JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World (Manga) Vol. 1

JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World Manga #1

by J-Ta Yamada (Illustrator), Ko Hiratori

The manga adaptation of the popular light novel! A tough girl in a fantasy world does what she can to stay alive in this biting isekai satire.

Haru Koyama was an ordinary student until her moron classmate got them both in a terrible accident. Now Haru has been transported to another world where only men are allowed to be adventurers. Determined to make the most of it, she takes a job in the Blue Cat Nocturne brothel to make a living the only way she knows how. No cheat abilities, no powers, just her quick wits and naughty bits!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Josei, Fiction, Action, Comics

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2019

About the author

Japanese Name: 山田J太

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I wasn't sure what I expected from this but this was actually a mixture of a lot of things from funny to downright horrifying.

Our main lead Haru is a sex worker. One day in her world she's killed by a truck alongside another boy who has a huge crush on her. Once traveled to the other world she begins to be a sex worker due to not a lot of opportunities for woman in this world. Which the main character tackles those ideas, and thoughts, and even echo's some of the current views of this world when it comes to how people view woman.

I have to say the main lead is really what sells this manga. She's confident and strong, sexual, and a forward thinker. She knows her situation but she wants to advance. She doesn't hate sex, it's just a thing she does to get paid, and she's good at it. Her confidence in her ability to please her guest is both refreshing and mostly fun.

I say mostly because some men in this world are pieces of shit. Rapist would be the word. And at times these garbage men use and abuse her because there's no repercussions even more so for Haru now stuck in this manly world.

The manga tackles a lot while also giving us good insight into this world and a character worth rooting for. At the end it looks like she's trying to decide her next room, and I'm hoping she successes in doing so and we learn more about this world. A 4 out of 5.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haru Koyama, a modern Japanese high school student, and her classmate, Chiba Seiji, die in Tokyo and are reincarnated in a medieval fantasy world with monsters and monster hunters, demons and warriors, misogyny and sexism. Chiba gets to become an adventurer on the rise due to special cheats his reincarnation has given him. Seeing no special abilities in herself and limited by the gender roles of the backward society, Haru becomes a sex worker.

I'm confused by the book, because ostensibly I think it is making a point about all the chauvinism and rape culture, but at the same time lot of pages are given over to sex scenes featuring the 16- or 17-year old protagonist. Some of the scenes feature rough sex with spanking and choking to the point of unconsciousness. With Haru's unspoken thoughts over the scenes, it's like fan service with a sarcastic, critical, and disapproving commentary.

I'm assuming Haru is going to grow as a character and come out on top in the end, so I plan to continue with the series. But I also found out in the afterword that this is a manga adaptation of a novel. Since my library has the novel, I think I'm going to go ahead and check it out to see where this story is going.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting but heartbreaking manga about a girl who gets isekaied to a new world… one in which women are barely worth anything.


Haru works there as sex worker/prostitute, because of how the world works and how she didn’t get any skills (unlike the boy who came with her who got all the skills). Since she prostituted herself in her real world (at least for a part, we have no clue how long she actually did it) this is what she decided to do here. Though this is’t just a club for sex, it is also a pub. So the girls are doing all sorts of extra jobs there. Also holding little talent-like shows for the customers (I had a laugh at what Haru’s talent is there). My heart broke for what she had to go through. Some men aren’t there for sweet times, a lot of them hurt her. Rape her. And she has to pretend to like it. 🙁 It is the reason why she cut her hair to short. Poor thing. Yes, her personality at times could be a bit less bitchy or hurtful and less judgemental, but there were quite a few moments I saw a sweet girl who just wants to go back home again who was just desperate to survive. Who was trying to make friends in this weird world. I loved that at times she tried thinking of other things to do, but also realising that it wouldn’t be easy to do any of those. Adventuring is a no-go for girls, unless you have grown up as a sister/nun so you could be a healer. Girls aren’t even allowed to walk outside alone. Or eat outside alone.

Chiba was just icky. Don’t like him. He was just too stalky and really, if a girl says no, or if you have to pay a girl to do things to you, then she is not interested in you. Just walk away. I get that you guys come from the same world, but he was just too much for me.

It was quite interesting to read despite the darkness that just seeps out of it. And yes, I definitely will be reading this on as I am curious what will happen to the girl. Will she be able to break out or find something less harmful?

The art was quite nicely done. I like the characters designs.

