Member Reviews
This was a quick, fun read focusing on gender and beauty norms and recovering from trauma with the fake dating trope.
While the art is beautiful to look at, not a lot has happened yet in the way of the romance. Aran, the androgynous MMC discovers Nagi, the "tomboy" FMC, and asks her to model in a photo shoot with him. She agrees, but in exchange, she asks Aran to "fake date" her and help her get more comfortable with being touched by men. She is uncomfortable after a "friend" in college was too touchy with her. Aran agrees, and then things seem to pick up quickly. But I'm not sure of Aran's motivations being that he's a "Tramp".
While the pacing is starting off a little weird I am excited to see where this relationship goes. And I'll keep reading for the beautiful art!
Thank you, Kodansha, for my digital ARC.
I’m new to writing reviews for manga so please take pity on me. 😊
I love the art so much! The story is good too. Also, I love how Nagi and Aran interacted together and calmed each other down and lift the other up when it was needed.
I’m not sure what else to say. Other than I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
I don’t like this title. And it’s just the title. I don’t think Trump is a word that should be used in modern society for a woman. This is a story about a female character who had an inappropriate touching instance happened to her. And it’s left a mental block to where she can’t be with men. It’s a physical bad reaction anytime she holds hands, etc. But there’s this model, this model that makes her wonder - Hey maybe I’m not straight. But the world is shocked to find out that the model is actually a man. Our main gal approaches him and says hey I don’t get this feeling around you like I do other men would you be my fake boyfriend. He decides to take her and makes it his mission for her to see one how beautiful and stylish she actually is and for her to, enjoy the touch man. This title was very interesting, and I would be interested to see how it goes forward but if I don’t, it doesn’t bother me. It’s a fast and interesting story that some may see themselves in in need.
I wanted to like this. The art is stunning, but the story and plot...not so much. This manga is a forced proximity romance with touches of humor. Again, I wanted to like this, but I found the characters to be unlikable and it became burdensome to read through this. Perhaps those looking for quick read this might be ticket, but I still felt it was a bit rushed and the transitions/pacing was off. The interactions between Nagi and Aran were also a bit awkward. Nagi doesn't like to be touched by men and yet Aran's character felt aggressive and a bit non-con. I think the story has potential, but this first volume did not make me want to read the series any further.
Get ready for a fabulous journey of self-discovery, a splash of romance, and some serious fashion moments in That Beauty Is a Tramp!
This manga is the perfect blend of quirky humour and heartfelt exploration that’ll leave you laughing and swooning in equal measure!
Meet Nagi, our cool, tomboyish heroine who’s as tough as nails but has a soft heart buried somewhere beneath that edgy exterior. All she wants is a boyfriend, but alas, she has one major hurdle: she has a bit of a “touchy” issue with men! Ever since a college mishap, Nagi’s body has developed a hilarious (and slightly tragic) reflex that rejects any male contact. Cue the dramatic music!
Just when it seems like Nagi’s love life is doomed to be as barren as a desert, she crosses paths with Aran, the stunningly androgynous male model who walks the fine line between masculine and feminine styles like a runway superstar. Seriously, this guy could give even the most seasoned models a run for their money! When Nagi discovers she can touch Aran without her body throwing a tantrum, you can practically hear the angels singing!
In a moment that’s as audacious as it is adorable, Nagi makes a bold move: she convinces Aran to be her practice boyfriend for one month to help her conquer her aversion. Talk about a unique arrangement! With every whimsical photo shoot and awkward yet hilarious encounter, Nagi and Aran dive into an adventure filled with awkward moments, quirky fashion choices, and unexpected sparks.
Hal Osaka’s artwork shines, capturing the vibrant personalities of both Nagi and Aran. The expressive illustrations bring out Nagi’s tough exterior and hidden vulnerabilities while showcasing Aran’s stunning versatility as a model. The banter between the two is as delightful as their chemistry, making you root for them to break through their barriers—and maybe even discover love along the way!
The best part? It’s not just a romance; it’s also a journey of self-acceptance and breaking free from past traumas. Nagi’s determination to overcome her fears is both inspiring and relatable, making her a character you can’t help but cheer for!
That Beauty Is a Tramp Volume 1 is a delightful romp that mixes humour, fashion, and heartfelt moments into one enchanting package. With its quirky premise and endearing characters, this manga is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of personal growth wrapped in a cute romance.
The art style is sooo pretty, but the storyline was not. I didnt really like the story, and found it a chore to finish reading this book. The characters were unlikeable. I will not be reviewing this on my platforms cause i dont like to post reviews when they are below 3 stars.
A beautiful forced proximity romance that pulls on the heart strings while also remaining humorous. A fresh new story with likeable characters and fun situations make for a greatly enjoyable read!
This was a quick read but I didn't feel like it had much depth to the dialogue or plot. It's about a tomboy girl, Nagi, who can't stand being touched by men because she was grabbed by a "friend" who was drunk and hitting on her and Aran, an androgynous man who is a model and randomly decides Nagi must be on a shoot with him, so he agrees to date her in return. The plot has potential but it stayed very surface level and the transitions were abrupt. Also, Aran is pretty aggressive which felt weird since Nagi is uncomfortable with men.
Thank you Kodansha Comics for the DRC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this manga. This series is not for everyone due to the character dynamics being rough and the verbal abuse. However, I feel like this is what I wanted My Androgynous Boyfriend to be as far as the way that the characters met and being less silly. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
This was the first manga I’ve ever read and honestly I had a hard time taking it seriously. You punched your friend in the face because he started to hit on you? You assaulted HIM and then YOU struggle being touched by men? No, that doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t say I’ll be picking up the next one.
Hal Osaka’s That Beauty Is a Tramp 1 introduces readers to an intriguing premise with its unique blend of romance, self-discovery, and personal healing. The story revolves around Nagi, a tomboyish woman struggling with an unusual dilemma—ever since a traumatic incident in college, she has been unable to touch men without her body instinctively rejecting them. This seemingly insurmountable barrier to romance leaves her feeling isolated and frustrated, especially when all she wants is to experience a normal relationship.
The narrative takes a turn when she meets Aran, a beautiful and androgynous male model who defies traditional gender norms with ease. His ability to seamlessly move between masculine and feminine styles is not only captivating but provides a refreshing twist on the typical male lead in romance manga. Nagi’s shock at realizing she can touch Aran without any discomfort opens the door to a fascinating relationship dynamic, setting the stage for a romantic and emotional journey.
The premise of Nagi asking Aran to be her "practice boyfriend" is both amusing and poignant. On the surface, it’s a playful arrangement, but underneath, it’s clear that Nagi is grappling with deeper issues of trust, vulnerability, and self-worth. Aran, with his unconventional beauty and charm, represents the ideal partner for helping her face her fears, while also challenging traditional notions of romance and attraction. The one-month time limit adds an element of urgency and tension to the story, as readers are left wondering whether Nagi will overcome her trauma and what kind of relationship will ultimately blossom between the two.
Osaka’s art style is striking, particularly in the way Aran’s androgynous appearance is portrayed. His fluidity in fashion and modeling makes him stand out in every panel, and the chemistry between him and Nagi is captured with subtlety and care. The story’s use of both humor and emotional depth allows the characters to feel well-rounded, avoiding clichés while still embracing the romantic tropes that fans of the genre love.
However, while the premise is strong, the pacing can feel a bit uneven at times. The story moves quickly from Nagi’s problem to her "solution" in the form of Aran, and some readers might feel that her decision to ask him for help happens a little too conveniently. The emotional groundwork for Nagi’s trauma is hinted at but not fully explored in this first volume, leaving a lot of room for development in future installments. Hopefully, subsequent volumes will dive deeper into Nagi’s psychological journey and provide more background on her college experience.
The dynamic between Nagi and Aran is intriguing, but it’s clear that their relationship has only just begun to evolve. While Nagi’s development will undoubtedly be a major focus of the series, Aran’s backstory and motivations remain somewhat mysterious in this first volume, leaving readers eager to learn more about him as the story progresses.
Final Thoughts:
That Beauty Is a Tramp 1 presents a fresh take on romance manga by exploring themes of trauma, androgyny, and unconventional beauty. Hal Osaka sets up a promising dynamic between the tomboyish, emotionally scarred Nagi and the androgynous, effortlessly charming Aran. While the pacing may be a bit rushed, the unique premise and engaging characters make this first volume an intriguing start. Fans of slow-burn romances with emotional depth and humor will find much to enjoy here, and the potential for growth in both Nagi and Aran’s relationship is enough to keep readers invested in the series.
A very entertaining ‘pretend boyfriend’ story about a woman who meets her match, but her match is actually kind and caring and willing to help her experience love and emotions. Great artwork with humour and lovely characters.
I'm not sure what this series is trying to do, but I'm not interested in it. I'm good with a feminine male love interest, but I'm not trying to read about gender as the main focus of a story. I read the first 3 pages and was already seeing that the central theme here is not a romance, but a gender story. No thank you.
