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Dear NOMAN #1

Dear NOMAN, Vol. 1

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Ever since she was little, Mashiro has been able to see ghosts—of people, of animals, and of some strange creatures that don’t seem to be either. For years, she’s pretended not to

see the eerie sights around her, but then a chance encounter plunges Mashiro into the world of

the inhuman Nomans. An accidental kiss leaves Mashiro partnered with Bazu, a human-hating crow lady, as she joins the Boundary Preservation Society to help the dead that walk the earth move on…

162 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2020

7 people are currently reading
133 people want to read

About the author

neji

8 books15 followers
Name (in native language) : 寝路

Pixiv: 寝路(ねじ)

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5 stars
69 (26%)
4 stars
97 (36%)
3 stars
75 (28%)
2 stars
19 (7%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,336 reviews69 followers
February 21, 2021
I probably should have expected it, because for my money there's no ghost story so effective as the one that hits you right in the heart, but I still was somehow not prepared for this to make me tear up in more than one chapter. That cat one hit me hard.
Profile Image for Mark.
2,811 reviews272 followers
January 23, 2021
Mashiro sees dead people. And animals. And miscellaneous spirits. It’s never been a big deal until one unfortunate encounter and an unintended kiss end with her working at a secret government agency that protects the boundary between the spirit realm and ours.

Partnered with the human-hating Bazu, she’s got a lot to learn and that’s not even counting the fact that she’s still only 14 years old...

There is no better read than the one where you think ‘this looks interesting’ and then it completely demolishes your expectations. When you have a character who wears one of the ancient plague doctor masks AND I’ve nearly cried halfway through the first volume of something, well, I’m starting at five stars and working backwards.

Mashiro initially comes across as an overly sparkly, too nice by half pain, but she’s so much more than that. She isn’t naive and that’s important - she just likes to help as best she can. Both she and Bazu have experienced tragedies, but it affected their outlooks in very different ways.

As for Bazu, well, she’s a total badass with an entire fry truck on her shoulder. We get the reason why she hates people and, well, you can’t really blame her. It’s a harsh, cruel lesson in trust. Obviously being with Mashiro is going to change that, but the extent is well...

...yeah, so this turns out to possibly be a secret yuri title!? Interspecies yuri at that. I dunno quite how I feel about Bazu and Mashiro’s developing relationship, such as it is, since, you know, monster woman and young girl. But, given the average lifespan of a crow, I’m okay giving it a little leeway that Bazu’s probably only roughly as old as Mashiro anyhow (finally I use my degree to... excuse yuri... pardon me, I must rethink my entire life).

There’s so much I genuinely adored in this book. The blasé mundanity of a government job, even if it’s fighting demons. The way both Bazu and Mishiro learn from one another and get chances to shine. The absolutely sumptuous art style. The action is handled well, there’s so much heart in here. Tiny. Freaking Tiny. If you aren’t moved by Tiny, I just don’t know.

5 stars. Smart plotting, smart characters, gorgeous art, real feeling behind it all, tons of personality. I don’t know where this came from but it was a revelation - a real winner. I could go back and re-read it right now and I haven’t felt like doing that for months.

(It turns out there are only two volumes, so this series may have bitten off more than it can chew in terms of a satisfying denouement, but that’s next volume’s problem.)
Profile Image for Jillian -always aspiring-.
1,870 reviews534 followers
January 25, 2021
2021 Read #40

I really enjoyed this! The crow noman’s backstory was quite brutal and dark, but there are still sweet moments between the characters. I look forward to seeing where this goes next! (Also, there’s a kind of whiplash that this is from the same creator as Beauty and the Beast Girl...)
Profile Image for Catarina Prata.
Author 3 books15 followers
July 22, 2021
As the beginning of a new series, this first volume of Dear Noman is a treat. The art style is pretty and the topics of understanding humanity through the eyes of the not so human ones are emotional and delightful. Very interested in the next volume!
Profile Image for Shae.
3,221 reviews354 followers
January 28, 2021
This manga is a little odd, but I did truly enjoy reading it!

When a teenage girl is accidentally kissed by a crow demon, things shift. She has always been able to see the supernatural things, but when the Nomans discover that she can see them, they start to send her on missions.

This may potentially become a yuri? At least I was getting those vibes, and I don't know how to feel about that.

