Home Office Romance | ARC Manga Review

Happy Manga Monday! This week, I’m reviewing a 5-star gem I received as an ARC from Kodansha that completely stole my heart. It’s perfect for when you’re in the mood for a silly, sweet romance with lovable characters and an engaging plot…

Nokoru has been working brutal overtime at a demanding job when the pandemic lockdown finally gives him the chance to telework from home. This new situation (and the time he saves on his commute) lets him rediscover old passions and new hobbies. The lush garden he creates on his apartment balcony provides a chance to get to know his cute neighbor, Natsu, a graduate student in archeology. How do two adults build a relationship amid “social distancing,” when face-to-face interaction is frown upon, even dangerous? It feels like a tall tale to find an office romance at home, but these are strange times…

Honestly, I never thought I’d read a manga about life during COVID—it was such a tough time, and it felt too real. But I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it.

Nokoru finally had the chance to decorate and furnish his apartment after starting to work from home during the pandemic. With no more commuting, he now has more time to enjoy his old hobbies.

sidenote: I remember getting my first apartment and barely decorating it because I was just too busy. So much has happened since then, and I’m only now starting to rebuild my physical book and manga collection. Working and commuting long hours can really be soul-sucking.

Everything about this manga was relatable for me—cute, and funny in the most adorable way. The female lead also has freckles, and as someone who’s heavily freckled myself, I was so happy to see that they weren’t used to make her seem less attractive.

Seriously, this manga was just full of panels I loved.

^ but don’t let these panels fool you the artwork is great! lol

I’m a bit sad that this is just a standalone manga, but I also think I wouldn’t have loved it as much if it had been stretched out over several volumes. The romance, the buildup—everything was top-tier, and it made for such a nice read. There was a hint of spice, but it was really refreshing to see a romance manga that focused on how the two characters genuinely came to support and care for each other.

I think this might be one of my favorite mangas I’ve read this year. I’m definitely picking up a physical copy next time I’m in the States, and I might also check out the author’s other works and stalk their X to see if they have any cute merch.

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