I love how this is going and how they are all consenting adults! A lot of time in Manga, sexual themes and romances are usually in high school settings or younger, so this is a nice breath air.
Also loving the androgynous vibes both characters give off.
Thank you NETGALLEY!
I enjoyed this manga from beginning to end I love how not toxic the characters are each other. Also learning what each other likes and don't like but also learning that they might like each other more than they expected. I will be purchasing this manga soon as possible.
Thank you Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the e-ARC!
On paper, this manga has one of the tropes that I enjoy from shoujo manga: a romance betwen a tomboyish girl with slightly boyish looks and an androgynous, slightly feminine guy. I have read multiple shoujo mangas with this trope, and one of the reasons I enjoy them so much is how they deconstruct gender roles and tropes, especially in a genre that puts those roles on a pedestal (although this has slightly improved in recent times). When shoujo mangas don't put that emphasis on gender, the romantic interactions feel more genuine to me as their actions are based on their emotions and feelings towards each other instead of the need to adhere to certain gender norms.
When I first saw the cover, I was intrigued by the beautiful art, and the synopsis sounds exactly like what I like. So I was really disappointed at the lack of depth this manga has. It felt very trope-y, in the sense that the characters' motivations and behaviors felt ridiculous and shallow and based on certain shoujo tropes instead of understandable actions from believable characters. There is not much dimension to the story, and it makes the characters' relationship feel artificial. When this all adds up together, the trope that I usually find refreshing in other shoujo mangas doesn't work in here; it just falls flat. As a result, we get a cliched, stale manga that I really didn't enjoy much.
Having said all that, the art is still beautiful. But that is exactly what infuriates me: with such a high caliber of art, it definitely deserves a better story. I'm not going to get into other stuffs like the way the sexual harassment is pushed aside and how the narrative normalizes victim blaming. I just think that there is so much more shoujo mangas that have better writing and that this one just isn't one of them.
2 ⭐️
TW: sexual harassment, victim blaming
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tomboyish Nagi wants a boyfriend, however she recoils from the touch of any man due to an incident in college. That's when androgynous model Aran comes in, who immediately finds Nagi intriguing. The two make a deal: Nagi will participate with Aran in his upcoming photoshoot, and in exchange, Aran will pretend to be her boyfriend for a month to see if it will help her overcome her issue.
The pacing of the plot goes at whiplash speed, especially the first chapter. Things just escalate between Nagi and Aran way too fast. Instant lust to actually considering being in a relationship towards the end of the book.
As the chapters progressed, it made me feel more unsettled, especially Aran's behavior. I just did not care for his personality. He's arrogant, sleeps around, and is a bit pushy. The end of the volume made him seem possessive, which is immediate red flags for me.
The art style is very pretty and high quality. I enjoyed looking at the colored chapter illustrations the most than the actual story.
Very typical plot for a romance manga.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars.
"Sono Otoko Fushidara ni Tsuki" is a funny story about a tomboy girl Nagi who dreams about living a romance but due to an incident that happened to her with a boy classmate, she can't stand now any man touching her. One day, she met Aran an androgynous male model whom touch doesn't bother her, so she asked him to help her by being her boyfriend.
I must have read so many shojo or josei and gender bender manga with the same plot and tropes of this manga that I can't remember but it doesn't mean that I did not enjoy this one. It was a cute story.
Rating: 3/5 [Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
Volume 1 of <i>That Beauty is a Tramp!</i> is a pretty if slightly disappointing start for its romance story.
Nagi, a “tomboyish” (?) woman who struggles with physical touch from men, desperately wants a boyfriend. Aran, androgynous model and playboy (our titular tramp), is down to play a couple with her. One volume in and besides that “fake” relationship becoming very real very quick, not much has happened. There haven’t been a lot of sticking plot points (what happened to the modeling gig that initially brought them together?) and it's clear the series will be light, sweet, and a bit silly going forward. I wish I liked it more. Nagi and Aran are beautiful to look at, with some stunning art and paneling. But nothing has stuck. Nagi’s touch aversion hasn’t really been explored and I can not tell you much about Aran. The series seems to be setting itself up to be a fun if unserious read and while I can see a lot of readers liking it, I struggled to get enough in the first volume to want to see more of our couple.
Gorgeous visuals and plenty of shoujo tropes to mlae your heart squee! I love seeing tomboy x pretty boy couples. More physical intimacy than I expected, but I loved it.
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.