Still excited for the next volume though.
Profile Image for Laura.
572 reviews28 followers
October 31, 2021
This was kind of boring. There isn't much too it and the relationship between the two mains feels quite forced and rushed as does the plot. After reading the second and final volume I still feel the same way. For me it's a series that I will forget even exists in a short while.
Profile Image for Kat.
1,633 reviews16 followers
July 4, 2021
So torn on this. Absolutely love the art and the premise. The multiple spirits and their stories were very compelling - my favorite was Tiny the cat and his elderly human companion. It also got a lot darker than I was expecting...Bazu's backstory was quite brutal. However, the major elephant in the room here is that Mashiro, the main character, is 14...I was expecting the relationship to be more mentor/mentee and friendship focused, but instead Bazu and Mashiro are definitely trending towards romance. Bazu used to be a crow, and turned into a 'noman' spirit that takes the shape of a human woman. This human form looks clearly like a mature woman, probably in her 20s, so the romance aspect here is SO UNCOMFY. I really wish that Mashiro was older, or Bazu's human form was younger looking...the story itself is so good, but it's just too hard to overlook this perceived age gap, even if it's only physical (who knows how old Bazu actually is, being both a crow spirit and not an actual human).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Artemis Crescent.
1,217 reviews
May 1, 2021
I decided to check out 'Dear NOMAN, Vol. 1' after reading and adoring the mangaka neji's other work, 'Beauty and the Beast Girl'. I'm glad I did, for 'Dear NOMAN, Vol. 1' is hugely entertaining, well written and well drawn.

I wonder, will it be made into an anime? It has as much potential as any shonen title.

Young Mashiro Unohana is shy, kind, helpful and small for her age (think like a female Yugi Mutou, except without the extreme hair). She lives with her mother, and she can see ghosts. Of people, of animals, and other, mythological creatures, later referred to as nomans. One ghost she can't see is that of her older sister, whom she writes letters to, and who has supposedly moved on to the other world.

One day Mashiro is attacked by a noman - ghostly creatures, animals or humans of varying levels and sizes that're unable or unwilling to move on - and is rescued by a mysterious crow lady named Bazu. An accidental and hilarious kiss binds Bazu and Mashiro together as servant and master respectively. Mashiro is offered membership to the Boundary Preservation Society, an organisation, secret from ordinary humans, which works to hunt down nomans. Not wanting herself or anyone else to feel dreadful loss and grief again after what happened to her sister, Mashiro accepts. And she'll help out in more compassionate, and less violent and blunt, ways, in which to ease nomans into the next life, moving on from the past.

This leaves Bazu very irritated indeed, with the goody two-shoes "squirt". But she'll grow to respect and love Mashiro, not as a "master", but as a partner, a friend, a deep soul companion. Theirs is a bond of mutual feeling...

So think 'Bleach', 'Soul Eater', 'D.Gray-man' and 'Shaman King', with an all-female cast and yuri flavour, and you have 'Dear NOMAN'.

One thing which struck me the most is that, for something that is labelled a horror manga, 'Dear NOMAN' isn't scary. Not really. It can be achingly sad and touching, but it is also tremendously funny and witty.

Mashiro and Bazu, who could not have been any more different from each other (they're not even the same species), work so well together. They effortlessly bounce off of one another in personality and dialogue, and they have awesome chemistry.

The writing is cleverer than you'd might expect. I adore every character in 'Dear NOMAN'. It's a beautiful and sweet action yuri manga. Never mind the generous endowments drawn on the adult females; like with 'Beauty and the Beast Girl', at least there's no cleavage!

I heartily recommend this worthwhile manga.

Be warned, though: cruelty to animals by human hands is present. The manga is acutely sympathetic towards those poor creatures, and pets.

Final Score: 5/5
Profile Image for William.
12 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2024
While this series is very short at only two volumes I have to say this is honestly one of the best mangas I have read. I feel I’ll likely come back to this story many times in the future.

This was a story of growing up, letting go, discovering yourself, forgiving yourself, and helping others do the same as well as being an unconventional love story. The characters were fun and full of life, which made the emotional connection even stronger which makes for a much more impactful story.

I feel this would be a good story for anyone who is grieving or has lost someone who they haven’t fully been able to let go.

While this series is listed as Girls Love(or LGBTQA+,) the romance is not really present in the story at all but more just an underlining character trait. Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely a love story but not the kind you’d expect when you think of a love story.


MILD SPOILERS BELOW HERE!


Though the story has a lot of emotional ups and downs through out and the climax definitely is one of the downs, the series leaves off on a hopeful note.
1,385 reviews44 followers
October 9, 2021
Not bad, but it was nothing new, really. Typical story of a wide-eyed softie teen who can see supernatural creatures getting rescued and recruited by a secret spirit-management society partnered up with a surly spirit partner, with whom there is clearly going to be a romance (F|F this time). Except I didn't feel any chemistry between them, so that felt kind of forced. And then they threw in the mandatory irritating unstable secondary obsessive 'comedic' suitor (*weary sigh*). Though a couple of the sub-stories showed promise of a bit of depth, the overarching whole was too trope-y without doing anything new with it. I don't feel moved to read the next volume.
Profile Image for Moriah Venable.
1,372 reviews33 followers
July 16, 2022
Mashiro has been able to see ghosts since she was little. For the most part, they don't bother her. But a chance encounter with what appeared to be a cute ghosts turns sinister, until Mashiro is saved.

