Tricking The Vampire King

i still haven't read that so I am in no position to rank it right now as for the above ranks that I gave its just a personal opinion according to my tastes

I really did not know that there is a novel of this, and when i read the sypnosis i realized that it was the same as the comic that i recently read and i'm currently on chapter 12...glad it was here!

The seggs scene are good and all but g*dd*mn the mc is very weak and pathetic. He has 0% winrate against important antagonists.

gonna bfr, i was flabbergasted when i reached the final couple of chapters in the manhwa bc SINCE WHEN WAS THIS A HORROR NOVEL??? (note to self: dont trust manhwa tags... no complaints tho) So I was convinced and went to read the novel and holy sh*t i was flabbergasted x100 bc WTF SOME THINGS ARE ACTUALLY UNHINGED??? the manhwa was DEFINITELY tame

When i first clicked this, i was like "oh weak mc gets useless powers that turn out to be kinda op when used through proper guidance and team that cares about each other!! some angst but thats okay!!" but it was certainly not that at all... its like, ill read a chapter and go "WHAT" and then ill continue and something worse occurs and (insert vine boom) i go "WHAT?!" (imagine that one audio iykyk)

I think its interesting...? i wouldnt say im a novel expert (i fixate on a few and repeat, leave me alone) but tbh this one actually seems original and as i crossed over 250 ch(?), it started having unexpected events

anyways, im over 400 rn

Ok, I'm not really a manga reader, but here's my take on this one:  

No central story (hence the lower rating), but it's important to note that this manga doesn't need one. It's all about the highs and lows of (mostly) high-school relationships. The characters are explored with enough depth, given that their stories are usually quite short. I found the couples intriguing, as each had its own unique set of problems. While many situations aren't entirely realistic, it didn't bother me personally.  

Many reviews I've come across criticize the manga for having too much sexual content and portraying girls as promiscuous or unfaithful. While there are certainly some exaggerations, I believe the manga does a decent job of capturing the psychology of average teenagers navigating their first steps in interpersonal relationships. They can be overly eager, excessively shy, hormonally driven, and emotionally unstable. Girls struggle to understand their feelings, and guys struggle to understand the girls. Everyone who has experienced even one tumultuous relationship in their youth is likely to have that familiar "been there, done that" feeling at least a few times while reading this.  

In conclusion, it's definitely not a manga that will appeal to everyone, so it's worth giving it a try to see if it suits your taste.

The series is titled "Girlfriend," and the author attempts to connect the title with the content. However, in my view, this connection falls short, especially from a Western perspective. Titles like "F*ck Buddies" or "Friends with Benefits" might better encapsulate the essence of most narratives here.

Let me clarify, it's an intriguing read that can evoke strong emotions for characters—both positive and negative. If themes involving cheating partners or adult-teen relationships unsettle you, be prepared for discomfort at certain junctures. Nevertheless, there are bittersweet tales (though never purely sweet) that are worth exploring. Additionally, brace yourself for numerous sexual scenes showcasing various acts. The author has a particular fascination with oral sex, yet rest assured, male genitalia remains implied.

The stories rarely revisit past events and almost never reach definitive conclusions. It feels akin to multiple knots being tied without resolution, with problems emerging but left unsolved (only one or two stories achieve any sort of finality). There are plenty of clichéd storylines explored. Their realism likely hinges on your personal subculture; teenage sexuality devoid of love, driven by self-esteem issues or loneliness, certainly exists. Yet, as someone in their late teens, I haven't encountered relationships quite so convoluted, nor have I viewed them through such a bleak lens.

The artwork is commendable. While not breathtakingly beautiful, it complements the realism the author aims to infuse into the narratives. That said, it isn't realistic enough to depict average-looking girls; all female characters appear attractive, with their only flaw being perceived plainness (this perspective largely stems from a male narrator).

Characterization-wise, yes, sexually driven females exist, and I can relate to that extent (though not everyone is obsessed with oral sex). Men can occasionally be more reserved. The author delights in portraying women manipulating men for status, vulnerability, shyness, etc. Most women in the series seek casual sex without commitment or for selfish motives (e.g., boosting self-esteem to pursue another man). The sole exception comes from the singular story narrated from a female perspective. Male characters often exhibit masochistic tendencies, frequently uttering lines like, "I know she's playing with me, but I can't resist."

You'll find yourself drawn to the series, eager to discover the fates of certain couples. As the Dread Pirate Roberts once said, "Get used to disappointment." This series will leave an impression, whether favorable or unfavorable depends on how relatable you find the stories and how sensitive you are to its subject matter.

I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, nor would I claim I endured it. Had I anticipated the general trajectory of most stories, I would have chosen not to read it. I wouldn't revisit it either.

In summary: inconclusive plots, appealing art, semi-twisted yet potentially endearing characters, guaranteed to make an impact.

Gilfriend is an ecchi, romance manga filled with extremely explicit stories about various teenage relationships. It's marketed as an "ecchi" title, but I found it to be more on the borderline of "hentai," due to the excessive and gratuitous sexual content. The narratives are overwhelmingly sex-driven, leaving no space for character development, which results in the characters being one of the weakest aspects of the manga. Additionally, after the first volume, only some of the stories were revisited, though at least the better ones got further attention.

The artwork is fairly solid for this genre, particularly effective in portraying the explicit scenes. However, the characters are quite indistinguishable from one another, as there's minimal detail put into their designs.

One issue with having separate stories is that it's easy to lose track of what just happened in one story. On the bright side, you're not burdened with memorizing the characters' names. A major problem I encountered was the overwhelming amount of sexual content, lacking only one element to be classified as pornography (the depiction of genitalia). This manga had potential to be much better if it had concentrated on one or two main stories and developed the relationships further. But perhaps the target audience of hormonally-driven teenage boys doesn't mind the current approach.

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I believe this series illustrates why teenagers, or individuals who aren't emotionally mature, shouldn't experiment with sex. And that sex isn't a way to express or understand love. It can be enjoyable, but it's not enough to fulfill the heart's desires.  
But for those who can grasp this lesson, there's no need to read "Girlfriend."  
Still, despite having a few sweet moments, it was mostly sorrowful for me to read.  
It's unfortunate that parents didn't guide their children through puberty or explain what real love is. As a result, children were forced to gain painful experience through trial and error. Yes, they gained experience, some of them understood their feelings, but... they could never again start a relationship with someone as a pure, innocent person.  

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