I randomly picked this series up in the bookstore due to the slightly odd twist on the typical gender-bender and the fact that I (admittedly) like feminine boys (and Momoi's character design looked pretty, too).

This was the first of Ai Morinaga's works that I have read, and after reading it, she has become my favorite mangaka for comedy and parody.

Yup, that's right.
PARODY.

While I know that everyone's mileage may vary, I would just like to point out some things about this series so that those of you looking it up on here and seeing all of the negative and somewhat misinformed ratings won't just throw away the chance to read a unique and funny manga.

Yes, it is a Shoujo. And yes, it is a gender-bender. But what I find so great about (whatever you want to call it seeing as there are three different legitimate names) My Barbaric Girlfriend is its satire.

There have been many interpretations, most of them revolving around how terrible and sadistic Momoi is (something I can't totally argue with), but after reading the entire series (I was lucky enough to find complete scans and translations), I'm pretty sure that Morinaga was trying to make some sort of statement.

In the manga the characters are so far-fetched (other than Shiina, perhaps) because they are meant to mock society. It even brings out what I found to be disagreeable things from the viewers. Even though Akira is separated from his family, his friends, and his old lifestyle and is completely abused by everyone around him (minus Shiina), people still say that he should just shut up and be happy with his life because "he's better as a girl." Well I would always ask myself what that even meant. Why does someone have to "act" either like a "girl" or a "boy?" It's kind of silly to put people in boxes like that...and I felt sad for the main characters (Momoi and Senbogi) for thinking like they couldn't be with the person they loved without having it be societally correct (as in a heterosexual relationship). People often complain about Akira's softness and Momoi's cruelty, but that's basically our faults for mandating them to be that way. Girls have to be cute and men uber-manly. I think the over-the-top-ness of the whole thing is pointing out that it DOESN'T have to be like that; there are an infinite number of ways to be happy.

But this is just my interpretation of the manga. Others can see it any way they like. But please read it with a grain of salt. Morinaga's works aren't meant to be typical in any way. They are parodies and meant to be whacky, crazy, and just what you DON'T expect. That's what's fun about this series. And for those who complain that it's too repetetive and that the characters don't develop at all...I just can't agree. Sure, it's episodic, but many successful manga and anime are (let's face it). And it's not boring repetition. The characters ARE well developed and there are even special chapters that delve into their inner psyches and pasts. Momoi and Akira DEFINITELY change over the course of the series (which is weird, given that they switched into roles that "suited them better" anyways), and there are a lot of scenes which show other characters' hidden insight and depth (despite the fact that people call Shiina stupid, she definitely has great moments of intelligence and knows those around her very well. Same with Senbogi).

And after (FINALLY) getting to see the end, I can honestly say that it's worth the read. Not if you're looking for some lovey-dovey romance, however (minus the ones that develop later on...but this is arguable). And for those that complain that there's to much homo-eroticism, I'd just like to point out that, while not exactly "girly," it IS a Shoujo. And there's not really any sexual action (other than for comedy), so it doesn't really distract from the story...or at least I don't think it should...for those that get uncomfortable from such things.

Ultimately I think Your and My Secret is about love (no duh). I guess the fact that sometimes we need to change our perspective before we can see the truth, and allow the ones destined for us a chance...

Please don't be discouraged and read it!

Postie: And...I'm sorry...but nowhere does it say that in a Shoujo the two main characters have to end up with each other. Shoujo simply means, a manga with girls as a target audience. ARE WE SERIOUSLY GOING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE LESS CREATIVE!? IN THIS DAY AND AGE!? We need all the creativity we can get! If everything was just in formulas, then THERE WOULD BE NO POINT TO WRITING ANYTHING! WE'D ALREADY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! <--- Sorry, major pet peeve, and no, I couldn't let it slide. ><

... Last updated on December 6th, 2011, 6:57pm

The first volume is pretty F'd up. Not the gender bender things, but the momoi that becomes Akira is really a horrible person. That in itself isn't the issue. But while reading the first volume, the joke just doesn't fit in. The things that happend to the male protaganist would be enough for someone to seriously commit suicide. His family is happy without him there, and his life generally sucks.

The joke starts to sink in after volume two so the enjoyment goes up. Though there was a point in volume 3 where I thought that a person would go pretty crazy. The male lead is such a wimp but it makes you wonder why he doesn't threaten to kill himself or someone else to get them to fix the machine.

Eh after awhile I guess you stop caring though. Though you wonder if the craziness reflects on the manga ka in anyway. The girl so easily switches to liking girls, constantly cheats on his gf(no self control), and supposedly guys are like that(She really is a horrible person).

Also there's not much reason to keep the secret here.

Most of the time it feels like I'm reading this manga with one eye open: part of me doesn't want to know what's going to happen next, but part of me does. Like jadetine said, it's almost embarassing for other people to find out you're reading it because of how absurd it is. The manga enjoys torturing poor Akira in every way possible, having a guy act out all the cliches that have ever existed in shoujo manga: the awkward first date, hijinks in a love hotel, being carried to the the infirmary, getting the romantic lead role in the school play, you name it. And yet, it's a fun title that will definitely keep you reading, although I'm dreading the ending.

Akira was such a failure as a man that I'd be sad if he doesn't get his opportunity to reedeem himself and they don't switch back in the end. Also, as a guy, Momoi is the epitome of a male neanderthal-type (stupid, violent, jealous, possessive, insensitive, sleeps with any girl willing, you name it). Sure, he's nice to Shiina, but that's about it. Does the world really need another idiot like this? As a girl, she was at least able to keep something of a lid on some of those urges. But as other reviewers have said, the two of them switiching back seems totally unlikely at this point. Rather, the manga would prefer that Akira end up with his male best friend and Momoi end up with her female best friend. I suppose if it ends that way it might be edgy and different, but both of them in their switched bodies are such gender stereotypes that I can't help but feel like instead of breaking gender conventions, this type of ending would be reinforcing them (like it's not OK for a girl to be agressive, she should be a guy instead, and it's not OK for a guy to be gentle, he should be a girl instead).

So I'm preparing myself to be totally disappointed by the ending, but I'll keep reading it anyway because it's pretty fun anyway.

... Last updated on May 28th, 2008, 7:39pm

I made an account specifically to rant about this manga, it's *that* infuriating.

I had been following this series for years, since before it finished, and I used to like it. I'm also not anti-shoujo if it's done right. I read all kinds of genres, romance included. Your and My Secret/My Barbaric Girlfriend (whatever it's called) starts off strong, with a good premise and intriguing characters. However, around volume 5 and escalating to a head at the end (volume 8) this series starts to get progressively worse.

Ending spoilers below! You shouldn't care because this manga has the worst ending of all time, but read on at your own risk.

What makes this manga so bad? It's simple,

Endings are incredibly important, and this manga botches it in the worst way possible. None of the characters show any growth over the course of the series either. Which is particularly egregious because the Main Girl is a complete and total bitch at the beginning. She's not even tsundere, she's just straight up a bitch! And she's supposed to be a protagonist! She doesn't stop being a bitch, she doesn't learn how to appreciate the people around her (her family and friends), she doesn't change at all.

It's absurd. I've abandoned manga before that were too cliche/standard/boring or even bad. But "Your and My Secret"/"My Barbaric Girlfriend" is now the worst rated manga that I've actually finished (out of 4-500 series). The absolute worst. I would give it a 0 if I could. Actually, negative would be more appropriate. I've never been so mad at an author's ending, and I've read some pretty shit endings before. This one is particularly bad because it was being built towards for several volumes. I thought it was just the author ramping up the drama before she/he resolved everything in an epic climax/change of heart. NOPE! Just a big middle finger to every reader that was invested in this story.

Ug, I'm getting angry all over again just thinking about it. Screw this manga. 0/10 do not read under any circumstance.

I've been seeing this manga pop up since the day I started reading manga (and it was 5 years ago). I ignored it plenty of times since I wasn't into Gender Bender at that time. But now I get to like Gender Bender genre these days, I thought I'd try this.

Now I got to say, IMHO, it was really painful to read around volume 5/6 all the way up to how it ended. It started really interesting but, seriously, the ending was just painful.

I apologize but I'm also one of those who found this manga ridiculous. It had potential but it just went shallow and shallower.

