Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 2

ヲタクに恋は難しい [Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii] #3-4

by Fujita

NOTHING VENTURED, NO XP GAINED Frustrated at the slow pace of their relationship, Hirotaka asks Narumi on a real date, with one critical stipulation: They can’t show their otaku sides at all! Can the two find something to bond over in the absence of games, manga, and anime? Meanwhile, Hanako and Taro revisit the origins of their own tempestuous relationship back when they were in high school, and even Naoya seems to be spending more time with a new friend!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Josei, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2018

Reviews

[Katie Colson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get the origins of Hana/Taro's love story and omg I DIE!

Captains of the boy's and girl's volleyball teams, constantly fighting for gym time, and respect and power and honor. Bickering incessantly but also watching the other's moves because they know the other is damn good at the game. I love it. I love them.

Now again, as per the last volume, it isn't perfect. The time line really jumps around and it is a lot of conversations between characters without much action. I swear it feels like Hirotaka and Narumi are never going to actually GET together. Not to hate on them. I really like them. It just feels a bit overly drawn out in my personal opinion.

But overall I really suggest this series because you will love at least one of the relationships and won't be able to stop yourself from reading the entire series.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these awkward love stories. Most of them are awkward relationship stories about adult nerds nerding it up with each other and trying to date like normal people, but this volume adds in the budding friendship likely to turn romance between Naoya Nifuji (Hirotaka's little brother who sucks at video games and is generally an adorable air head) and socially awkward gamer girl Ko Sakuragi (who Naoya doesn't realize is a girl).

Wotakoi is silly, sometimes heartfelt, and a lot of fun.

[court ౨ৎ librarycutie · Rating 2 out of 5]

i enjoy it but i don’t love it. i find myself skimming over some parts and it flips back and forth between time and it’s sometimes confusing. the story though is super cute and enjoyable although i’m more interested in the little brothers story now rather than the mc’s.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my third reading I’m going just say this: Hanako please go on a date with my on Friday night when I am free on Friday night to go on a date with you.

On my second time reading this book, I stand by my original review. It was an enjoyable reread!

Original review:

so cute and funny!

One of my fave romance manga with surprisingly little romantic moments, but lots of bonding, friendship and support!

I love the art and the characters a lot.

The only reason it’s not 5 star read is
because I hate the fetishization of gay people in this manga. It’s so annoying

Also we could’ve had cute m/m romance, but the manga can’t give “real”gay characters any relevant plot space in the story...

I know I sound bitter, because I AM BITTER
This could’ve been a perfect manga, but being the way it is, I got annoyed with it occasionally.
Still an enjoyable read and I don’t feel like the book is malicious or ill-intended.

To end on positive note, I can’t believe how much I swoon over 6(!) dorks in love 💕

[Golshan Tabatabaie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this was a lot more fun than the first volume.
Can't wait to read the next one ヽ(♡‿♡)ノ

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOKTUBEATHON reading challenges accomplished: read a book with green on the cover

5 stars

That cliffhanger though... whyyy.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series likes to ping-pong between different timelines, couples, and events each chapter and somehow it works. I don't mind the jumping around just because I adore these characters so much!

Hirotaka/Narumi's first date, Narumi acting like a girlfriend, Hirotaka's broken glasses, Taro/Hanako's origin story, and Nao/Ko's beginnings.

My heart is full.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

God I love this series.

Maybe because I'm pretty Otaku. Or maybe just a big old nerd. Maybe the fact I love to read manga as much as I like to game. Or I should say I gamed more back in the day (used to be a reviewer on Youtube, 20K+ following too!) but nowdays kind of just sit back and enjoy reading more. But I can relate and feel SO many of these characters because I am them!

From them finally going on their first date, to almost advancing to a actual kiss, Hirotaka and Narumi are making advances. I really loved the chapters with Hirotaka's younger brother and his realization the person he now games with is actually a girl. That should be fun. Hanako and Taro relationship is super cute, and learning how they met was great. I think the only weaker side of it was the fact it is taking forever for Narumi and Hirotaka to even kiss...come on guys you're adults. Bang already.

But yeah this is such a cute, funny, and well made series. A 4.5 out of 5.

