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Childhood friend Complex #2
Otonari Complex Vol. 2
CONFRONTING CHANGE
Akira sees Makoto as her precious, beloved childhood friend; the one place where she can truly be herself is by his side. But ever since she befriended Fumi-chan, a girl with an unrequited crush on Makoto, a dark cloud has been hanging over Akira that just won’t go away. Even if things around them change, their relationship will always stay the same…right?
Akira sees Makoto as her precious, beloved childhood friend; the one place where she can truly be herself is by his side. But ever since she befriended Fumi-chan, a girl with an unrequited crush on Makoto, a dark cloud has been hanging over Akira that just won’t go away. Even if things around them change, their relationship will always stay the same…right?
186 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 28, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up because I like these two quite a bit.
A definite improvement over the previous volume, as Makoto jettisons his female persona for a large chunk of this volume and focuses on Akira and his feelings for her. The cross-dressing angle did not do a lot for me in the first volume, I still think it’s kind of weakly used, so seeing the narrative’s focus go elsewhere helps it.
Not that it abandons gender entirely, honing in far more on Akira and her relentless efforts to crush her self-esteem and femininity. When it comes to Makoto acting on his crush, it is not for nothing that he clearly cares for Akira the person and the gender side is whatever, which is pretty charming and turns out to be sweetly affirming. He really pulls off a great moment with three little words and Akira notices.
Things definitely follow the question of how people who have been friends for over a decade may or may not be able to take that step forward when it turns out their feelings might be a little stronger than that. Except Makoto has had his feelings for a long time, while Akira is way behind in these sorts of emotions, which makes for some believable conflict.
It’s well-written and I like that it’s angsty and full of problems, but not too much so. The tone and balance are just right. Some of the side characters are a bit much, but even then, they somehow work. Fumi is so complicated, emotionally, even when she’s being a pain. Despite her awfulness I actually liked her a lot, which is unusual.
While it isn’t perfect, I think the focus tightens up here and it goes after more of what it was doing best and if last volume left me more hopeful the second instalment would be better, this one leaves me more invested than before. So, a definite win and a series I’m happy to keep up with.
A definite improvement over the previous volume, as Makoto jettisons his female persona for a large chunk of this volume and focuses on Akira and his feelings for her. The cross-dressing angle did not do a lot for me in the first volume, I still think it’s kind of weakly used, so seeing the narrative’s focus go elsewhere helps it.
Not that it abandons gender entirely, honing in far more on Akira and her relentless efforts to crush her self-esteem and femininity. When it comes to Makoto acting on his crush, it is not for nothing that he clearly cares for Akira the person and the gender side is whatever, which is pretty charming and turns out to be sweetly affirming. He really pulls off a great moment with three little words and Akira notices.
Things definitely follow the question of how people who have been friends for over a decade may or may not be able to take that step forward when it turns out their feelings might be a little stronger than that. Except Makoto has had his feelings for a long time, while Akira is way behind in these sorts of emotions, which makes for some believable conflict.
It’s well-written and I like that it’s angsty and full of problems, but not too much so. The tone and balance are just right. Some of the side characters are a bit much, but even then, they somehow work. Fumi is so complicated, emotionally, even when she’s being a pain. Despite her awfulness I actually liked her a lot, which is unusual.
While it isn’t perfect, I think the focus tightens up here and it goes after more of what it was doing best and if last volume left me more hopeful the second instalment would be better, this one leaves me more invested than before. So, a definite win and a series I’m happy to keep up with.
January 2, 2026
After some confrontations and returning of other childhood past characters, Akira and Makoto finally make some progress. Poor Makoto gets out through the ringer a bit but so does Akira; although hers is more internally. Overall this was an amusing volume to read and I’m curious to see what happens next with Akira and Makoto.
November 15, 2025
Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
I'm annoyed by how this volume ends. We know Akira is self-conscious so her trying to be more feminine in preparation for their date makes sense. However, it's Makoto's reaction that disappoints me. He spent years telling Akira that she's fine the way she is then suddenly switches up when she's trying for him? Don't piss me off. This series starts out as an interesting exploration of gender nonconformity only to revert to the same old traditional bullshit. I plan on reading Vol. 3 in hopes of being proven wrong but I know I'll be disappointed.
I'm annoyed by how this volume ends. We know Akira is self-conscious so her trying to be more feminine in preparation for their date makes sense. However, it's Makoto's reaction that disappoints me. He spent years telling Akira that she's fine the way she is then suddenly switches up when she's trying for him? Don't piss me off. This series starts out as an interesting exploration of gender nonconformity only to revert to the same old traditional bullshit. I plan on reading Vol. 3 in hopes of being proven wrong but I know I'll be disappointed.
