With a title like Virgin Love, it’s clear that this debut from Kodansha is one of their more mature titles, specifically aimed at an adult audience in the josei genre. But does this manga deliver a compelling narrative? Let’s dive in!
The Storyline
Virgin Love introduces us to Shoko Shoji, a 26-year-old working woman respected in her career and social life for her dedication to meeting everyone’s expectations. However, behind her polished exterior lies a significant gap: Shoko has never dated anyone.
Her romantic inexperience stems from a traumatic high school experience where a crush labeled her feelings as “gross.” Now, with no experience in romance or intimacy, Shoko finds herself at a loss. On her lunch breaks, she peruses the women’s magazine section for relationship advice, yet often ends up purchasing self-help books on business instead. This quirky habit doesn’t go unnoticed by the bookstore staff, particularly Tanaka, who curates a women’s self-help section inspired by Shoko.
After Tanaka approaches her in the store, Shoko realizes she might not be the only one struggling with love. Together, they apply to join the reality TV show The Love House, where six singles will share a home and see if romance develops naturally.
A Compelling Cast
Joining Shoko and Tanaka in The Love House are:
- Akira, the charming IT manager,
- Momo, a forward hair stylist,
- Rio, a fashion school student,
- Kei, who applied more for free rent than for romance.
Despite being surrounded by similar-aged singles, Shoko feels overshadowed by the confidence and attractiveness of Momo and Rio. Will she ever overcome her romantic hurdles?
Complications in Romance
While the premise of Virgin Love is intriguing, it’s hard to overlook the budding romance between Shoko and Tanaka. He relates to her struggles, knows her secret about being a virgin, and is genuinely a nice guy. However, Shoko seems oblivious to Tanaka’s affections and instead pursues Kei, whom she finds easier to connect with in the Love House.
While Kei is a good match for Shoko, I find it frustrating that Tanaka’s feelings are overlooked. Everyone else recognizes his affection for Shoko, and it feels like the story is deliberately creating tension through Shoko’s unawareness. This might lead to predictable drama that feels manufactured, which is disappointing.
Artistic Quality and Character Design
Despite my grievances about the romance, Virgin Love is an enjoyable read. The manga marks Tina Yamashina’s debut in the English market and her first multi-volume series overall. The artwork is detailed, and each character is distinct, which is crucial given the large cast.
Shoko, in particular, is portrayed in various outfits and hairstyles throughout the ten chapters, showcasing thoughtful character design. If not for the predictable dynamics between Shoko and Tanaka, I would have been more satisfied with the overall quality of the story and art.
Future Prospects
I’m uncertain whether Virgin Love will leave a lasting impression or become frustrating as the story progresses. However, I appreciate the premise and the characters enough to continue reading. Volume 2 will likely be pivotal, especially considering the substantial chapter count in each release.
Virgin Love Volume 1 is brought to the West by Kodansha under their Vertical imprint. The translation by JM Iitomo Crandall is well-executed, with no notable issues in readability. Included are color pages at the beginning and character profiles at the end, which add depth to the background characters.
Currently, the series is ongoing in Japan, with four volumes published so far. In English, Kodansha has scheduled Volume 2 for February, Volume 3 for May, and Volume 4 for September, likely timed to coincide with the release of the recent J-drama adaptation on Viki.
Conclusion
Overall, Virgin Love starts with a fairly middling impression. There are aspects I appreciate, but I worry that the protagonist’s extreme obliviousness to her surroundings may overshadow the narrative. If you’re a fan of romance manga and find the premise appealing, it may be worth your time. Otherwise, I recommend waiting for Volume 2 to see if the story evolves in a more satisfying direction.
