A review by draagon
Choking on Love Vol. 1 by Keiko Iwashita

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

5.0

I'm beyond excited this got picked up by an English publisher. It's been one of my favorite series for a while, and I've been collecting the Japanese volumes, so it's kind of surreal to have the English edition in my hands. I love just about everything about this series from the characters (Gaku is so adorably unhinged, I love it, he's got such chaotic energy) to the setting (yay, university not high school!) and how the story develops. The romance is neither too fast nor too slow, and while Hibari might be a tad frustrating in how she goes back and forth so much, I think it's true to her character that she's just unsure of herself and needs a little push to get that burst of confidence, which reflects the experience of someone in their early twenties. I also love Gaku's bandmates and how they roll their eyes at Gaku's antics while also showing their loyalty and support for him. This series is leagues ahead of Living Room Matsunaga-san, and I can't wait to keep getting more into the story.