If you’re looking for something short and sweet, look no further than Go For It, Nakamura! An engaging romance with two very likeable leads and some pretty interesting situations, this one-volume BL classic is sure to leave readers wanting more. As someone with a big weakness for adorable, angst-free romance, I was a big fan.
The Synopsis
High schooler Okuto Nakamura has a big problem: he’s got a HUGE crush on his classmate, Aiki Hirose, but has no idea how to even approach the other boy, let alone confess to him. It doesn’t help that any time he tries to interact with his crush, mishaps and accidents always get in the way. Throughout this volume, the shy, awkward Nakamura tries to navigate through this slice-of-life romance without making a fool of himself in front of his first love. Unfortunately, since this is also a gag manga, the road will be paved with slapstick. Only time will tell if poor Nakamura’s spirit can take it.
The Good
This entire volume is adorable. Author and artist Syundei is very skilled at blending a simple yet compelling slice-of-life story with the believable ups and downs of a teenage crush. Nakamura’s feelings for Hirose are the same all-encompassing, soul-rending first love we’ve all had when we were young, but his acute shyness and fear of what his crush will think of him is equally relatable. These two states of being make for the perfect source of tension in this short series. It also makes the mishaps that much more painful (and hilarious).
As a loner in my high school years, Nakamura’s quiet introversion felt very real to me. It can be difficult when your interests don’t match up with your peers and you end up unintentionally isolated because of it. It can make you feel like even just being friends with people is an uncrossable gap. For the entire volume, Nakamura’s goal isn’t to confess to Hirose, it’s just to be friends with him. It’s such a simple goal, and yet to Nakamura it’s an insurmountable mountain. It’s very true to life; your relationships with your peers are everything at that age. A lot of readers will find something to relate to in that.
The Bad
They say good things come in small packages, and while it’s true that Go For It, Nakamura! never overstays its welcome, I was also left wanting more by the end. This story is only one volume (not counting the one-volume sequel), and I couldn’t help but wish it were longer. There were a few pretty interesting side-characters I would have liked to see more of (the shy fujoshi and the ex-delinquent teacher, for starters), to say nothing of the main couple. Fans can only hope that the anime will take the solid foundation of the manga and be able to grow a more detailed series. This one volume alone was so fantastic I wanted more.
The Verdict
Go For It, Nakamura! is a quick little story packed to the brim with laughs and heartfelt moments despite its small size. The possibility that readers may be left wanting more only speaks to how engaging it is, and if you are looking for a sweet story with little angst and not too much of a time commitment, this is definitely the book for you. With just one volume, Go For It, Nakamura! accomplishes what other series may not accomplish in a longer run; a focused, entertaining romance in a slice-of-life package. I can’t wait to see how the upcoming anime brings this little story to life!
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Go For It, Nakamura! is available from Bookshop, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
Story and Art: Syundei
Translation: Amber Tamosaitis
Lettering and Layout: Kaitlyn Wiley
Cover Design: Karis Page
Proofreaders: Shanti Whitesides & Stephanie Cohen
Assistant Editor: Jenn Grunigen
Production Assistant: CK Russell
Production Manager: Lissa Pattillo
Editor In Chief: Adam Arnold
Publisher: Jason DeAngelis
Published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment
Article edited by: Bill Curtis
The Good
- The story is cute and relatable
- The gags are funny
- The characters are very sweet and likeable
The Bad
- It's too short!
- Lots of characters are introduced but never expounded upon
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