Waking up causes her to accidently kiss her savior, which in turn actives a bond between them. The person that saves her is named Bazu, and is part of the Boundary Preservation Society that helps the dead move on.

There are different types of nomans, Bazu being an X one and one who also hates humans. We did get a bit of her backstory.

I enjoyed the setup this has. I can't wait to read the second volume.
781 reviews4 followers
February 15, 2021
Definitely NOT your average Yuri story...

Wow, where to begin? Mashiro can see spirits. Then one day, a seemingly harmless spirit lures her into a dark alley... and tries to EAT her! Then Bazu swoops in, and saves her. Later, the two inadvertently share a kiss, and are bonded together! So now Mashiro and Bazu now have a contract, and a job! Dispatching spirits that attempt to prey on humans! Mashiro even gets a paycheck out of the deal. So, now all Mashiro has to do is charm Bazu, get her to open up, and be nice. Easier said than done. Later, after being wounded in a battle, Mashiro is kissed by Bazu, and it seems to send a fluttering through both girl's hearts!
Profile Image for blissreads.
64 reviews
January 16, 2023
Probably my favourite manga I’ve ever read Bazu and Mashiro chan are so cute together.

I loved how Bazu is this sassy crow lady and mashiro chan is this sweet little innocent lady then they just end up together through a tiny cute thing which turned out to be a big huge monster.

Now they are finally getting along I’m so happy this manga was so good I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new manga series to read volume 1 “muah” chefs kiss to good.

5/5⭐️📚
174 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2024
A fun book about a girl who can see ghosts. The story is slower paced but still moves forward and there are action scenes which are fun. I also like the fact that there is a bit of a backstory for both Mashiro and Bazu.

Overall, it was a pleasant read, the illustrations were well drawn and I enjoyed this type of fantasy/supernatural story. It is a duology, so reading this series isn't a big commitment (like One Piece, for example).

I recommend this series to everyone!
921 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2021
'Dear Noman' is a manga about a kind young girl who can see spirits, and the prickly crow lady who ends up protecting her. It's got cute art, and I love stories about the power of connecting through sharing your feelings - especially with someone who's guarded and overprotective, but still able to be won over. Also, there's kissing, so I definitely want to read the next volumes soon. :)
Profile Image for Helen.
1,584 reviews74 followers
October 1, 2022
This was an unexpected read for me but I really liked it. We are following Mashiro who can see ghosts and other odd creatures. One day she is attacked by one of these creatures but is saved by a crow woman named Bazu. Together the two of them partner up to send these creatures called Nomans to their final resting place. Really enjoyed it and I am ready to read the next volume soon!
Profile Image for Zian B..
2,312 reviews34 followers
January 10, 2021
I managed to read this a few days early, due to scans online.
I gave this volume a solid 3 because while I liked it, it feels like there was something missing. I’ll be reading the next (and final) manga volume to see how everything wraps up.
Profile Image for Vanna Book-Mage.
866 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2022
I'm really torn on liking this manga. The premise is wicked cool, but that age gap thing whew. It's throwing me off for sure and like yes we don't know how old Bazu is considering she's a crow spirit(not human), but she looks like a grown woman. Dammit.
Profile Image for Nyalisa . ....
20 reviews
December 25, 2022
all of the characters are well-written and Bazu and Mashiro's dynamic is very sweet. Mashiro is a sweet character that deserves the world and Bazu is very sweet but she teases Mashiro a lot and it's adorable. I wish the author went on depth about the world building and the organization though.
Profile Image for Isapropanol.
341 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2025
3,5
Interesting concept. Main character acts a bit odd at times, but she's a teen, after all; they tend to be like that.
A lot of what's going on here makes me wonder what the age gap is, but I suppose that's not exactly the weirdest thing going on here. Bird turned humanoid creature x some kid? Hm
Profile Image for Amber.
224 reviews
August 1, 2021
Three stars, because it's not my speed of story, but it was good! I got this to test to see if my middle schoolers will like it.
Profile Image for Bea.
239 reviews12 followers
October 19, 2022
sooo no. Mashiro is 14 and looks YOUNG (because she is)
and Bazu looks to be in her 20s
That's a hell no from me. Moments after they meet Bazu is kissing an unconscious Mashiro... yeah no.
Profile Image for Juliana.
38 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2024
No, no. This is too weird for me. Main character is 14 and kisses her adult-presenting Noman "bondmate" to become her Master. Also they heal faster if they kiss.

I'm out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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