I know it isn't to supposed to be taken seriously as it's a Shoujo (A comedy one, on top of that) and in ain't really applicable in real life...but yeah, I can't here. I've tried putting myself in their shoes a few times but it just felt really saddening and painful. The comedy was good at first but it wasn't really funny anymore later.

I'm a fan of unconditional love so it was just really painful for me to see these characters have to switch body in order to be happy. I mean, come on. Regardless of gender, love is love. BUT NO; NOT HERE. And that what pains me.

If some people enjoy well that's good. To each of our own, I guess.

... Last updated on December 20th, 2013, 8:42am

Reason why I didn't like too much was because of the female lead, the one who had switch bodies with the male lead. To be honest she is a real bitch. There is nothing else that I can really describe her. I guess you can describe her as that one person who is basically mean all the time, doesn't really think of others, and overall just plain selfish. This manga never ceased to make me angry. Just remembering what happens in the manga makes me want to punch a hole in the wall. The characters in this manga are just so bad. Unless you are the kind of person that really like one-sided characters to the max, you won't be able to find yourself enjoying this manga at all. What I expected was a love story between a girl and a guy where they switch bodies by accident and gradually develop feeling for each other, but what i got instead was a bitchy female lead that does whatever she wants and a male lead that is so submissive that you can pretty much do anything to him and he will be okay with it. This manga will just make you a ticking time-bomb of anger where in some point in the manga will just makes you explode.

I have so much hatred for Momoi, I cant even find any bad enough words to describe her. She is ruining this manga for me and I cant take this shit anymore. Akira should hurry up and confess to her (though I cant figure out what he liked in her anyways), so that the story can hurry and end.
Momoi's acting like a child that takes another kids toy and refuses to give it back and frankely, she's one of my most hated characters as of now.
Yeah, Akira may fit being female, but he was originally male, and thats HIS body. If she likes Shina, then she can still like her in girl form. If thats the way its gotta be then so be it.

The comedy with this is taken to far. It was funny throughout the first volume but starting dampening out by the 2nd. It doesnt HAVE to be this long!! I just wanted Momoi to take Akira seriously.
I dont even care about the pairings anymore. I just want the story to end. I wont continue this until it's completely finish. Because then I can skip to the end and get this over with.

... Last updated on June 20th, 2011, 11:04am

I'm pretty sure Morinaga Ai is insane, in the good way of course. Both the story and characters are nothing to write home about, but if you are reading her work then you are really in it for crazy comedy. There's very little serious development and instead a lot of wacky situations and hilarity. Some people might get uncomfortable with the whole gender issues (which begs the question, why the hell are you reading a gender bender?) but if you can get past that, this is a very fun read.

If you are looking for straight romance or drama (or anything that stays serious for more than two pages), this might not be for you. But if you are looking for a laugh and cracked out manga, read it.

Holy shit this is sooo badd. The female character who is in the dudez body is horrible and people just accept that behaviour cos he is a dude. It would be one thing if Momoi/now dude after switching over was just arrogant or cold, but she is selfish to the core and is the most irritating characters I have seen. The comedy is alright but seriously its so sadistic that unless you have some masochistic qualities in yourselves the appeal will go away after the first couple of chapters. Despite the negative feedback I gave this manga a chance and I regretted it. The dude is probably worse than some of the shounen male protagonists out there and thats saying something, he has the worst life ever and its stupid how he just seemingly accepst it all and lets the girl get away with everything. To make it worse he is supposedly ok with recieving advances from his male friend. I didn't know a body switch also means a change in sexual orientation. Wtf? Totally gross. Momoi also had a change in sexual orientation from nowhere and I hate it how the author potrays that its a sign of manliness to just be horrible towards other people. Momoi is now one of my most hated characters now. Seriously i know its a comedy but the characters have to be somehwat likeable but I found them to be one dimensional and dull. I wish there was a rating of 0 because this series doesn't even deserve a 1.

... Last updated on August 31st, 2010, 12:51am

it's one of those mangas you read when no one else is around because it's so absurd and embarrassing at points, you don't want anyone else knowing that you're enjoying it- and that's the point: that it's hilarious fun! Art is pretty good and clean; eye-candy bishies are here and there; plot is not the best nor the worst; pace is a little shaky; comedy = definitely entertaining...