Manga

I just finished Asoko de Hataraku Musubu-san and it was absolutely wonderful.

It spun off from this post and my reaction as detailed in the thread - I first noticed it because she's just breathtakingly beautiful, and then I sorted out who the mangaka is and connected to past works of his that I liked, and I was sold.

I ended up reading 83 chapters basically straight through, with only a few breaks to eat, take the dog out, etc. And I loved everything about it.

Ignore the erotica tag - it's sort of a fake-out. What it is, mostly, is that the two adorable, shy, awkward and endearing main characters work at a company that manufactures condoms. And she specifically works in product development and testing. So there are occasional scenes of her putting condoms on (fake) penises, intently studying (fake) penises, stroking (fake) penises, etc It's not gratuitous – it's all entirely innocent and perfectly appropriate in the context of her work. But of course it can't help but be erotic anyway, and really flusters the kindhearted and considerate MMC.

Aside from that gimmick, which is actually very well-employed, it's just straightforward rom-com between two awkward, shy and earnest people who deserve each other, and it's wonderful. You WILL cheer them on – I guarantee it.

I got the 1st volume of RuriDragon and the only volume of Telework Yotabanashi last week. Very happy to have those in my collection.

This week I read Fire Punch. Can confirm, Fujimoto wasn't any saner before Chainsaw Man. It was good, but I don't think it was quite as good as Chainsaw Man. Still, I enjoyed it when it wasn't busy making me feel sorry for the characters.

This past week has been a busy one, but I have done quite a bit of catching up on older series. Here are a couple moments from the past week I wanted to bring up.

• I'm Not Breaking Off The Engagement / Boku wa Konyaku Haki Nante Shimasen kara ne

The final chapter for this series was posted to MD. Overall, I ended up enjoying this series way more than I thought I would. I do kind of hate that the manga ends just as it feels like the main story is about to start. That's how it goes sometimes when a manga is just an ad for the LN. Unfortunately, the LN is not being translated, so my time with this story has come to an end.

• The Story of Being Taught How to Fight by a Delinquent Gyaru / Houkago wa Kenka Saikyou no Gyaru ni Tsurekomareru Seikatsu Kanojo-tachi ni Sukarete, Boku mo Saikyou ni!?

This one just got picked up again by a new SL group. It's early, but it has been fun. It kind of reminds me a bit of Yankee JK Kuzuhana, but with a more straightforward plot, less harem, and more satisfying lead pair. I'm keeping an eye on this one, but we are almost up to the raws again (10 chapters), so I might have to let this one build up and knock out a couple chapters at a time.

• Lala Lab ⭐︎ Gyaru, Science, and Youth! / Lalalab☆ ~Gal to Kagaku to Seishun to!~

This is a new series I found this past week. It reads more like a workplace comedy or parody of Life Sciences in academia rather than what the title promises, gyaru romance. As somebody that spent years working in an academic lab doing life science-adjacent work, I can attest that it is nailing the parody aspect of that lifestyle. The author (probably TL as well) must have experience in the field because they talk about specific pieces of equipment, protocols, and demonstrate a level of understanding of how academic labs function that would be hard to replicate otherwise. I don't expect this series to be widely popular, but as a member of the target audience, I am a fan.

• I Think I'll Hide My True Ability to the Last Moment / Shin no Jitsuryoku wa Girigiri Made Kakushite Iyou to Omou

I had let this one pile up a handful of chapters and just caught back up. Overall, I like this series, but it isn't one of my favorites. The worldbuilding and power system of this story is probably my favorite part. Pacts are made with gods/goddesses and skills are granted. It reminds of Danmachi in that sense. The most recent chapters are in the middle of a tournament arc, so that's always fun.

I spent the little time I had last week catching up on Fool Night after finding out it was updated outside Mangadex. I searched for other series as well but it seems like most of them are just very slow to update, no matter the site.
Oh well, that just means I've got more time to play The Sims!

Nothing really out of the norm or that really stood out for me this week, but I have been enjoying Tensei Youjo. Kamikemono to Ouji to, Saikyou no Ojisan Youhei-dan no Naka de Ikiru..

Plot ripped straight from MangaDex:

Lise found herself alone in a strange meadow as a young girl. Also, there is a big dog in front of her. There wasn't a dog like that in the neighborhood, and that's when Lise was convinced.

"I see... This is what they call reincarnation in another world!"

Then, a group of muscular mercenaries appears in front of Lise. It seems that they have come to defeat this dog. But to her surprise, this dog is a divine beast! Ranagh, the divine beast, has grown fond of Lise, who is the only one who can understand him. So, the leader of the mercenary group, Arlagia, offers to protect Lise and Ranagh with his mercenary group...?

A young girl, a divine beast, and the strongest group of mercenaries - a wacky otherworldly fantasy with a cast of unorthodox characters!

It's very chill, cute, and laid back.