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関根くんの恋 [Sekine-kun no Koi] #1
關根君的戀情 1
關根圭一郎，三十歲。雖然是工作能力強又受女性歡迎的帥哥精英，但因為有「遲鈍、被動、萬能卻不專精」三大缺憾，過著和他人總是對不到頻率的人生。而關根君一時興起造訪的，是一間小小的手藝用品店。在那裡遇見了店主的孫女──皿之後，關根君的戀情終於要開始了……也許吧。
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2010
2 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Haruka Kawachi
47 books33 followersName (in native language) : 河内遙
Zodiac : Virgo
In 2001, Haruka Kawachi debuted in Seirin Kogeisha's AX magazine with the story "Hinemosu Waltz." Afterwards, stories became popular for their peculiar mood and appeal to both men and women, and she came to be called "manga's enfant terrible." She has been featured in many magazines. Some of her notable works include "Sekine-kun no Koi" and "Engawa Gohan."
(translated from Shodensha)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 3, 2022
In this manga our publically stoic, passive and crybaby protagonist Sekine-kun is a good-looking man who's excelled at everything he's done in life! Except surprisingly with woman-(in a unexpectedly sad way) and now he's starting this journey of falling in love with the girl in the knitting store and reflecting on his life so far.
April 26, 2023
I thought it was interesting at first to get to know a guy who's pretty "boring" but unpredictable. However the pacing really dragged on and I stopped at the 3rd chapter ;/
November 26, 2019
I’m rating and reviewing for the whole series.
This must be one of the best manga I’ve ever read so far. Certainly one of the most memorable. It’s a fine exploration of depression, post-trauma stress disorder, isolation, and loneliness.
Kawachi-sensei took up a heavy subject matter, albeit a very important one especially in this more socially aware era, that is, about male rape and its impact for a man in the patriarchal and heavily gendered urban society in Tokyo where rape against male is not very well known, let alone talked about. Even Sekine, the victim, never once called it rape. Because really the reality is men are often brought up not knowing that such a thing as sexual assault against men exists. With this huge responsibility she took for herself, Kawachi-sensei does not disappoint.
This manga discusses the aftermath of such abuse. After a series of sexual abuse dating back from his childhood to his teenage years by men and women alike—because being born as such a beautiful human being is apparently the most terrifying thing ever—Sekine unconsciously learns to be silent and to just receive the treatment he gets submissively. He tries to bury the trauma of his past deeply into the furthest and most unreachable part of his brain but all to no avail.
Using the imagery and symbolism of knitting, pulling them out, and re-knitting repetitively, Kawachi-sensei drives us into a tour of Sekine’s brain and way of thinking, occasionally allowing us glimpses of his past that he’s trying so hard to forget.
The knitting he learnt from a girl he met in a handicraft shop he first visited whilst he was trying to find a hobby to fill in his isolated colourless life full of loneliness. The girl, Sara, first notices the sadness behind Sekine’s ultra-beautiful face, but as she is slowly being pulled into Sekine’s charm, she begins to be filled with insecurity and fear that she’s not good enough for the inwardly socially awkward Sekine. Although, unbeknownst to her, Sekine has fallen so deeply in love with her, that for the first time in his life, he wants something and actually tries to get it in his socially awkward way, and that he actually feels so nervous and inferior due to his awkwardness and lack of understanding about social interaction whilst at the same time seeing her as a bright sunshine and a social butterfly.
Thus the title “Sekine’s Love” represents this part of the narrative on the literal level; but also figuratively, it represents the journey of a man coming out his shell that he built due to his trauma from the past and trying to re-fit himself in the ways of the common human society through a finally found feeling of love.
This must be one of the best manga I’ve ever read so far. Certainly one of the most memorable. It’s a fine exploration of depression, post-trauma stress disorder, isolation, and loneliness.
Kawachi-sensei took up a heavy subject matter, albeit a very important one especially in this more socially aware era, that is, about male rape and its impact for a man in the patriarchal and heavily gendered urban society in Tokyo where rape against male is not very well known, let alone talked about. Even Sekine, the victim, never once called it rape. Because really the reality is men are often brought up not knowing that such a thing as sexual assault against men exists. With this huge responsibility she took for herself, Kawachi-sensei does not disappoint.
This manga discusses the aftermath of such abuse. After a series of sexual abuse dating back from his childhood to his teenage years by men and women alike—because being born as such a beautiful human being is apparently the most terrifying thing ever—Sekine unconsciously learns to be silent and to just receive the treatment he gets submissively. He tries to bury the trauma of his past deeply into the furthest and most unreachable part of his brain but all to no avail.
Using the imagery and symbolism of knitting, pulling them out, and re-knitting repetitively, Kawachi-sensei drives us into a tour of Sekine’s brain and way of thinking, occasionally allowing us glimpses of his past that he’s trying so hard to forget.
The knitting he learnt from a girl he met in a handicraft shop he first visited whilst he was trying to find a hobby to fill in his isolated colourless life full of loneliness. The girl, Sara, first notices the sadness behind Sekine’s ultra-beautiful face, but as she is slowly being pulled into Sekine’s charm, she begins to be filled with insecurity and fear that she’s not good enough for the inwardly socially awkward Sekine. Although, unbeknownst to her, Sekine has fallen so deeply in love with her, that for the first time in his life, he wants something and actually tries to get it in his socially awkward way, and that he actually feels so nervous and inferior due to his awkwardness and lack of understanding about social interaction whilst at the same time seeing her as a bright sunshine and a social butterfly.
Thus the title “Sekine’s Love” represents this part of the narrative on the literal level; but also figuratively, it represents the journey of a man coming out his shell that he built due to his trauma from the past and trying to re-fit himself in the ways of the common human society through a finally found feeling of love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
manga-plus-by-shueisha-webtoon-app
December 19, 2022This is the kind of manga I don't really like but can't seem to stop reading.
I think I began to read it because of the YouTuber 'Colleen's Manga Recs'. Even if she wasn't the reason she is excellent for some recommendations and history behind Shoujosei manga.
This deals with heavy topics but the way it's dealt with in the story doesn't seem like it. It leans into the myth of 'men can't be raped by women' but you as a reader, even if you also believe this, know something is wrong with the main character. It makes for an uncomfortable read but like I said, one I couldn't out down.
It's interesting to know that this is targeted at women and I wonder how it was received in Japan.
I hope this will get translated into English.
I think I began to read it because of the YouTuber 'Colleen's Manga Recs'. Even if she wasn't the reason she is excellent for some recommendations and history behind Shoujosei manga.
This deals with heavy topics but the way it's dealt with in the story doesn't seem like it. It leans into the myth of 'men can't be raped by women' but you as a reader, even if you also believe this, know something is wrong with the main character. It makes for an uncomfortable read but like I said, one I couldn't out down.
It's interesting to know that this is targeted at women and I wonder how it was received in Japan.
I hope this will get translated into English.
February 26, 2017
Mierda, este manga me atrapo, seguro me lo termino hoy. Este prota paso de todo, pero nunca dijo no, no me gusta, alto. :/
June 13, 2021
Meh. It's a bit weird but very mediocre. Nothing interesting besides glimpses of the main characters' past.
May 22, 2022
One of my favorite Manga series! I wish they'd publish it in English. I'd strongly recommend this to anybody who has spent their life 'going through the motions'.
November 15, 2023
Completado
March 19, 2023
Sekine é um homem absolutamente belo e, ao que parece, bem-sucedido. Ele tem um bom trabalho em uma grande empresa; ele é capaz de fazer todas as atividades que são designados a ele; não tem dificuldade em entrar em relacionamentos, mulheres (e homens) vão até ele. No entanto, ele não sente desejo por nada em sua vida; sente-se apático e possui um comportamento passivo perante a vida.
Tentando sentir alguma coisa, Sekine se depara com um curso de mágica e contrata um senhorzinho para o ensinar alguns truques; mas, sua neta Kisaragi acaba acreditando que ele tem interesse em suas aulas de tricotar... Então, ela dá algumas dicas para ele começar e ele vira noites e noites fazendo todo tipo de tricô enquanto seus pensamentos espiram fora do controle.
Sendo muito passivo, Sekine não consegue explicar sua situação e continua assistindo as aulas de tricô e se aproximando de Kisaragi. E, agora, pela primeira vez, deseja tomar uma atitude e conhecer Kisaragi de forma romântica.
Em muitos sentidos, essa história é interessante, pois a mangaka consegue apresentar um personagem que possui dificuldade em quebrar o péssimo comportamento de passividade – e, frequentemente, faz uma atividade mundana à exaustão afim de sentir que “está se movimentando”, enquanto seus pensamentos espiralam.
Os personagens de Haruka Kawachi não costumam ser simples arquétipos, e eu aprecio muito a variedade de pessoas que ela consegue desenvolver.
É uma história bem parada (não arrastada) bem focada nas dificuldades de Sekine em conseguir se articular nos relacionamentos e na vida.
No entanto, há um tema em que não sei se foi bem abordado ou não: a vida sexual pregressa de Sekine. É dito que professores particulares, colegas de escola e eventuais conhecidos, desde sua adolescência, se aproveitaram do poder que possuíam contra ele (por exemplo, tutores particulares adultos, quando Sekine era adolescente) de uma ou de outra forma. Ele nunca é demonstrado iniciando contato sexual e/ou desejando esse contato sexual (até Kisaragi aparecer).
E aí que fica a questão: esses “acontecimentos” eram para demonstrar como sua conduta passiva o colocou em situações de risco (inclusive de o sujeitar a abuso sexual); como inúmeros casos de abuso sexual afetaram sua conduta e vida a longo prazo; ou esses “acontecimentos” não eram para serem vistos como abuso sexual, apenas uma forma estranha de reafirmar duas características de Sekine (passividade e beleza)?
Essa questão se intensificou quando [spoilers à frente] uma colega de trabalho inicia contato sexual, insiste, e, apesar da óbvia negativa de Sekine (tanto se virando para sair, quanto falando que não quer), ela ameaça de chamar terceiros e o acusar de > estupro <, caso ele não transe com ela.
Como não houve nenhuma repercussão a quem teve o comportamento predatório e não foi mencionado nem pensado pelo personagem como uma questão, minha sensação é de que a mangaka se apoiou (intencionalmente ou não) no mito de que “homens não podem ser estuprados”. E isso é desastroso.
Dito isso, gostei do que a história teve a oferecer, mas a questão que mencionei anteriormente, deixou-me com um gosto amargo na boca.
Tentando sentir alguma coisa, Sekine se depara com um curso de mágica e contrata um senhorzinho para o ensinar alguns truques; mas, sua neta Kisaragi acaba acreditando que ele tem interesse em suas aulas de tricotar... Então, ela dá algumas dicas para ele começar e ele vira noites e noites fazendo todo tipo de tricô enquanto seus pensamentos espiram fora do controle.
Sendo muito passivo, Sekine não consegue explicar sua situação e continua assistindo as aulas de tricô e se aproximando de Kisaragi. E, agora, pela primeira vez, deseja tomar uma atitude e conhecer Kisaragi de forma romântica.
Em muitos sentidos, essa história é interessante, pois a mangaka consegue apresentar um personagem que possui dificuldade em quebrar o péssimo comportamento de passividade – e, frequentemente, faz uma atividade mundana à exaustão afim de sentir que “está se movimentando”, enquanto seus pensamentos espiralam.
Os personagens de Haruka Kawachi não costumam ser simples arquétipos, e eu aprecio muito a variedade de pessoas que ela consegue desenvolver.
É uma história bem parada (não arrastada) bem focada nas dificuldades de Sekine em conseguir se articular nos relacionamentos e na vida.
No entanto, há um tema em que não sei se foi bem abordado ou não: a vida sexual pregressa de Sekine. É dito que professores particulares, colegas de escola e eventuais conhecidos, desde sua adolescência, se aproveitaram do poder que possuíam contra ele (por exemplo, tutores particulares adultos, quando Sekine era adolescente) de uma ou de outra forma. Ele nunca é demonstrado iniciando contato sexual e/ou desejando esse contato sexual (até Kisaragi aparecer).
E aí que fica a questão: esses “acontecimentos” eram para demonstrar como sua conduta passiva o colocou em situações de risco (inclusive de o sujeitar a abuso sexual); como inúmeros casos de abuso sexual afetaram sua conduta e vida a longo prazo; ou esses “acontecimentos” não eram para serem vistos como abuso sexual, apenas uma forma estranha de reafirmar duas características de Sekine (passividade e beleza)?
Essa questão se intensificou quando [spoilers à frente] uma colega de trabalho inicia contato sexual, insiste, e, apesar da óbvia negativa de Sekine (tanto se virando para sair, quanto falando que não quer), ela ameaça de chamar terceiros e o acusar de > estupro <, caso ele não transe com ela.
Como não houve nenhuma repercussão a quem teve o comportamento predatório e não foi mencionado nem pensado pelo personagem como uma questão, minha sensação é de que a mangaka se apoiou (intencionalmente ou não) no mito de que “homens não podem ser estuprados”. E isso é desastroso.
Dito isso, gostei do que a história teve a oferecer, mas a questão que mencionei anteriormente, deixou-me com um gosto amargo na boca.
December 3, 2020
Sekine is a good looking guy who excels in everything he put his hands on. Now working a normal office job, he is constantly bombarded with the question of why he's still single. His friend, who was also his high school mate use Sekine's status & looks to his advantage to arrange group blind dates. Sekine hates blind dates but he still ended up there because he is someone who cannot say no for an answer. One day, in the intention of taking up a new hobby, Sekine ended up in a craft shop, where he met an old man & his granddaughter, Sara. This is where he learned more than just craft.
Going in with not much of a thought, only hoping to find a light shoujo romance, I was quite surprised with the topic presented by this author. Sekine's sense of loss in life is something everyone can relate to up to a certain level. The feeling of emptiness when you already have almost everything you want in life. I like Sara as a character because she always states facts & really direct with Sekine. He really needs someone that looks at him & see more than his pretty face in his circle of friends. I'm certainly looking forward to his interaction with his sempai and with Sara in the future volumes.
[TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse]
August 1, 2022
my little middle school and highschool self was obsessed with this series because of the sheer angst and slow burn it has but in the process of it completely missed all the potentially triggering content in it until i reread it years later 🧍♀️.
still such a good reread for me, still one of the most heart aching stories ive read that revolves around a romance (but the eventual pay off is so 🥹🥹🥹😩😭 --fucks me up everytime).
but trigger warnings (not necessarily in this volume but just in general): past abuse, past sexual abuse
still such a good reread for me, still one of the most heart aching stories ive read that revolves around a romance (but the eventual pay off is so 🥹🥹🥹😩😭 --fucks me up everytime).
but trigger warnings (not necessarily in this volume but just in general): past abuse, past sexual abuse
March 5, 2018
Las obras de Haruka-sensei siempre han sido muy maduras en cuanto los sentimientos de sus personajes y Sekine no es la excepción. La idea de alguien que no entiende sus propios setimientos no es extraña, es humano.
P.D. De alguna ver a Sekine llorar me hace identificare con él cuando siento que quiero explotar pero no sé como expresarlo en palbras y solo puedo llorar para liberarme de todo.
P.D. De alguna ver a Sekine llorar me hace identificare con él cuando siento que quiero explotar pero no sé como expresarlo en palbras y solo puedo llorar para liberarme de todo.
May 1, 2013
Lol, very funny, yet it has a real issue to say as the story's going on. And always love Kawachi Haruka's awkward scenes :D
October 2, 2015
Interesting story, had no need to be explicit.
March 2, 2017
He has all the package to be a hunk. Yet he is oblivious with all the females' (males' too) feelings. Damn, he is oblivious with HIS own emotions too.
July 25, 2017
Es tan frío y a la vez tan fragil....
October 25, 2019
Artwork ok, vol 1 bikin bingung. Sekine ada masalah apa sih?
April 9, 2020
3.5
Weird, but really enjoyable
Weird, but really enjoyable
July 20, 2022
This is a good example of what childhood trauma can do to a person. Sekine’s just an empty shell. It breaks my heart.
Read
July 30, 2022I’m reading romance manga in between Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint 🤩😘
February 4, 2025
Waiting for my sekine 😩
February 5, 2025
Its super cuteeee
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews