His Pretty Little Thing (The Personal Assistant)

    Author: Anomiee
  • Status: Completed

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 50 votes)
5 stars
18(36%)
4 stars
17(34%)
3 stars
15(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)

Popular Reviews

  1. arnabpramanik
    arnabpramanik rated it
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    When I stumbled upon the manga's cover one day, I thought it would be worth checking out to see what it was all about.  
    Boy, do I get angry every time I read it—even when I re-read it a second time. Eventually, I dropped it at the end of the final chapter in the third volume like a rock sinking to the bottom of the ocean, hoping it would stay there forever.  

    Within just a few pages, we're introduced to our main heroine, Misao, who can see supernatural creatures. As her birthday approaches, her friends ask her what she wants, and she cheerfully replies, "I want a boyfriend!" At this point, you can already predict where this is going—a typical cliche-ridden supernatural romance story.  

    However, as the story unfolds, I wasn't very impressed. "Black Bird" is essentially the manga equivalent of "Twilight."  

    Misao is, without a doubt, the most useless, weak, and HORRIBLE shoujo protagonist I've ever encountered. She's incredibly stupid. She cries constantly—yes, I understand that crying is a natural response to fear or emotional stress, but she CRIES EVERY SINGLE TIME! It becomes incredibly annoying. She gets kidnapped repeatedly, and you start to wonder if she has any concept of "stranger danger." Nope. She blindly follows people or ventures into unfamiliar private areas where no one is around. Then, someone warns her with lines like "Stay away" or "Now you're mine," and she gets attacked, nearly killed, or saved by Kyo (or someone else). And guess what she does after such experiences? NOTHING. She NEVER LEARNS from them and keeps putting herself in danger, showing zero character development.  

    Kyo, on the other hand, is nothing more than eye-candy for the readers. He's not interesting and fits the trope of the typical jerk-pervert love interest/boyfriend who "loves her" (and by "loves her," I mean he sexually harasses her). Initially, I thought he might be too good for Misao in certain chapters (I won't spoil which ones), but by the end of the final chapter, my opinion changed. He truly deserves her—this stupid and prickly couple.  

    Later on, the story introduces even more overused and negative romance/soap opera subplots that make you want to facepalm... hard.  

    The art, however, is quite beautiful, soft, and sweet. Even though I sometimes question the cover art, I recognize that the mangaka is doing a commendable job.  

    The only redeeming aspect of the manga is the smut and steamy scenes, but even those are overshadowed by some cringe-worthy elements that eventually wear thin.
  1. dyoodle13Tx3
    dyoodle13Tx3 rated it
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    Well, I don't usually enjoy fluffy, pretty romantic shojo mangas, so my expectations weren't high when I first started reading this one. In fact, the only reason I read it was that someone bought it for me. However, I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised as I kept going.  
    The start was a bit slow, and I felt the first volume wasn't the strongest, but it improves significantly as you progress. The main character, Misao, grows slightly from her weepy beginning, and Kyo's mischievous humor is refreshing—preferable to him being overly sweet all the time. Also, the second volume introduces the Daitengu, which adds a lot to the story by expanding the cast and making it livelier while picking up the pace.  
    The art is very stylistic, filled with bubbles and patterns, but it remains quite appealing, and some of the strange ghost-creatures are intriguing to look at.  
    If you're considering reading this, you probably should. The characters and story are cute in a good way, so I think it's worth your time.  

    <p>
  1. Nalumntz
    Nalumntz rated it
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    Story: 3  
    Art: 7  
    Character: 3  
    Enjoyment: 3  
    Overall: 4  

    This is essentially the manga equivalent of the Twilight series. The sole distinction lies in the fact that it revolves around demons and spirits instead of vampires. Unfortunately, the storyline is shallow, with minimal character development. Personally, I prefer a heroine who embodies strength and control. However, in Black Bird, Misao—the protagonist—is portrayed as weak, whiny, overly dramatic, excessively tearful, and incapable of taking charge in any situation. She merely waits for Kyo to rush to her rescue. Additionally, Kyo comes across as an over-sexualized jerk (even by manga standards). Initially, this aspect was somewhat amusing, but by the third volume, it grew tiresome and even unsettling. I ceased reading after the ninth volume because I simply couldn't maintain interest. There was nothing in the plot or character growth to captivate me.  

    The artwork wasn't terrible, though it wasn't exceptional either. It was reasonably decent, but I've encountered far superior artistry elsewhere.  

    I have numerous criticisms regarding the characters due to several issues. Firstly, there are so many characters that keeping track of them becomes challenging, compounded by their striking resemblance to one another. Not only must you manage numerous characters, but you also need to follow their individual roles within the series. It seems every character has their own subplot. Due to these subplots and the similarity among characters, it's difficult to keep everything straight. Moreover, there is no character development whatsoever. All the characters are bland, possessing one-dimensional personalities.  

    There was practically nothing about this series that I enjoyed. It failed to hold my attention, Kyo's treatment of Misao was repulsive, the plot is lackluster, and the characters are fundamentally flawed. Giving it an overall rating of four feels generous.  

    <p>
  1. JBFIRE77
    JBFIRE77 rated it
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    <p>Black Bird is absolutely incredible. It encompasses everything I adore—deep romance, action-packed fighting scenes, moments of laughter and lighthearted silliness, along with heartwarming episodes that truly resonate. Honestly, this was my first-ever manga experience; I usually stick to anime. However, it turned out to be such a delightful story. The artwork and illustrations are superb, even though there were times when I got a little lost. All in all, I believe this manga is exceptionally well-crafted!</p>
  1. Albert_Taylor
    Albert_Taylor rated it
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    <p>I stumbled upon Black Bird after I had finished reading Hana to Akuma. As a fan of youkai and supernatural elements (they are somewhat stunning, after all), this manga piqued my interest. At first, I genuinely loved the storyline. The manga was engaging and entertaining. Nonetheless, it does have its drawbacks. I found Misao somewhat irritating due to her constant wailing and crying. On the other hand, I appreciated Kyo's demeanor at times. His mysterious aura was definitely a highlight for me. However, I was not fond of the manga's ending, particularly how he could harbor such hatred towards his own son. I mean, it's his own child, yet he acts so cold and hostile. It was quite frustrating. Overall, it was a worthwhile read. While it may not be the best manga out there, it is still worth checking out.</p>
  1. Craftyprogamer
    Craftyprogamer rated it
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    What can I say about Black Bird other than it was an incredible read? At first, I was a bit hesitant to dive into it—mainly because I haven't read manga in such a long time that I questioned my decision. The plot summaries I came across did sound intriguing, and I adored the cover art (which, let's be honest, was the primary reason I bought it in the first place—yeah, I know, not the best way to choose a manga, right?). However, it ended up being unexpectedly great and utterly addictive. The characters are endearing and entertaining. The storyline is fascinating and gripping. The artwork is exceptional... Honestly, I don't know what else to add except that this might just be my absolute favorite manga ever. (<p>
  1. Witch_Hunter_5575
    ... Show More
    Story: 7  
    I initially believed this manga would be nothing more than a silly romance with little to no depth, something I'd merely read to kill time. Surprisingly, the story turned out to be quite cool and unique. The blend of supernatural elements with romance was well-crafted and engaging. Yes, it does lean heavily into sexual content and touches on the topic of rape at times, but these themes are woven into the narrative in a way that feels natural (and honestly, if you've got two lovers, they're bound to engage in intimate acts frequently, unlike in other romance mangas where such moments are scarce). If the story leaned more toward shonen tropes and expanded further, it could have been even more captivating and mature—not just in terms of sexual content, but overall.

    Art: 9  
    The artwork was genuinely impressive, and the artist remained consistent throughout the chapters. It was vibrant and detailed, almost like a fusion of shoujo and shounen art styles.  

    Character: 8  
    I found myself enjoying most of the characters in this manga, particularly the main ones. While the female lead, Misao, could be annoying, whiny, and prone to excessive crying, she redeemed herself in several ways. She's hard to dislike entirely because she's endearing in her own way, much like a lovable puppy (similar to Nana Komatsu). All key characters were well-developed, with their own backstories revealed—even if briefly. Each character possesses traits that make them either humorous or honorable, making it difficult to truly despise any of them.  

    Enjoyment: 10  
    Despite my criticisms, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. It was an entertaining read filled with unexpected plot twists that kept me hooked. I'm genuinely glad I gave it a chance, and it holds a special place on my future manga bookshelf.  

    <p>
  1. AiliseuTKA
    AiliseuTKA rated it
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    This is one of those mangas where, as I read it, I'm constantly aware that it's pure fiction. I have to keep reminding myself of this fact; otherwise, it would become extremely annoying and absurd. How can someone lick a girl's neck without her consent simply because she agreed to marry him when she was just a toddler? That's utterly unacceptable! So, you need to set aside common sense while reading it. Of course, that's easier said than done, but as the chapters progress, we come to understand this story about love and how to preserve it—in this case, how to safeguard the person you love. The youkai world is cruel and unforgiving, with bloodshed occurring at the slightest provocation.

    Yet, amidst all this nastiness, there's Kyou Usui, who somehow turned out decent. He is loving and protective toward those he cares about and resolute in defending what he needs and desires. Misao is what he needs and wants, and thus he fiercely protects her. He could have easily consumed her to achieve eternal life, but that wasn't his intention.

    Surely, Misao deserves to live her own life, but she keeps thinking about the boy she vaguely remembers as her first love. Was it Kyou or Shou? Nobody will ever truly know, but she decided it was Kyou. She had already become hopelessly fixated on the idea of "Kyou" as her first love, so when he returned as a handsome, powerful adult with one clear goal—to marry her—it was like a dream come true for her. He waited patiently for her voluntary 'marriage' despite numerous attacks and obstacles.

    However, his actions before they were finally together gave the impression that he already considered her his, which wasn't entirely accurate. But since she was targeted by demons from the very beginning of the series, she gradually came to believe that she needed protection from an incredibly powerful being. He shared this belief, which is why he worked tirelessly to become the leader of his clan, ensuring that his beloved Misao wouldn't be easily taken away by other demons after being captured. He knew such risks were inevitable and remembered how abusive and cold his brother Shou, the original clan leader, had been. Kyou couldn't allow Misao to fall into Shou's hands after witnessing young Misao getting slapped by Shou simply because Kyou had given her mud balls (though we later learn it wasn't the mud that made Shou angry). To protect Misao, Kyou resolved to defeat his older brother and take over as clan leader. Thus, the first lesson is clear: you must possess strength or power to protect your loved ones.

    The second lesson is that in love, there must be mutual give-and-take. This is symbolized by the senka power residing within Misao's body. This power can only be utilized by youkai, demons, and other supernatural beings, rendering it useless to humans. All of this is derived from the story in the final chapter. The senka power is so potent for youkai that it enables them to perform incredible feats, including bringing their loved ones back to life after death.

    In the end, it's a beautiful love story.
  1. W_C_S2023
    W_C_S2023 rated it
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    It was surprising to discover such an incredible manga, and it became the first manga I felt compelled to own in book form for my home.  
    It was filled with adventure, romance, action, sadness, and happiness. I was completely immersed in the story as I read; the emotions were amazing.  
    The art is fantastic, though it might have room for improvement, but I adore it nonetheless.  
    It's incredibly rare to come across such a remarkable manga, especially given my high standards. The only downside is that I finished reading it so quickly that I couldn't believe how fast it went by—simply because when I find something interesting, my entire world revolves around manga.  

