This is a very sweet story about a girl, Akari, whose grumpy and irritating co-worker, Onda-san, turns out to also be an idol fan and they start attending idol events together. As they bond over fan activities, their relationship eventually turns into dating. Their romance is very sweet and chaste without so much as a kiss. The story illustrates the lack of value in gender norms and promotes finding common ground with those you initially find off-putting. Charming artwork. I can't wait to read further installments in the series.

At first, I didn’t love the art style but it grow on me. I thought this manga was super cute. I loved the relationship between onda and tachibana. It’s not very often you read a manga where both characters have common interest. It was a first for me. It was like a breath of fresh air.

Oh this one is really adorable 😍❤ Being fans of idols myself, I've forever wished to have a boyfriend that loves idols too, so when I saw the title of this manga, I was sure that it's totally my taste.

And I was right! 💗 Akari and Onda are co-workers and also otaku friends. During their free time, they will spend time watching and gushing about their favourite idols together. Akari thinks her average life is good enough, so it surprises her when Onda suddenly confesses that he likes her. Since Akari is still confused with her feelings, they agree to try being in a trial relationship first.

I find it really cute how much Akari understands Onda's passion for his idol, and does not judge him at all for it– in fact, she goes out of her way to support him with what he loves. The way Onda blushes whenever he fanboys is really cute, and it's obvious that Akari is slowly catching feelings as well.

These two really complement each other, and I love how respectful they are when it comes to the idols they love. Their relationship is a bit chaotic too because there are times when they both get nervous and shy, so they often miscommunicated. But they mostly end up enjoying each others company in the end (the almost-kiss is so cute too! the struggle of a tall x short couple 😂💗)

Overall, I really love this story as it's totally up to my alley 💖 I want my own idol-loving boyfriend too so I can fangirl with him happily 🥲

I enjoyed this unique take on a romance manga. It is also unique in its portrayal of male masculinity. It is okay for men to be fans of idols; there's nothing wrong with that. They can also lead very healthy lives, as opposed to the otaku image that is often portrayed of male idol fans.

Okay so this, based on synopsis alone, gave me Wotakoi vibes but I still wasn’t entirely sure what to expect!

The art style is a cute one with pretty characters so it was aesthetically pleasing to read! I found it and the characters really relatable when it comes to being a fan of idols as a kpop fan myself like, I too am just clinging on to the next concert/online concert/comeback/vlive! I also really loved the message that it’s okay to like whatever you like no matter your age or gender as I’ve seen a lot of discourse about it recently.

I had anticipated Onda and Tachibana already being together when I started this, based on the title, but it was a nice surprise to see the confession come about and watch as Tachibana starts to come into her feelings and they navigate their new relationship. I kinda got grumpy x sunshine vibes!

Overall, I thought it was a really cute and a really fun volume. I found it quite comforting in that the characters are not that dissimilar to myself and some of my friends and the message within the volume was most welcome as well! It’s very much chill and slice of life which isn’t always my thing but the idol otaku aspect had me enjoying it anyway!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha for once again giving me the chance to review another great manga Having an Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! Vol #1 by Mito Aoi.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Akari and Oda-san as they grew closer to each other as a couple through their mutual love of idols. While some parts of the manga seemed slower than others, the character of Oda-san reminds me so much of my bf that it's crazy. It's relatable to see how hesitant people are to open up about something they love in fear of being ridiculed or treated like an outcast. Then to find someone who geeks out over the same things you do is kinda like the ultimate WOW, because it rarely happens.

The pacing of the manga is definitely slow and seems to lean more towards Lifestyle and Shojo/Josei feel. Nevertheless, I love the style and storyline and I'm looking forward to the next volume.

4/5 stars!

I enjoyed this unusual rom-com with a twist, and felt like it tried to push the gender expectations in a lot of shoujo manga. The whole focus of the male character being an idol otaku (to a male idol) felt like a refreshing change and added a lot of fun & depth to the character.

Bits I liked:
- fun characters that had nice development in their relationship as well as themselves
- lovely art style with attractive characters and cute expressions
- supportive of outside-the-norm hobbies and a message of being true to yourself, and finding those that embrace that in you

Bits I liked less:
- the romance side of it felt a little thrown together, just in that it all happened a bit quickly, but I like their dynamic
- lot of focus on the dual nature of the male MC with terminology that didn't feel well explained to unfamiliar readers

Overall it was a sweet story and I'd be happy to keep reading, to see where they're relationship goes and how they continue to support each other in their hobbies.

Having An Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! is quite heartwarming. Akari Tachibana works at a cafe and her fellow worker Onda is also an otaku just like her. They are both fans of idols and share this hobby until Onda wants them to start dating. They are both super awkward, but bond even more due to idol shows and whatnot. In a sense this is slice of life with two grownups, which is good. These two don't know how to date and the feelings aren't there yet, but it's somewhat realistic at least. I'm happy our main characters are actually working and not high schoolers for once. Everything is very tied to the idol fandom though and I wish we'd see life outside of that more. Also, I wish Aoi had used more time to get them together, since everything happens so fast.

The art looks nice, it's cute and fluffy, but not all over the place. I like the facial expressions and how we get inside the main characters' head too. I like the pondering and choices made, since they give our characters persona. I don't know where the series is going though as there doesn't seem to be a real plot. We'll have to see.

Seriously, this manga is like rainbows and unicorns. I enjoy reading it because I myself is also just like them, a fan. Because of that, not just I find myself relating to their fangirling and fanboy moments, I was also immersed to the cute and light hearted plot. Although it was short which is understandable given that its the first volume, I saw how the characters develop especially Onda-san. Looking forward to the second volume because I want to see more Onda and Akira moments because they are just so adorable together.

Thank you NetGalley and the Kodansha for providing me with an ARC of this title to review!

Having an Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! is about two people, Tachibana (female lead) and Onda (male lead) who both love different idols and bond through their shared love. Onda admits to liking Tachibana and they eventually begin giving dating a try.

This is an extremely wholesome and adorable story and I loved seeing how Tachibana and Onda supported each other, not just through their shared hobby, but also while navigating their new relationship. There was a chapter where Tachibana wins a day trip to spend with her idol, but it happens to fall on Onda's birthday and she felt that she should give up this opportunity, but Onda encourages her to go instead without getting upset about it. There's another chapter that involves a miscommunication about a hotel room for a trip (*gasp* there was only one bed) and the whole situation was dealt with in such a cute manner. I really loved the maturity these two characters exhibit and how they understand what is important to each other and encourages each other to do what makes them happy.

I am unsure if I will be continuing with this series, as I cannot really relate with the idol culture, but I do think that this is a great read for anyone looking for a cute romance! Another perk is how nice the art is.

This manga is such a cute, fluffy romance, ahh! Akari and Onda are coworkers and rather unlikely friends, but they bond over their otaku-level love of idols (though they each follow a different idol). They have so much fun going to idol events together and then supporting each other, so is it any surprise when they start dating? Onda is clearly way more into Akari, which I sort of adore. I also really appreciate how Akari has fellow otaku friends. I'm not a big fan of idols, but I do definitely have interests that some people would think I'm "too old" for, so I felt like I really related to this manga. I was rooting for Akari and Onda the entire time! That being said, I'm not really sure where further volumes could possibly take this... I'm about 50/50 on whether I'll pick up volume 2 to find out.

I chose to read Having an Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! because it seemed fun. The title in itself eludes to the silly-ness and comedy that can be found inside, and I can say it didn't disappoint in that respect. The plot is pretty basic in terms of the 'romance troupes' you can expect to see in a manga such as this, however, it is really fleshed out by the uniqueness of the idol worship - something that I know is very real and have experienced myself to some extent.

