An online friendship decides to meet in real life, but both sides are surprised to learn that they already know each other as co workers. This story was a fun and light read. With multiple misunderstandings to over come, a relationship starts coming closer between Hashimoto and Shirase. I enjoyed their growth both in and out of their friendship and would love to see more from this author! Maybe one about Kumada finding someone new to like?

This was such an enjoyable read.
Hashimoto was so cute and Shirase was very cool (I swooned a few times because pf his handsomeness). Everyone was likable, including Kumada (I would love to see more of him - maybe another manga for him??) 👀
The story was simple and the irony was funny lol
Not sure if it’s because I also play multiplayer games but I find their story relatable and down to earth (Shirase took the whole thing maturely).
The art is very clean and right up my liking too. Also, those game characters were adorable.Thank you for the work and for translating it.

I think I would have liked this better if it hadn’t been a romance. Or if I’d known it was a romance going in. There are so few books about male friendships, particularly in adulthood, and I thought I’d finally found a unicorn.

But enough about what this book isn’t. Let’s talk about what it is.

Hashimoto is a young office worker whose work is never quite good enough for his “demonic” boss. Worn down by the grind of daily life, he uses an online game as his stress-relief and his social time. Alongside his two friends he completes quests and is perfectly happy in his online life. Until his closest friend in the game, Uma, suggests an IRL meet-up. That is the point that friendships (and enmities) break down and romance begins to blossom.

This book is a strange mix of different tropes. Even though Hashimoto and Shirase dislike each other IRL, their relationship isn’t quite strong enough for it to be “enemies to lovers.” It is “friends to lovers” but the friendship starts out online so they don’t have the proximity that fans of the trope might be looking for. There’s a romantic rival subplot that isn’t really explored, and a lot of misunderstandings that tend to stall the plot rather than move it on. It feels like the author wanted to cover a lot of plot in a relatively short book.

That said, the characters are endearing. It’s nice to watch Hashimoto grow as a person as he comes to accept who he is, and many of us in our mid-adulthood will empathise with his trying to please his boss but never seeming to get it quite right. Shirase is depicted well as the slightly older man who seems to have his life together, and as we see him almost exclusively through Hashimoto’s lens, he grows from being a horrible boss to a wonderful friend and, eventually, boyfriend.

The exploration of the difference between friendship and romance is interesting and could have been explored further. It’s refreshing to read a character who isn’t particularly confused by his sexual orientation but is confused by the concept of a romantic relationship and how it is different from a friendship. If Nmura decided to release a book exploring that phase of their relationship, I’d be all in.

Ultimately, I found this a cute read and I’m glad I read it.

The story could've been so fun if the mangaka leans into the ridiculousness of the situation. As it is now, it's middling and unmemorable. Despite how short the chapters are, I started losing interest pretty quickly. I can't stand how oblivious the MC is and the miscommunication just gets tiring by the end of the volume. On top of that, there's no romantic spark between him and any of the love interests. Couldn't enjoy this as either a slice-of-life or BL.

Unexpectedly funny with pretty good art. I honestly thought it might be cringey because of the title but I didn't find it to be. The misunderstandings are an essential part of the story, though, which could be quite annoying for some. (I found it relatable though lol). My only major complaint is that the first art style had same-face-syndrome, so everyone looked the same and most especially the two MLs. Some later chapters have a different art style, though, so by the end the issue fixes itself.

* Thanks to the publisher Kodansha Comics via Netgalley for the ebook!

I really enjoyed reading this book.
Everything happens calmly and we have time to absorb the story and get to know the characters, and see the development between them.
I really liked the characters individually, each with their own way of being, but together they complemented each other, improving the other, and in a way also easing their lives.
It was super sweet and besides, I loved the third character. This is strange to say, but I loved everything. It was really very good.

When I say that I need more immediately, I genuinely mean it.
The oblivious queer trope is far too underplayed in my opinion - as someone who is an oblivious queer (ever not noticed someone giving very OBVIOUS hints at you for years? Yeah, me, too...)

This is officially my favourite manga, it's evenly paced, very cute, and the characters are incredibly likeable.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next volume!

This is such a cute read. I love the dynamic between the characters. I could not help but giggle every time Hashimoto was absolutely oblivious to the attention he was receiving.

3.5 stars

I almost always read BL one-shots, especially if they promise a cute story, either from the cover or the synopsis. This was suggested for fans of office romances like Cherry Magic and Candy Color Paradox so it piqued my interest. The title tells you all you need to know about the plot but I enjoyed the individual characters in the story, their designs (in-game and IRL) were easy on the eyes and their interactions were funny and cute. I did feel like the romantic bit at the end was rushed and could have been fleshed out a lot more since the manga has over 300 pages. Overall, this was a good read and I enjoyed it.

I really love the opening chapters of this manga as it starts with one of my favorite tropes - two people who don't get along in real life actually do get along in some online space but they don't know each others' real identity. Hashimoto and Shirase are cute and I found myself rooting for them early on and that remains true throughout the volume. Seeing their relationship grow and change throughout was a delight. While Hashimoto remains pretty clueless the whole time, it does provide a bit of comedy and there's an endearing quality to the whole thing.

