This was really cute. I’m excited to see how the story progresses. The art style is cute and also kinda funny at times

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

I came very close to not picking this up because my own ignorance and fear of catching strays as Queer trans femme...but I absolutely loved this!

So, I was not familiar with what otokono actually means and, while there is absolutely no shame on anyone of any gender presenting however they want, cross-dressing is sometimes used with a negative inflection in our increasingly bigoted society. Now I I have a better understanding of it as somewhat analogous to femboys, masculine identifying, often cis men, who present femininely and/ or as a woman some or all of the time, without necessarily identifying with the gender usually associated with that presentation.

The manga is absolutely adorable, genuinely funny, and bursting with real emotion and understanding, without shying away from the prejudice people who deviate from the 'accepted norms' of society.

Our protagonist is Saki, a young school girl who absolutely hits all the manga/ anime tropes of the cutesy, but wildly intense and over the top avatar of infatuation. This infatuation is for the eponymous otokono, Makoto, a year above her at school. This intense crush, while comically over the top, is genuinely sweet and incredibly respectful of Makoto's identity and presentations. While Makoto isn't sure if he returns the affections, Saki persues him, somewhat like a less problematic Pepe le Pew, their friendship begins to blossom. Things are complicated by Makato's childhood friend, Ryuji, who is incredibly protective of his friend and has some intense and complicated feelings for Makoto.

I am just spellbound with how respectfully otokono are presented in this comic, which is reinforced by the enthusiastic and uncomplicated or fetishised regard of Saki. The ignorance and bigotry of Makoto's classmates and mother are present and important, but also aren't a major facet of his character. I am keen to see how the internalised homophobia Ryuji seems to be experiencing is explored.

I am absolutely blown away by the expectation vs. reality of this comic.

Loved it!

I really love this story. I have watched the anime that came out and I immediately fell in love with the characters. Makoto is such a gentle soul and you feel for them in this series. This first volume does the webtoon and anime a wonderful tribute.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review this.

I watched Senpai is an Otokonoko the anime while it was being released, I thought the animation was delightful especially for such niche genre and the story unique. Despite the story being the same as the manga, I was surprised by feeling that the anime had so much heart that I didn't feel as much in the manga. If I had read this one first, maybe I would have liked it more, and if you haven't watched the anime it's still well worth I read, however it didn't feel as enticing and engaging as the anime did. If you are interested by the premise, read the manga and then the anime, but personally for me doing it the other way around made it feel like the manga didn't bring anything unique or that I hadn't already seen.

This manga has an interesting premise and tackles gender expression in a refreshing way, but I couldn't fully enjoy it. The art style made the characters look too childlike, which took away from the emotional impact for me. On top of that, I realized I’m not really into this kind of theme, so it didn’t click as much as I hoped. Still, it might appeal to readers who enjoy unusual romance and character-driven drama.

This was such a fun first volume! I'd been wanting to read this for a while because I'd only heard good things about it, but I'd been waiting for an English translation. I was over the moon when I saw that the translation of the first volume was now available. This was a lovely introduction to three equally endearing characters. The pacing felt just right, allowing us to immediately delve into their relationship dynamics. The plot is sweet, written in a light-hearted and humorous style, while also giving insights into the nuances of Makoto's life. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series, and I'm hoping that later volumes will also explore Saki and Ryuji's personalities more.

Cute, charming, and made me interested in how the characters will grow. The scenes feel a little short as if it's a series of vignettes rather than one cohesive story but I still enjoyed it.

the premise of the manga is quite interesting and the art style and colour were definitely appreciated. i do understand that this is only volume 1 of what i assume would have other volumes to delve further into the characters and plot but so far there's not a lot of substance to any of the plot lines but we get a lot of information like the childhood friend having a crush and the mc and mum's relationship and the previous bullying but its all just touched on - hopefully it all gets built on in future volumes but all in all, it was a quick read

Beautiful artworks and story. A gender non-conforming protagonist is so rare and I am glad I had the chancw to read this first tome of Senpai is an Otokonoko. Looking forward to the others.

Aoi-san confesses her feelings to an upper classman, Makoto-senpai only to learn that Makoto isn’t another girl, but a boy who likes to dress up as a girl. To Makoto’s surprise, Aoi isn’t dissuaded and vows to make Makoto fall in love with her. Cue a montage of Aoi-san looking for Makoto senpai and her senpai avoiding her. After while she learns of Makoto’s best friend, Ryuji who is fiercely protective of his friend, and sort of sporting a crush on them?
Volume 1 is mostly just Aoi-san determinedly worming her way into Makoto’s life, winning over/blackmailing her best friend and, finally, meeting Makoto’s mother only to discover that Makoto is hiding his crossdressing from her because she seems to sport traditional views on gender norms.
Personally, I found this first volume to be so sweet. I was expecting something closer to Otomen, but this one is different and a completely separate class of its own. Aoi-san doesn’t care that Makoto is a guy or a girl. In fact, she gets even more excited learning that she ‘gets to see both genders’ of him. She doesn’t care that she may start getting picked on by association. She’s determined to prove her feelings for Makoto. The girl is so pure-hearted and stubborn. I respect that. Lol

The art, at first was just pretty decent, and then you get into the fireworks scene and it’s just absolutely magical to look at. Gorgeous artwork.

Honestly, this manga was a breath of fresh air and I very much look forward to reading the next one!

I really enjoyed how simplistic this manga felt and how heart warming the MMC feels. He’s not scared to be himself when in his most used setting and cares for everyone else before himself. I do love the fact that there isn’t bullying in this which did scare me before reading. However I think this would be a great place to start if starting to understand cross dressing a little easier

3.75 stars

"Senpai is an Otokonoko" offers a refreshing take on the slice-of-life genre, blending humor and heartfelt moments with a unique premise. The story revolves around a high school student who discovers that their classmate, a seemingly typical boy, is actually an otokonoko—someone who enjoys dressing in traditionally feminine clothing.

Pom's writing is engaging, with well-developed characters that feel relatable and authentic. The interactions between the protagonist and their classmates are filled with witty banter and genuine emotion, making it easy to become invested in their journeys. The art style complements the narrative beautifully, capturing both the lighthearted and more serious tones of the story.

While the pacing can feel a bit uneven at times, particularly in the middle sections, the overall narrative arc is enjoyable and leaves readers eager for more. The themes of acceptance and self-discovery are handled with care, making it a thoughtful read for those interested in exploring gender identity and friendship.

Overall, "Senpai is an Otokonoko" is a delightful start to the series, with enough charm and depth to keep readers coming back for the next installment. If you're looking for a light yet meaningful story, this one is worth checking out!

Very cute!

At first I didn’t know what I would think of this, the premise of a crossdressing high schooler and the girl who had a crush on him could be hella cute, awkward, offensive, or funny. Thankfully it’s more the first with a dash of humor. Overall this is super fluffy and well meaning I think. Matoko the genderbent lead is lovely. I’m not sure if he’s nonbinary or what? But he dresses as a girl at school and loves cute things. Pronouns used in the book are he, but honestly, I’m not sure if it would be different if it was written in English originally or if it’s a cultural thing. But I’m going with he since that is what the book calls him.

I love that this was full color, the art was sweet and cutesy and I liked it but it did not blow me away with artistic skill. Still, I liked this and will check out the next!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for an ARC of this manga in exchange for an unbiased review.

thank you very much to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

i really wanted to read this because i saw this floating around as a rec on my ig explore page for a bit, and after actually reading the synopsis i thought it was gonna be a cute highschool romcom!! and for 90% of it, i'm right. i can already see the other 10% as potential emotional damage. [to preface this review, i have never read this manga before]

i will get my one gripe out of the way first. ahem is the mic on. Saki is so annoying. she's supposed to be the typical genki girl but after awhile of her following Makoto around it got really tiring and annoying to read. the one thing i agree on is that,, imagine having a crossdressing partner whom you get to enjoy both the male and female versions of. 100% understand. Saki has great taste. i have a feeling she'll probably get some character development later on.

i love how Makoto's character is developed, and how it revolves around his identity. yes he identifies as a boy but he loves cute and girly things too and chooses to dress as a girl in school. i love how he doesn't let things like confessions on a dare and his mother's attitude to him liking cute stuff get him down. he sticks to what he likes to do and does it anyway.

and Ryuji ah Ryuji..... i can already see the second lead syndrome. i hate that he has internalised homophobia ingrained so deeply in him. he clearly treasures Makoto, and it's in the way he's protective of him, respectful of him and even the way he accepts Saki into their group when Makoto does. and it's clear that it extends more than friendship, in an 'actually gone for him since childhood but is in denial' way. very much looking forward to seeing how his arc goes!! though with most popular mangas i don't think he'd end up Makoto so i am...... bracing myself for emotional damage......

okay but i like the dynamic of between the three of them. i can see that this friendship is going to have a big impact on all three of them, especially from that fireworks chapter.

going to binge this soon....

*Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha comics for early copy for review*

This was really cute and very queer. Makoto identifies as a boy and enjoys dressing like a girl while at school. When Aoi came in and confessed her crush I was so worried that something bad was going to happen, but Aoi likes Makoto without worrying about gender.

This is really sweet and I think that Makoto is still discovering who they are while living in conservative Japan. I am interested in seeing where this story will take us.

Thanks a lot to Kodansha for making this first volume available through NetGalley!

I didn't come into Senpai is an Otokonoko blindly. Queer comics/animation automatically catch my attention, and I watched the anime adaptation weekly when it was airing, looking forward to every episode eagerly. I was enamored with its tender approach to a delicate subject such as gender expression and performance and romantic love in relation to it. An added bonus that I appreciated and don't often see explored in the romance-focused series is how our relationship with family can shape our perrception of romance and the ways we seek love.

Reading this first volume made me understand better where the adaptation gets its energy, cuteness and charm. There are lots of instances where the characters are in their small, deformed versions and they are insanely adorable! I had no idea this series was available on WEBTOON and for some reason it says 'complete' even though there are only 7 chapters... We shall wait and see! Heartily recommend this warm, funnny, bittersweet, queer coming-of-age webtoon. The vertical-to-horizontal format change works very well!

Calling all Heartstopper fans! I requested this on a whim and got to read one of the sweetest stories about a younger student courting her older schoolmate, only to find out they are a boy who cross-dresses and does not care one bit about it.

Lord, thank you for feral sapphics and how passionately they love women. I would love to see this as an anime one day, but for now, I will be glad with more issues.

The art was so beautiful and made it obvious how much everyone who worked on this manga cared about the story.

Makoto's identity is treated with so much care and respect, and I completely fell in love with these characters. Even if I'm rooting for Saki's courting efforts to be successful, what really warmed my heart was the bonds of friendship that these young characters created between them.

(I'm writing this review so Assistant Saru can go out and celebrate their amazing work with some meat!)

Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for this DRC.

This manga has a really sweet art style--cutesy and full of soft pastel tones that give it a warm, playful vibe. It also touches on some interesting and complex themes, like gender identity and expression, as one of the main characters is a cross-dressing boy. I appreciated that this was included, especially in a lighthearted romcom setting.

That said, the first volume stays pretty surface-level with those deeper themes. I was hoping it would explore them a little more, but it feels like it's just setting the stage for things to develop later on. It's definitely leaning into the usual romcom tropes, and if you love shoujo manga tropes, you might like this.

There's a specific interaction between two characters that had me raising an eyebrow--it leans into a familiar trope about persistence in love that can sometimes feel more romantic in fiction than it would in real life. Not a deal-breaker, but something I noticed.

Overall, if you're looking for a fun, pastel-colored romantic comedy with the promise of exploring some deeper themes in future volumes, this could be worth checking out. I’ll be curious to see how the characters and their relationships grow from here.

Review to come early June to my blog/other places.

I received this one from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

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😍 I loved that Makoto, despite all the things he hears at school, sticks to crossdressing in school because he feels more comfortable at school. Yes, at times it causes some situations as he is still listed as a boy and has to participate in boy activities, and the people aren't too kind, but he sticks to it and I just loved how comfortable he was in his skin in those moments. I loved how he styled his wig even when exercising. I do hope that as the story continues Makoto is free to dress as he wants in more places. Now it is just school and I would love for him to be more free to like cute things and dress as a girl whenever he wants.
😍 I loved Saki. Confessing to what she thought was a girl (she is a first year so she hasn't heard the rumours about her senpai) and then hearing Makoto was a guy and getting super excited. Bi/Pan representation GO! I loved seeing her totally fangirl at that moment and see the good in both sides. That was just so how I would react as well. You mean I get a cute girl and a cute/sexy guy? HECK YES!
😍 I loved Saki's determination to make Makoto fall in love with her. At times a bit overbearing but she does listen to people (Makoto and Ryuji) and tempers her excitement down a bit. Though she is still so adorable when she fangirls and loses herself in the moment. Squee!
😍 I loved that Makoto was all about not falling in love with Saki but you could definitely see him falling. Plus, he is not making a good case for himself given some of the situations that he gets into, like at the library.😆
😍 I loved seeing Makoto's but also Saki's POV.
😍 I loved that we got some glimpses in the past. See how Makoto was. See the friendship between Ryuji and him. It made everything more rounded.
😍 The cover is so cute!
😍 The art inside is all in colour! This is pretty rare for manga so I was excited to see the colour extend to beyond the first 5-10 pages. It just made everything even more beautiful and gorgeous. There are some scenes, some snapshots, that I would love to just keep somewhere. Like the fireworks scene.

🤔 Seriously, the mom. I get that maybe she was doing it because she didn't want him to be bullied, but seriously, now your kid is afraid and hides stuff from you. Geez. If I had a boy and he wanted girly stuff I would definitely tell him that people aren't always going to be accepting and they may say things, but then also buy whatever he wants and support him.
🤔 We all know how I feel about love triangles...
🤔 Ryuji, I am still not sure how I feel about him. On the one side at least he didn't turn out to be an enormous dick in the end. I hope that he doesn't come between Saki and Makoto.

😨 On the point of Makoto having his own corner in school... I do worry for that. I have read a few too many manga/books to know that this happy place will be found out and things may escalate in the worst way.

All in all, I need many more volumes of this manga. It is fun to read, has gorgeous art, a character to root for, and a couple to ship. I would recommend this one to all.

“Senpai is an Otokonoko” is a quirky, heartfelt start to a unique romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Volume 1 introduces us to a sweet but awkward love triangle, centered around gender identity and personal acceptance. The art is cute, the pacing is solid, and the characters have charm—even if they feel a bit trope-y at times. While it’s not groundbreaking, it’s definitely refreshing to see a manga explore these themes with sincerity and humor. A fun read if you’re in the mood for something light, a little bold, and a bit different.