The Sleeping Devil

Can't wait for the bonus chapter's

I have to admit, I haven't read much manga in the past. My assumption was always: where there's manga, there must be anime too, and anime is usually better. However, this one made me realize that sometimes manga can actually be superior to anime, and it doesn't necessarily need an anime adaptation.  

I absolutely adored the entire story and grew very fond of the characters.  
There were moments that brought a smile to my face, which almost turned into laughter :)  
And I finished reading it in just 4 days :) because every time I read one chapter, I couldn't help but want to know what happened next.  
If you're someone who enjoys romance stories, this manga is definitely for you ;)  

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One of the classic examples of a romantic comedy shoujo.  

Sensei is attractive, and it took me quite some time to move past my admiration for him... On a serious note, "Faster Than a Kiss" explores how decisions can alter lives, for better or worse. The story revolves around an orphan girl who chooses to halt her own life in order to protect her younger brother. However, her homeroom teacher steps in and offers her a home. Without hesitation, she proposes marriage to him, and he agrees.  

Their secret marriage begins from there... The manga is filled with humor and romance—I assure you of that. Kazuma is such a tease! Nevertheless, the narrative illustrates how selfless care and love can transform the course of one's life. Kazuma's unwavering support saves Fumino from the depths of loneliness and feelings of discrimination. Similarly, Maede's concern changes Kazuma's initial rejection of the world.  

But when this selfless love deepens further, complications arise between them. Just as Kazuma decides to let Fumino go so she can stand on her own, he realizes he cannot leave her behind. And when Fumino believes they will part ways eventually, she discovers her world would be incomplete without him.  

Give this manga a try and you'll understand what I mean. :)

Overall, I found this manga to be absolutely captivating and heartwarming. The relationship between Fumino and Kazuma is tragically romantic yet filled with humor; the complexity of their situation makes it even more blush-worthy and takes a significant toll on Fumino's outward demeanor. When I first started reading, I was a bit apprehensive about how things would unfold, especially since Kazuma made Fumino dress up in cosplay to greet him or else she wouldn't get dinner. I thought things might take a turn for the worse, but I'm incredibly glad I kept reading.

Fumino Kaji is hilariously delightful with her almost tsundere personality—ferocious at school but a caring wife at home. She ranks among my all-time favorite characters due to her unwavering love for Teppei and the fact that despite all her challenges, she never gave up. Her inexperience with relationships adds an endearing innocence to her, making her incredibly appealing alongside her perseverance and determination when faced with any situation.

Teppei consistently made me laugh with his antics; he was utterly adorable in all his cosplay while still being a well-behaved little boy. My favorite line from the entire manga, though I can't find the exact quote, was Teppei saying, "I'm being good now because when I grow up I'm going to be a bad boy." I couldn't stop laughing, along with his little ninja star throw. So kawaii.

Kazuma Ojiro—oh, Kazuma. He's one of the hottest characters I've ever encountered, honestly. Coupled with his intelligence, combat skills, charming personality, maturity, humor, responsible nature, shaggy blond hair, and glasses, he ranks as one of the most attractive guys for me. Kazuma has endured so much, just like Fumino, and I think that's what makes them such a perfect pair; they've both seen and experienced so much heartbreak that they were able to heal each other.

Ryuu had me laughing throughout with his hilarious attempts to get Fumino and Kazuma intimate. It was wonderful and touching, and the way he cared for children was incredibly appealing. I found myself picturing myself with him for a good part of my reading.

This manga truly changed my life; don't ask how. I was completely absorbed by how adorably funny, wonderful, inspirational, and moving it was. I also related to Fumino a great deal, which allowed me to connect emotionally with the story. I highly recommend this series to everyone—you won't regret it.

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PROS:  
- Faster Than a Kiss was a fairly enjoyable, standard shoujo read. With the love interests living together, there are ample opportunities for those sweet, romantic shoujo moments, and the manga delivers them well.  