January 27, 2025
Otonari Complex volume 2 has me more perplexed than when reading the first in the series. In volume one I struggled with some of the character's decisions and the sloppy way it dealt with the complexities of gender. This volume is more focused, but the main characters felt very inconsistent versus what we saw in volume one. It is hard for me to tell if that is the author forcing these characters into a more traditional mold or simply the messiness of these young people figuring out who they are. I am going to give this the benefit of the doubt for now and see where things go, but it certainly hasn't done enough to assuage my original fears when reading volume one. Fingers crossed that Nonomura makes the overall perspective of the series and its worldview clearer in the volumes to come.
November 28, 2024
3.5 stars. Cute and moving forward
May 8, 2025
Irritation. That is my main takeaway here. I am irritated with how most of the characters acted 99% of the time. Poor Akira has way more patience than I ever could. No one communicates clearly with her, and yet it’s her fault when she doesn’t act how they want her to.
I am also really disappointed with how the gender nonconformity stuff is going. Really looks like it just shaping up to be a gimic that is dropped for the sake of “having self esteem and being the femme girl/masc man you always wanted to be.” Which BLEGH. Downer.
I’m probably just gonna borrow the next volume before I commit to buying the rest. Because OMG did I mention how irritated this volume made me?
I am also really disappointed with how the gender nonconformity stuff is going. Really looks like it just shaping up to be a gimic that is dropped for the sake of “having self esteem and being the femme girl/masc man you always wanted to be.” Which BLEGH. Downer.
I’m probably just gonna borrow the next volume before I commit to buying the rest. Because OMG did I mention how irritated this volume made me?
December 28, 2024
My only complaint is that now I have to wait until March for volume three.
Well, that and Fumi being the absolute worst. It's not Akira's fault that Makoto is down bad for her and will therefore never give Fumi the time of day. Furthermore, Fumi has no right to keep butting in. Like I'm sorry that you've had a crush on a boy for 10 years only for it to end up unrequited, but none of that negates any of Akira's feelings finding out that her best friend is in love with her.
Well, that and Fumi being the absolute worst. It's not Akira's fault that Makoto is down bad for her and will therefore never give Fumi the time of day. Furthermore, Fumi has no right to keep butting in. Like I'm sorry that you've had a crush on a boy for 10 years only for it to end up unrequited, but none of that negates any of Akira's feelings finding out that her best friend is in love with her.
January 13, 2025
Delighted to love the second volume as much as the first.
Fumi shows up a bit too much to keep smacking sense into Akira about Makoto - it's making her feel too much like a plot device for their relationship, rather than a distinct character on her own - but I'm assuming she'll probably wind up with a love interest of her own at this rate.
I'll be honest, I'm hoping it won't be Oga...from the moment he showed up, I thought: oh, are we finally getting Akira's love triangle? I don't see much chance of Akira having the remotest bit of interest in him, but I hope he's at least present enough to give her that real sense of options that I was hoping to see. Makoto deserves to be the guy she falls head over heels for, rather than just a comfortable childhood friend transitioning into something more.
I was surprised the confession came as quickly as it did, but I suppose we need that space for Akira to work her way into seeing her best friend in a different light. She was never going to realize it on her own, without multiple people, including Makoto, flat out telling her.
It's nice that while they did go through a few days of not speaking after that, their relationship really did pick up at a natural point, with Akira being as open and honest with him as always - if a bit more nervous and standoffish.
Also nice: that while Akira did get a makeover and looked fantastic, she still looked very much like herself. Just a fine-tuned version, rather than a full transformation.
Really enjoying this story, and exciting to see where it goes for the rest of the volumes.
Fumi shows up a bit too much to keep smacking sense into Akira about Makoto - it's making her feel too much like a plot device for their relationship, rather than a distinct character on her own - but I'm assuming she'll probably wind up with a love interest of her own at this rate.
I'll be honest, I'm hoping it won't be Oga...from the moment he showed up, I thought: oh, are we finally getting Akira's love triangle? I don't see much chance of Akira having the remotest bit of interest in him, but I hope he's at least present enough to give her that real sense of options that I was hoping to see. Makoto deserves to be the guy she falls head over heels for, rather than just a comfortable childhood friend transitioning into something more.
I was surprised the confession came as quickly as it did, but I suppose we need that space for Akira to work her way into seeing her best friend in a different light. She was never going to realize it on her own, without multiple people, including Makoto, flat out telling her.
It's nice that while they did go through a few days of not speaking after that, their relationship really did pick up at a natural point, with Akira being as open and honest with him as always - if a bit more nervous and standoffish.
Also nice: that while Akira did get a makeover and looked fantastic, she still looked very much like herself. Just a fine-tuned version, rather than a full transformation.
Really enjoying this story, and exciting to see where it goes for the rest of the volumes.
