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ホットギミック [Hot Gimmick] #2
Hot Gimmick, Vol. 2
Neighbors in Love!
In company-owned rabbit-hutch apartments live tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else, and the apartment complex in which high-school girl Hatsumi Narita lives is ruled over by the rumor mongering, self-righteous Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell. When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane is late, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret only if she becomes his slave. Suddenly Azusa, Hatsumi's protector in their youth, reappears to save her again! He's moving back into the neighborhood! Despite the budding romance between Hatsumi and Azusa, Ryoki has control over her through the secret that could ruin the lives of everyone in Hatsumi's family, and he hasn't forgotten who his slave is!
Our heroine Hatsumi is on Cloud 9 when male model and childhood buddy Azusa asks her to be his girlfriend! But all is not as well as it Hatsumi still has to get out from under the creepy clutches of her "master" Ryoki, who insists on continuing to blackmail her. And on the night of her first date with Azusa, her dad intervenes and grounds her! But that may not be the worst of it for poor Hatsumi, 'cause something's brewing with Azusa, and her knight in shining armor may not be what he seems...All this in drama-packed second volume of Hot Gimmick , one of the most talked-about new manga titles coming out of Japan!
In company-owned rabbit-hutch apartments live tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else, and the apartment complex in which high-school girl Hatsumi Narita lives is ruled over by the rumor mongering, self-righteous Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell. When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane is late, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret only if she becomes his slave. Suddenly Azusa, Hatsumi's protector in their youth, reappears to save her again! He's moving back into the neighborhood! Despite the budding romance between Hatsumi and Azusa, Ryoki has control over her through the secret that could ruin the lives of everyone in Hatsumi's family, and he hasn't forgotten who his slave is!
Our heroine Hatsumi is on Cloud 9 when male model and childhood buddy Azusa asks her to be his girlfriend! But all is not as well as it Hatsumi still has to get out from under the creepy clutches of her "master" Ryoki, who insists on continuing to blackmail her. And on the night of her first date with Azusa, her dad intervenes and grounds her! But that may not be the worst of it for poor Hatsumi, 'cause something's brewing with Azusa, and her knight in shining armor may not be what he seems...All this in drama-packed second volume of Hot Gimmick , one of the most talked-about new manga titles coming out of Japan!
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2001
12 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Miki Aihara
96 books130 followersMiki Aihara (相原実貴 AIHARA Miki) is a Japanese female manga artist noted for creating the manga series Hot Gimmick and the series Tokyo Boys & Girls. She debuted with the series Lip Conscious in the manga magazine Betsucomi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 31, 2020
Things are building ^_^ I love this anime lol so much drama and crushes and lovers :P
May 26, 2021
5/5 for this "OMG INCREDIBLE ENEMIES TO LOVERS, CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND, LOVE TRIANGLE ROMANCE MANGA THAT HAS MY HEART RACING".
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Okay, so literally as I was reading the first volume and half of the second I was like "this dude is way too nice", I thought that but at the same time I didn't think anymore of it as I truly believed he was a nice guy. I mean, he fit the childhood best friend lover thing so beyond perfectly. I should've listened to my gut!!!!!
This volume left off on such a huge cliffhanger. Ryoki is possibly........Hatsumi's half brother?? HUH, WHAT? I have a feeling that Azusa is just using Hatsumi to get back at Ryoki....for something? Not sure what though. I don't think Azusa will actually fall in love with her, I do however know FOR A FACT that Ryoki will. I still have 10 volumes to go, so a lot could change. I didn't like a few things Ryoki did, but I stil like him overall. So, as of right now I'm rooting for him! This has gotten so intense so fast oh ma gosh I can't wait to continue!!!!
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Overall, once again extrmeely entertaining and it makes my heart race and my cheeks fill with heat. Read this one even quicker than the last, so far two done during school hours LOL. Can't wait to continue!
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Okay, so literally as I was reading the first volume and half of the second I was like "this dude is way too nice", I thought that but at the same time I didn't think anymore of it as I truly believed he was a nice guy. I mean, he fit the childhood best friend lover thing so beyond perfectly. I should've listened to my gut!!!!!
This volume left off on such a huge cliffhanger. Ryoki is possibly........Hatsumi's half brother?? HUH, WHAT? I have a feeling that Azusa is just using Hatsumi to get back at Ryoki....for something? Not sure what though. I don't think Azusa will actually fall in love with her, I do however know FOR A FACT that Ryoki will. I still have 10 volumes to go, so a lot could change. I didn't like a few things Ryoki did, but I stil like him overall. So, as of right now I'm rooting for him! This has gotten so intense so fast oh ma gosh I can't wait to continue!!!!
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Overall, once again extrmeely entertaining and it makes my heart race and my cheeks fill with heat. Read this one even quicker than the last, so far two done during school hours LOL. Can't wait to continue!
