Koibana Onsen

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

Koibana Onsen is a manga that requires a bit of caution before venturing into it, due to its mature sexual content. But with that said, Koibana Onsen is something I could - maybe not wholeheartedly - recommend for those looking for something a bit more raunchy than ecchi, as this is a fairly decent Romantic, Harem.

Welcome to Koibana Onsen, the place where love blooms. A family-run Inn, within a secluded rural setting, provides a unique romantic atmosphere for the couples that use it for their little romantic gateways. So it was quite the surprise when Akiyama, rather than cancel his reservation, decided to go to ... the Inn after being jilted by his girlfriend. Little did he know that such misfortune would turn into its own form of fortune, as Akiyama's experience in Koibana Onsen led to his decision to help the owners and begin working there. The owners being 3 fairly attractive sisters and, well you know where it goes from there, being a Harem and all. Yet that is only true in the beginning, with Akiyama getting into perverse situations - ranging from ecchi to raunchy - with the sisters. But unlike the majority of Harem, there's a greater focus on the Romance. Sure there are enough moments to keep a steam room well steamed, sometimes in some very odd and unnecessary ways; but Akiyama's relationship developments are the greater focus. Later on it branches out to include a variety of characters.

The characters being what I thought were the strongest aspect of this manga, however even as I say that, Akiyama can be so spineless at times that it can get annoying. It's what makes him less interesting and more or less into another generic kind of male protagonist. I would have continued to feel like that if the characters remained 1-dimensional but they didn't. What I like is that there's character development where I didn't expect it. Like the sisters: Fuuka, Nonoka and Moeka. All follow very rudimentary character archetypes in the beginning, but with more depth added to them as the story goes on, and those aren't the only important characters in this story.

On the other hand, one of the main issues I had whilst reading Koibana Onsen was the artwork and how horribly inconsistent it was. From jarring facial features to slightly misshapen limbs and awkward postures. Such things really stick out once you first notice them. Sure it is serviceable and a lot of readers could care less; but the lack of style and technique, on the mangaka's part, really gets to me.

Overall Koibana Onsen did certainly feel like a place love would bloom and it proved to be rather enjoyable to see the relationships start off as a simple seedling and eventually blossom. However I really didn't enjoy the contrived ways the mangaka tried to get his characters into some rather questionable, sexual situations. But other than that and some other minor annoyances, Koibana Onsen is a decent Romantic, Harem worth checking out and maybe one day I'll try my luck in one of these Japanese Onsen.

*Please beware of this manga mature sexual content*

Koibana Onsen, the place where love blossom, is a family run-inn by 3 sisters. To no surprise, it is a perfect atmosphere for a couple who just want to escape the world and express their love. It is filled with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and wonderful open air baths that just make the perfect mood. However, one day Akiyama Kazuhiro, after being dumped by his girlfriend and feeling bad on cancelling the reservations arrives at the inn. This is the first time a customer has come in without a partner, so the 3 sisters decides that they will ... try their best so he can have a good time like the other customers. After seeing how hard the girls worked, Akiyama decides to work there with them and help love blossom.

Story: 8/10
Koibana Onsen is an ecchi, slice of life romance type of manga. In the beginning, when Akiyama starts working there at the inn, it is filled with ecchi situations and some slight humor as he adjusts to get used to the inn. These somewhat standalone chapters are stories of the customers coming in and the different situations that love could create. Like two young lovers eloping or even a couple having their honeymoon. But as the story goes on, it becomes more focused on the romance. The transition from standalone ecchi chapters to more romance oriented chapters was done very well. The romance part of this manga does not simply focus on the romance between Akiyama and Nonoka, but also the supporting characters romance, like Moeka the youngest of the sister. The story at first may seem like a generic ecchi manga, but as you read on, you will find that it gives a pretty good love story.

Art: 6/10
The artwork of the story is pretty decent. The characters look alright, not much detailed put into them though. The variety of background characters is done pretty well since, each chapter has a new couple and they all look pretty well done and not repetitive.

Character: 8/10
The character development was truly well done in this manga. The love between Akiyama and Nonoka really does start off as a seed and slowly blooms to full love by the end of the series. The series does not only focus on Akiyama’s and Nonoka’s love, but also the love of the other characters too like Moeka, the youngest sister, and Fuuka, the oldest sister. So don’t be surprised by the lack of character development at first in the beginning of the manga, because as it goes on, the seed will slowly grow into a beautiful flower.

Enjoyment: 9/10
I thought that this manga was a pretty good manga. It was really ecchi, but ignoring that fact, it had a pretty good story line. The beginning started off as a nice slice of life, ecchi, comedy kind of feel that made it quite entertaining. Then it slowly becomes more focused on development and finally ends in a pretty good romance story.

Overall: 8/10
Overall Koibana Onesen is a pretty good ecchi/romance series. Since Koibana onsen is a place where love blooms, there is obviously a lot of loving going on there, so if you’re going to read this manga be prepared to see some pretty stimulating stuff. It has a decent storyline that goes at a nice pace, and does a superb job of slowly changing from a bunch of standalone chapters, with not much development, into chapters that is more focused on development. The transition happened so subtly that it was impossible to notice it. So if you’re looking for a nice read with decent plot and character development, Koibana Onsen should be good for you.

This manga had no almost no story. It felt more like a short rather than a manga with its gimmick being the love onsen.

While reading the manga, I felt the author could have made it interesting but decided to ignore that and went on ahead to repeatedly write similar chapters with different characters. The manga has like 64 chapters, but when I finished I felt if I would have had to compare it to anything, it would be like watching Naruto and coming across many fillers.

- If you like greatly detailed drawings of penises and vagina's, this story isn't for you because the ... the artist never drew one in this manga

- But if you like a romance story with very little conflict with very simple solutions, this manga is for you.

An borderline h manga with slow romance and a lot of interesting characters.

The main character gets dumped by high girlfriend and after his time in the company of the three sisters he falls in love with the middle sister. He decides to stay and work at the company.

Throughout the course of the manga we are shown the cute romance between the MC and the middle sister develop from a crush to actually love and eventually into a healthy sexual relationship. We see the youngest sister grow up and the older sister doesn't change all too much but is a enjoyable character.

Art is basic ... but not too dull to the eye. It's not clean enough for me to hate, so it's a win in the art department.