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古オタクの恋わずらい [Inishie Otaku no Koiwazurai] #2
My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku Vol. 2
Roped into making a dojinshi for the largest otaku gathering, Comiket, Megumi finds herself torn between her love for anime and manga, and her crush on the otaku-hating Masamune. While shopping for supplies, she meets a woman cosplaying on the street. The two click immediately-but Megumi soon finds that the woman has an unexpected connection to Masamune as well…
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2022
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 7, 2024
As the series continues to Lina into its 90s setting, Megumi wrestles with her otaku urges and growing attraction to avowed otaku-hater Masamune. But the real friends were the people who hated us we met along the way.
Oh, I don’t know how I feel about this series. As a time capsule of the 90s, it remains a bundle of fun and references and I do love a modern character in their 40s with roughly the same anime experiences that I had. For me that’s a win.
It just… isn’t quite coming together for me the way I wanted. It makes some smart choices, which I think were necessary after it went to super serious town at the end of last volume, and at least one that I appreciated, but I do wonder how much it’s relying on that nostalgia to carry it over.
Thankfully there’s a little more to Masamune’s mother than just some otaku who ignores her family to catch the latest episode of Gundam Wing. She’s at least trying to earn money for her family in the oddest way imaginable, but she also ignores them in most other respects.
I’m not even sure what the story feels about her. Masamune clearly cannot stand her - his life is completely devoted to the family because of her absence and his resentment is definitely related to the fact that his life isn’t his own in any way. Yet she and Megumi get along or at least relate really hard.
If I had to wager, I think the point is how hard she’s working, but it doesn’t change how much of a burden it is on Masamune and his mom’s overblown escapes leave him unable to see the bigger picture. Mom doesn’t exactly seem to foot an equal share of the work, even if she is breadwinning, either.
This all blows back really hard on Megumi, who remains brutally unable to acknowledge her true nature around the boy she likes. There’s at least an olive branch from Masamune towards the end, but it’s clear that he’s really got a chip on his shoulder for her lifestyle.
Elsewhere, Comiket leads to a chance of a chance meeting between Yui and Megumi, although Yui is a guy and Megumi doesn’t quite know that yet. They really nail the excitement of being a creator and seeing somebody appreciate what you’re doing, plus this ongoing triangle between Megumi and the boys looks set to go for a while yet.
The best parts of this story come when it makes the comparison between how Megumi is ostracized versus how Ichika, the mean basketball manager, is as well. The reasons are different - Ichika has no friends because of her looks - but they find a surprising common ground. Of sorts. The denouement to this section is one of the best in the book.
I think my issue with this series comes down to it trying to pull off serious stuff when its overall tone is highly goofy. There are references galore, both visual and otherwise, and points for trying, the Ichika stuff does mostly work, but it maybe it needs a different approach.
Maybe that’s a me thing too; hopefully the vibe holds together better for most other people. It has a really strong personality that I enjoyed, it just leaves me confused as to how much I would like it if it wasn’t steeped in its time period.
However. I cannot deny that the last parts of this story are kind of amazing. Beyond Ichika and Megumi’s tumultuous new normal, Masamune begins to realize that he might have accidentally tarred Megumi with the same brush when he came down on otaku.
I really like that he’s forced to think about the damage from his statement and that he actually does so! Character growth! Speaking of growth, his younger sister isn’t feeling all that great and cue some more growing up of a different sort. I guess that this truly is a ‘period’ piece now.
Megumi is a rock star during this whole sidebar and seeing her being there for somebody in need is a a really strong showing of how she’s more than just an otaku and has consideration for others.
Plus, Masamune notices efforts and it’s also kind of a nice touch to see the awkwardness of puberty show up in a very different way for a change. This story does go a little more ‘warts and all’ and I think I rather appreciate that aspect.
3.5 stars - it wobbles, but stands up strong by the ending. I’m not sure about how well it handles its tone, necessarily, but when the chips are down it knows what it’s doing and it is undoubtedly worth a read.
Oh, I don’t know how I feel about this series. As a time capsule of the 90s, it remains a bundle of fun and references and I do love a modern character in their 40s with roughly the same anime experiences that I had. For me that’s a win.
It just… isn’t quite coming together for me the way I wanted. It makes some smart choices, which I think were necessary after it went to super serious town at the end of last volume, and at least one that I appreciated, but I do wonder how much it’s relying on that nostalgia to carry it over.
Thankfully there’s a little more to Masamune’s mother than just some otaku who ignores her family to catch the latest episode of Gundam Wing. She’s at least trying to earn money for her family in the oddest way imaginable, but she also ignores them in most other respects.
I’m not even sure what the story feels about her. Masamune clearly cannot stand her - his life is completely devoted to the family because of her absence and his resentment is definitely related to the fact that his life isn’t his own in any way. Yet she and Megumi get along or at least relate really hard.
If I had to wager, I think the point is how hard she’s working, but it doesn’t change how much of a burden it is on Masamune and his mom’s overblown escapes leave him unable to see the bigger picture. Mom doesn’t exactly seem to foot an equal share of the work, even if she is breadwinning, either.
This all blows back really hard on Megumi, who remains brutally unable to acknowledge her true nature around the boy she likes. There’s at least an olive branch from Masamune towards the end, but it’s clear that he’s really got a chip on his shoulder for her lifestyle.
Elsewhere, Comiket leads to a chance of a chance meeting between Yui and Megumi, although Yui is a guy and Megumi doesn’t quite know that yet. They really nail the excitement of being a creator and seeing somebody appreciate what you’re doing, plus this ongoing triangle between Megumi and the boys looks set to go for a while yet.
The best parts of this story come when it makes the comparison between how Megumi is ostracized versus how Ichika, the mean basketball manager, is as well. The reasons are different - Ichika has no friends because of her looks - but they find a surprising common ground. Of sorts. The denouement to this section is one of the best in the book.
I think my issue with this series comes down to it trying to pull off serious stuff when its overall tone is highly goofy. There are references galore, both visual and otherwise, and points for trying, the Ichika stuff does mostly work, but it maybe it needs a different approach.
Maybe that’s a me thing too; hopefully the vibe holds together better for most other people. It has a really strong personality that I enjoyed, it just leaves me confused as to how much I would like it if it wasn’t steeped in its time period.
However. I cannot deny that the last parts of this story are kind of amazing. Beyond Ichika and Megumi’s tumultuous new normal, Masamune begins to realize that he might have accidentally tarred Megumi with the same brush when he came down on otaku.
I really like that he’s forced to think about the damage from his statement and that he actually does so! Character growth! Speaking of growth, his younger sister isn’t feeling all that great and cue some more growing up of a different sort. I guess that this truly is a ‘period’ piece now.
Megumi is a rock star during this whole sidebar and seeing her being there for somebody in need is a a really strong showing of how she’s more than just an otaku and has consideration for others.
Plus, Masamune notices efforts and it’s also kind of a nice touch to see the awkwardness of puberty show up in a very different way for a change. This story does go a little more ‘warts and all’ and I think I rather appreciate that aspect.
3.5 stars - it wobbles, but stands up strong by the ending. I’m not sure about how well it handles its tone, necessarily, but when the chips are down it knows what it’s doing and it is undoubtedly worth a read.
December 26, 2024
This volume builds on the strengths of the last one. I really love seeing our main character embrace her inner self, while also struggling with how she publicly denies it.
Seeing the Prez's dislike of Otaku explored is also fascinating.
Overall, I am really liking this series and already have vol 3 ready to start!
Seeing the Prez's dislike of Otaku explored is also fascinating.
Overall, I am really liking this series and already have vol 3 ready to start!
July 3, 2024
This series is actually everything to me. It's one of those that's very quickly found its way into the tender part of my soul, and I'm glad I trusted my gut and bought the next two volumes after reading the first one from my library.
