I didn't come to care for the main couple and their relationship at all even until the end of this manga. It's just not romantic whatsoever and not very cute either by nature, the lead characters' personalities don't really mesh, their chemistry always felt off and they only look cute thanks to the art. Ironically I found the flashback chapter much more interesting compared to the rest ie. 90% of the manga in present day. The different cast in that setting had much more natural and entertaining dynamics together than the bland and lukewarm atmosphere that surrounds the current main cast, even with the occasional attempts to throw in some humour from the mangaka. I actually dropped this series once before and only picked it up again so that I can follow its spin-off lol.

... Last updated on April 16th, 2015, 4:16am

I’ve been a huge Yamamoto Kotetsuko fan for quite a number of years now, and this is one of the first of her works that I ever read. (I’m rereading it and figured it was time to give it a proper review.) At the time, I enjoyed Mankai Darling quite a bit. Having never read anything else by her before, I thought it was a decent, light read, with little conflict and little to complain about. I’d thought it had a sweet vibe, with all of its non-explicit sex scenes, and main focus on a developing relationship rather than the start of a whirlwind romance

Now, however, I can easily agree it’s probably one of her weakest works.

After rereading it, I think the thing that bothers me the most is how not into it the uke is when it comes to sex and anything to do with their relationship in general. It’s like she tried to write him as a tsundere type character, but that didn’t quite come across in the end. Instead she fell short about halfway with the personality. Takashi is resistant with the manager, but at the same time he’s completely capable of being sweet. With full on tsundere characters, this usually comes off as somewhat endearing, but with Takashi, on the other hand, it actually made me question why he would even be with the manager if he’s so uncomfortable? I mean, I completely get him just getting used to the idea of sex, but just in the relationship as a whole he seemed unenthusiastic.

Then, of course, the seme has to muscle his way in and force the uke to make an effort. I’ve always loved Yamamoto Kotetsuko relationships because they’re fairly even, you don’t have this huge gap in dominance like most other yaoi mangas. That is not the case with Mankai Darling. The manager has clear dominance and he knows it. Frequently he will use this dominance to be an arrogant jerk, constantly focused on the idea of sex even when Takashi is 0% into it. They try to make it clear to you that the manager loves Takashi constantly, but most of the time I questioned his motives. Even though the manga tried really hard to make a sweet atmosphere, I just kept not feeling the characters’ affections for one another.

To make matters worse, she eventually started throwing them through all of these different loops, as if to force the idea that they were really in love. Takashi doesn’t seem that into the manager? Well, we just have to make him jealous, and vice versa. It felt forced.

If you want good Yamamoto Kotetsuko story, I’d say stick with Omairi Desu Yo, Lucky Number 13, Honto Yajuu, Sukitte Iwasete?, ect.

It was sweet, simple, funny, and cute!!! There was so much fluff and I enjoyed reading it all the way through. The little tiny bit of complain I have is just that there wasn't a climax to it. It was sweet and safe sailing through out the storyline, but there's wasn't any major plot twist or anything. Still like it though XD

... Last updated on March 29th, 2014, 4:25am

I decided to read this manga after reading all the good reviews here.. But it's just not working for me.. And the reason is the flower shop manager Haruhiko. I love the plot, setting and other characters in the story except the manager.

I suppose he is the kind of person I would dislike in real life. He is average looking, way to blunt (embarassingly so), very serious, stubborn, controlling, very rude, grumpy, too forward, perverted, and disgusting to the point of sexually harassing his employee... Blah..

I've read a lot of yaoi stories and he is the only character I dislike...

The art is also average, nothing special.

Not to mention the uke looks like a 15 year old kid.. Poor guy.

... Last updated on February 28th, 2013, 4:26am

I was really laughing from beginning to end !! Specially when Takashi's opening his mouth to eat the cake from Haruhiko (bwahahahaha!!!!! you'll understand when you read it).
And as usual with this mangaka the storie's very sweet and fluffy, nothing angsty or twisted.
The only things that's bothering me with this mangaka is that she draws mens and kisses that are so sexy that I can't help but be frustrated by the lack of details in the sex scenes. I wouldn't care if her drawings were average, but for some reason I find her guys so sexy, this is just not enough for me, I want to see them in more perverted situations (I know I might sound like a perverted girl ^^').

I love this manga! I've reread it a couple times now, but its still just as cute and as sweet. It's very funny and I love the characters. This is a manga I can always look forward to reading. I would suggest checking out this mangaka's other works. They always seem to have enjoyable characters and story lines.

... Last updated on August 7th, 2012, 10:16pm

The premise of this manga doesn’t seem like much, but one of Yamamoto Sensei’s great strengths is her ability to write eminently readable and enjoyable stories about everyday life. But perhaps her greatest strength is her vivid and charming characters: Haruhiko is shameless and rude, yet is also a competent manager and surprisingly considerate towards his friends and lover when they need him. His relationship with the naïve and shy Takashi is hilariously dysfunctional, but that just makes their private moments of connection all the more tender. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, one or more characters will do something completely unexpected, and the reader has the joy of watching the other characters react. The supporting cast of Ryou, the lovely but dense flower shop assistant, and his salaryman lover Tsusuki, are as well-drawn as their relationship is tooth-rottingly lovey dovey. (Haruhiko and Takashi’s repulsed reaction to their friends’ exaggerated PDA is also very relatable).

Read full review: http://tinyurl.com/7gcuru2

It was very cute to read. Personally I pefer more depth and drama, but this one is very good in it's genre.
The best thing about it was that Haruhiko is such a perv! It always made me laugh ^^ It's what distinguished this manga from all the rest.

It's a cute manga, has a strong slice of life feeling to it, but it was nice to see how their relationship continued. The uke is a bit too "ukeish", but they're sweet together nevertheless so it's not very disturbing. And I love the seme, he's so perv. XD

I was happy to see that there's this sequel to the oneshot from Koi to Wana, but I'm surprised it's a 2-volume story. I'd say it's completed with the one volume scanlated by Bliss so far so I'm absolutely satisfied and don't feel any urge to demand the second, but if it will be available one day, I'll read it.

It worth your time if you're looking for a sweet light read.

EDIT: I finished the second volume. Woow, I enjoyed it quite much. Well, the first three chapters are nothing new (the reapparence of an ex-lover of the manager), but it's still enjoyable. The 4th chapter is a prequel concentrating on how the manager played matchmaker and helped his friend get together with Ryuu-san. It was really sweet, I loved all the awkwardness, and it was nice to see a slice of Haruhiko's life when he was still doing business before the flover shop.
The final chapter was really funny, sweet - gave nothing new to the series but it left me with a happy feeling as I finished the manga.

I love Yamamoto-sensei's work, and this is no exception. I still say the same as I did upon reading the first book: recommended for anyone looking for a nice, light read.

... Last updated on March 15th, 2012, 7:23pm