August 1, 2022
Es una lectura bastante rápida, me gustó el giro inicial de la trama se me hizo muy ingenioso, después de un rato se empieza a hacer tedioso ver los sentimientos de akira, me decepcionó un poco que no hubiera beso y que no pudiera ver más de su interacción cómo pareja romántica, y ver tan poco a Makoto cerca del final, creo que lo mejor de esta historia es Makoto
December 23, 2024
I really like these characters, and I'm glad that the pace of their relationship is a bit faster than your typical manga. Sometimes it feels like it can take volumes and volumes for a character to let someone know they have feelings for them. These two really are cute together, and I love how long they have been close friends.
April 5, 2025
I liked this one more than the first 3.5. I don’t love how Makoto’s dressing as a woman really seems mostly forced on him from what we have seen. But their friends giving them the big push was interesting. I still think Akira is little hard to understand some times, but I got it a little more in this volume. I’m rounding up cause it improved that much.
June 28, 2025
2.5 I don’t like how the author is making it seem like Makoto cross-dressing is forced on him or how Akira not being femme is a lack of confidence thing. The last volume was about subverting gender norms, but this volume seemed to be saying “just kidding! They’re normal.” Really hope this doesn’t continue. Also Fumi SUCKS
December 30, 2017
i forgot how hard it is to wait for releases
thank you AMPLIFIED
thank you AMPLIFIED
June 25, 2018
I had so much fun reading this series. Their relationship is too adorable.
December 5, 2018
Konflik muncul ketika ada saingan cinta.
April 6, 2019
I so adore this down-to-earth series. The characters are so sweet and genuine and I love the wholesome relationship between Makoto and Akira. The supporting characters are also completely lovable.
November 14, 2020
Me encanta Makoto.
Creí que sólo eran 2 tomos y me acabo de dar cuenta que son más. Qué bien porque esta historia es muy cute.
Creí que sólo eran 2 tomos y me acabo de dar cuenta que son más. Qué bien porque esta historia es muy cute.
April 13, 2021
De mis mangas favoritos, con esta pareja inversa
March 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ | BOZE TEN TOM TEZ BYL TAK DOBRY!!! to jest jedno z niewielu opowiadań, w którym rzeczywiście wierzę w intencje bohatera i naprawdę szkoda, że w innych książkach nie czuję tej szczerości
December 23, 2024
Its just so cute i just -i love the two of them.
May 14, 2025
I'm glad it seems to be moving at a sensible pace instead of drawing this out for an eternity.
July 29, 2025
hmmm...this is kinda making me miss cinderella closet? idk y'all, i like a guy who enjoys his plot premised crossdressing
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
August 17, 2025
Still cute, relationship is progressing now that there’s been a confession, but still waiting for that first date.
February 7, 2025
[Ch.15-23]
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - so good.
rooting for them !! they're so cute.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - so good.
rooting for them !! they're so cute.
April 13, 2017
synopsis: Makoto is a boy with a make-up artist mom and big sister, who sacrifices his manly man-hood for the sake of the neighbor girl, Akira, who was always taller and more boy-ish than Makoto. they grew up playing together, and Akira playing with always Makoto became to like video games and comfortable men clothing. to save Akira from his mom and sis Makoto lets them to put a wig on him and dress him into girls clothing.
as Makoto grows cross-dressing becomes a hobby. Akira never cares about Makoto wearing womens clothes and even goes out with him in full cross-dress to shop for more girly stuff. Makoto however is a straight buy. he has a one sided crush on Akira for as long as he remembers and when an old bully comes back into picture saying Akira is totally his type being tall having long legs and they type who has clear skin and would be spectacular if she dolled herself up, Makoto goes rampant and confesses to Akira.
thoughts: I love the theme and the way it approaches cross-dressing as nothing more than a hobby or a form of art to feel cute about yourself. I like the side characters who either in love with the cross-dressing Makoto who is prettier than the average girls around campus. or the old middle school classmate who was a plain girl and got saved by the short Makoto. falling for the guy she dolled up and put so much effort into looking her cutest, and she becomes really mad when Makoto turns her down saying he likes someone else. I like the real life -like petty arguments and the efforts. the manga does a great job in magnifying the emotions like Japanese people usually do.
as Makoto grows cross-dressing becomes a hobby. Akira never cares about Makoto wearing womens clothes and even goes out with him in full cross-dress to shop for more girly stuff. Makoto however is a straight buy. he has a one sided crush on Akira for as long as he remembers and when an old bully comes back into picture saying Akira is totally his type being tall having long legs and they type who has clear skin and would be spectacular if she dolled herself up, Makoto goes rampant and confesses to Akira.
thoughts: I love the theme and the way it approaches cross-dressing as nothing more than a hobby or a form of art to feel cute about yourself. I like the side characters who either in love with the cross-dressing Makoto who is prettier than the average girls around campus. or the old middle school classmate who was a plain girl and got saved by the short Makoto. falling for the guy she dolled up and put so much effort into looking her cutest, and she becomes really mad when Makoto turns her down saying he likes someone else. I like the real life -like petty arguments and the efforts. the manga does a great job in magnifying the emotions like Japanese people usually do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews