Secret Girl, Vol. 05

僕になった私 [Boku ni Natta Watashi] #5

by Ako Shimaki

The story is about Takanashi Momoko, a 16-year-old girl. Her life is pretty normal, until her twin brother, Akira, disappears. Akira was supposed to enter a high-class all-boys school but he runs away to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer, leaving only a note explaining his actions. At first Momoko and her mother thought it was just a joke but he really didn't come back. Now Momoko's mother went ballistic and started cutting her daughter's hair saying that she has to take her brother's place until he comes back. Not good for her since she has to disguise herself as a boy and what's this about being roommates with another guy? Will she be able to hide her secret and survive or will she be found out?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Genderqueer

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Japanese name 嶋木あこ

Reviews

[Lucina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Süß war's ja, aber nicht mehr. Vielleicht bin ich inzwischen zu alt.;)

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Have you seen She's the Man? If you've ever wanted a manga version of this, Boku ni Natta Watashi is a solid candidate.

Momoko's twin brother Akira was always the smarter of the two. But one day Akira decides he'd rather not attend a private elite school which prompts their mother to give Momoko a quick make-over; she is to attend her brother's elite boy's school in disguise to make sure he doesn't lose his spot.

How to enjoys Boku ni Natta Watashi:
- Be aware that this is a RomCom with more Com than Rom
- Be aware that the romance comes very rushed but develops quite steadily from there on
- It's not altogether realistic but just go with the flow

Boku ni Natta Watashi suffers from a weak start; Momoko is thrown into a boys school in the blink of an eye and she's in love before the end of the first volume - as in, they already start dating. It's not the most unusual thing in a manga, but I did find this one was particularly bad in that aspect. There's also a lot going on that's just plain and simple not realistic, Momoko's mother is completely over the top crazy. However, if you can live with that, this can be a pretty fun manga.

Momoko makes a pretty balanced character - she can be both strong and weak depending on the situation or mood she is in. When she doubts or feels down, she takes the advice offered to her and manages to cheer herself with that. The rushed initial romance aside, I like the relationship between Momoko and her love interest Ito. Once on to the second volume, their relationship develops nicely; there's tension but neither rushes the other. There are misunderstandings but they talk things out. Both have their moments of doubt and jealously and both go out of their way to help the other - I feel like there aren't many fictional couples that seem as balanced as these two.

This is definitely more of a comedy, and it works as such. There are romantic moments as well, but it's really the comedy that's dominant and also makes this manga worthwhile the read. I've always found Shimaki Ako's art to be rather unique and it adds nicely to the comedic aspect. It is one of her older works so the art can sometimes look a little off, but there are also some angles in which the characters look very handsome.

It's not an overwhelmingly great manga, but it can be just the right thing if you are looking for a quick RomCom read.

[Hibikiyume · Rating 5 out of 5]

avis disponible en français et anglais//  reviews in French and English

avis : Un manga très drôle entre un secret à garder coûte que coûte, visite médicale, camarade de classe trop curieux etc.. Romance entre les deux camarades de chambre mais suspect car normalement nous sommes dans une école de garçons. Une fois de plus SHIMAKI Ako nous montre une magnifique histoire d’amour cette fois avec une énorme touche d’humour contrairement à « dingue de toi » qui était dans le thème drame. Un manga que j’ai relu plusieurs fois et que j’adore toujours autant.

🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫

Review: A funny story, involving a secret to keep, medical check-ups, nosey classmates etc A romance between two roommates but suspicious as it happens in an all-boys school. Once more, Shimaki Ako drew a beautiful love story with a nice touch of humour, unlike in “Mucha Kucha Daisuki” which was truly dramatic. In short, this is a manga I read multilple times and but still love so much.

[Kurtis Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute manga series, great story(just imagine “she’s the man” movie) 😁❤️👌

[CrazyBug456 · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3,4

[Flussfell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this series
The protagonist is way too obsessed with Ito...
And in the end, the author had to add a totally clichee drama

[Marie-Luise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy End :D

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

see full review @ Katie's Corner

Today I have a very nice story, which I found by pure chance and enjoyed it to my heart’s content. It is a bit similar to Mi-Ri Hwang’s Idol Shopping. No, no, no fighting here, or as much fighting. It’s similar only in one thing the twin sister is sent to her twin brother’s all boy’s school, because he somehow can’t attend it. Here the similarity ends and I won’t be back to comparing it to anything else.

The story is fast paced and well, it’s fabulous. I couldn’t help myself laugh out loud on all the things that happen between Momoko and Itou. They’re a great couple and I guess I enjoyed the story partly because they make such a great couple. Akira, that’s Momoko’s brother is also a fan character. The guy cracked me up; on how he came back to school because tat way he would be more respected. Another character is the “gay guy”. Sorry, forgot his name. He’s not really gay, but he did start off by first liking Itou, and in the need he fell in love with Momoko. Though in the last chapter there’s something shady going between him and Akira, though it’s only one sided.

Overall, this story is great and leaves you with great feelings after finishing it. You may not remember minor details, but you’ll definitely have this feeling of happiness after you finish it, and even some time after it. I believe everyone will enjoy this story and will laugh a lot throughout it. Shortly saying it’s fun, fast paced, has great character development and also relationship development. If I’m not mistaken Momoko & Itou go all the way, and that’s another thing why I love this story too. It has everything in it. There are only 16 chapters but they tell us a lot, and even if you think that it’s not enough.

I hope you will enjoy this manga to its fullest. Don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book o manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this gender-bender, it really reminded me of the plot of "She's the Man"..!
When Momoko's twin brother Akira disappears, ran off to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer, right before he entered his high-class all-boys school changes her life. Their mother goes berserk, cuts off Momoko's hair and she her in Akira's place threatening her not to expose herself as a girl.
Momoko has to fool her roommate and the other boys in the school into thinking she's a guy. Itou her roommate finds out she's a girl and basically blackmails her falling in love with her at the same time, while she does the same....

This manga is great and enjoyable to read!!!

[Mango · Rating 3 out of 5]

This here is a review for the overall series.

I guess it was okay. The relationship between the two main characters were average I guess. The beginning, middle and end were nothing really new or special and the art was amazing either.
The plot was original in a way that worked but not as successful as I think that author would want it to be...

SO, yeah... Three stars.
For being average, not awesome but not bad either.

[Jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series went by really fast and I didn't feel that the characters were very well developed.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed it immensely the second time around......

[Poly Dell'amore Purple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que liiiiiindo!! Zeus, que historia más mamona y amorosa, definitivamente es lo que necesitaba con urgencia para esta noche :)

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to Hanazakari no Kimitachi e. Fun read though.

[Shraddha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha the last bit about Momoko's brother was just hilarious!