
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Kubo Kazushi
Supporting
A popular tokusatsu actor who stars in "Tact of the Storm." He is very interested in Aka Onda. Despite this, he gets along with Matsumaru, although is not initially aware that he and Aka are in a relationship. Aka's co-star, Maki Koiwai, has a bit of a ce...
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Onda Ao
Supporting
Onda Akas little sister who works in anime industry as an artist. Also has a crush on Matsumaru-san. She uses a penname by writing the "On" in her name with a different kanji from Akas....







Rec, this manga.........
Story I felt scored a 7, if not an 8.
The story starts off as you know it: two people being more than friends but less than lovers. The narrative is nicely balanced as the two develop their relationship. There are parts where....... ARGHHHHHH.
*SPOILER*************
Chapter 24 REALLY REALLY MADE ME MAD!!! =( . Many say that they "penetrated" but at the same time, many say they didn't. I'd really like to believe they didn't.
Anyway, the mishap in chapter 24, by any means, strengthened their relationship.
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At the start of the story, I really enjoyed their development but towards the later chapters, I felt there was no development in the story or relationship whatsoever. Even though I didn't feel satisfied reading the later chapters, I still felt something was achieved in the plot.
The art deserves a 7. It could have been more thought out regarding character depiction. They did a good job portraying Aka and Matsu as timid and gentle characters (god dam chapter 24) and a middle-aged man.
Characters: 6
I feel satisfied knowing they are indeed a couple, but chapter 24 still haunts me.
The characters in the story are well thought out, but their actions don't always match their personalities. Other than that, I don't have much to say.
I really enjoyed reading this manga as it further defined their relationship, but some parts really annoyed me, and I wish they weren't included.
Overall......
The manga is quite enjoyable as you see how two people define their relationship after having sex on the first day they met. Some parts... I won't stress how bad it was, but chapter 24, OMG, was really unnecessary. If it weren't there, I would bump it up to an 8.
All in all, if you're a fan of romance/anime, I'm unsure about recommending Rec because there are parts that make it a good romance but then negate it. If you're easygoing, by all means, read the manga, but if you don't want your soul stabbed by the writer, skip chapters 24 and 25.
REC is a challenging manga to critique... It's tough to pinpoint exactly why I like this manga. It certainly has its fair share of issues and doesn't strive to break new ground or be particularly original (though it isn't entirely mainstream either). Yet, inexplicably, I find myself enjoying it for the most part.
The plot is fairly straightforward, revolving around an ordinary salaryman and a budding voice actress at the start of her career. There's nothing extraordinary about it; the comedy is decent, filled with typical ecchi scenarios of a guy living with a girl. You might chuckle a few times, but if you're expecting a stellar storyline in a romantic comedy, you clearly haven't read enough of the genre.
The crux of any story like this lies in its characters. Unfortunately, the main characters here are somewhat lacking in depth. Fumihiko, our protagonist, holds a dead-end job and seems perpetually fixated on getting into Aka's pants. Aka, our heroine, is defensive about her relationship with Fumihiko but earnestly strives in her profession. We follow their love story, complete with its ups and downs, and initially, it's hard to root for them. They seem constantly tempted to abandon each other and engage in behavior that borders on infidelity—yet not quite. This dynamic oddly works for the overall narrative. Whenever someone stops pursuing Aka, another person starts chasing after Fumihiko, balancing out their guilt. Their love is awkward and peculiar, lending it a more realistic touch. Consequently, you start feeling more empathetic towards them. The author does a commendable job showing that they genuinely care for each other despite their struggles to express it. In a disconcerting way, it becomes rather heartwarming.
I wouldn't blame you if you chose to skip this manga as there are better options available. The characters can be incredibly foolish at times, making you frustrated whenever they veer off course again. However, these moments also draw you closer to them, allowing you to smile when they recognize their mistakes and return to the right path. So, despite its flaws, I'd actually recommend this manga. It's unusual for me to say so given the many aspects I dislike, yet I keep coming back for more, which must count for something. Give it a try if you have the time—you might be pleasantly surprised.
I'm surprised that no one has ever reviewed this manga yet. I don't want to be the bad guy here, but this is one of the WORST MANGA OF ALL TIME. Let me break this down for you guys.
To start off, the story revolves around a lonely and gullible salary man who takes in a random girl after she loses her home due to a fire. From there, they grow closer while facing numerous challenges of everyday life. This slice-of-life manga includes light-hearted sex and rape scenes.
Plot - 5/10
At first glance, this manga might appear to be a sweet and light-hearted story, which I can relate to. The male protagonist is clearly stupid and gullible, willing to do anything to protect the girl from harm, but his actions only create more problems. Meanwhile, the girl remains foolish throughout the entire story, making impulsive decisions that are unforgivable. *Just wait until you read Chapter 24*
Character - 2/10
In the story, although the characters may seem developed, they really aren't. You are constantly bombarded with repetitive conflicts, drama, and cliché events that will undoubtedly bore you to death. The female character, especially, acts so dumb that she doesn't take initiative to change herself or her behavior. The male protagonist, on the other hand, is just as dense, believing everything the girl says without question, making him appear naive and foolish.
Art - 5/10
Nothing special. Just typical anime art with ecchi elements and trivial expressions.
Overall - 2/10
This story may seem interesting from Chapters 1 to 10. After that point, everything spirals into a heartbreaking and repetitive series of stupidity and idiocy. *Read Chapter 24, you'll understand what I mean.*
REC is a laid-back romance manga featuring a salaryman and an aspiring anime voice actress. It includes some comedy, drama, and has a touch of maturity.
Story 6 - The story wasn't particularly exciting or engaging. Honestly, it was rather dull. The most significant plot twist is the couple meeting after a fire at the girl's apartment. While not utterly mind-numbing, it won’t make you laugh or cry either. I read through it with a neutral expression most of the time. One redeeming quality is that everything is explained clearly, which prevented confusion.
Art 8 - The artwork was pleasing to the eye. It had a mature feel and was well-colored. The style was nothing groundbreaking but still enjoyable.
Character 7 - The characters were somewhat intriguing. They behaved like real people, neither overly exaggerated nor understated. I could genuinely imagine them existing in real life. Their characteristics were nice, and none of the characters felt unworthy.
Enjoyment 7 - I did find it enjoyable. It was entertaining enough to help pass the time during lectures. Very relaxing and pleasant to read.
Overall 7 - I ended up giving this manga a 7. I liked it, but it wouldn't be my top recommendation. It’s recommended for anyone looking for a decent manga that doesn't promise too much excitement. It’s enjoyable and straightforward.