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恋する（おとめ）の作り方 #3
I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl Vol. 3
SUMMERTIME BLUES
When popular guy Mido gives a makeover to his anti-social childhood friend Hiura (a boy), he accidentally creates an incredibly beautiful “girl”! With the arrival of summer, Mido and Hiura are keeping busy with new uniforms and talk of love. But when the Photography Club invites them to the beach, Hiura is faced with a new dilemma—what kind of swimsuit should he wear now that he’s dressing as a girl?! It’s up to Mido to find a solution!
When popular guy Mido gives a makeover to his anti-social childhood friend Hiura (a boy), he accidentally creates an incredibly beautiful “girl”! With the arrival of summer, Mido and Hiura are keeping busy with new uniforms and talk of love. But when the Photography Club invites them to the beach, Hiura is faced with a new dilemma—what kind of swimsuit should he wear now that he’s dressing as a girl?! It’s up to Mido to find a solution!
188 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2023
12 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 18, 2024
Really enjoying seeing Hiura figure out their own blend of boygirlness that works for them, and Mido just being the most supportive bean. If it stretches out for too much longer with them both liking each other but not communicating I will get a bit tired, but for now it’s realistic awkwardness and I’m really rooting for them.
August 22, 2023
Super cute I love how they have a hard time telling each other how they really feel this is getting really really cute
October 16, 2023
I THINK I TURNED MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND INTO A GIRL v3 explores the subjects of performative gender, gender variance, and sexual fluidity with such precision and alacrity that readers can be forgiven for being stunned this is the same manga that so glibly (and blandly) dipped its toes into the water few volumes earlier. The current volume primarily focuses on the emerging reality of Hiura and Mido's longstanding emotional connection, but beneath the surface, the author weaves a credible conversation on the roles gender plays (or is forced to play) in otherwise rudimentary relational dynamics.
Does dressing as a girl substantively affect Hiura's psychology and behavioral inclinations? Social psychologists decades over would love to answer that question. But for readers of a romantic comedy manga, Hiura's concern that the boundaries are blurring are legitimate. Not in a dogmatic, evolutionary sense, but rather, Hiura is concerned their personhood is getting too wound up in the presentation of "Hiura the girl with good makeup."
On the face of it, taking a "makeup break" is a smart move. For Hiura and Mido's friendship, the effort gives them an opportunity to be casual without the demands of pretending to be more (or less) than the friends they want to be.
The topic of self-expression grows more gravid when the Photo Club agrees to shoot a video for the student council. Planning to use a local beach resort as the video's backdrop, the club decides to cheat a little and make a day of it. Sounds like a plan. Except, Yoimachi, their effervescent leader, notices something's wrong with Hiura's lack of enthusiasm. Yoimachi rightly intuits that Hiura's level of comfort with wearing a female swimsuit pushes things into uncharted territory.
The varying social, personal, and aesthetical implications are all mixed up. Cross-dressing can get complicated, and swimwear and intimate wear are often significant among said complications. I THINK I TURNED MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND INTO A GIRL v3 addresses the issue with kindness and enthusiasm. Part of this manga's charm surely rests in how it limits these discussions to safe spaces, but one could also argue that seeking solutions to uncomfortable challenges the moment they arise is another feat in and of itself.
For example, when Hiura complains about the difference of bodily proportions or other anatomical difficulties associated with cross-dressing, Mido immediately revises the conversation: Trying something different doesn't have to be scary.
To the manga's credit, Hiura still exhibits trademark antisocial behavior — brushing off classmates, rampant mumbling, sulking at all hours of the day. But the book also gives the character greater opportunities to either ask for or accept help from those willing to endure the same struggle. Shared burdens are infinitely lighter.
Does dressing as a girl substantively affect Hiura's psychology and behavioral inclinations? Social psychologists decades over would love to answer that question. But for readers of a romantic comedy manga, Hiura's concern that the boundaries are blurring are legitimate. Not in a dogmatic, evolutionary sense, but rather, Hiura is concerned their personhood is getting too wound up in the presentation of "Hiura the girl with good makeup."
On the face of it, taking a "makeup break" is a smart move. For Hiura and Mido's friendship, the effort gives them an opportunity to be casual without the demands of pretending to be more (or less) than the friends they want to be.
The topic of self-expression grows more gravid when the Photo Club agrees to shoot a video for the student council. Planning to use a local beach resort as the video's backdrop, the club decides to cheat a little and make a day of it. Sounds like a plan. Except, Yoimachi, their effervescent leader, notices something's wrong with Hiura's lack of enthusiasm. Yoimachi rightly intuits that Hiura's level of comfort with wearing a female swimsuit pushes things into uncharted territory.
The varying social, personal, and aesthetical implications are all mixed up. Cross-dressing can get complicated, and swimwear and intimate wear are often significant among said complications. I THINK I TURNED MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND INTO A GIRL v3 addresses the issue with kindness and enthusiasm. Part of this manga's charm surely rests in how it limits these discussions to safe spaces, but one could also argue that seeking solutions to uncomfortable challenges the moment they arise is another feat in and of itself.
For example, when Hiura complains about the difference of bodily proportions or other anatomical difficulties associated with cross-dressing, Mido immediately revises the conversation: Trying something different doesn't have to be scary.