December 29, 2019
Oh, fuck it, I'm giving this 5 stars. THIS SHIT IS LIKE CRACK TO ME.
Ryoki is still an ass-wipe (spoiler alert - he shall always remain an ass-wipe), but ugh, I don't know, he's an ass-wipe who likes our dear hapless Hatsumi (though he is incapable of showing it in a normal way because he's an ass-wipe who has ZERO social skills). And well, he's a little better than Azusa, which is not saying much because that psychopath deserves to rot in jail for the rest of his life.
Our poor heroine! Her romance options are 1) Ryoki, a socially inept jerk who mauls her when she's asleep, 2) Azusa, a psychopath who was literally going to have her gang-raped as revenge for what her father supposedly did (you don't take your anger out on the kids! You just fucking don't! Your beef is with the parents, not the kids!), and 3) Shinogu, who's the only decent guy but who's her freaking BROTHER (not blood-related, but still!!!)
Also, her little sister is the worst. THE WORST! Ungrateful brat!
Am I going to read the next volume? OF COURSE!
Ryoki is still an ass-wipe (spoiler alert - he shall always remain an ass-wipe), but ugh, I don't know, he's an ass-wipe who likes our dear hapless Hatsumi (though he is incapable of showing it in a normal way because he's an ass-wipe who has ZERO social skills). And well, he's a little better than Azusa, which is not saying much because that psychopath deserves to rot in jail for the rest of his life.
Our poor heroine! Her romance options are 1) Ryoki, a socially inept jerk who mauls her when she's asleep, 2) Azusa, a psychopath who was literally going to have her gang-raped as revenge for what her father supposedly did (you don't take your anger out on the kids! You just fucking don't! Your beef is with the parents, not the kids!), and 3) Shinogu, who's the only decent guy but who's her freaking BROTHER (not blood-related, but still!!!)
Also, her little sister is the worst. THE WORST! Ungrateful brat!
Am I going to read the next volume? OF COURSE!
November 7, 2023
4.5 Stars!
January 3, 2013
I'm so disappointed.
I really enjoyed the first book, and I had hopes for her escaping this new trying to be abusive relationship, I was like, this is gonna be a story where a guy has to save her or she saves herself!! But no, it was another book where you slowly sigh sadly at each page because of the psychical and mental abusive relationship between the main character and the rich guy.
I really don't get what people see or what the author saw in such an unhealthy relationship, because it just wants to make me sit down and cry for the main character, who does not deserve to be treated like this, she's just a submissive sweet girl!
Although, even in this manga I wanna rip up because it's just another story similar to Twilight (except Edward was mentally mean to Belle rather than phyiscal), I adored the art, and the first book. This second book was also somewhat good if it didn't have this relationship going on.
I loved the plot twist in this second book, I wish there were more like them, but otherwise, I was completely destroyed when I found out that all the series was about was a utterly misery relationship between the main character and the rich guy, and it "somewhat" changes through the series, but really, not even enough to count.
Girls, don't read this book! No matter how much the art and the plot twists pull you in, it's not an okay example to have floating around in your sweet heads.
Parents; don't you dare let them pick up this book, read the reviews before you do! This book is a bad example of a relationship.
And if you're in a relationship like this with ANYONE, you should call someone! You should TELL someone, you should ask for help! You should GET OUT OF IT.
I really enjoyed the first book, and I had hopes for her escaping this new trying to be abusive relationship, I was like, this is gonna be a story where a guy has to save her or she saves herself!! But no, it was another book where you slowly sigh sadly at each page because of the psychical and mental abusive relationship between the main character and the rich guy.
I really don't get what people see or what the author saw in such an unhealthy relationship, because it just wants to make me sit down and cry for the main character, who does not deserve to be treated like this, she's just a submissive sweet girl!
Although, even in this manga I wanna rip up because it's just another story similar to Twilight (except Edward was mentally mean to Belle rather than phyiscal), I adored the art, and the first book. This second book was also somewhat good if it didn't have this relationship going on.
I loved the plot twist in this second book, I wish there were more like them, but otherwise, I was completely destroyed when I found out that all the series was about was a utterly misery relationship between the main character and the rich guy, and it "somewhat" changes through the series, but really, not even enough to count.
Girls, don't read this book! No matter how much the art and the plot twists pull you in, it's not an okay example to have floating around in your sweet heads.
Parents; don't you dare let them pick up this book, read the reviews before you do! This book is a bad example of a relationship.
And if you're in a relationship like this with ANYONE, you should call someone! You should TELL someone, you should ask for help! You should GET OUT OF IT.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2017
Why am I still reading this? Why am I rating it two stars? Seriously...Azusa...? And then to still BE IN LOVE WITH HIM?
No, I'm not hiding my review in spoilers. You need to know Hatsumi is an absolute idiot.
No, I'm not hiding my review in spoilers. You need to know Hatsumi is an absolute idiot.
September 2, 2013
i will now modify my review from volume one, to account for azusa's increasing prominence in the narrative.
fuck both these motherfuckers. 1 star
fuck both these motherfuckers. 1 star
March 16, 2017
Still creepy-rapey but the other plots are getting more interesting. I remember most of this stuff pretty well.
July 4, 2021
Well, things are getting hotter when love triangle is present.
March 14, 2021
It's engrossing. That's the only defense I have for myself still reading this, and why I've given it 4 stars. On paper it sure sounds like garbage, and at this point the main question is "Hey, Hatsumi, which one of these dumpster fires do you wanna get with? The one that's open about it or...?" Yet in terms of pure enjoyment I would say it's one of the highest of any manga I've read lately.
April 11, 2021
Now the female lead god roofied by her „boyfriend“, sexual assault by the main love interest, pretend it’s less incestuous bc the brother is adopted (still incest they’re siblings!!!!!), her constantly saying sorry for breathing basically, what even is this ahyjsjjd
March 1, 2018
Things are getting shady...
June 6, 2021
Isn't nearly as good the second time around. Was maybe a 3 the first time I read....
October 12, 2021
There is so much going on, and I just need to find out more!
June 13, 2022
Continuation of petty straight nonsense.
June 30, 2022
Ah, in vol 2 the girl gets boy…but is he worthy of her? Is there more to the other boy, if he could just get over himself?
April 8, 2024
I loved this series. It was so awesome with all the twists and turns.
Read
September 22, 2025continued this series hoping glasses would get yeeted into the sun.
read spoilers. dropping this like a red hot poker. why so many trash love interests?
read spoilers. dropping this like a red hot poker. why so many trash love interests?
October 21, 2018
Hatsumi dovrebbe tirar fuori un po' di carattere, caspita. Lascia che l'altro le faccia di tutto e non riesce a farsi rispettare. Sta insieme a un tipo che progetta una grande vendetta e gli perdona tutto. E suo fratello non è il suo vero fratello. Che poi, il fratello sembra quello più sano di mente di tutti i ragazzi di questo manga messo insieme.
Però sì, Rioki non è capace di avere una relazione alla pari, secondo me. Cresciuto in quel modo, povero, forse non è nemmeno tutta colpa sua.
Non mi ricordo mica come va a finire.
Però sì, Rioki non è capace di avere una relazione alla pari, secondo me. Cresciuto in quel modo, povero, forse non è nemmeno tutta colpa sua.
Non mi ricordo mica come va a finire.
January 2, 2016
Reading further into their story, I'm even more sure that Ryoki really likes Hatsumi. The problem is he is absuive because he doesn't yet know his feelings. Instead, he knows that he doesn't want anyone else around Hatsumi, he wants to protect her, but he doesn't know how to do it in any other way than barking orders and grabbing at her.
I've seen in a few reviews that Hatsumi is passive. I don't quite agree with that. Yes, she is hesitant and wishes to be perceived as nice, even if she doesn't realize it. The problem with calling Hatsumi passive is that it isn't correct. She is making very clear choices. She isn't passive. No, they may not be the choices that you would expect of a more proactive character, but they are choices none-the-less. Hatsumi is repeatedly making these decisions.
Honestly, I want to like this story more. It certainly has me engaged to the point that I don't stop reading it, but there is an underlying element that scares me off from giving it a higher score. That is mainly the treatment of Hatsumi. When I read a story like this, I want to be swept up in the whole story. More importantly, I place myself into the characters shoes. I put myself into a place where I feel like I'm experiencing the story, but I don't want to be in Hatsumi's shoes. I don't want this relationship to play out in front of me. I want Ryoki to learn what is going on with his feelings and sort things out, but I struggle to want to jump into Hatsumi's place.
I've seen in a few reviews that Hatsumi is passive. I don't quite agree with that. Yes, she is hesitant and wishes to be perceived as nice, even if she doesn't realize it. The problem with calling Hatsumi passive is that it isn't correct. She is making very clear choices. She isn't passive. No, they may not be the choices that you would expect of a more proactive character, but they are choices none-the-less. Hatsumi is repeatedly making these decisions.
Honestly, I want to like this story more. It certainly has me engaged to the point that I don't stop reading it, but there is an underlying element that scares me off from giving it a higher score. That is mainly the treatment of Hatsumi. When I read a story like this, I want to be swept up in the whole story. More importantly, I place myself into the characters shoes. I put myself into a place where I feel like I'm experiencing the story, but I don't want to be in Hatsumi's shoes. I don't want this relationship to play out in front of me. I want Ryoki to learn what is going on with his feelings and sort things out, but I struggle to want to jump into Hatsumi's place.
