Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 1 by Fujita
Series Name: Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Intended Age Group: 16+
Publisher: Kodansha
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-63236-704-4
Rating: 4/5
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Description from the Book
Narumi Momose has had it rough: Every boyfriend she’s had dumped her once they found out she was an otaku, so she’s done to great lengths to hide it. When a chance meeting at her new job with childhood friend, fellow otaku, and now coworker Hirotaka Nifuji almost gets her secret outed at work, she comes up with a plan to make sure he never speaks up. But he comes up with a counter-proposal: Why doesn’t she just date him instead?
Personal & Info
I’m an otaku, so when I heard about this series, I was sure I wanted to read it.
There are translation notes in the middle, after the first half, which would technically be volume one of the Japanese version, and again at the end of what would be part two of the Japanese version. Be sure to take a look at those if you think you might need them.
There are also little notes next to the page numbers on most pages. They aren’t significant information, but they do add some small details to the story. These are easy to overlook.
Characters
Narumi Momose is the cute incompetent type character. She’s the fujoshi of the group, but she enjoys multiple nerdy mediums, like playing various video games and reading manga.
Hirotaka Nifuji is the video game otaku. He’s tall and good at his job. It’s stated he would probably die without video games.
Hanako Koyanagi is Narumi’s work friend. She’s into the arts, as well as crossplay, anime, manga, and BL. She also easily gets drunk, and can be highly aggressive.
Taro Kabakura is Hirotaka’s friend. He is dating Hanako, and they have known each other since high school. Like Hanako, he can be a bit aggressive. He apparently keeps up with the most current anime and manga.
Naoya Nifuji is Hirotaka’s little brother. He is not an otaku, and he has a job as a barista.
Story & Thoughts
Part 1
There are four main characters, and they all work in the same office. All four of them are some type of otaku, and they are basically two couples. Narumi and Hirotaka know each other from middle school, and Hanako and Kabakura know each other from high school.
The story is so cute. It’s mostly these four people just living their lives with their day to day struggles. Hirotaka doesn’t express himself well, except in text. Narumi isn’t good at her job, and can’t even manage her own deadlines for her doujinshi for comiket. Hanako and Kabakura are always fighting. Honestly, their relationship might be a little toxic.
The interactions between Narumi and Hirotaka are adorable and funny. Hirotaka seems to have a good understanding of Narumi. He helps her out, and they often play video games together. Narumi doesn’t seem sure how to handle being with Hirotaka, yet, but she’s positive it’s more comfortable than being with someone she has to hide her hobbies from.
The bonus comics are amazing. They are mostly just the four of them hanging out together doing random shenanigans. Some of it otaku related, and some of it just regular stuff, like Hirotaka trying to learn how to wink. The silliness of it all is great.
Part 2
This section introduces Naoya. He comes across as kind and cute, but he is very much a “normie.” For some reason, he thinks otaku terms are business terms.
The general shenanigans continues. We learn a little more about Narumi and Hirotaka’s childhoods. The series seems to like flashbacks for that, which are usually cute and heartwarming.
I don’t have much else to say about this part. It keeps the same consistency as the first half and maintains the same feel and type of comedy. If anything, it’s good that it holds up.
Overall
I love the characters. They’re all amusing and have their own separate otaku hobbies, but they come together to have fun easily. Their personalities and interests overlap enough to make them a good group of friends, and while some don’t like to participate in the hobbies of others, they are supportive and enjoy spectating.
As an otaku myself, I find the story relatable and heartwarming. I think I relate to Narumi the most, but I think there’s a little from everyone to relate to.
There are some character bios scattered throughout the book that cover some general information about everyone, as well as a section that talks about their Sunday morning habits. I love all the extra pictures, colored sections, and comics.The art in general is just really nice.
This is a series I definitely intend to finish. It only has six volumes in the English edition(covering eleven Japanese volumes), so it shouldn’t be a huge commitment.