The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu's Love, Vol. 1

八王子名物 天狗の恋 [Hachiouji Meibutsu: Tengu no Koi] #1

by 七尾 朋, Tomo Nanao, Nicole Wilder (Translator)

Upon his return to his hometown near Mt. Takao, the lonely youth Kotarou reunites with a tengu girl he used to know, Hime. To his shock, Hime decrees that they must be wed! Intent on marrying Kotarou, will Hime be able to break through his walls and build a happily-ever-after with him?!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Comics, Food, Supernatural, Japan

Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so so so much fun to read!

I thought our ML would be some kind of delinquent based on his jacket on the cover, but that just seems to be what he likes to wear, not because he is one! LOL! But I still really liked him a lot nonetheless!

Concerning him, I'm appreciating this gentle theme of wanting to be wanted and having a family that cares for you, whether that is people who helped raise you or someone you call a friend. It really weaves into the overall plot very well, and I especially loved seeing that unfold in the ending. Also, can I say that I love seeing a man not be afraid to apologize?? Love to see it!

Hime is a hoot and absolutely loved her on page! I really think it's true when she says that it may seem she is happy simply because she is living in "another world," but it's really because Kotarou is there and she can experience these new things with him. When things seemed to not be going well, that truth was plain as day, making the ending all the more satisfying!

I'm not an art guru, but I thought it interesting that I really admired a lot of panels that showed emotions. There was often a focus on Kotarou's face through smaller panels and how he is taking everything in with suddenly being told he's going to get married. I thought it to be a very engaging way of storytelling that I feel I don't see often. I really really loved it!

This is easily one of my favorite things I've read this month and deeply looking forward to volume two!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to read cart wait for more.

[Raya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! this was a cute start, but i will definitely need to read more before i decide which way im gonna lean on this series overall.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for just having such a good heart.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kotarou has been spirited away as a child, not that he remembers anything about it. Now he’s returned to the same area as an adult, and the memory starts to return after he visits a shrine. Unable to leave the matter alone, he goes investigating, and finds a winged woman, Hime, who tells him that now that they’ve met three times under the sacred tree, they’re to wed. Other tengus instantly arrange a wedding.

Hime tries to save him from the marriage, but she longs to go to the outside world. Kotarou encourages her to come to see outside life herself, and she decides to come and live with him. The stories mostly consist of her learning about human world, especially different foods, as the two try to come to terms of living together. The chapters were good, but not as cute as I expected and not very exciting. In her own world, Hime is a strong-willed leader; in the human world she turns into an annoying bimbo. Illustrations were good.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[theotakuwoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! Hime is so cute and like sunshine. She reminds me of Oriana from Re-Living my Life. I loved seeing her in the outside world trying new foods and getting excited about it. Katarou is a complex character with deep emotional wounds that hinder him from trusting others. Seeing how his emotions play a part in his interactions with Hime made my chest feel tight. But that's what makes it a great story.

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This manga starts off well enough. I like the characters and their interactions are fun. However, the second half is repetitive and primarily consists of Hime trying different food from the human world. It's cute for a while but it does feel like everything else has become an afterthought.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

A very ghibli-esque, supernatural slice-of-life romance.

[Katie❄️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew it! This was totally super cute!

[Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh kinda found it boring.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Full thoughts can be found here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youNI...

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet and heartwarming

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay this was SO much better than I was expecting. truly, I was worried it would be another 'marriage to kitsune-sama' situation, which also has another non-human/human pairing that met when the human was a child. unlike that one which felt way more groomer-y, this one has a much more palatable premise. kotarou is older, more mature, and has way more realistic thoughts/expectations/concerns about the situation than the human guy in kitsune-sama. similarly, hime is way more wholesome and less predatory. the synopsis to this on the back cover made it sound much worse than it was....not only does she stumble upon him randomly, but she also tries to help him escape the marriage tradition, and is thoughtful about his boundaries where it counts. I was expecting this to be more ecchi honestly, since the synopsis made it seem like she'd be throwing herself at him, but it was actually so wholesome and wayyyy more emotional than I thought it'd be (kotarou is def going to have a backstory that will make me sob, I'm predicting it now). they also don't really have much romance yet, making this more of a slow burn that I'm very much enjoying at this point! the art is also PERFECT, which made this volume easily 5★ for me. can't wait to read the next!