September 18, 2024
There's an amount I forget why Megumi liked "Prez" (Masamune) so much, but I guess the heart wants what it wants... I just struggle to insert a "Prez" in my own life as a frame of reference, I guess. Like, the people I've liked have for the most part shared at least some of my interests, while Megumi and Masamune really don't seem to have much in common besides being schoolmates and... uh... having human decency?
(I probably need to dig up the first book again.)
The alternating back and forth between the "current" day and 1995 is also a bit disorienting. I'd completely forgotten about it when I started the first chapter, and it threw me off. I know some of that is to compare Then and Now, and that some of the story is reconciling things that happened in the past with how things turned out, but it feels like a SPOILER, especially when !
Yes, I like when that kind of plot happens (especially since I find myself too easily invested in hating the seemingly cardboard cutout villains presented at the start of a story), but now that I ALREADY KNOW it happens, it feels awful going back to the Before Times and seeing the trip-ups!
...that said, I don't know how I would improve the story, myself. Huh.
On the whole, it's a fun read, but certain things bug me, like... the cliffhanger, for one. That seems to negate a lot of the conflict, so "early" in the series, so where will it go from there, especially if this is "basically" autobiography? (Guess I'll have to see!)
(I probably need to dig up the first book again.)
The alternating back and forth between the "current" day and 1995 is also a bit disorienting. I'd completely forgotten about it when I started the first chapter, and it threw me off. I know some of that is to compare Then and Now, and that some of the story is reconciling things that happened in the past with how things turned out, but it feels like a SPOILER, especially when !
Yes, I like when that kind of plot happens (especially since I find myself too easily invested in hating the seemingly cardboard cutout villains presented at the start of a story), but now that I ALREADY KNOW it happens, it feels awful going back to the Before Times and seeing the trip-ups!
...that said, I don't know how I would improve the story, myself. Huh.
On the whole, it's a fun read, but certain things bug me, like... the cliffhanger, for one. That seems to negate a lot of the conflict, so "early" in the series, so where will it go from there, especially if this is "basically" autobiography? (Guess I'll have to see!)
April 18, 2025
I absolutely adored the scenes of Megumi working on a doujin for the first time! It's so much fun to see that in manga format and especially the way she gets excited over art supplies. I absolutely related to her finding people she could relate to.
March 18, 2024
3.5
Thankfully this manga isn't drawing things out for the sake of drama. The author keeps the narrative going, adressing threads left behind from last volume and expands upon it. Well worth a read.
Thankfully this manga isn't drawing things out for the sake of drama. The author keeps the narrative going, adressing threads left behind from last volume and expands upon it. Well worth a read.
May 18, 2024
It’s cute. But I feel like a lot of my enjoyment of this series is going to depend on how the ending plays out, so I might be waiting for a bit to make up my mind.
October 14, 2024
I really enjoy the nostalgic references to anime/manga of my youth. Somehow I feel both ancient and youthful reading this
February 12, 2025
High 4 stars. I love this nostalgic look back. It's so good. The references! Lina Inverse appeared! I am just enjoying this so much.
January 16, 2025
Megumi and Yui meet…sort of. She and Ichika start a friendship that lasts more than 20 years, proving first impressions aren’t the only thing that matters. She sorts things out a bit with Masamune, who is a very mature teenager. He’s able to recognize why she might be hiding being an otaku. Truthfully he has reason to dislike the type, given how utterly irresponsible his mother is. There’s otaku, and then there’s just a terrible parent. I’m not sure where the dad is, but if he’s alive, he should provide some financial support…
I really liked the arc with the little sister (she looks WAY younger than 9!) and how frank she was about telling her brother about getting her period 😆 His flustered reaction was cute.
Again, feeling pretty nostalgic. I had forgotten about Slayers, and now I have the urge to rewatch it…
I really liked the arc with the little sister (she looks WAY younger than 9!) and how frank she was about telling her brother about getting her period 😆 His flustered reaction was cute.
Again, feeling pretty nostalgic. I had forgotten about Slayers, and now I have the urge to rewatch it…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews