Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai

Dec 11, 2016

aguecheek

Recommended

Preliminary (43/43 chp)

I think the best way to summarize this series is "refreshing." This won't blow your mind and it doesn't have crazy drama, but it's so cute and unique that reading this gives you the same feeling you get after watching your favorite romcom.

The main character, Shibata, a 30-year virgin who is also a doormat, is a lot better than she sounds. Even though she can make stupid decisions, she's not stupid per se, and it's almost endearing at times, like a puppy. Plus, it's hard not to relate to her extreme willingness to avoid confrontation. Moreover, even though she's a doormat, she isn't the standard ... weak romance protagonist; there are a lot of times she gives into puppy-dog eyes, but on the whole, she's a lively and argumentative protagonist. As well as that, she's always aware when she makes stupid decisions, and never writes off being taken advantage of to "he did it because he loves me," which is definitely refreshing for this genre. So, of course she's flawed, but she's flawed well, in the way that makes you feel "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed" when she messes up instead of "this fucking idiot."

Her love interest is her demon ex-boss, Kurosawa, who is nothing like you expect, especially in a romance manga with a boss-employee element. Even though he's rough around the edges, he's undeniably and uncommonly kind; tsundere in the truest sense of the word, not the shoujo manga borderline abusive "why hasn't she broken up with him yet" kind of tsundere.

My favorite thing about this manga is that you can feel them go from "weird ex-coworker situation" to "genuine friends" to "falling in love," and it's incredibly cute to watch. Being real, I found myself whispering "holy fuck, I can't believe love is real" to myself way too much when I read this. But they start to care about each other so quietly and organically; even though they banter and call each other names in every conversation, it's the kind of banter between best friends, between sibilings, between married couples, between two people who clearly care about each other a lot, and it is so pure. Watching them go to huge lengths and get passionate about helping each other with their problems for all the "four-eyed perv"s and insults written on omelettes was sweet enough to give me cavities.

And it's cute how it is about both of them falling in love. There aren't any arcs that are stupid or overdramatic or get too dragged out, and even though it's about a girl who's been treated badly, the optimistic and almost naive-feeling tone this manga warms my heart. When Kurosawa's girlfriend of eight years shows up and makes a scene, it turns out that she's just an overemotional, spunky girl who's doing her best. When Kurosawa's longtime love is introduced, we find out she's a really kind and friendly girl - exactly why he fell in love with her. Every time you think dumb, over-exaggerated, and overplayed drama is going to rear its ugly head, it's avoided completely and the situation is handled in the most uniquely refreshing way.

So maybe it's not mindblowing and you won't be preaching to all your friends about how this manga changed your life, but it's definitely well done. As someone who's read more romance manga than I can count, this is one of my favorite of the genre and something I'll reread on rainy days. If anything, give it a try.

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Sep 1, 2019

LadyAxeFace

Recommended

I actually read a little bit of Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai, and then stopped because I thought it was going to be one of those josei manga where the sadistic male protagonist is just bullying the weak female protagonist all the time as she's just helplessly along for the ride, and it's often a boss/subordinate situation too. (At one point early on, Kurosawa even tells Shibata to be his servant.) There's a ton of josei out there like that, and it's a trope I really hate, so I stopped reading. Then I learned it's by the same manga author is the same one ...

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Dec 31, 2018

risu_

Recommended

This is a lovely josei manga. Perfect for the twenty-year old me who can relate to the MC's problems. And, I haven't laughed so hard while reading manga in a loooooong time. Almost every other josei manga is too sexual (for me), while this story is super cute and the lines between the characters are all so witty.
Before I knew it, I finished the manga, which made me sad but there is a sequel!! Though I don't necessarily think it needs one, but I still can't wait to read it. :')

This review is not helpful, but I just wanted to vent my admiration for ...

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Apr 6, 2016

Bacchai

Recommended

Preliminary (19/43 chp)

I would have waited to read more before reviewing this manga, but since there lacks any, I thought I'd give my thoughts on it so far, as I read 19 chapters. Let's put it straight already, I enjoyed it, therefore I'm surely biaised.

This manga has all the ingredients you'd expect out of a romance josei, yet it was a refreshing read to me. The characters are quite unusual, at least to me, while being steadily believable, finding myself relating to quite a few traits here and there.

The main characters are of this manga's strengths. I'd argue the secondary characters rely a lot on clichés, being ... somewhat one-dimensional (big-hearted deliquents, superficial/hard-working girls/guys), it didn't seem that problematic, since in contrast the main characters are quite interesting.

The female lead, Shibata, is a failure in most things you'd expect in life, be it in personal matters or professionally, and seemingly being unable to take the right decision on pretty much anything. It's not for lack of trying, though, as she has quite a strong personality, even somewhat of a bad temper, and is willing to fight back with life, even though hers sucks (worse of all, it sucks because of her own failures). While quite a few times I'd stop reading a manga enraged at how stupid a character seemed to be, I couldn't hold grief against Shibata's mistakes, because they'd genuinly feel believable to me, and I liked the way she would carry on, even when realizing the errors.

I found that same balance in the other main characters. The male lead, Kurosawa, is quite often depicted by Shibata as a demon of a boss (as he was her former boss), and can be quite harsh with her in every day life. Though, even from their first encounters in the first chapters, you can tell he's touchingly considerate towards her, and even protective throughout the manga.

Same things could be said, while Shibata gets to know more about Kurosawa, she meets other women in his life. At first, I'd think that the manga would build up some kind of a romantic rivalry. Instead, and maybe too easily, their nicer side would be told.

Reading these laudatory thoughts about the characters, I'm sure you'd think "fine, but there's nothing that special". Overall, the manga isn't a masterpiece, a must read of any sorts. The art is quite standard, there isn't some incredibly deep backstory, it doesn't tell any grand truth about life, it isn't moving to the tears, or anything that stands out that much. The manga doesn't hold that kind of ambition, but the story is well told. It isn't overly dramatic, even if some backstories could get over the top, the characters handle them with modesty and/or maturity (not so much from Shibata, but that's her).

What makes the whole read worth it is the pacing. From a comment that made me read the manga, I kept "I enjoyed every chapter of it". And I would not say that about most mangas I read. There's always some part that I dislike, sometimes because I find some character not coherent enough, or the story not credible, or just too much drama of some kind. This far into the manga, the rythm works well, it doesn't rely on cliffhangers or plot twists, while in the meantime the characters evolve steadily through each chapter.

I can't wait to read more of it, and might update this review when I'll have a better grasp on the whole story.

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Sep 4, 2022

OG_Otaku

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (2/43 chp)

If you liked Lovely Complex, then you will probably like Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai. This should be the kind of story I really go for: corporate cog Shunin quits his conventional job to take over his grandma's cafe, with the ambition of recreating a neighborhood hangout where all kinds of people could come for peace, comfort food, and a restful respite from the stresses of their lives. It all sounds very Iyashikei.

But it is the delivery that I can't get into. There is a sort of romantic tension between the main characters, but the focus is not on the potential romance, ...

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Feb 29, 2020

Leyren

Recommended

TL;DR: Light-hearted, sweet, low on drama, hilarious, and nice character development sounds for you? Then go ahead.

This manga was just pure awesomeness for me. At first I thought I'd give it a 9, but after thinking about it I couldn't think of anything I would change, so I went with a 10 after all.

This manga is in its fundamentals a typical shoujo/josei light-hearted romance story. Woman has a difficult life, gets helped by a man, and so they get to know each other. However, what this manga does incredibly well is the entire execution of it.
Their dialogues are often incredibly funny (and that goes ...

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Apr 25, 2019

ttmeng

Recommended

Upon completion, I'd say the story shifts focus. In the beginning, the story is more focused on the main MC's life, which I found more relatable than the family drama of the male MC. His family literally barges into his cafe to either stir up drama intentionally or find another reason to shift our attention from the girl MC to the guy's family drama. It gets stale after a while: first issues with his older brother and then moving onto his father. Then the girl MC's father busts into the cafe out of nowhere for more family drama. I had to skim the middle part ... of the male MC's issue with his rich dad - seems like a plot line right out of kdrama.

In the beginning, I found the struggles the girl MC have mirrored much of my life. I am in my late twenties, similar to the MC. Her struggles are super relatable. You kinda know the two MCs will get together, except you don't know when. What I admire about the romance is that their relationship actually progresses from a friendship/mutual earned respect/trust. The two MCs don't get together immediately. They talk to each other and actually develop a friendship before that's considered. Feels more real, ya know? It's not like BAM Kare Kano style where from love confession the two MCs literally stop talking and just make out all the time.

Super relatable. Who hasn't spent the early 20s pining over younger guys only for literally their face? She is a super relatable doormat who does get better. Believe me, I thought it started off depressing because it was like seeing my life thus far: paying for a guy who ditches you for his friends and totally takes advantage of you, taking other people's workload because they asked. But then she starts developing better friendships, aside from pining for romance like a typical shoujo MC. From the friendship she develops with the various characters, she develops boundaries and learns what it means to take care of your needs I think. She realizes where her limits are and when to trust other people in her life, other than the main MC. Middle wise it got to kdrama land with drama between the male MC and his dad. Yes of course the main guy has to be from a super wealthy family who has financially separated from him: he has to work and he has chosen to work as a chef for the family cafe. I like how it shows you can still be thoughtful without money from merely the act of cooking for someone. The male MC cares for his friends from the food he cooks, not just lavishly throwing money onto the female MC. (I'm looking at you stupid kdrama fantasies!)

Pros are the characters, aside from the family members of the male MC & the girl's dad, are developed and concrete. The family members seem there just to unleash the male MC's baggage onto the world - aka the cafe... Aside from the unnecessary melodrama, I am glad the girl really grows from doormat to eventually someone who stands up for herself, even in front of her dad at the end and thinks about herself and even what she wants to eat through the help of her friends. Yes her male MC is her friend first before they get together (which hello was obvious from the very nature of this Rom-Com).

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Apr 12, 2016

pinkbun17

Recommended

Preliminary (19/43 chp)

For those folks out there that enjoyed "Lovely Complex" (myself included) this manga is pretty good! Although the characters are older I find it wonderful to relate to myself! The main character is very naive and has trouble making up her mind, but she is rather sweet and silly. As for the main male character, he is well done and comes off very mature. He hasn't really express too much interest, but it is in his nature not to expose too much of his own emotions. I personally love the main characters interactions, very funny! So far the pace this manga is going at ...

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Aug 22, 2020

Ceryci

Recommended

#Trying to get better at leaving reviews here

this Manga is Good.But this is to be expected from someone who also wrote lovely complex.
The romance feels real, Theres amazing side characters that help elevate the story and at the end you leave with a sense of been apart of a really sweet romance between real people.

This manga is wholesome and i would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

Now that I've sung its praises its time to complain!
I fucking hate that everything that was morally wrong or questionable that was done by side characters towards the main two was always summed to as ...

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Feb 22, 2021

NikoRobin

Recommended

I red this long time ago but I can still remeber the fun that I had reading it, I really found myself in Michiko's clothes as I was a girl in the mid twenties myself strugglinn with jobs and boys XD
I really really enjoyed, really recommended to anyone that wants to approch the josei with a twist of real life problems.

Is my first review here and I didn't know you had to write soooo much to publish one! lol
So here I am writing no sense because I wasn't prepare and now I don't know what to say XD

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Apr 26, 2021

Curiouswanderer

Recommended

Honestly I really was going to drop this manga altogether cause I really thought the FL was seriously mega dumb when it comes to being easily swayed by fellas without considering a double check if they are actual legitimate or not. However as I got into to reading more of the manga, you start to getting use to Shibata as a character. You just have to admire her that she always pokes fun at Shun with her chin sticking out. Just funny banters basically both her and Shun have throughout XD

Also for those who would prefer the chemistry to suddenly happen, you might have to ...

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Oct 2, 2022

sinclairHH

Recommended

This review main contain minor spoilers, but nothing to put off a reader. I only want to inform the reader of what to expect.
Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai is a story about two adults who are completely different and drawn together only by circumstance. This story is mature yet lighthearted. The comedic timing of Nakahara Aya was not only well timed, but served to enhance the story. If you enjoy a slower paced adult romance this one is for you.

Characters: 8/10 - Shibata Michiko is a down on her luck, easy going, airhead. She's easily fooled by men with cute faces and ... lives off pennies because of it. However, she's not unaware of her folly, and she actively tries to improve. But character growth isn't achieved overnight, or in a chapter. Kurosawa Ayumu is a stern, sharp toungued, grouch. He's brash and quick to speak his mind. He really doesn't hold back, especially concerning Shibata. Both characters have distinct personalities designed to clash at all times. Watching their interactions had me laughing out-loud more than once. They have fleshed out backstories that help place them in their respective positions in life. The people around them were just as interesting. Focusing the story on side characters never felt like a slog because the chemistry with the main characters was always well done.

Plot: 9/10 - Shibata is giving her all, literally, to her cute younger boyfriend. Forced to buy only cabbage a the grocery store, she runs into her old boss Kurosawa Shunin. Shunin takes pity on her and treats her to meat, but not without giving her a healthy dressing down on how stupid her actions ave been. Kuwosawa offers her a part-time job at his resturant, and allowing her to stay in the upper floor of his resturant, Shibata and Shunin begin their new life together. Shunin and Shibata have wonderful chemistry. They influence each other greatly, enhacing the story further. A well developed plot and compelling arcs makes the journey all the more interesting.

While they don't immediately start off as lovers, the natural progression into having feelings for each other is much more interesting that way. The way they are at the begining, a relationship between these two would never last. Only by starting as they do, growing and meeting new people, do they begin to change and grow closer. I enjoy the distance and I think it makes the romance all the more sweet.

Overall, this is an amazing story. Shunin and Shibata are interesting and funny. Nakahara Aya has cemented herself with her romcom Lovely Complex, but I much prefer the adult shenanigans of Shibata and Kurosawa. If you enjoyed Lovely Complex, you're sure to like this as well, but Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai is more mature with its adult themes. If you really enjoyed this story, don't forget to check out its sequel, Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai Returns.

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Oct 7, 2022

LuxuriousHeart

Recommended

This was actually a good story. For one, I'll give it an extra point for avoiding my least favorite tropes in romance (harem, love triangles, parents hating the spouse, etc). Well, it did have a bit of the parent not liking the spouse thing, but it was explained well enough to not let it bother me. The thing is, it allows for obstacles to the relationship without it being a cliche. This is much appreciated!

Another thing about this story is the charm. The cast is balanced perfectly, and even the 'antagonists' aren't trash. Sure, they did annoy me in ...

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