After that previous roller coaster, I wanted something familiar but also different. Enter the high school romance that we all worship and love. However, this time is different because there is a huge dose of humor and laughs to be found in Nomi x Shiba, Vol. 1, by Tohru Tagura, and translated by Leighann Harvey. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!
- Print Length: 192 pages.
- Publisher: Yen Press.
- Publication Date: March 25, 2025.
- Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Gay, Manga, Romance.
- Rating: 4/5 stars.
They first met at boarding school. After two whole years of living in the dorms, Nomiya can’t say he’s ever been in love. Sure, he thinks Mikoshiba’s face is kinda cute and girlie, and yeah, Nomi’s heart skips a beat every time he sees him, but that doesn’t mean he’s in love with Shiba, all right?! He’s into chicks, not dicks, okay?!
This is a cute, cute, cute story! I lost count of how many times I smiled like an idiot as I got to know Nomi and Shiba how their relationship works, and the environment they are in. I have to say, it might not be the most original of stories, but it is healing, it is adorable, and you fall in love with them right away. It is plain, wholesome romance that gives you as many good laughs as you could want.
The art is also quite good. Nomi x Shiba, Vol. 1 gives you that innocent feeling at the beginning that grips you right away, but then there's all this tension, a push and pull between both guys that keep you hooked, wondering what will happen next. The art reflects each of these feelings perfectly, adding depth to them, developing the inner world of each of them as you get to know them.
I have to admit there were some plot holes that left me dissatisfied, which I attribute to this manga originally meant to be a one-shot, a standalone tome, which would have made this a bit more understandable due to limited space. However, turning it into a series made me want to know more, to get more development, more answers. It wasn't a huge point, but it did affect my reading experience because it took me out of time several times.
Nomi x Shiba, Vol. 1 is a comfort reading more than anything else. It's adorable, it's cute, it's funny, and has endearing main characters that you root for the moment you meet them. It is a calm, wholesome manga that heals you from the inside while also allowing you to daydream thanks to the writing style and the art of each page. I have to say, also, the rest of the cast is just as good, so I hope we get more of them in the next volumes!
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