This manga really isn't for everyone, but I think it definitely has an audience that will identify with it and really appreciate it. Personally, I loved it, but I'm a sucker for coming-of-age, Catcher in the Rye stuff.
I'll start with what I didn't like. The beginning dragged. Granted, the beginning needed to be long because there's quite a bit of exposition and buildup, and I can't recall any particular chapter being totally useless, but the beginning was pretty long and unrewarding nevertheless. Also, the protagonist's turn-around is pretty darn quick, and his (eventual) maturity is more similar to that of a high school or college student. I get that middle school is a time for change and development, but Kurosawa's development was unrealistically fast.
Now, the good. The climax of this manga is just so good. The problem with a lot of narratives is that characters don't face the consequences for their actions. Kurosawa is a different case entirely. On a related note, seeing him realize that hating the world doesn't make you superior; it makes you miss out really hit home for me. It's just such a great realization to make, and one that I think is pretty appropriate for his age (again though, not a huge fan of how hyper-maturely he handled himself post-epiphany). Finally, despite its pretty outlandish premise of two outcasts being jizz terrorists, Onani Master Kurosawa does a really great job of dissecting of very real concepts such as loneliness, social isolation, and the human condition in an understandable and relatable way. Onani Master Kurosawa's strength is that it makes you think and reconsider your perspective, which, to me, is enough to warrant a look (just remember to trek through the beginning and get to the climax--so worth it).

ok i wrote this comment after reading chapter 16:


from a male's point of view that's really a huge heartbreak

also, feeling disgusted about


gosh im only at half of the manga and i feel like reading this is one is such a memorable experience

now i finished reading it:

Your average Harem Ecchi Romance heroines have nothing compared to how cute, charming, and lovable are. Seriously they are the ones who deserve "waifu" titles haha.

... Last updated on October 4th, 2012, 3:00am

I originally read this because of the title. There's been a few ecchi series I picked up just because it made me stop and think "what the hell is this?" and I'd really enjoyed them! The tags were a lot different on this one, but I decided to chance it.

It was alright, but it wasn't really that great. The original premise was interesting, and for me, the real strength was in how the mangaka handled Kurosawa's character development. It was set up well, and it was nice to have a satisfying sense of resolution after everything that went on.

However, the ending felt kind of patched together in a disappointingly poor show of formulaic seinen romance. I also felt like the subject of bullying was handled pretty poorly, since Kitahara pretty much existed to take the fall and make Kurosawa's character more likeable to the reader. Even her depression and other personal issues ended up being used almost exclusively to make him look good, while she remained distressingly "bad" until it was time for Kurosawa to save her from herself.

So, worth the read, but after the main arc powers down, the story just goes stale.

... Last updated on August 19th, 2012, 10:42am

I've decided to give this a try mainly for two reasons:

a) I needed something to read
b) The ratings and reviews made this manga the jewel of the century

In the end, while it was a good read, it wasn't that great. You can definitely enjoy it, but you will forget about it the next day.

... Last updated on July 29th, 2012, 3:03am

This is one of the if not the most meaningful manga I have ever read. You get really drawn by the main character and you recognizes a bit of you in him. This manga is also known as "Fap Note" as I think it was intended for it to be a parody of the famous manga "Death Note" but about fapping instead, but don't get fooled by it's title or it being a parody. Read every single page carefully (stare at each page for at least 30 sec after finish reading it) and enjoy this masterpiece in shades of gray and black.

BTW if you are a female (like me) it might a be a bit awkward to read it in the beginning but you get used to it xD

It was 3am in the morning. I was listening to some anime tunes on YouTube, and of course, needed to read something to pass along my time. I had previously overlooked this series once before based upon the fact that it didn't have what I had been looking for (ecchiness, you know, whatever I was in the mood for, etc.) and I decided to just try it and see how it'd do...
I never went to sleep.

Now, for the whole sha-bang:
Art was kinda funky to look at initially, but you really do get used to it after a couple chapters in.
The characters were great (though I kinda wanted to punch one specific antagonist in the face all throughout the beginning, just because she NEEDED IT).

-The main character's sadism annoyed me, mostly because he had that bleak outlook I can recall from my past encounters with some of those types of people.

Plot Summary:

What started as an excuse for leisure turned out to be an awesome experience I may not forget.
I could be exaggerant, but I do recommend this for anyone with a levelheaded maturity!

... Last updated on July 10th, 2012, 5:28am

This manga uses a sketch style and uses a very odd subject to base this story around. but nevertheless, this manga comes out amazing in the short 30 chapters it has. There are several references in the beginning to parody other manga series, but later it becomes a very engrossing read.

Throughout the course of the story, you may find it similar to books like "Catcher in the Rye" (It even makes a reference to it once). Kurosawa believes everyone around him is insignificant or an idiot aside from a select few. But something separates the two books from one another, and that is what Kurosawa does when he comes to realize the errors of his ways of thinking.

Onani Master Kurosawa portrays the raw emotions of the characters incredibly well and will keep you entertained through all the chapters. It is a captivating story of youth, mistakes, repentance, and redemption. So don't judge it based on the sour topic it revolves around. There is a reason this is considered a cult classic.

... Last updated on November 25th, 2020, 6:25am

Put it off after reading the beginning for a very long time... now I finally read it all.
Main reasons I put it off is due to the gloomy main character, annoying side character and the pathetic reoccurring female character.
Also, the art is really unbearable.

Due to it being critically acclaimed and the continuous rave reviews, I decided to grow up and read it.
The story and the protagonist did do a 180 degree turnabout somewhere near the middle, and it just gave off a good feeling.
That's all.

Nothing to be jumping up and down about, not the best manga ever. If I remember it, it'll be because of the unusual concept.

If you can pull through the beginning, it's worth it. If not, no big deal.

... Last updated on March 24th, 2012, 2:20am

I can't describe it very good, but I think there's something very wrong this manga. Something is just very off. Sure it was unique, but it didn't quite deliver a definite moral or lesson like you'd expect with a subject like this. It tries to be realistic, but in my opinion it just blatantly fails at being so. Maybe I'm just too used to sugarcoated manga, but this wasn't my thing at all.

... Last updated on February 25th, 2012, 11:15am

I wasn't expecting much from this manga. A lot of manga are drawn out too long just because they are popular, and a lot of really good manga are canceled too soon before they hit their stride. Fortunately, Onani Master was neither; it was just the right length: It tells a story from beginning to end and then stops. And it's a great story that everyone can relate to. After all, everyone has experienced jealousy, bullying (a little or a lot), and the conflict between wanting to isolate and wanting to relate to others. Oh yeah... and everyone masturbates.