Billy the King

Mint na Bokura is a brief yet unexpectedly sweet and light-hearted romance manga crafted by Wataru Yoshizumi, renowned for Marmalade Boy, the quintessential shoujo love dodecahedron. Beyond the evident similarities in art style, it's not hard to draw parallels between the two series.

Both series feature teenagers entangled in absurd, implausible situations that eventually lead to their growth and self-improvement. They both revolve around tumultuous romances brimming with scheming rivals and comedic misunderstandings. However, there are notable differences as well.

For one, Mint na Bokura is predominantly narrated from a male perspective. This shift offers a refreshing twist on what could have been a stale, clichéd story, functioning exceptionally well due to Noel's instantly likable character. He's reckless and naive, certainly, but equally boyish and charming, drawing readers into his adventure effortlessly.

The series is also notably less melodramatic than Marmalade Boy, which enhances its appeal. While there's drama—enough to ensure you're rooting for the right couples at the end—Yoshizumi handles these scenes lightly, balancing them with humor to prevent the story from becoming emotionally overwhelming, a common pitfall of such narratives.

Ultimately, Mint na Bokura's strength lies in its outstanding characterization. Within just six volumes, we witness the main characters evolve in thoughtful and realistic ways. Initially, Noel is boisterous, controlling, and oblivious to his sister's emotions. Similarly, Maria is selfish, impulsive, and unaware of her capacity to break hearts. Through Noel's misadventures, they develop a newfound respect and understanding for each other, extending to their relationships with friends and love interests. Their growth feels natural; Yoshizumi prefers showing rather than telling.

Of course, claiming the story is flawless would be misleading. There are minor stumbles. A convoluted and preposterous plot point involving a connection between two supporting characters is introduced midway. In a clever moment of self-parody, Yoshizumi breaks the fourth wall to humorously acknowledge this revelation's absurdity. Additionally, too many love rivals appear last minute, feeling contrived. Yet, in a story that never takes itself too seriously, these are minor issues that don't detract from the manga's airy, infectious charm.

At only thirty chapters, Mint na Bokura is an ideal quick read for a rainy day. Despite targeting pre-teen girls, it appeals effortlessly to any age or gender.

Well, first of all, I think this manga has a rather boring story. Shoujo manga and gender bender aren't really my type, but after reading a few chapters, I suddenly fell in love with it.  

The story revolves around Noel, a boy with a serious sister complex who will do anything to protect his sister, including disguising himself as a girl to bring Maria, his sister, back to his school. That was the initial storyline, but as the chapters progress, the story evolves beyond just a sister complex into more of a light romantic tale. I must admit, the romance isn't overly complicated, but it's very refreshing.  

As for the art in this manga, well, once you see the year it was published, you already know what to expect—it’s not amazing, but it doesn’t really matter as long as I can tell the characters apart.  

None of the characters particularly stood out to me at first, except for Noel and his development, and of course, Maria. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Ryuuji Sasa. At first, you might not notice him since he doesn't stand out too much, but later on, he becomes one of the most important characters in the manga. Trust me, the plot involving Maria's love interests is really well done.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. The gags are great, and as I mentioned earlier, this is a light romance, so don't expect too much complexity. Every time I finished a chapter, I found myself smiling—not grinning or laughing, just content. It's a nice manga if you enjoy light romance, and don't expect too many ecchi scenes just because Noel lives in the girls' dormitory. You pervert.  

Overall, this light romance is perfect for those who want a break from more complex romances. The jokes aren't lame, there aren't many characters that irritate me, the pacing is solid, and the ending is hilarious. Let me tell you, don't keep embarrassing photostickers in your photo album if your girlfriend is going to see it. ^^  

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Mint na Bokura was an absolutely delightful manga for me. I frequently find myself let down by the lack of strong character development and compelling storylines in many manga and anime, but this hidden gem captured my attention right from the first chapter.

While the art style isn't particularly remarkable, it complements the story and the humorous elements within the manga quite effectively. The chibi illustrations emphasize the moments when the characters look utterly ridiculous, which I found to be some of the funniest parts. I rated the art 8/10.

The plot wasn't heavy on drama, yet the mangaka consistently kept me guessing as relationships and rivalries emerged between the characters. It struck me as a very realistic depiction of high school life while remaining entertaining and comedic. I gave the plot 9/10.

The characters were exceptionally well-crafted. At first glance, they appear simple and cute, but in reality, their interactions feel very genuine. They transported me back to being 14 with their engaging personalities that broke away from stereotypes, having unique interests and perspectives on life, and making such relatable mistakes. I scored the character development 10/10.

I thoroughly enjoyed this manga - it was fast-paced, funny, and kept me eagerly coming back for more. I rated it 9/10 for enjoyment. Overall, I gave it 9/10 because it was highly entertaining, and I would certainly read it again and recommend it to others.

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BTK is a complete physh story, Best version of any British story ever told nor written.....the savages are so clear though