Kouiu no ga Ii

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Originally a one shot that became a massively popular series in Japan?
I believe this manga has millions of sales?
Despite the translations being 100 chapters late, I can sort of understand why.

You got two regular young adults in the workforce who randomly decide to become S friends out of boredom. That's the whole plot, but the main appeal here is how it is very realistic. Sure some events might be a bit over the top, but they just be living and doing it. The other reason for it's appeal, I believe the young people of Japan find the idea of casual sex amazing to them? No ... strings attached, asking for it like a normal thing, this manga is the very meaning of a peak into a story with active sex

Simple? Yeah, and it's not easy to get a naturally normal story that actively features intercourses on a daily basis

This series is an absolute vibe! 37 chapters in, it hasn't gotten stale even for a moment. The balance between slice-of-life (at work or in the characters' private time), steamy scenes, and awesome food is impeccable.

The biggest selling point of 'Kouiu no ga Ii' lies in the conversations. Tomoka and Murata have been fantastic straight from their first meeting. Their dialogues are authentic and fresh. Their style effortlessly ranges from easy-going to banter to giga horny. We all know how rare it is to have characters who replicate real-life in terms of communication and reactions. These two make it seem easy as pie.

(Also, thank god ... my man Murata freed himself from the shackles of obsessive love. I got some PTSD flashbacks from two of my exes who were extra controlling and jealous. Same for Tomoka's case, but I really resonated with the MC there.)

The second thing I love is that there's zero needless drama. And I mean it. NONE. Despite this, the series doesn't fall flat or bland. It moves forward pleasantly.

Oh, yeah - and FINALLY there's a manga where adults behave like...well, adults, you know. Instead of looking at teenagers confined in adult bodies just for the sake of hitting a demographic.

What is murky is the distinction the author tries to make between FWB (セフレ) and フリフレ (which is how the duo labels their relationship). Comparing it to the difference between hard rock and heavy metal is a bit iffy. I'm interested in how the distinction plays out as the series (and the characters' motivations) progress. On paper, I don't see much difference.

All in all, this is a hearty recommendation from me. It has absolutely everything - entertaining convos, adults properly interacting with each other and sharing experiences, and plenty of spicy sex. The side cast isn't too shabby, either.

8/10 with the potential to go even higher.

Exploring the relationship concept of friends with benefits, protagonists Murata and Tomoka have realised that their current relationships were too much of a hassle to continue so confide with each on a physical level with no strings attached.
On the surface you may think that this series is set up for the two MCs to get it on in different scenarios but you'd be surprised!

Pre-serialisation, the author did have this in mind with those two going at it like rabbits even introducing more female characters so it started looking like a harem. Thankfully in the serialised story, Tomoka gets a lot more attention exploring the colleagues ... in her work place more though Murata still feels like a hentai MC as most females want to jump his bones.

However this manga isn't all about sex. It's actually more akin to a slice of life manga. Murata and Tomoka have lives, work, play, they go shopping and of course, they eat. The food looks incredible in this series and plays a second fiddle to the lovemaking (afterall, you can get it on with an empty stomach).
Despite it being a slice of life, I can't say that it is particularly funny. It's more of a drama with more characters being introduced thus muddying the waters of their friends with benefits relationship. Personally I think more differences should be introduced between Murata and Tomoka as the story seems to pit them on a strong friendship level with very similar wants and interests which may make you think that they'd end up together with so much in common.

Kouiu no ga ii has an interesting concept that was picked up for a J-Drama series (complete with sex almost in every episode!) - no idea how they'd broadcast this on TV. I'd recommend it for those that are wanting a little spice in their manga without too much to make you close all tabs when someone comes knocking. Or if you're tired of the same scenarios playing out in the more adult entertainment and want to slow the pace down.