I got an ARC of this book.

I have been on a manga and graphic novel binge lately. So this was just the latest victim. The book follows two couples. The couples are made up of people who are considered otaku. Otaku are people that are so into video games, manga, or anime that they have issues interacting with people. Think of them as super nerds. These are the people who get made fun of by the chess club. They all work for the same company now and are working together to  be happy. Narumi hides the fact that she is an otaku or more specifically a fujoshi (someone super into BL or M/M). 

Throughout the book are tons of references to popular series, but even if you aren't an otaku there are notes either on the side of the page or in the back to help you. I didn't catch half the references because I have never been big into the popular series. I was more into BL romances and ecchi, which aren't really referenced a whole bunch in this book. There are some mild fan service for the M/M crowd though. Hirotaka's attempts to cheer up Narumi include some poses that would make her happy through her love of BL, which I thought was super touching and weird. There was a pretty funny scene where Hirotaka is explaining that he would be the seme, despite the emotional strain it would put him under. It was so casual. A great tip of the hat to BL fans. 

The video game references are pretty basic, which is helpful. There was references to Mario Kart which is a game that most people know of if they know any games outside of Pokemon. The video game plots were used to bring the characters together and show how great they were (or how awkward, depending on the scene). 

The romance is very mild and pure. There is no real angst. The closest to angst is a scene where Narumi is panicking about her underwear color. The author includes little notes under most pages that have little jokes or titles for the page. Between those notes and Narumi, I was laughing a great deal about the pink vs beige issues. 

Overall, the comic was goofy and pretty easy to read. There is a feel good book more than anything else. So enjoy the simple read and give your mind and heart a break.

Are you obsessed with aspects of popular culture (video games, anime, manga, etc.) to the point you are socially awkward? Congrats, you are an otaku. How does this affect your love life?

"Wotakoi" main point is to show how love is hard for otaku, especially considering they feel misunderstood or, better yet, not understood by the rest of society at all. Chances to find your soulmate would increase exponentially if you'd date another otaku, don't you think? And if the right one is very close to you, then you should definitely give love a shot. This is an extra-long book that includes two Japanese volumes—YES!—and while I like the concept a lot and I think the artwork is well executed, I had some issues with the layout. In my opinion, the panels were confusing and following the sequences/making actual sense of them was tricky... However, this improved a bit in the second volume, where the bonus scenes were quite funny, and I developed some sort of fascination for Koyanagi and Kabakura—they are truly something else! I wish I could say the same about the main couple, but I'm afraid I'm not much into it because I couldn't see the chemistry, since there's not a proper relationship development.

Overall, I liked it and I particularly loved how Fujita framed things in terms of video-games, and the references to various manga and anime, some of which are impossible to not know—at least by name—even for those not particularly into them. Guess what? Now I wanna watch the anime!

A very funny and enjoyable manga about two people struggling to find romance. The art is gorgeous and some of the bonus comics are perfect and hilarious.

Although cute and something that seemed right up my street I just couldn’t get into it. I like thstcthe characters were older and had jobs etc but I just found them so annoying and very stereotypical otaku that it felt a bit cringey at times.

Funny, cute as can be and highly entertaining!

Now I will be honest and say that a few times I felt very lost with some things they referenced but I still was able to understand what was going on with the story so don't worry there. I loved how when they would make certain choices bars like a video game would appear. It's something I've not seen done in manga before. The characters are what this manga of course. Overall, a wonderful manga, pick it up!


Will go live on my blog: 4/30/2018

I really enjoyed this title. Maybe because I'm a fujoshi myself. The artwork is very nice, the characters were easy to relate to and although the cultural extremes of hiding your otaku-ness at work might not be as well understood by US readers, I thought it was very funny.

I haven't read manga in at least a couple of years and rarely do I find myself enjoying them really since the last time. I remember picking up manga at the age of 12 after a year of Sailor Moon and DN.Angel being the first series I ever watched. I remember crying over Gakuen Alice, Absolute Boyfriend and Kitchen Princess to be completely honest. And I feel nostalgic seeing all these new series and manga coming out that I'm super jealous of the people who still have a passion for it.

Anyway, I went into this with the fact that Ive heard of this manga but didn't really think I'd enjoy it. However, I cried and laughed so many times I'm pretty sure I've gained some muscle. I found the characters not only realistic and relatable but quirky in a really cute way. There's drama but it's not that heavy or "deep" and I like that there's a serious tone under the fluff and that friendship is a key aspect in the main couple. I really love all the characters and backstory we are introduced to and this is definitely something that brings back my love for manga. I will definitely support the author and read the series after this amazing introduction!

A cute story of how even otakus want a normal relationship and hiding who you are and what you love is never the answer. Narumi is trying to find a normal relationship but every time she lets her otaku side slip but when she runs into Hirotaka he proposes that they enter a relationship since they won't have to hide their true selves from each other.

A very sweet story that I can't wait to continue and see how their relationship develops. Their personalities are very original and refreshing. Their best friends have a great dynamic as well and the four of them make for a great story.

I thought this was a fun manga! Two cosplay nerds start dating, just because it's easier to date someone who understands what it's like to be obsessed with manga and video games, and won't judge you by your interests. They wonder if it's worth it to settle for someone just because it's easy, but then they actually start to have deeper feelings for one another.

I liked the characters, and the funny office friendships they have. They have some good dialogue, and interesting situations, misunderstandings, and hilarious scenes when everyone is fighting.
I love that there are many references to cosplay, manga, anime, and video games, and it makes my little nerdy heart glow to see them obsessing over their favorite fictional characters.

I'm still wondering what they actually DO at their office though. I mean, what exactly are their jobs? They sit at a desk and shuffle some papers around, and click on their computers, but what company are they working at? It's a mystery. They're constantly on their lunch break, so I guess it doesn't matter! haha!

The artwork is really beautiful, and I love that some of panels are in color! Each character has such a classic look, but still keeps an original style that makes them stand out.


The second volume is just as cute as the first! Nerds falling in love, what could be more adorable?! In this one, the ladies pressure their boyfriends into trying cosplay, with mixed results. There are a few flashbacks to when they knew each other as children, and the friends all grow closer as they reminisce and share their deeper feelings, fears, and dreams with each other.

Even though our two main nerd characters love to hang out, playing arcade games, and watching anime together, they've never been on a real date. They will have to seriously change their perspective in order to deepen their relationship. These two are so awkward and silly, and I love their dynamic!

A new mysterious character is introduced! Is he an old ex-boyfriend? A kindly young student? Or is he here to steal away our favorite nerdy girl from the arms of her boyfriend? I loved that whole story line, and it added some real interest and fun to the manga!

This manga is definitely NOT for kids, since there are some more adult themes in it, like smoking, drinking, and some sexual innuendo.

Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

-Netgalley Review-
9.5/10

This is a sharp and clear read; I have never read anything by Fujita before, but I was interested in the overall premise of this book because of the fact that slice-of-life comedic romance is a genre that I don't mind reading. This manga was well-illustrated and filled with realistic characters and witty dialogue.

It is entertaining, fun, and easy-to-read even without the necessary cultural context of modern-day Japan because romance, connecting with other people from the perspective of the 'nerds', and office life is something that is easy to resonate with regardless of geographic location.

Would recommend to readers interested in reading romance slice-of-life mangas that are subtly humorous. This is an easy read with simple and often humorous language that is bound to fascinate.

'Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Vol. 1' by Fujita was a really fun manga to read, and I learned a bit about Japanese geek culture along the way.

Narumi Momose is a secret gamer, or otaku. She reconnects with a childhood friend named Hirotaka Nifuji at work, and finds out he is also into gaming. They awkwardly have a fun relationship where she thinks it's a date, but to him, it's just hanging out at his house playing Mario Kart.

It's more like a comedy of manners than a story with a definite plot. There are other characters in the mix that add to the humor. I was looking terms up, then found out that the two volumes included here include a nice glossary of terms for some of the odd bits of nerddom I was unfamiliar with. At first, I felt like the jokes were kind of inside, but this glossary made it feel inclusive, and I really appreciate that the author included them.

I really liked the art and the story. There are bonus comics that are more like short gags. I didn't like them as much, but they do round out the characters.

I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.

This book was cute/funny but difficult to follow. I couldn't tell at times when I was reading the main plot and when I wasn't. It's cut up with several small comics but I wanted more story without the breaks. I thought the idea for the story was fantastic but not executed as it could have been.
The illustrations were great just all in all too spliced with the stories.

This is about four working class otakus hiding their passion from the rest of the world and fangirling with each other. One couple is commited and they fight in public but are caring in private and the other couple is shy and awkward in a cute nerdy way.

This was such a fun and cute romantic comedy! I really enjoyed seeing the couples interact with each other. I also really liked the art, it is really beautiful.

I've already been recommending this to everyone I know! It has such a light and warm tone, I can't help but feel good when I read it. This is definitely one to pick up.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

I am a big fan of books that are about characters I can really relate to, such as Genshiken or Lucky Star which feature manga/video game nerds. Wotakoi seemed like a perfect addition to this list because not only does it have characters that are interested in various aspects of otaku culture, but they're older than the usual cast (in their 20's as opposed to teens).

Wotakoi started off pretty well with the introductions and the revelation of what kind of things the main characters Narumi and Hirotaka liked. Their best friends/co-workers are also introduced (Hanako and Taro) and it looks like they're not as alone at the office as it seemed in regards to their interests.

There's a lot more energy in the first volume, but as things progressed, it felt like the focus was not as much on the otaku aspect so much as the office and personal relationships of the cast. I was expecting a lot more emphasis on the characters playing video games or reading manga, but aside from one trip to Comiket and topical references I didn't feel like there was the joy of any of these things.

I've read slice of life manga and otherwise traditional manga; Wotakoi felt like a strange blend between the two and it affected the streamlined feel I'd expect from a manga book. A longer story it was not; it felt disjointed. A slice of life manga it almost was, but it didn't have the same individual strip/larger story synchronicity.

As for reading farther in the series, I might pick this up from the library or if offered for review, but I didn't enjoy it enough or find any characters that hooked me enough to want to purchase any volumes of the series.

Wotakoi is a fun, light-hearted manga about nerd romance and relationships. It's interesting to see a depiction of how otaku basically have to hide their interests like it's a controversial alternative lifestyle, compared to how nerds are very much out in the United States. The translation notes might seem tedious for people not used to Japanese references, but they are easy to skip and overall you won't miss out on the bigger picture if you don't read them.

I am currently watching the anime for this series so I was delighted that the manga was also found on here. Sadly, I am going to have to give up on this one. Whereas the anime feels really natural, we see our MC start her first day at a new job, we see all the characters, and then we see them slowly get to know each other, and with that comes hilarity, and the episode ends with our MC and glasses guy started dating.
Whereas the manga is just Oh, hey, new job, gets outed as otaku, let's date, and everyone knows everyone's secrets (at least that is how it feels to me), and that is only as far as I read. It just didn't flow right and I was confused out of my mind with how everything connected. Such a shame.

The art was fabulous though, and I love the style. Also I like those little pages with questions and the cast answering them (or practically going into battle).

This was an enjoyable book. Anyone who's had a hobby they're embarrassed about will easily connect with these caracters.

‘Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku’ is a romantic comedy manga that tells the story of two childhood friends that return to each others lives at the same workplace. Otaku, Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji, find comfort in their interests in fictional worlds, meaning they’re fairly unsuccessful at dating. However, after meeting each other, they discover that by sharing their love of geeky things, romance comes easy.

I haven’t read a manga in a while, and after reading the description on Netgalley, I couldn’t not read it. It didn’t disappoint.

Narumi Momose makes for an adorable protagonist. She’s kind, caring, and incredibly sweet; the fact that everyone loves her is believable – you can’t help but not route for her the entire volume. Her interaction with Hirotaka is perfect; they’re polar opposites, her open with her emotions and excitement, while he is more poker-faced and reserved; they balance each other out. It makes their relationship completely plausible and adorable.
Hanako Koyanagi is possibly my favourite character, however. I adore her feisty personality throughout the volume. She’s strong, independent and has no problem putting her boyfriend, Taro Kabakura, into place. She’s incredible. The constant arguments between the pair were hilarious, there was numerous times where I let out a little giggle at their interaction and the history between them is extremely interesting. I can’t help but question why it is that they argue so much – I wonder if this is explored more in future volumes?!

The history of the characters was an incredibly interesting read, going into more detail in the volume as to how they knew each other and their lives as children; I especially loved the heart-rendering story-line of Hirotaka’s fear of thunder. Their faults made the characters appear so authentic.

The bonus chapters, however, were my favourite part of this volume. These little inclusions were hilarious and explored the characters in ways that might not be necessary in the main plot-line, such as; Hanako’s cosplay and the selfies they share with another. It was so adorable. (Can you tell I find this book the cutest?)

Overall, I loved this book, and it made for the perfect afternoon read.