Tricking The Vampire King

This is absolutely not for everyone.  
This is certainly not for those who hold strong moral or ethical values.  
If you're willing to question what 'ethical' truly means, what is deemed right or wrong, and especially, what your reasons for it are, then you should definitely pick up this short yet profound and diverse manga.  

It tackles the taboo, features headstrong yet insecure characters, questions love, sex, the body, womanhood, and manhood—it pricks your conscience, twists it, emotionally disturbs you, and plants a big question mark in your face: What do these things mean to YOU?  

Overall: 9/10  

There are two ways to approach this manga:  
1) As an ecchi. And you get what you want with some spicy stories sprinkled in.  
2) Taking it seriously and understanding the characters deeply.  

I never anticipated this manga to be so mature, so realistic, or capable of having SO MANY distinct characters, all looking unique, each with their own quirks, problems, defense mechanisms, and sets of values.  

Initially, I thought I'd feel embarrassed reading this and listing it among my favorites, but now I insist—what's shameful about it? Just because it contains a lot of sex? Let me tell you, it gets dull seeing one body after another without any emotional connection! Hahaha! But it's precisely this feeling that the characters express, and the mangaka skillfully makes you feel just as bored with sex as they do. Because sex is only fun and healthy if there's an emotional bond. Otherwise, what's the point? It's simply irritating.  

Story: 10/10  

All the stories explore relationships beyond the 'I like you' phase, though not always. It generally starts with the premise... 'I like you (maybe)' - 'Okay... now what?'  

What do people actually do in relationships? What ARE relationships? What are you seeking in them? Is it always about sex? Is that the beginning and the end? And one more thing—if you were in their shoes, what would you have done? Not what you think you would have done, but what you would have ACTUALLY done?  

That, you can never predict. And that defines you, your values, your choices, and whether you like it or not, that's who you are, and you must accept it. The moment we entangle ourselves in others' lives, everything becomes complicated. Just because humans, being the more evolved species, create societies and set rules for functionality. But when the functionality you seek doesn't align with the larger 'demanded' ethical values, how do you handle it?  

All the stories here either start with or lead to a problem—and find a way to resolve it, whether it’s right or wrong. The body is fickle. The heart is fickle. Is the mind also fickle? You see glimpses of different psychologies, confused decisions, teenagers just discovering themselves, their personalities, their bodies, and coming to terms with what relationships mean. And nothing can be definitive because it never is. It's curiosity—and whether it kills the cat or grants it an epiphany, it's definitely an experience gained.  

I appreciate that some of the stories are standalone one-shots while others continue across volumes. This provides various perspectives and states of mind.  

Character: 10/10  

One thing I adore about this is that the mangaka, Masaya Hokazono, discards the idea of the girl as the frail, cute, fuwa fuwa lolita. Thank goodness for that. The girls here aren’t popular tropes; everyone's hidden side is revealed—their vulnerabilities, overconfidence, utter confusion, selfishness. And the guys aren’t the knight-in-shining-armor types either—they’re hurt, cowardly, questioning their own choices, yearning for emotional love. You might end up hating the characters, but I encountered more human characters in this manga than in any other I've read, which is why I cherish them so much. There’s a strong sense of the statement 'Fuck Perfection—it doesn’t exist.'  

The characters are perpetually curious—the 'what if...' lingers on their tongues. They are teenagers, young adults, both mature and immature, testing boundaries, exploring, gaining insights, understanding bit by bit, and thus, seeking something—solace, refuge, affirmation—a way to function in their own lives.  

I feel Hokazono has undoubtedly been in some of these situations. You wouldn’t know how to write about them otherwise. He captures the psychology, the complex mental mechanics so well that even if the stories are brief, you catch a glimpse of that complexity.  

Much of the stories revolve around the concept of cheating. And Hokazono isn’t out there telling you if it’s right or wrong. You rarely encounter preachy dialogues. He’s not here to preach but to depict what is as it is. Even if your heart says one thing, your body reacts differently. And it can be the other way around. Which space you find comfort in, and how you use that comfort to deal with other issues—whether it’s escapism, fantasy, or plain selfishness—is really up to you.  

I find it fascinating that the characters come alive and aren’t mediated by the author. At no point do I feel that Hokazono is forcing characters into the direction he wants—instead, it’s liberating as the characters decide how to handle themselves, whether they know they’ll regret it or not.  

Some of the characters evolve, while others exist merely to show that such situations occur, and yes, it can happen. It’s true that it falls flat when a character just goes 'let's do it.' You wonder how easily they give away their bodies. But in a society with no conservative restrictions and peer pressure galore, modern Japan is intriguing. Coming from a conservative family, it was a bit hard to digest some scenes, but I realize that younger generations are perhaps more liberal, maybe naive, or just trying to fit in. Sometimes I question if teens would act this way, but as I hear more stories from friends, I increasingly understand how varied lives and lifestyles can be.  

Art: 10/10 ; Enjoyment: 7/10  

I group Art and Enjoyment together because strategy is involved here. The artwork itself is fantastic, showcasing great skill with lines, detailed backgrounds, a wide variety of angles, and highly differentiated character designs (although initially, the girls may appear to have rounded faces and broad jaws). The backgrounds could have been better but improve later on. However, while the characters break new ground, their designs still cater to popular trends—thin, sexy, handsome, cute. Come on, where are the fat people, the freckled ones, etc.? Well, they wanted the manga to sell, so they catered to popular demand. I wish at least one story had featured an unpopular, unexpected couple. The spectacled characters are cute too.  

When it comes to the sex scenes… Bettencourt (the artist), combined with Hokazono's stories, makes you question your excitement over seeing nude bodies. If the excitement is solely about the revelation of the body by stripping clothes to see how they look underneath, then the mangaka easily fulfills your fantasy and strips body after body to please your eyes, allowing you to masturbate to your heart's content—but that just means you’ve missed the point and are viewing this work pornographically. You're losing the essence, the whole implication. The body is just the body; what is there to be aroused by it? It's the person inside who arouses you.  

Wow, I can't believe I wrote that much. But that's how I feel. This manga makes you think and think hard. I definitely feel that in some places, a few more frames would have improved the emotional connection with those characters and their thoughts, even if it seems the mangaka was aiming for something. There is a deliberate attempt here at subversion. As much as it is seinen, it is also josei.  
I definitely recommend reading this thoroughly.

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.  

<p>

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.

<p>

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.

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.

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

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.

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!