What I enjoyed about the storyline of Having an Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! is that the characters aren't changed by their relationship. Yes, they might now get a little nervous around each other but who they are at their core, and their love for idols is never hindered by the relationship, it is often encouraged and accepted. This I think is often unusual to be seen as something so easily accepted and I like the message it gives that there is someone out there who doesn't believe you need changing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this manga in exchange of an honest review

It was a really quick and different read that unfortunately I didn’t enjoyed it that much. I liked the relationship between the to main character and their love for an idol. But there were some lines that i really didn’t like and the fact that their relationship had too much insta love for mu liking.

I laughed out loud reading shojo manga. It has been a while since that happen...(the fact that I don't read as much manga as before may be part of the reason).
The shojo just has that cute art mixed with the more comedic one that has me every time. Basic of me? Probably, I never said otherwise.

The story goes around these two coworkers who love the same band of idols, which meant instant friendship between them. They would watch their performance together, go to meetings together...They are an idol fan couple.
Akari knows her coworker Onda-san likes her, but not in a romantic way...Right?
Now Akari and Onda-san are more than idol besties. But now it's gonna work that new kind of relationship?

Well, I will tell you how are they gonna experience dating...IN A CUTE AND PURE WAY!
Just a simple funny and cute manga about two introverts otakus being best friends and dating!

While I was requesting this, I know the art style wouldn't tickle my fancy but the title is alluring enough for me to start it. Not to say, promising Otaku partners just reminds me of Wotakoi and that seals the deal. If you can bring me anything the same as Wotakoi, you got me baited.

What I especially love about this manga is the backasswards of Tachibana and Onda-san while they were working together at the cafe, which they were usually at odd but come together when it has to do with their hardcore interest in idols. The manga captures the life of being such fanatic fans and I personally relate that to spiritual levels as I remember myself to never miss any BTS updates and schedules. Tachibana and Onda are me, and I am Tachibana and Onda. Cool.

However, things changed when Onda admitted his feelings towards Tachibana. From there, you can see the discovery between the characters as they tried to find their ground in the new relationship while maintaining to keep their interests at bay. It appeals to me that this book talks about how growing up doesn't have to mean letting go of the things you enjoy. Manga, gaming, idols, and other otaku activities are frequently associated with youth, and being an adult implies growing out of such obsessions as an unwritten societal expectation. It was indeed, a good message set forth.

Sadly, the plot and the extension of the storyline fall short and a bit flat. While I love the theme, I don't think the manga was memorable enough or something unique I've read. Regardless so, if you are an Otaku yourself, I'd still put this forward for you to try! Not sure if I wanted to give the next volume a try though (ヾ;￣▽￣)ヾ

This was another utterly adorable and sweet romance, this time NOT high schoolers, though they somewhat act like them re: idol love, lol. Such a cute story and I love the MCs.

4, I will definitely be reading the next volume in the series, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

It was a sweet, funny and fluffy story about love, sincerity and slow burn romance. I like thé chararacters a lot and totaly route for them, those adorable dorks ❤️

Huge thanks to Kodansha Comics and the author for providing this manga in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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I really enjoyed this cute story and particularly liked that there are many moments showing their friendship rather than just focusing kn the romance. The art style is also great and I'm excited to see how things develop in the next volumes!

Overall rating: 5/5 stars

I will not be continuing on with this series. Was it cute? Yes. Was it attention grabbing.... no not really. Yes the art style is cute, but there isn't really much plot or anything really happening in this manga other than a new couple doing the awkward new couple things together. Everything also seems to be just so convenient for them like oh I was the lucky one picked for this! and this! oh and this!

I received a copy of this manga through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This manga was cute, even though a bit bizarre. I have never understood the excessive obsession toward someone’s favourite actor/singer/idol and some otakus are too much in my opinion. That’s why this manga was a bit out of my comfort zone…Being supportive is nice, being dangerously delusional perhaps not so good…🤔
Still I liked this manga, in basic aspects it told a story about people who connected over hobbies a lot of people would frown upon. They made the most of it and supported each other…Adorable story!😊