What I didn't like so much was the added third friend in their group. Specifically that he is still in high school. There's something weird about it considering he reveals he has feelings for the main character. Of course the MC is clueless as always so nothing untoward happens in the initial volume but it makes me nervous for the future of the story. I think if he was aged up it would add the same tension and conflict without the uncomfortable potential

I'm not the audience for this. I haven't blushed when two boys kissed in decades. I'm not the audience for this. I absolutely love a good meet cute, and I love awkward office romances and forced proximity stories, but this one was just a little TOO forced. Who still stands on honorifics AFTER you figure out your friend is your boss and your boss is your crush and your boss-crush wants to hit? Even for Japan, that's a bit too much. We're playing little romance games here so let's play games and keep it flirty. What was the point of all these other gamer characters being so entirely one dimensional? I don't want cardboard cut outs just to prove characters know other people and sometimes dynamic things happen in those characters lives. It's just not enough to justify them if you don't really flesh them out.

Also, If you're going to do overbearing boss daddy type, then go all the way there. Tease the belt play... do some damage with the puns. Pet employee on the head. Let's get it. This felt half way there and it was as if the writer wanted to be a bad girl but was still biting their nails about it. It ended up feeling twee.

I read Morning Glory Milking Farm last year, then I read it again this year as something "light and fun.

I can't go back to twee...

I'm not the right audience for this.

That's on me. Thanks Netgalley!

A cute romance where you’re secretly talking to the very person you’re complaining about your boss!

Really liked this graphic novel I think I’ll continue the series to see what happens next

I absolutely loved the manga I recently read, particularly the stunning artwork. The character designs were not only well-crafted but beautifully drawn, making each page a visual delight. The in-game characters, depicted in a chibi style, were especially adorable and added a charming contrast to the more detailed real-world scenes.

The premise of the manga was captivating, seamlessly blending gaming, romance, and office dynamics into a compelling narrative. The mix of these elements made for an engaging and fun read that kept me hooked from start to finish.

One of the highlights was watching the characters' relationship evolve. The journey from coworkers to friends and finally to lovers was beautifully portrayed, with each stage of their relationship feeling authentic and heartwarming. It had me kicking my feet in excitement and thoroughly enjoying every moment.

Overall, this manga was a delightful experience, combining beautiful art, an intriguing storyline, and a heartfelt romance. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of gaming and love stories set against the backdrop of the working world.

This is a cute romance about a boss/employee who meet online and don't know they're talking to each other at first. It's BL and I thought it was fun. I might continue on with the series if I end up getting access to it, I think it would be a fun read.

A cute story with slightly cringey moments. Discovering the best friend in an online game where you have been venting about your boss turns out to be your boss is bound to change some things in your interactions.
But while the characters navigate their new dynamic, they are each working on each other as well.
And their little group of gaming friends includes another boy who meets them by coincidence.
The drawings are sometimes cute (especially the in-game characters) and more regular manga style for the rest of the story.
I am interested in seeing where the story goes.

Hashimoto has a demon for a boss, but luckily for him he has an amazing friend online that allows him to get to rant every night about how horrible his boss is. One evening they decide to meet in real life and Hashimoto's worst fear comes true; his best friend online is actually is demon boss in real life!

If you are going to do a miscommunication trope this is how you do it; have one character be adorably clueless. Hashimoto is just so innocent that you should simply can't be annoyed by the miscommunication thing. Nmura really has done an excellent job of making him believable. And Shirase's patience is a testament to his dedication.

What really makes this stand out though is that they are simply better together. And part of that comes from the fact that Hashimoto was able to spend so much time griping about Shirase without either one of them knowing, but instead of Shirase getting upset or Hashimoto being so embarrassed he simply stops talking to him (a route that this definitely could have taken) they actually use this as a foundation for their relationship. The relationship starts supportive and that's amazing. I mean it's just a healthy relationship and that's really wonderful to see.

Overall, and Im gonna say it because I always do this was absolutely freaking adorable and I can't wait until I can read the second volume, and I vote for this to be made into an anime immediately!

As always thanks to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eArc!

I loved this! It was such a cute and funny read. If you like BL books then this a great one to add to your collection.

I adored "Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real Life Boss"! This manga is a delightful blend of workplace comedy and romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are well-crafted and lovable, each adding their own charm to the story.

Hashimoto, our protagonist, is an average salaryman struggling with the repetitive nature of his office job and the perfectionist demands of his stylish, strait-laced boss. His only refuge is the online game where he can be himself and share his burdens with his best friend, Uma. The plot twist—discovering that Uma is actually his real-life boss—leads to frequent misunderstandings and hilarious situations that keep the story lively and engaging.

The evolving dynamic between Hashimoto and his boss/Uma is central to the story's charm. It brilliantly captures the contrast between the rigid, demanding office environment and the liberating, supportive world of online gaming. The manga also offers fun insights into gaming culture, making it a treat for both manga enthusiasts and gamers alike.

I devoured this manga in one sitting, completely engrossed in Hashimoto's world and the frequent misunderstandings that arise from his dual life. The perfect blend of nerdy comedy and romance, "Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real Life Boss" is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Sweet and funny! I adored reading this little comic. It felt like a breath of fresh air after many other similar comics that don’t really understand any sort of gaming. The art is cute, the relationship is cute. No notes. Definitely a book i’ll recomend

It is such a funny story between two guys who are friends in this online game but it turns out that they’re actually colleagues at work. Well, one is the boss of the other but they are both quite introverted. I laughed a lot!
Fun fact: they have funny nicknames online and it just! Gosh!