December 27, 2016
Hatsumi needs to get a backbone. She's a doormat. She just seems to allow things to happen to her. She's the most naive character I've ever seen, and right now it's mildly irritating how she allows herself to be treated so poorly, and how all of her self-worth stems from comments and gestures by men. She is a feminist's worst nightmare. She just cries all the time and wonders why bad things happen to her, without making any steps to make her situation better.
On top of that, the guy we're meant to like turns out to be an asshole that drugs women, and Ryoki sexually assaults Hatsumi when she passes out drunk, yet we're meant to start warming to him because he now appears to have a genuine interest in Hatsumi. No. That is not how it works. You can be a great guy, but you're immediately an asshole if you sexually assault someone, and there's not really much you can do to change that.
What is worrying me about this series is that it's just so damaging for young girls to read this. The one thing I am still enjoying though, is the art.
On top of that, the guy we're meant to like turns out to be an asshole that drugs women, and Ryoki sexually assaults Hatsumi when she passes out drunk, yet we're meant to start warming to him because he now appears to have a genuine interest in Hatsumi. No. That is not how it works. You can be a great guy, but you're immediately an asshole if you sexually assault someone, and there's not really much you can do to change that.
What is worrying me about this series is that it's just so damaging for young girls to read this. The one thing I am still enjoying though, is the art.
December 12, 2013
..this is getting entertaining. genuinely enjoyed this volume. the story is developing quicker than i expected. Azuza was right out of left field and i'm entirely uncertain what the hell is going on whilst entertained by the unpredictability.
my biggest issue is i can barely tell the male characters apart. the males literally look exactly the same half the time. without his glasses, Ryouki looks exactly like Azuza, and both of them look like the older brother. i keep getting bloody lost trying to figure out who is saying what. at one point what i thought was Azuza dragging Narita along while calling her stupid turned out to be Ryouki in different clothing. lost. absolutely lost. happens to me every time i approach a manga and it's frustrating.
my biggest issue is i can barely tell the male characters apart. the males literally look exactly the same half the time. without his glasses, Ryouki looks exactly like Azuza, and both of them look like the older brother. i keep getting bloody lost trying to figure out who is saying what. at one point what i thought was Azuza dragging Narita along while calling her stupid turned out to be Ryouki in different clothing. lost. absolutely lost. happens to me every time i approach a manga and it's frustrating.
January 28, 2016
Volume 1 was seeming too good to be true -- between Ryoki and Azusa, things seemed relatively cut-and-dry for Hatsumi. But with volume 2, new plot twists are beginning to turn, and it is becoming clear that nothing is as it seemed. I'm curious to see where this is all going!
My little gripe: with the art style, Ryoki seems to be a shape-shifter -- between his face, his hair, his glasses -- he hasn't been able to solidify in my mind yet. Azusa is a bit better -- but just a bit. Only Hatsumi, her family, Mrs. Tachibana, and Subaru really seem to have solid and very easily identifiable appearances so far.
My little gripe: with the art style, Ryoki seems to be a shape-shifter -- between his face, his hair, his glasses -- he hasn't been able to solidify in my mind yet. Azusa is a bit better -- but just a bit. Only Hatsumi, her family, Mrs. Tachibana, and Subaru really seem to have solid and very easily identifiable appearances so far.
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February 5, 2017Wow, that was so much better than I expected. The two plot twists were really exciting and the development of the relationship is starting to be fun. I'm impressed by how the author is able to take very cliche stories/aspects and make them work realistically. I feel very shocked by how much I enjoyed this. I am going to continue on to the next volume immediately.
July 28, 2015
Oh my gawd! I can't believe this son of a b!tch, Azusa. WTF?! I can't believe he's so deceiving. He used Hatsumi fot his revenge. Ugh! I wanna freaking punch him. It's a good thing that Ryouki came along with her and will protect her from Azusa and the other guys. I wonder how will it go in the next chapters..
May 29, 2008
Retarded. This book is about a girl who is blackmailed into being her enemy's slave - who just wants to use her as a prostitute. After reading Tokyo Boys and Girls, I had hoped this book would be just as good - I was wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2013
These books are so creepy! Why am I reading this!? It's like a bad soap opera that I can't stop watching!
Everyone is evil with ulterior motives and there's this mystery now so I have to keep reading. I just wish that Azusa & Ryoki didn't look exactly the same. It gets confusing.
Everyone is evil with ulterior motives and there's this mystery now so I have to keep reading. I just wish that Azusa & Ryoki didn't look exactly the same. It gets confusing.
January 17, 2015
Ok, originally it was Ryoki, but now i think Azusa may be the bigger D-bag...this series is so rape-y and creepy but I can't put it down. So much drama and everyone is effed up and has all these secrets. It's addicting for sure. Mindless fun and I'm gonna start the next one now. 6/10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews