It's different theme i'll gave the series that, but the rest is the same as other echi harem series. the same lame male protagonist, the same tsundere childhood friend female character, the same judgmental classmate. Good impression at the start but the development is so slow it's just like story for two hours movie adapted to 13 episodes of 1 hour long mini series. i read it till volume 5 and get bored

Atleast the art is good.

This manga simply should not work.
The male lead is designed to be unattractive both Physically and in his personality.
The female lead is his childhood friend. She is meant to be his romantic interest, but is designed to be utterly unapproachable for him.
The central theme of the manga is a serious take on S&M, outside of a Hentai, and is the only thing that brings the characters together. While an Ecchi manga, it deals with the subject with next to no nudity; let alone sex.
It is episodic, most storylines depicting the events around one of their 'breathers', which is their name for their S&M sessions.

Amazume takes all of that and makes it work brilliantly. The art is good, typical of the author, but what makes it work are the characters. Both of the leads are fleshed out realistically, both are shown to be flawed. both are trying improve themselves. Each story arc moves their relationship on a little bit more. The supporting cast all add to the depth.

The story IS slow, and the theme puts a lot off (I had no interest in S&M when I started reading this; still don't), but it really is a must read.

Oh and unlike the previous reviewer, I think the pair are slowly spiraling towards each other, and they inevitably will end up together.

I actually like a lot this manga because of the pinning, the not so background romance between Nana and Kaoru, and specially how Kaoru is in love with Nana and he tries his best to become a better person worthy of her, even when he sees himself unworthy of her, from his looks to his grades, and even when he could totally do something to Nana (not really consensual stuff, which happens on smut shoujo manga often enough, and they fall in love because the guy is hot and beautiful). Kaoru actually loves Nana, he doesn't betray her trust on him.

BDSM doesn't even have to be of your like (I don't love it either), and it's nothing like that 50 shades book. btw.

The sad part is, though, that I don't really see this manga ending with Kaoru and Nana being a couple, and that breaks my heart.

I'm not very new to manga in general, but I became interested in it just at the start of last year. Since then, I've read quite a few, and I have to say this was actually one of the first I read.
After seeing a few of the comments talking about how 'ugly' Kaoru is, I just HAD to make an account and post my opinion. First, I like the fact that the main isnt such a perfect person, and actually makes an effort to grow through the manga. I'm not a person who judges a book by its cover, so to me, the personality of the character is everything. Unlike some other manga, Kaoru isnt exactly a wimpy fag and he actually pushes and exerts himself, and I think that is worthy of respect.

I have to say, the part which touched me most was when Kaoru engages in a short bout of self pity before picking himself up and training his stamina. At least he tries.

In short, read it, and may you find the motivation to push yourself as Kaoru does.

The overall set up of the story is great, but that's about it. Sadly it gets pretty repetitious after a while and overall the story is going nowhere. They just add a new toy or an outfit and call it a new arc. The guy acts retarded, like a grade school kid. He has feelings for nana but he has no intentions of ever telling her and about the only thing he can say to her is "shut-up" like an elementary school kid. There is just no ryme or reason for the way he acts. He's brave enough to engage in their "little breathers" but yet he doesn't have to guts to express his real true feelings. I still skim the new chapters once in a while, but unless something new happens, I'm just not interested anymore. If I were about 13, I wold probably love this, but being an adult, I just find it boring.

16+ volumes and there has still been no developement or progess in their relationship. i wonder how long this can go on bevore readers get bored.

... Last updated on September 25th, 2015, 1:29pm

This manga truly excels in stretching the sensual tension to a fever pitch, releasing the tension through a gradual revelation of the care and affection between the romantic leads.

I initially couldn't get on board how such a dorky male lead would win the heart of the most attractive female high school student in high school. It's the equivalent of the head cheerleader falling in love with the pimply ordinary kid - it just can't happen.

That the author is able to make this believable by imbuing the male lead with significant touches of sensitivity and thoughtfulness in the exercise of their BDSM relationship - it's the equivalent of Cyrano long-nose winning the woman of his dreams through poetry.

So, thumbs up on this manga!

Not bad, but Kaoru's personality is just like a retards or someone from pre-school, no-one at his age would hate to be around a beautiful woman, in fact he's more likely to want her to find out his feelings if he was a normal human being. I hate it when personalities in manga are like this, there aren't many like it but it sucks when there is.

I absolutely adore this series! It's rare to find a manga with a theme such as S&M that still has such an interesting story line that can keep one reading. Several people complain about Kaoru's looks which I just don't understand at all. I'm a girl and Kaoru's appearance doesn't take away from this series for me at all. In fact, I think since he is NOT perfect it makes reading this so refreshing. On top of that I really think Kaoru has his cute/adorable moments (he's hard for me to dislike! He's so endearing in his love for Nana!) On that note... if you don't like this series because "EW HE'S UGLY WTF" then go read Vampire Knight or something where every character fits the ideals. You'll find me here, eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

... Last updated on November 25th, 2011, 8:47pm

I think that kaoru will get the mental healing that he need from the "breathers" and develop into a more appealing character. Everyone keeps saying that the only draw-back is that kaoru is ugly, I personally think he is adorable, but the way the story is going I think that the mangaka will start displaying kaoru in an appealing way. I've seen it happen, like with mangas with a girl who is supposedly "ugly", then you may get a glimpse at how cute she is when that mangaka draws a frame of her without her glasses or something like that. All the mangaka has to do is show kaoru making a face that makes him look handsome. All-in-all , kaoru is like a character development arch and a short time skip away from being all of what you guys desire. Or I could be wrong.

Well it is my favorite manga at the moment. It introduced a borderline H category to me. Before I just though it is some kind of creepy porn, but what a surprise that it actually has one of the greatest plots I read. Sex related (but no actual sex) based relationship, great idea. How can I go back to Shojo now? It seems so fake to me now.