The Girl Past the Filters, Vol. 1

フィルター越しのカノジョ [Filter-goshi no Kanojo] #1

by Suzu Omi, Ben Trethewey (Translator)

Narumi Hakobe is a high school student who constantly wears a blank expression on his face. Even in class, he’s quiet and unassuming. His joy in life is keeping up with posts from “Efa,” a girl who takes lewd photos and posts them on social media. But soon, he finds out that Efa’s true identity is none other than…his diligent and popular classmate Mitsuha Koto…?!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Erotica

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is, full stop, a My Dress-Up Darling knockoff. The characters are even similar to an extent; our lead, Asuma, is a stone-faced guy with a backstory that is basically identical to Gojo’s. He was made fun of as a kid for his niche interests, specifically his talent for traditional Japanese umbrella-making...and now he works behind the scenes to help a popular girl achieve her dreams. Except, instead of cosplay, our female lead Mizuki likes to take "spicy" pictures and post them on social media for her followers to lust over.

It’s fun, it’s spicy, and it’s honestly really stupid. At one point, Mizuki literally falls off a set of stairs and lands on Asuma’s face; he happens to notice a star-shaped mole on her backside that matches the one he saw on his favorite "NSFW" Twitter account, and just like that, her secret is out (Well he keeps it a secret cause she blackmails, hahahaha silly...right? RIGHT?). It’s ridiculous, but that’s exactly what you’re reading this for, right?

I think the series is actually at its best toward the end of the first volume, where it treats the subject matter with a bit more maturity and explores why she likes to do what she does. While the humor is decent, it can be pretty brain-dead at times. That said, the half-naked shots are nice if that’s your thing... and it’s definitely my thing.

A 3 out of 5.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and naughty fun manga about a boy with a poker face (stone face) and a girl popular online for her naughty photographs. He figures out her secret and she is now determined to see other emotions on his face (plus, she needs someone to make photographs). It was really fun to read and I love seeing these two fall in love! I am curious what is next~

[Puzzle The Giraffe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started reading, thought it could be fun.

And then MC blackmail!

I get it, but you can’t sell me on liking the FMC after she threatens the MC with life ruining blackmail. Not to mention the MC was actually being kind and helped her when she pulled this on him.

This review might not be fair, but I’m being as fair as the FMC, so I think it counts.

[Ray Rappisi · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I like the characters so far and the premise. The art is okay, but the panels can get busy and confusing. There’s loads of tropes which I enjoy in this type of a sexy romcom. It’s worth a shot beyond the first volume.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a cute exhibitionist x voyeur romance story. The art is very sensual even if the story seems a bit basic.

[Ani Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hakobe Narumi is an expressionless high schooler known as "Stoney" - one thing leads to another & this man is surrounded by selfie posters. This is a slightly erotic romcom & I actually really liked the plot + the art style. Can't wait to read more since it's still an on-going series, so this is my overall thoughts from Vol.1-4. This is very quiet guy x gyaru trope.