- The main characters are likable, and the story doesn't get bogged down with heavy concerns like "real-life consequences" or "reasonable adult behavior." Depending on what you're in the mood for, this could be seen as a pro or a con. For me, it was a pro since I was looking for something light at the time.  

CONS:  
- The protagonist has that overused manga trope of overreacting, screaming, yelling, and sending people flying into outer space whenever something slightly surprising happens. Personally, I find this exhausting. While it doesn't make her unbearable or ruin the manga entirely, this particular trait gets old quickly.  

- Surprisingly, there isn't much plot for a 50+ chapter manga with lengthy installments. Most of the series is stuck in a repetitive "shoujo holding pattern":  
    1. Let's sneak off for a date!  
    2. Something creates tension between the couple.  
    3. Supporting characters disrupt the date.  
    4. Oh well, we'll try again next time!  

- The overarching subplot about Kazuma being estranged from his father makes no sense, remains unresolved, and is used arbitrarily to create conflict without any logical reasoning. Despite supposedly having "cut all ties," Kazuma's father randomly interferes in his life, and Kazuma inexplicably complies instead of responding with the obvious and reasonable, "You abandoned me, disowned me, and I've built my own life, so kindly leave me alone." To top it off, at the very end (HUGE SPOILERS), the father suddenly decides they can marry but demands that Kazuma move to a remote island to teach for four years, preventing him and Fumino from living together. What on earth was that supposed to mean?

I really adore this story; it's incredibly cute! From the beginning, I'll admit I was biased (since I'm fascinated by teacher-student relationships, as in 7th Period is a Secret), but it truly surpassed my expectations. Kazu-sensei's slightly perverted actions make me want to laugh, while Shouma-kun's aloof attitude and underlying sadness make me want to cry - which is perfect for a Shoujo enthusiast like myself. <p>

I awarded a high rating to this manga because it exudes that classic manga vibe. It avoids overt promiscuity, features compelling backstories, well-developed characters, engaging dialogue, impeccable comedic timing and artwork, and delivers a powerful message. Typically, I'm not a fan of teacher-student romances, but this one stands out due to Ojiro Kazuma's remarkable patience and warmth. He deeply respects women, which sets him apart. Unfortunately, the manga lacks an in-depth explanation for why Kazuma is so eager to assist Kaji Fumino and her brother, Teppei, beyond his role as her homeroom teacher.

Fumino endured a tragic past; both her parents passed away when she was 15, she was disowned by her grandfather, and subsequently moved through multiple foster homes. Despite these hardships, she's a resilient girl who fearlessly confronts school bullies and even local gangsters.

On the other hand, Kazuma was once a delinquent who severed ties with his influential family. Following his mother's death, he was primarily raised by handlers and had limited contact with his father. Later, he learned that his father intended to remarry and already had a son with his new wife. Feeling alienated, he embraced a life of delinquency in school but eventually reformed.

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Overall, so far I think this manga has excellent potential to evolve into something truly great. It revolves around a 'forbidden student-teacher relationship,' and initially, the way the two characters ended up in that situation felt a bit odd to me.

I enjoy this manga (so far) because it strikes a perfect balance between drama, tons of comedy, and heartwarming fluffy moments. Tanaka-sensei skillfully reveals bits and pieces of each character gradually, making the story engaging with those adorable and sometimes hilariously stupid/cute moments — the kind that would make you laugh out loud if they happened in real life.

In the serious or dramatic scenes, the artwork becomes more detailed, enhancing the beauty of the moment. However, these parts can occasionally feel a little rough around the edges or slightly dull for my taste. On the other hand, the artwork during the funny parts perfectly complements the humor, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

Definitely give this story a try — the beginning might seem a bit unusual, but the chemistry between the couple will leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter!

It's a fantastic source of laughter when you need it, along with plenty of fluff to give you that much-needed dose of happiness and giddiness.