To the manga's credit, Hiura still exhibits trademark antisocial behavior — brushing off classmates, rampant mumbling, sulking at all hours of the day. But the book also gives the character greater opportunities to either ask for or accept help from those willing to endure the same struggle. Shared burdens are infinitely lighter.
July 5, 2023
Loving the love building between these two.
While I'm hoping for some sexy time at some point, I'm really enjoying the slow build up of emotions going on for our two protagonists. I enjoy reading about the conflicting thoughts and emotions for Hiura as he tackles his new identity as a cross-dresser. I also love seeing the support system for the two of them grow. Of course, some external conflict is good so I'm hoping to see the introduction of some characters you love to hate as well. When I win the lottery I'm going to build the Funimation of YAOI/BL so great stories like this can get animated and get the justice they deserve. No, not Crunchyroll, because let's face it they have too many issues and Funimation was better on their own. Please support the industry by making legal purchases of licensed products.
While I'm hoping for some sexy time at some point, I'm really enjoying the slow build up of emotions going on for our two protagonists. I enjoy reading about the conflicting thoughts and emotions for Hiura as he tackles his new identity as a cross-dresser. I also love seeing the support system for the two of them grow. Of course, some external conflict is good so I'm hoping to see the introduction of some characters you love to hate as well. When I win the lottery I'm going to build the Funimation of YAOI/BL so great stories like this can get animated and get the justice they deserve. No, not Crunchyroll, because let's face it they have too many issues and Funimation was better on their own. Please support the industry by making legal purchases of licensed products.
October 23, 2022
I have read up to chapter 27. Unlike the chapters in the first volume, the chapters have been full of less and less substance as this goes along. I am getting bored reading this now. I hope some interesting development happens and the story gets a bit more serious or a lot more stuff happens. The small chapter length doesn't help either.
August 15, 2023
Okay this volume was VERY CUTE and explored some deeper transitioning topics that I thought was really strong. Going to keep picking it up!!
November 15, 2023
Still can't get a handle on the tone, is it empowering or flawed? Time to quit.
December 14, 2023
In light manga, there must always be a beach storyline somewhere, so fans can enjoy watching their characters get flustered (and close) in their swimsuits.
But this beach storyline raises a relevant question: "What should a feminine-passing teen boy wear on the beach to feel comfortable and appropriate?" so being at the beach pushes forth this unique plot.
Nevertheless, as a manga, it doesn't dive much deeper into emotions and revelations. Hiura wants to feel comfortable on the beach, and Mido solves the problem by styling Hiura a cute outfit that covers his more masculine parts. That's about it.
But this beach storyline raises a relevant question: "What should a feminine-passing teen boy wear on the beach to feel comfortable and appropriate?" so being at the beach pushes forth this unique plot.
Nevertheless, as a manga, it doesn't dive much deeper into emotions and revelations. Hiura wants to feel comfortable on the beach, and Mido solves the problem by styling Hiura a cute outfit that covers his more masculine parts. That's about it.
July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this volume. I absolutely loved that Hiura talked about his struggle with wanting and liking presenting feminine, but also being afraid of "turning into a girl." Like his struggles with his gender and his body that is still masculine and how he's unsure if his "girl" personality is even real since it's so different from who he used to be. It was done pretty well imo. I'm really looking forward to seeing Hiura grow as a person and finding who he wants to be. And of course looking forward to the romance. Mido is starting to question a little bit and we got some insight to their friendship from when they were younger which was so sweet.
July 3, 2023
ugh TOO FRICKING CUTE. just wholesomeness and sweetness all wrapped up in a package. mido and hiura are inching closer together - they continue to bond with each other's families and school club members, including an extra cute beach day where mido picks the best swimsuit for hiura. I just love how well the trans/cross-dressing topic is handled here, with both of them showing each other so much support. the end clearly points us to a classic FESTIVAL / YUKATA scene next volume, which I am pumped for!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2023
Journey of self-discovery
I like the openness of letting the main characters discover who and what they want to be. There's a no judgment openness about lifestyle choices that are already really hard for a teenager to have to cope with. I think this would be a good one for people experiencing the same situations or similar such.
I like the openness of letting the main characters discover who and what they want to be. There's a no judgment openness about lifestyle choices that are already really hard for a teenager to have to cope with. I think this would be a good one for people experiencing the same situations or similar such.
July 17, 2023
Backstory and a trip to the beach!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2023
Very cute series! I love these characters. I'm just wanting a little something more to start happening.
October 17, 2023
C U T E
December 14, 2023
The cute continues more! This one has some more gender thoughts. I'm interested to see if/when Hiura decides to transition, or if he continues to be satisfied with cross dressing.
August 19, 2024
Continues to be cute. I liked that there was more exploration of gender and masc/femme in this volume.
November 28, 2024
4 stars ‧₊˚☁️⋅♡𓂃ִֶָ࣪☾。
April 21, 2025
boy or girl
Were you born a boy or chose to change into a girl? You are learning about makeup and applying it correctly.
Were you born a boy or chose to change into a girl? You are learning about makeup and applying it correctly.
October 22, 2025
Check my review of the first three volumes at Well, Are They? A Queer Review Blog:
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2025...
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2025...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews