Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - How Do We Relationship?, Vol. 1

My rating is mostly tied to how uncomfortable the relationship between the two main characters made me. It started from their first meeting and culminated in their discussion regarding sex, where Miku is described as being a “pain in the ass” for not being ready for sex.
For a work that focuses on first relationships and communication, the way that it was framed was horrendous and potentially damaging. It just ends up highlighting how this relationship isn’t equally balanced, and that Miku seems to be coerced in every decision regarding the progression of their relationship: from getting together and having sex.
If it wasn’t framed as a cute romance I’d probably think this was the beginning of a toxic romance that warns people about the dangers of entering a relationship when you’re not ready.

The art style was cute, though.

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apileofcranes's review

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I really wanted to like this story, because the idea of starting a relationship without a strong base and then learning about each other and working on communicating better does appeal to me, but there was one big issue that left me feeling rocky about whether Miwa and Saeko should be dating at all, the drama around having sex. I think it’s important to talk about different sex drives/experience but the way this book handled it left me feeling gross. Saeko is seen as perfectly valid for wanting to have sex right away, yet their entire friend group labels Miwa as “a pain in the ass” for being scared and unsure about her first time. This story tried so hard to focus on the “working things out” aspect of a relationship, but ended up invalidating anyone who might not be interested in having sex right away, or ever. On top of that, I felt the communication aspect was lacking even more due to the fact that Saeko couldn’t be serious for more than a few seconds.
I’m going to keep reading because I’m hoping the dynamic gets better, but this story about communication and figuring things out in a relationship doesn’t do very well in that aspect. It’s not the worst I’ve ever seen, but for something meant to be all about it? Mileage may vary.

Content Warnings

robinks's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I like how this story makes space for both Saeko and Miwa’s thoughts and feelings.

As an asexual, AFAB person, I love how Saeko sets boundaries and makes space for Miwa to question her internalized expectations instead of using them to coerce her into things she’s not comfortable with.

We also get just enough of a peek into their histories to give more insight into each of them. I hope they can continue to communicate more clearly with each other as the relationship progresses!

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grayreadsmanga's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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dairyfreemozzarella's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Beautiful art, hated that when she came out to her (male) friend his first question was “how do you have sex?” This was just accepted and taken as a good response. I did like the relationship progression and the talk about homophobia. Didn’t like how sexual it was because I didn’t expect it.

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missmanga's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A solid and cute first volume of a lesbian college-based romance.

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chouchou's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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vekenega's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

How Do We Relationship?, Vol. 1 by Tamifull

emzhay's review against another edition

ashlikes's review against another edition

ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review

apileofcranes's review

robinks's review against another edition

grayreadsmanga's review

dairyfreemozzarella's review

miss__manga__'s review

chouchou's review

vekenega's review

missmanga's review