All in all, I will be reading this one further. Would recommend it, but be warned Haru can be bitchy, rape is there, and plenty of darkness.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting isekai manga! Two high school students are killed at the same time and then reincarnated in the same world. Unfortunately, the world is completely misogynistic, so while the boy, Chiba, uses a cheat to level up quickly and become a famous adventurer, mercenary, and arena gladiator, the girl, JK Haru, has no usable skills besides her body.

The sex scenes in this manga are frequent and graphic. Some of them are humorous but some of them are violent and disturbing. Chiba has an unrequited crush on Haru and keeps hoping she'll leave work at the brothel and become his maid, but she has no interest in trading one set of shackles for another.

I thought the worldbuilding was awesome. The characters are so likable and entertaining, too. Haru is smart and has hopes she can make something of her new life, but she's good at what she does and knows how to read people well. She makes friends at the brothel and with some of her customers. I especially like the shy noble's son who comes to visit her just for chats. He's so bashful he won't sleep with her, but he brings her food from his family's restaurant and she adores him. I'd like to think they will become a couple but I have a suspicion her frequent arguments and supposed disinterest in Chiba are an indication they're end-game.

Anyway, this manga is the usual size, but it is actually packed full of text so it took me a longer time to read it. You really get your money's worth with this one, and there's plenty of interesting story that hooks you right from the start. I'm definitely continuing with this manga series and I'm interested in reading the novels, too!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ★ rounding up. I passed this over multiple times because of the title - thought it would be complete fan service aimed at men, which is not my thing. instead, it turned out to be a unique, dark, and extremely interesting take on the flip-side of a male-power isekai tale. I loved many parts of this - how strong and cunning haru is, her friendships with the other brothel women, the way she subtly fights back. the trigger warnings are very important (rape and sexual assault) but nothing is gratuitous. the dark comedy here is also really great (the musician scene had me cackling). the art here is on point - I stopped to admire it at multiple points. I know this manga is technically seinen, but I loved reading the author’s note at the back which detailed how they originally released the light novel on a site targeted at women. I can totally see that here. for a manga adaptation, this flowed extremely well, and had a good amount of story/words to provide sufficient backstory. all in all, great start, and I’m excited to read the next volume.

side note, I read some neckbeard’s review of the original light novel that called this ‘radically feminist through and through’ (and some equally idiotic commenter saying that’s all they needed to not read this). how fucking hilarious that a novel about a women using her body as a way to survive in a mysogynistic world has triggered them so badly 😂 that definitely convinced me to pick this up.

[Sams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devo dire che la trama è interessante e molto originale, ma in certi punti mi ha disturbata.

[Faeryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never expected to like this kind of story, but nevertheless it was great. And I can't wait to read how Haru her story will continue. This is definitely a different take on the isekai genre, that's for sure.

[Keiko Tsuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,80 ✨
Introspettivo e leggermente amari gli argomenti, per come si sente la protagonista.
Forse un pelo prevedibile dove potrebbe andare a parare la storia, ma si vedrà coi prossimi volumi...

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected this to be a bit like Interspecies Reviewers, Vol. 1, having a bit of fun whilst working in the sex industry.

But instead we get this vile protagonist, who only wants to take advantage of people to get paid. She is reincarnated with this bloke who tried to save her life, yet she isn't thankful or nice to him whatso ever. He has a good status as a knight but she is only interesting in manipulating him for his money, whilst shagging him she goes on about his little dick and how he's zombie like. Whilst I understand not all sex is great, to have this guy who died for you to be treated in such a disrespectful way is just disgusting.

Aside from that being this is a Ghost Ship title and no longer Seven Seas, there isn't even any nudity in this so I don't understand the reason for this being branded as a mature title. Yes there are sex scenes but there is no nudity as it's always covered by stream, voice bubbles or just left out completely. It's about as raunchy as a any other manga, so if that's what you wanted then this title will not be for you.

Overall I really didn't like this title, nothing at all was good about it, in fact I kept reading other manga between chapters to even finish this. It's just awful!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol 😂 this was better than I thought it would be. Had me laughing out loud. Lots of fun☺️

[LaPommequirougit · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://lapommequirougit.com/2020/12/...

⚠ Pour un public averti, contient des scènes sexuelles ⚠

Je remercie les Éditions Meian pour l’envoi de cette lecture. J’ai tout de suite été attiré par l’originalité de la thématique de ce manga et autant vous dire, je n’ai pas été déçu pendant ma lecture.

Haru est une lycéenne lambda. Malheureusement pour elle, sa vie va basculer lorsqu’elle va subir un accident. Lorsqu’elle se réveille, elle se retrouve dans un monde qui n’est pas le sien. Elle va également rapidement se rendre compte à ses dépens qu’il n’est pas bon d’être une femme dans ce monde-là !

En effet, le sexiste est roi ici. Une femme n’a que trois options ici. Esclave, prostitué ou prêtresse (et encore ce dernier est pour certaines femmes ayant certaines capacités innées). Autant vous dire qu’elle n’a pas d’autre choix que de vendre son corps si elle veut pouvoir survivre dans ce monde.

En effet, ce que j’apprécie ici, c’est l’originalité de cet Isekai. C’est du jamais vue et cela fait plaisir à lire. Mais au-delà de tout ça, ce qui m’a énormément plu, c’est le message véhiculé dans ce manga. Les mangakas ont mis en avant le sexisme qui existe déjà dans notre société, mais l’on a exagéré, afin de nous en montrer toute sa gravité.

Ce manga n’est clairement pas à mettre entre toutes les mains et en tant que femme, je peux même vous dire qu’il est parfois difficile à lire, surtout si vous êtes quelqu’un, comme moi, de très empathique. Pour autant, j’aime énormément l’histoire, le personnage et la thématique abordée qui sont chères à mon cœur.

En bref, c’est un manga qui me plaît énormément pour plusieurs raisons. Le personnage principal est attachant, l’histoire est originale et le manga transmet un message fort.

[BlerdyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haru is an ordinary student, until her idiot classmate gets them both killed. They both get teleported to another world that’s very misogynistic. Only men can have decent jobs, whereas women are basically at their mercy and looked down upon. However, despite this Haru is still determined to make a living, it doesn’t help that she wasn’t given cool powers or cheat skills to help her out. So, she uses the only thing she has, her quick wits and her naughty bits!

I totally expected this manga to be mainly smut and no plot, the whole sex worker Isekai storyline is what initially intrigued me. To my surprise it’s got a pretty interesting plot going! I love the different characters, with their unique personalities. The Mangaka kept the interactions between the workers and “clients” somewhat accurate, I liked that it wasn’t over glorified but included both the up and downsides of this particular lifestyle.


The art style is also very visually pleasing too. The one thing I found a little disappointing is the censorship, it’s not TOO heavy but I don’t get why it’s needed. This is a manga about a sex worker, so there’s really no need to censor certain “parts”. Anyone reading this should be old enough to have seen said things already anyway lol.

This is only the first volume and it’s an adaptation of the Lite Novel Series, I look forward to see how this story progresses as I’m told it’s very good 😉😈

[Cherie Cheriri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I wasn't going to read it at first. Judging the book from it's title and thought "Wow, they seriously made an isekai of this?" However, after reading it - I don't hate it, but love it! Haru is spirited, headstrong, and independent. I enjoyed the world building that was given as this is an adaption of the light novel of the same name (that I have to read to compare the manga adaption). Back to the world building, it's more realistic to what actually being isekaid would be like for an average person. Seeing as Haru is just a high school girl that has been given no special abilities to survive in this world that is heavily misogynistic, while her classmate that winded up with her gets the "hero with special powers". Instead of lamenting or complaining of her luck she decides to do what she knows to survive, even if it is sex work. To which speaking of, how the sex work is handled is actually nicely done. The sex scenes are few and actually censored considering this is rated M, but I don't know how censorship works so I ain't complaining over it as I care for the story more. With how things are, it shows both the "ups and downs" of the job and how Haru and other women handle it - not fully in this volume, but later on it shows more in volume 2.

[Gabriel Avocado · Rating 4 out of 5]

its really not what you think. i love manga and anime but i just cant take it seriously nowadays. ive been looking for stuff that really speaks to me and while there is a lot of very profound work in these mediums, its not as common as i would like. i stumbled onto this manga and was very pleasantly surprised by its subject matter and how maturely it handles the silly isekai premise of being whisked off into another world. the manga plays it pretty straight in its depictions of misogyny and sex work without being overtly heavy or melodramatic.

i adore the protagonist, haru, and her budding romance with sumo is very cute, but i had to take a star off for chiba. chuunibyou characters like chiba are why i actively avoid a lot of anime and manga. im pretty sure youre not supposed to really like him but he irritates me every time i see him. also the exposition is quite annoying and so far not very relevant to harus plight of dealing with survival sex work in a totally different world.

im excited to see where the story goes and i highly recommend checking this one out. ill be sticking with it all the way through i think.

[Terra Easley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s… alright. I did really like the premise, and a few of the characters show promise (I’ve read vol. 1-3), but most of the characters feel very shallow. It feels like it’s plot is maybe TRYING to go somewhere, but it’s not moving forward in the slightest and instead just feels like it’s a compilation of short stories.

With the premise, it’s readily apparent that there is going to be some form of SA at some point or another, but I didn’t expect it to be of a fanservicey form. I expected it to show some more maturity with handling such a sensitive subject, but I obviously expected too much. I also didn’t realize it’s setting, which btw, is a FICTIONAL world, would be one that is extremely misogynistic.

This would honestly get a 2/5, but the gorgeous art does raise it to a 3/5. I think this story could be GREAT, if it were handled differently and not attempt to be a running criticism of lewd isekais, when it is also a lewd isekai. I get that it was trying to speak some commentary on it, but it’s a tad hypocritical.

TW: Rape, SA, choking.

[Galatea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bitingly satirical look at the isekai genre and at the tired tendency of most fantasy (on fantasy-inspired) works to rely on painful, tired conventions.

This manga will not be for everyone. Even knowing full well what I was getting into, I wasn't prepared for how realistically and matter-of-fact the depiction of sexual violence and abuse was. I think that, as someone who's been watching porn since childhood (which I do not recommend), seeing that "parental advisory: explicit content" warning on the cover gave me the false impression that this would be a sex comedy, if a darkly satirical one.

It is that, but it is also a harsh look at the way women are treated when they are not acknowledged as the human subjects that they are. It is a glorious, tragic deconstruction of medieval fantasy settings more generally, as a stereotypical wish fulfilment story told from the perspective of the NPC.

[SophsBookishBubbl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haru was reincarnated into a fantasy medieval world after dying in Tokyo Japan and came over with another friend who also died.

This world is full of demons, monsters and women are in the shadows and many work as sex workers to make money, find a guard and a partner to be able to go into the arena and be looked after better.

So far I’m enjoying this manga, it’s volume 1 of many so I have the others ordered. Haru seems such an innocent and sweet Angel girl with a kind heart that at the moment seems like the wrong industry as I feel she has more talents than what’s gathered by the eye. I look forward to the other volumes!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book is terrible and I’m sure keeps lord of people from reading it, however, don’t let the tittle put you off from reading this book. This book explores gender roles and especially the roles women still play in the “geek” industry with things like video games still catering towards male audiences. The main character isn’t particularly likeable but it’s interesting to see how she handles herself in the world and I’m excited to see how she shakes things up. This book can be pretty graphic and there are definitely some trigger warnings.

[amirahlynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

So when I bought this I thought it would be funny… I was wrong. There’s lots of misogyny, sexism and rape and sex with abuse that Haru can’t get out of, spankings too hard. There wasn’t enough character growth or plot for a four star. I don’t like reading about teens being sex workers either but I didn’t necessarily dislike this book

Tw: rape, child/adult rape, misogyny, rape threats, sex slavery, child death (off page)

[Kimi Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so hear me out…. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
This was actually so many things, it was heartfelt, funny, and so unbearably sad 😭
The women in this are BADASS and all the men are complete trash. Like the biggest bags of trash you can imagine. Not sure if this is something I’ll go out of my way to collect but I enjoyed it and it isn’t want you think when you go into it.

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s another isekai about someone who got pulled in with the “lead” and received the short end of the stick! But what’s this? A new twist?! JK Haru is a S_x Worker in Another World is a niche and refreshing take on the isekai genre.
I like how it explores themes other titles don’t touch. It’s interesting to see this world explored in a different light.

[Evila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasantly surprised by this one. I first saw it browsing in barnes and noble and googled it later thinking it was just another hentai. Saw it was marketed as josei and got even more curious.

All up hill from there.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is what the title says its about - a sex worker and while ya those scenes are yk graphic the girls goals are a standout it's really throughout and well sad and tragic. Sumos cute though and really wholesomeish or as wholesome as you could be

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every bit as good as the light novel, Yamada-sans's art really adds a whole new layer to the story.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was everything I wanted it to be! Sometimes hard to read but I’m excited to see where the series goes.

[Camille Crak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thème plutôt original pour du isekai j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Wojtuś · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cycki nie zawsze są fajne.

[Shinya]

原作も好きだけど、漫画版も作画担当の人が普通に漫画が上手くて最高。カタルシスが楽しい作品なので、最後まで読んでほしい。そのモヤモヤ感も糧なのだ。

[Dalle parole a Luly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+