[lorien ‧͙⁺˚*･༓ଳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Believe me, this is such a cute and wholesome manga that it's kind of hard to put down but the little comments about Narumi's breasts is not helping the series. I just want to enjoy manga without there being some kind of comment on anyone's bodies in a suggestive way. I know it happens regardless in real life but when you hear it constantly in life, you kind of want to get away from that. Narumi can't help the way she was built and the need for some people in the manga to comment on it is kind of getting to me. Again, it's a very cute manga and I enjoy it, despite the obvious. But definitely a manga to read if you just want to chill.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half is offputtingly dull and suffers from an unfortunate decision to split a single date into sections that are scattered between wholly unrelated chapters. The back half improves as more focus is given to the introverted newcomer, gamer Ko Sakuragi, and the tsundere cosplayer, Hanako Koyanagi. Sadly, of the three relationships in the book, that of the main characters is the least interesting. I was on the fence for a while, but I will give the next volume a try thanks to the supporting cast.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some minor issues with the first couple of chapters in Vol. 1 but afterwards it becomes only better and better! I really enjoy following these dorks in their day to day life. What a fun time!

[Mar :3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitivamente ellos son mi lugar feliz( ＾ω＾ )

[ariadne]

i heard this manga series gets better, so i decided to give it another chance.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Simply magnificent!

RTC

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taro Kabakura 🧎🏼‍♀️

[unknown_reads (sherlock's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

i need more flashbacks of hanako and taro

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume introduces Ko, a college mate of Naoya's. I like how these two get along. I have Ko's personality and Naoya's skill at games. The worst of both worlds! Heh.

This volume focuses a fair amount on Kabakura and Koyanagi, and I don't care for their interactions at all. Their relationship feels borderline abusive. I wouldn't last 40 seconds with somebody who called me a "hag" several times a day. Koyanagi gives as good as she gets, admittedly, but they distress me far more than they amuse me.

There were a couple of parts, both having to do with Narumi and/or Hirotaka, that I enjoyed a lot. It's cute how they are gradually circling around intimacy, and it's fitting for a pair who were friends for a good long time and are facing a huge change in how they deal with other.

[Flor ):) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 me da mucha risa que me idéntico con varias situaciones, aquí riéndome de mis desgracias jaja

[a · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really could've done without all the BL fan-service moments.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Technically I skimmed, not DNF’d this one. Not sure why it didn’t grab me, but I found it to be boring and I really don’t like the couple that is always fighting all of the time. I don’t see how it works for them, but I guess it does. 2, I’m still reading the next one, stars.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these characters and the story so much! I llove seeing glimpses of them in the past when they were in school together and how they move foward....<3 The otaku in me salutes the otaku in them...

[haya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not stop laughing omg!! The girls are so me! I feel so seen and heard!

Vol 4 was even better!! I loved getting their backstory and it’s just so fun and cute!! Had me laughing through the whole thing!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first volume, 5 stars. I will be (not so) patiently awaiting the next installment.

[vaishnave · Rating 4 out of 5]

my newest hyperfixation: this series and all the tropes in it.

awkward childhood friends-to-lovers who are also complete nerds and are the most comfortable with each other, still discovering what it means to be in a relationship; rival volleyball players-to-lovers who respect each other's interests and talents and would do anything for each other yet will bicker over the smallest things; a boy who knows nothing about fandoms who is friends with a socially awkward gamer boy (who's actually a girl but because of a misunderstanding has said nothing to him).

thank you for my seratonin intake for the day, i need nothing more than this manga to make my brain crackle in all the right places.

[Claire Teets · Rating 5 out of 5]

all i can say is that it makes total sense that koyanagi and kabakura were overly competitive volleyball captains at the same high school. someone who can be secretive but knows how to deescalate his lady is too tier

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

the constant back and forth with different scenes/chapters is so confusing but GOOOOOD do i love this manga so much 😭

[☽｡⋆ Naidah ₊˚ෆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

“At its core, BL is really just shojo manga, after all” 🤣

Love the art, the couples and all the otaku talk. So relatable 😭🤣

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues to be very cute!

[angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

sigue cute y nada más