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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I know this is only the first volume and I do plan on reading the next but it was not what the hype my discord friends made it out to be. Don’t get me wrong I thought the story was cute, the characters were handsome and had cute personalities, and the plot was a bit enjoyable….but I feel the story could have maybe progressed more then it did, the characters were a bit flat and didn’t change and grow even a little like I thought they would,and the plot just seemed repetitive on the subject of “love”.the whole summary I would give is “a BL manga where the two main male characters are in a love war where the main male says he’ll never fall in love with the second main male again and the second main male says yes you will weather you want to or not.”
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This series does not have the best romantic couple but I still get so invested >.<
The world´s greatest frst love volume 1 by Shungiku Nakamura get a 9.4/10 stars.
The world´s greatest frst love volume 1 by Shungiku Nakamura get a 9.4/10 stars.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series is still ongoing, and my review is subject to change. I am also not putting individual reviews or thoughts in beyond the first volume as it will be an overview of my thoughts on the whole series.
The World’s Greatest First Love is a classic in the BL genre, blending romance, workplace drama, and plenty of complicated feelings. One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is the change in art style over time. It’s heartwarming to see how the artwork evolves as the series progresses, shifting from its more traditional early BL style to something more refined and expressive. The development in the art feels like it grows with the story and characters, giving a sense of progression and deepening emotional resonance.
That said, this series isn’t without its issues, particularly the early volumes that engage in the problematic tropes of fetishisation and non-consensual moments. These are very cringe to revisit in your 30s when you read this as a teenager and thought it was *TrUe LoVe*. The initial handling of boundaries between the characters, especially in Takano and Ritsu’s relationship, is often uncomfortable to read. Fortunately, later volumes seem to address this more thoughtfully, attempting to retcon some of the more concerning moments by focusing more on mutual respect and clearer communication. It’s not perfect, but it’s clear the series is trying to be more mindful of boundaries.
Takano is absolute bae and the emotional core of the series. His persistence, charm, and unwavering love for Ritsu make him the standout character. Takano’s devotion and growth throughout the series are what keep me hooked. He’s mature, knows what he wants, and even when Ritsu is frustratingly oblivious, Takano’s presence keeps the romance grounded. BUT let’s be real, his devotion borders on obsession. Like, who lets a high school romance destroy their life forever? Seriously, Takano, get a grip! Yet, despite all that, I still love him so much.
Speaking of Ritsu, yes, he’s a pretty cringe MC, constantly in denial about his feelings, running away from confrontation, and generally a bit clueless. But despite all that, we love him anyway. There’s something endearing about his awkwardness and his struggle to accept his own emotions. Ritsu’s journey from stubborn avoidance to realising his true feelings is messy, but that’s part of his charm. He’s cringe, but we’re rooting for him.
The switch in relationships and different case stories throughout the series adds variety. While Takano and Ritsu’s story is central, the side couples offer fresh dynamics and drama. Characters like Kisa and Yukina bring their own set of complications, keeping the series interesting and giving readers multiple relationship styles to engage with. Each pair deals with different struggles, whether it’s balancing work and love, navigating insecurities, or coming to terms with past baggage.
Overall, this is a classic for a reason. It's a history lesson for new readers, particularly those who need to see how writing and storytelling has evolved to be more mindful in these spaces. As have many of us ol' BL readers who were just young whipper snappers in the mid-00s.
The World’s Greatest First Love is a classic in the BL genre, blending romance, workplace drama, and plenty of complicated feelings. One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is the change in art style over time. It’s heartwarming to see how the artwork evolves as the series progresses, shifting from its more traditional early BL style to something more refined and expressive. The development in the art feels like it grows with the story and characters, giving a sense of progression and deepening emotional resonance.
That said, this series isn’t without its issues, particularly the early volumes that engage in the problematic tropes of fetishisation and non-consensual moments. These are very cringe to revisit in your 30s when you read this as a teenager and thought it was *TrUe LoVe*. The initial handling of boundaries between the characters, especially in Takano and Ritsu’s relationship, is often uncomfortable to read. Fortunately, later volumes seem to address this more thoughtfully, attempting to retcon some of the more concerning moments by focusing more on mutual respect and clearer communication. It’s not perfect, but it’s clear the series is trying to be more mindful of boundaries.
Takano is absolute bae and the emotional core of the series. His persistence, charm, and unwavering love for Ritsu make him the standout character. Takano’s devotion and growth throughout the series are what keep me hooked. He’s mature, knows what he wants, and even when Ritsu is frustratingly oblivious, Takano’s presence keeps the romance grounded. BUT let’s be real, his devotion borders on obsession. Like, who lets a high school romance destroy their life forever? Seriously, Takano, get a grip! Yet, despite all that, I still love him so much.
Speaking of Ritsu, yes, he’s a pretty cringe MC, constantly in denial about his feelings, running away from confrontation, and generally a bit clueless. But despite all that, we love him anyway. There’s something endearing about his awkwardness and his struggle to accept his own emotions. Ritsu’s journey from stubborn avoidance to realising his true feelings is messy, but that’s part of his charm. He’s cringe, but we’re rooting for him.
The switch in relationships and different case stories throughout the series adds variety. While Takano and Ritsu’s story is central, the side couples offer fresh dynamics and drama. Characters like Kisa and Yukina bring their own set of complications, keeping the series interesting and giving readers multiple relationship styles to engage with. Each pair deals with different struggles, whether it’s balancing work and love, navigating insecurities, or coming to terms with past baggage.
Overall, this is a classic for a reason. It's a history lesson for new readers, particularly those who need to see how writing and storytelling has evolved to be more mindful in these spaces. As have many of us ol' BL readers who were just young whipper snappers in the mid-00s.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Picked up the manga after finishing the anime and boy, this is such an improvement from the art in Junjo Romantica. Dialogue felt overcrowded a lot of the time but I feel like that’s pretty typical of shoujo of this era. Great comedy, and a good start to the world’s greatest first romance (other than the undertones of assault but that’s just. The way it is with Yaoi sometimes 🙃)
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault