Ane Doki

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Ane Doki is a simple, and somewhat predictable, manga. If you read the synopsis, you will know very well what you are getting into: a light comedy with a bit of ecchi and a generic premise. If you don't like generic manga, ecchi, simple characters, or love triangles, I would still recommend Ane Doki. Sure, it's clearly aimed at the fans of typical shounen romantic comedy mangas, but that doesn't mean someone "outside the circle" won't enjoy it. By the way, enjoyment is by far the most important aspect in Ane Doki, so you shouldn't expect or think about it too much.

Why is Ane Doki ... so enjoyable? Let's start with the story: like in many mangas of the genre, there isn't really a main plot. The chapters are quite episodic — with very few plot development —, focusing more on the characters and their relationships. As it was already stated, the premise is generic and the development is predictable. The situations aren't very original either, since many of them can be seen in other works. What saves the story, though it doesn't make it less mediocre, is the way it's told.

The author doesn't try to put fancy plot devices or crazy twists to make the manga popular. Instead, she tries to handle the story as simply and naturally as possible, wich turns out to be a very good decision. In result, the story is completely captivating. The reader will find himself wishing that the protagonist chooses Girl A, or maybe Girl B, wondering about that other girl's mistery and making guesses about how the relationships will progress.

If the story can't captivate the reader, the art doesn't help a lot. The character designs are simple — without many defining features —, the minor characters couldn't be more common and the backgrounds are normally left aside or drawn in a very simplistic manner. Even so, you can't say that the art is bad, since the visual as a whole is quite delightful and the characters' looks match their personalities well.

The characters are simple. Really simple. Their personalities are already known by ecchi fans, their actions are predictable and the single person the female characters have a romantic interest in is the protagonist. Again, the author doesn't botter thinking of deep, complex characters. She shows that she can handle these types of characters (a protagonist who doesn't know who he likes, a girl that is like an older sister, but turns out to be something else etc) and isn't afraid of clichés. Since the reader already knows these characters, it's easier to sympathize with them.

With characters easy to see through, fitting character designs, a delightfull visual and a generic, but captivating, story, Ane Doki is truly a feast for those with simple tastes. Again, you should read it without too much expectation or thinking. In the end, that's the manga's purpose: to entertain, without appellation, anyone willing to read it. The only real issue is the conclusion: it seems too rushed and the reader can't help but wonder what could happen if the manga hadn't been canceled. If you can overcome that, Ane Doki should be a good way to spend time.

Few things to note, i havent read all that much manga, just over 3 days according to mal at time of writing this, but over 170 days of anime. So while i might not be a expert on manga i am quite used varying styles and genres from the anime i've watched. Also i wont include any spoilers, even though that limits what i can say on things. Also this is my first review, anime or manga, this is the first, so i dont care how its rated, i wanted put my thoughts down, and so i did.

Well i saw this while it was still ... publishing and was interested in reading it once it was all done, as much as anything else because Natsuki is so damn hot, and reminds in pretty every detail possible of Misaki Yamamoto of Hatsukoi Limited(also by Kawashita, Mizuki), which was a good enough reason on its own for me to start reading this as Misaki like Natsuki have the looks, style, and cool appeal to make them practically perfect, only flaw is i can never be with them :).

Well i agree with most of whats been said in the other reviews, its pretty typical, though i doubt anyone would read an ecchi rom-com expecting it to be something new. As another reviewer said, enjoyment is the biggest factor, as proof i was looking for something to read a few chapters of before going sleep, but instead i read it all which for me took over 3hrs but as i mentioned already i havent read that much manga so my pace might be quite slow. Once i started i just couldnt stop myself reading on, i truely did enjoy it, my only wish is that there had been another chapter after it finished, but saying why would spoil things.

Skipping any real review of art, as for manga i dont have enough reference to say whats truely good, or say whats bad or could be better.

So i say for the story, which although pretty typical does have enough for me to give it some merit, part of which for me is although its a stretch to believe that Natsuki simply decides to move in for the sake of paying her debt of eating his ice cream. You can mostly accept the happenings and reasons behind them as possible, this for me made the characters feel more real or believable, or atleast kouta, Natsuki and kanede as well as one or two others introduced later but i wont say who they are. It also progressed quite well, giving you answers on who Natsuki really is, and although its quite short, also showed the other relationships Kouta had with various girls quite well.

Characters, first the few other males in this were all your typical stock characters, very annoying, bland, and for me forgettable, like i didnt once remember their names, or feel like putting effort into recognising who was who.
Kouta, was nothing new really, but we all know how these things work. Unsure of himself, unsure of his feelings, trying to work out what it means to like(love) someone. Always quick to yell at the people he cares for, because he cant work out his feelings, yet when it comes time to act does so with little hesitation. Despite this i quite liked him, i think its probably me, but i always see there being something we can all relate to in these characters, though the situations are far beyond what we could hope for ourselves, understanding your feelings for someone isnt easy, and we have all made mistakes while trying to figure them out.

Natsuki, my reason for reading it. The mysterious beauty who's past and situation get reveal during the manga. Simply put, im male and i love her, she's hot, and she's cool, but often shows a softer and weaker side of herself, making me love her all the more. Since alot of its about her, i cant say anymore really without spoiling things.

Kanede, well a cute tsundere more or less say it all. Just going from the Synopsis you know kouta helps save her, which ofcourse leads her to having feelings for him. From stuck up idol to blushing loli, the idol and Kouta's school crush, actually shows a bit of character devolpment, and for me was quite like-able.

Along with Chiaki, Natsuki's younger sister, the interaction between the characters, and some of the resulting ecchi situations they get themselves into provide plenty of entertainment and enjoyment for any rom-com fan, you'll love Natsuki, and Kanede, your only regret will be the end doesnt go on a bit more to show you what you want to happen. Then again just how often do anime or manga end in the way you wanted or your happy with, for any genre.

What have we here? The story of your neighbourhood shota. Kou-chan is the 13 year old schoolboy all the best-looking girls want. But it's Natsuki, the four years older beauty that we care about the most.

Ane Doki! is quite predictable. Most of the cliches of the genre you can think of, are there. Kouta, our protagonist, is a pre-teen who's completely clueless when it comes to his feelings, as well as those of others. Natsuki, our sexy female lead, randomly decides to devote her life to serving this kid. The convenient absence of parents? It's here, times two. The occasional clumsiness that leads to erotic ... sights can't be missing. And since there's a girl moving in to a boy's house, of course another girl will decide to move in, to "keep an eye on them". Check.

The twist here is supposed to be the age gap between the two; a point of interest should be the moment Kouta's cute classmate starts having feelings for him. Thing is, the dilemma "sexy versus cute" is actually non-existent. The role of alternative love interests is demoted to people that exist merely to help Kouta realise he's fallen for the older hottie.

The characters are visually attractive and nicely drawn. We get a whole lot of fanservice like girls in their underwear or accidental groping, but nothing too extreme. In fact, there is but a single kiss throughout this manga. While Kouta's feelings for Natsuki do delevop, and we get some interesting insight on his thoughts and expectations, Natsuki remains the girl who happily helps and praises him the whole time, something rather shallow.

With only 26 chapters, Ane Doki! remains interesting. That is, if you want to live out the honorable fantasy of the boy who aims for the older, ridiculously hot girl.