    Thanks.  
    <p>
  1. TheUrbanKing
    TheUrbanKing rated it
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    <p>First off, I’ve seen some pretty harsh reviews for this manga, and that’s totally fair. Everyone has their own opinions, and not everyone likes the same things. That said, I absolutely adored this manga, so my review might not be super helpful. But I just want to share what I thought about it.<br /><br />Personally, I loved this manga. Maybe it's because I’m a huge fan of the fantasy genre, but I think the mangaka created something truly amazing with Black Bird.<br />I was really into the characters—Kyou and Misao especially. I also loved Taro, and even Sho—I mean, seriously, everyone. The characters were a great mix of funny and serious, which I really appreciated. It’s always awesome to have a variety of character types.<br />The art was another highlight for me. It was different from what I’d seen in other manga, and the level of detail was stunning—it literally took my breath away at times. As someone who does a lot of art in her free time, I find manga art to be one of my favorite styles to work with. It’s just so incredible how it looks.<br />The story itself was super engaging too. It wasn’t anything I’d encountered before, and it had me hooked right from the start. I stayed up for hours over the past few days reading this manga nonstop—I simply couldn’t put it down. I’ve always been drawn to stories involving demons and humans, and I love tales filled with love, romance, hardships, and drama. This manga had all of that, and more.<br />It made me cry so much—tears of happiness, tears of sadness. I laughed, got emotional, and felt things so deeply that words can’t fully capture it. I tend to get emotionally attached to fictional works, so this isn’t new for me, but honestly, I adore experiencing such deep emotions while reading, and this manga delivered.<br />SPOILERS<br />The ending was absolutely perfect for me. I cried buckets because they never explicitly stated whether she lived or died. Those final pages were so tempting to skip, but I didn’t. When Sou runs up to them both—oh man, I cried like crazy because she was alive! It showed that their love kept them both alive and that miracles do happen. I was terrified while reading the ending, but I absolutely loved it.<br /><br />I know a lot of people might disagree with me, but I don’t think Misao is weak just because she’s constantly being attacked and cries a lot. Honestly, if I were in her shoes, I’d probably try to defend myself too, but I’d still cry just as much as she does. I love Misao and everything about her character. Sure, some might see these traits as annoying or pathetic, but I don’t agree.<br />I guess those could be considered criticisms, even though I personally don’t view them that way. There are definitely aspects that could be critiqued, but honestly, I don’t have any complaints myself.<br /><br />Most of you probably won’t find this review particularly useful, but that’s not why I write them. I share my thoughts on manga and anime because I enjoy doing so, and I like connecting with others who share my passion for these mediums.<br /><br />So yeah, I absolutely loved this manga and will probably revisit it someday because it was truly fantastic. It’s one of those works that leaves a lasting emotional impact—you never forget it. And now I sound cheesy, but omg, I really did love it.<br />:)</p>
  1. NTR07yL
    NTR07yL rated it
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    This manga is intended for a more MATURE audience. (If you're looking for a sweet, innocent, lovey-dovey story, please AVOID reading this manga).

    It contains explicit and dark themes.

    Black Bird is growing into a very intriguing manga, despite its slow start.

    The initial part of Black Bird centers on the sexual tension between Kyo and Misao, which eventually leads to them becoming intimate. This aspect has drawn criticism from reviewers who argue it's too 'explicit' for shojo, and label Kyo as a rapist since Misao is only 16.

    However, I must defend the manga here: Sakurakoji-san uses the explicit portrayal of Misao and Kyo's sexual relationship to symbolize their deep longing to be together, even though they know it might ultimately lead to death. This is highlighted when Tadanobu says, “If he (Kyo) wants to spend the rest of his life with you, he can’t have sex with you… I wonder about a life where…you can’t know the joy of making love with the girl you cherish.” (Chapter 19).

    Yes, Kyo can be harsh at times, but everything he's achieved—like challenging his brother to become clan leader—was to protect and be with Misao. If that's not love, then I don't know what is.

    The story truly begins to evolve and gain momentum with the division in the Tengu Clan (the Crow Demon Clan led by Kyo).

    The entire village is split between supporting Kyo (who protects Misao) and Sho (Kyo’s older brother, who wants to use Misao to heal and empower the villagers). In this conflict, we see the ruthless side of Sho, driven by his unrequited love, especially for Misao. "I’m not asking you to love me" (Sho speaking to Misao), “…Can’t I just have one person?! I only want you, that's enough… If you were to choose me…I will never be like Kyo. Doing something that will kill you.” (Chapter 50).

    This manga is blossoming into a dark and tragic love story with numerous characters you hope will find happiness. Sakurakoji-san does an exceptional job with character development—making it hard to hate even the antagonists. Understanding their backgrounds evokes sympathy, particularly for those aligned with Sho (excluding the villagers, who are rather uninspired).

    In my view, this manga is somewhat UNDERAPPRECIATED because readers are put off by its dark nature. I suggest giving it a try; you might enjoy it.

    To be honest, I don't usually read or watch a lot of shojo, but Black Bird is definitely an engaging read. Can't wait for the next chapter!
  1. Wes4151
    Wes4151 rated it
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    I absolutely loved it. I genuinely don't regret a single part of it, and I will definitely read it again.  

    The plot is captivating. It's undoubtedly a 10 for me. It had its ups and downs, moments of fluff and tears, but overall, this is one of those mangas that will stick with me. I'm not usually a big fan of fantasy and supernatural elements in romance mangas, but I truly adored this one.  

    The characters were fantastic as well. They were humorous, and each person's personality played a role in making this story heartwarming and complete. Just how much I adore the sweetness between the main characters—it's absolutely beautiful.  

    So, would I recommend it? 100% YES. Go for it. Give it a shot, and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much as I did.  

    <p>

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