[Zephorah Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss and Yen Press for the DRC!

This was a solid 3.5 for me (with potential to get higher depending on how the next volume turns out). I found it super cute that Kotarou is so resistant to Hime at times but melts at the sight of her wings and his desire to touch them. I'm curious to how their background gets revealed and if the unsaid promise between them was about marriage. If so, are youkai/tengu's the same age or do they age? Trying to moral my way deeper into the story.

Overall, I found Hime's antics and wonders at everyday novelties for Kotarou to be refreshing and enjoyable to read. Even if they just remain as friends, I support and would love to see their first outing and their friendship deepen.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOOOOVED THIS!! Most of all, I thought the art was breathtaking. The linework and perspective were really natural and wonderful. And I loved the designs of the characters!
I liked the pacing of the story, it didn't feel too fast to me at all. I'm really excited to read the second volume, I think they're very cute and have very natural chemistry.

I want to know more about Koutarou's backstory. I'm curious about why he Wouldn't want a tengu to live in his house if he's so interested in yokai and stuff. But maybe it's because he sees Hime as a person first and foremost? He's such a good boy!

I can't wait for more!

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looks like I'm in a minority on this one. Something about this book rubbed me the wrong way, and I'm really struggling to figure out what it was. I think I just don't like this kind of relationship, that feels partly coercive and has one party openly all in immediately while the other drags his feet. Because we all know that he'll give in eventually. I think that's why I don't like it, because it feels less like courtship and more like wearing down.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute start. I'm not sure how much I like the characters. Their designs are good! But the chemistry isn't there (yet) and their general personalities are a bit flat. The whole "learning about the human world" trope is a classic and I'm not sure this one will hold up to some others.
Overall, the idea is good and the art work is great so I'll give volume 2 a shot.

[Mythos · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is a bit weird considering she met him when he was a child. They only met once and she saved him. At least she didn't watch him grow up. Art is pretty good and is more on the cute side.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.

Orphan Kotarou has just moved back into his grandparents’ home outside the Takao region as he has inherited it, and he’s reliving some of his fuzzy childhood memories. One day, he is asked to tour guide to some friends to a local shrine, and some of his memories start to trickle back. He remembers a day on a trip to that same shrine where he met a tengu girl. That night, he comes back to the temple again and finds himself in an arranged marriage situation with Hime, the tengu from his memories! But she dreams of seeing the outside world and experiencing lots of different food. Kotarou agrees she should, which Hime interprets as an offer to live in his house.

This story started out kind of dark and mysterious, but it gave way to something very cute and feel-good. This is also slightly a food-manga food-manga based on how much Hime talks about food, tries to cook, and the way she experiences her meals as she eats them. Kotarou is a decent cook thanks to being a bachelor, so they approach food differently but are able to come together and share some sweet moments. Both Hime and Kotarou want to be chosen by someone and loved, either romantically or in a familial way, which is touching and makes me want to reach into the pages and give both of them a hug.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12

[Veronica Colon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoy the first vol…. But I can say this would be a very slow burn romance 🤣 specially for the guy.. and sometimes I do hate when the ML is just so clueless even for a grow up man!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and fun.

[richa ⋆.˚★]

The art style is delightful. I love the character design of the female lead.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 4 out of 5]

aight, i'll bite and continue

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

10/24 2.5 Stars. A unique story, but I wasn't particularly impressed for some reason. Don't think I'll continue the series.

[scarlettraces · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jourdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Himemiko and Kotarou in Kamisama Kiss you’ll like this one! Funnily enough this guy is ALSO Kotarou! But his wannabe bride is a super cute tengu girly. Lighthearted and sweet.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute!

[dobpizzazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25)

[Darcy Roar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one did not catch me at all, not sure exactly what the issue is for me, but I I'll probably set the series down *Shrug*

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute and I want to read more, but I don't feel super strongly about it.