Nisekoi Doumei.
"Nisekoi"

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I apologize for any grammatical errors that may appear, but English is not my language.

Note: There are two versions of the manga, one physical version with 34 chapters compiled in 2 volumes tankobon that has an alternate ending, and an ongoing online version. This review is based on online version.

This manga is underrated in my opinion, maybe because of its plot. The plot gives the idea that this is a simple story of a boy and a girl pretending to be lovers to take revenge on their partners and falling in love with each other. But as they are afraid of being seen, they just ... went out in secret, disagreeing the plot. The true point of the story is the male protagonist determined to steal the female protagonist from her boyfriend. The story is much more interesting than it appears by the plot and the first chapters.

I only picked up this manga because I thought it was an interesting plot... until I read further into it.

Story: 6 - FAIR

The plot is supposed to be about two couples, a normal girl with a handsome guy, and a normal guy with a beautiful girl. The normal girl and boy were held back in class because of class duties so their partners (the beautiful handsome ones) waited for them in another class. When the normal girl and guy finished whatever it was they were doing they went to go back to their respective partners only to find them "seemingly" kissing each other, even though ... it's NOT CLEARLY seen: just the girl standing in front of the boy while he sat on the chair with his hands on her hips... It may look as if they were kissing you know... but, seriously, if you think about it, IT'S NOT LIKE THEIR LIPS WERE BOTH SEEN TO BE TOUCHING... But... apparently, the two main characters (the normal-looking duo) just assumed it because it seemed impossible that they were doing something else... SO the normal girl stupidly and brashly decided, "Why not we have an affair?" SMART MOVE BAKA. Why not choose the option of confronting them instead?! GOSH! But NO! THEY CHOSE THE STUPID MOVE. I know that the whole fake affair thing is basically the whole plot but seriously... It's wrong in so many ways. You shouldn't get revenge on someone by doing the same wrongful act as they did. It's just stupid. 'Nuff said. But, whatever, because of that, I continue to read it on only because I wanna know whether they'll get busted so bad and finally realize their stupid actions... So far, they haven't yet and I'm on the verge of dropping the manga. I don't fudging care if they found love through having an affair, WHICH IS WRONG BTW, I just want them to realize that they're hurting more than 10 people in the process. I'm exaggerating, but that shows how frustrated I am.

UPDATE: After reading the story much further, I've decided to update this review to make sure I rate this manga with justice and I'll just say...

The story was interesting enough to get me to read the first chapter and until I have to wait for their updates. Main characters who are having an affair? It makes you want to know where they're going to make the story go and how it'll end...

Art: 9 - GREAT

Aside from the twisted and sick plot-line, the art was so DARN BEAUTIFUL!!! After this, I'm going to check the mangaka's other mangas! The character's emotions were drawn so beautifully that I get so KYAAA in my heart whenever the boy shows a mischievous expression or have a slight blush. Yet it also annoys me whenever the girl's overflowing tears were seen... It's beautifully drawn, but because she was crying over something stupid, I got annoyed over it...Like, wipe your snot and MAN UP, GIRL! Other than that, the art is splendid!

UPDATE: Hah, nothing much to update because the art is still as beautiful as it had been since the first chapter!

Character: 7 - GOOD

Sorry, not sorry, but yeah, you suck main characters. I would love to rant on how HORRIBLE the characters' characteristics are... but... nevermind, I will.

FIRST... I don't mind if the main character has flaws and irritating characteristic, behaviors and mannerisms, after all, everyone has imperfections. I always came to like characters in other mangas who were so darn irritating at first. They were irritating but they had something admirable and likable in them and because of that, they would slowly develop themselves into a better person, a better human, better... PERSON!

But this girl? She's irrational, brash, loud-mouth, indecisive, liar, idiotic, heartless, selfish, crybaby, weak, and petty. Other than that? Well, she has bad judgment, she can forget a "love" she had for her boyfriend just minutes after spending time with a guy who was NOT her boyfriend (was it even considered "love" at all, lol), she doesn't give a damn about anyone but herself: as long as she's happy, gets the guy she wants... then she'll be fine... not. She's also so darn forgetful who's girlfriend she is and who's boyfriend that she's crushing on is, making me pissed off when she unconsciously believed that the affair she was having was real... even though she was so noisy telling the normal guy that she won't ever like him... But, in the end, she was careless and out her heart on her sleeve just to get it snatched up and crushed by me, with pins and needles sticking into it... Just kidding.

And the guy? Well, what an idiot as well, even though he is quite cute. I seriously don't know whether he's truly heartbroken about her girlfriend kissing the guy or... meh. I don't even understand as I write this. It feels as if he's just playing around with both girls. At times, it feels as if he really like the normal girl, and other times it feels like he's so heartbroken about the girl... Talk about indecisive? Well, we go through that in our life once at least.

And... let's see, if I try to look REALLY HARD for something good in them?

Well, the girl would probably.... er.... um... I'm having such a hard time. Gosh. Oh wait, ah.... Nope, got nothin'. Maybe I have to read further in to find something... Oh wait! There's something. She has guts... Too bad, she used them in cowardice. If she could use that guts to confront her boyfriend instead of having an affair? Well, you get what I mean.

And the girl, he's quite hot... and I guess, he cares about the both the normal girl and the beautiful girl... Not that that's a good thing. Er, also, he's good at hiding a secret?

UPDATE: Before the update, I rated the characters as a mere 1 - Pathetic だせ. But of course, that just shows how I shouldn't judge a character before getting to know about them for real. So after reading a few more chapters, they did learn from their mistake and got out from the they made mess becoming someone much better than they were before at least. They acknowledged their mistakes, knew their weaknesses and pathetic character. I guess what I had been reading since the first chapter were just characters who had yet to develop themselves and their characters. They were, after all, still high school students and would still have a plethora of things they'd have to go through when they get out into the real world.

I guess I got too used to amazingly mature, realistic, down-to-earth, and likable characters to appear in the first chapter of a manga because of the unfortunate "past" they had to go through in their childhood years, in the age when they should have lived their lives being innocent, happy and selfish brats.

So yeah, the characters here were as realistic as how any normal human being in their shoes would be like. I can't wait to read the next few chapters and see them develop their characters even further.


Enjoyment: 4 - DECENT

How could it be outstanding when I cringe and slam my head against my phone every three panels. The 2 is only because of the art and the enjoyment of seeing them dig their own grave... -_-

Sorry, not sorry.

UPDATE: It was rated as Dreadful (2) before this, heh. But any normal manga would have you go through emotions like this and I'd say that manga who can make you feel feelings throughout the read is quite good. It just shows that I'm human, at least. :p

Overall: 6-7 (Fair-Good)

To me, it was. But, to other people who're sick of cliche, fairy tales, good characters on so on, I guess you might like it. Meh. It's interesting, but too darn painful and unbearable to read it. But I'll continue to read it. Not because I'm a masochist, but because I'm holding onto that sliver ray of hope that they might finally realize the darn mistake they did and pay for all the damage they've done...

Ah, I'm so tired from ranting.

UPDATE: ... All is well if you've read my updates in this review.

Just one thing, read at your own risk. And... don't judge a manga before you've finished it completely. ;)

I just read chapter 34 today and I'm here hoping that wasn't the last chapter, 'cause if not WOW what a shitty and rushed ending it has, thought it fits the plot that is as bad, let me explain what I mean

EDIT: Apparently the raws go up to chapter 105 *sighs in relief*

Story: 3. So you see, long story short, Girl A and Boy A see Girl A's boyfriend (Boy B) kissing with Boy A's girlfriend (Girl B). So instead of confronting them, like a normal and sane person would do, they decide that pretending to be lovers and making Boy B and Girl B ... jealous would be a great way to repay them. WRONG. That is just wrong, so kids, don't do it.
But everything wouldn't be so bad if they had sticked with their plan, which they did not. They were actually afraid Boy B and Girl B would see them together, so they only went out in secret, which totally defeated the point of our plot. But whatever mangaka, just do whatever you want, it's not like the story has to make sense.

Art: 9. The art is the only thing that saved your ass mangaka. The ass is beautifully done, and it's kinda different from the typical shoujo, but not that much, which makes it fresh and pleasing for the eye. Of course, you can only enjoy that for about 30 seconds, as each chapter only has 5 pages. YUP, 5 pages for a weekly magazine. Wth.

Character: 3. Oh god, I don't think I have ever hated an mc so much. She's an annoying and indecisive girl who is insecure about everything. She goes on and on about her trust and love for Boy B but then can hardly talk to him or even look at him in the eye. And then Boy A, crushed by the fact that her girlfriend cheated on him, but then not breaking up with her or talk to her about it, just ignoring her and going straight into more trouble.

Enjoyment: 3. I wanted to drop the manga so many times, but the intrigue of wanting to know how it ends kept me going. I ended up hating 3 out of the 4 characters that existed. I don't even know why I read the manga, the ending was totally rushed, I mean, I just noticed it ended cause MAL says it only has 34 chapters. If I hadn't notice that, I would be just another of the many fools waiting for another chapter to see how the manga ends. BUT NOPE. It ended alright. With a random and infuriating ending. So did I enjoy the manga? Was is worthwhile? NO

My recommendation to you guys? Don't even bother reading the first chapter. Seriously, don't. Spare yourself of all the trouble and anger you will feel if you read this.