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Tenshi Ja Nai!! - I'm no Angel #1
Tenshi Ja Nai!! - I'm no Angel, Vol. 1
All Hikaru wanted was a life more ordinary...
In the play of life, all Hikaru Takabayashi wanted was to be part of the scenery, but fate had other ideas. When the 15-year-old introvert transfers to an all-girls academy, her new roommate turns out to be the super-popular TV idol Izumi Kido! As if living with a celebrity wasn't bad enough, Hikaru discovers that there's more to Izumi than her "good girl" image! Now Hikaru's the unwilling star player in a madcap tale of deception, abduction, humiliation and blackmail... you know—the usual romantic stuff.
In the play of life, all Hikaru Takabayashi wanted was to be part of the scenery, but fate had other ideas. When the 15-year-old introvert transfers to an all-girls academy, her new roommate turns out to be the super-popular TV idol Izumi Kido! As if living with a celebrity wasn't bad enough, Hikaru discovers that there's more to Izumi than her "good girl" image! Now Hikaru's the unwilling star player in a madcap tale of deception, abduction, humiliation and blackmail... you know—the usual romantic stuff.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2003
24 people are currently reading
1398 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 17, 2020
I feel awkward enjoying this series so much. It's like a reverse Hana-Kimi, only with rapey-er vibes.
November 29, 2011
Very similiar plot to W Juliet, tomboy girl falls for boy actor pretending to be a girl. The details are different. Rather than proving his skill, this boy is earning money to pay his comatose dad's hospital bills. The problem is unlike the warm affection and true love that grows between the two main characters in W Juliet. Izumi is a scary pervert who takes naked pictures of female lead Hikaru and later threatens to rape her to force her to be compliant about something. Hikaru however is the one constantly apologizing for non-offenses. If Izumi was really treated like a scary pervert this might bother me less, but I think the writer wants us to be sympathetic to him because he's cute and on rare occasions does nice things. In real life, this would turn into a degenerating cycle of sexual abuse, but since this is supposed to be a romantic comedy, it will be sugar coated into a "he only hurts you because he likes you, and that makes it okay" type crap.
On the positive, I do like the art style. There's just enough backgrounds to give you a real sense of place. The pacing and dialogue are a little forced, but not awful. So I'd be willing to try a different title by the same author.
On the positive, I do like the art style. There's just enough backgrounds to give you a real sense of place. The pacing and dialogue are a little forced, but not awful. So I'd be willing to try a different title by the same author.
October 11, 2014
3.5
GENIAL =D.
Uno de los mangas que recuerdo con más cariño ^^
GENIAL =D.
Uno de los mangas que recuerdo con más cariño ^^
April 28, 2018
really really really bad. couldn't even get past the first volume over how terrible the premise is. You're telling me that taking a picture of a girl nude and blackmailing her for helping u when u were sick (coincidentally finding out ur not a girl surprise surprise) is a good way to do anything???? In fact, i would rat his ass out for being a perverted sexual predator. even then she's almost raped by the guy, has a sword at her neck, and is constantly being treated like crap. Worst of yet, she doesnt realize that. She goes with the flow too much..... i swear this is set up for a disaster........ genuinely hoped that the guy got a charge or something for attempted rape or sexual harassment or blackmail or smth but ofc justice wont be served. imma have to pass this on how the girl is treated like absolute scum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2011
This is mainly your typical shoujo series. There's nothing remarkably unique about it and the artwork is well done. The only thing this series has over most other shoujo series is that I was able to finish it and not be disgusted by the events, the main character or have to force myself to finish. Its one of those titles that you can enjoy for its simple "shoujo-ness" but if you're looking for actual substance then you'll want to move on.
Rating: PG-13
Originality: C
Plot line: C
Artwork: B
Rating: PG-13
Originality: C
Plot line: C
Artwork: B
July 23, 2019
I think the setting is mainly typical Shoujo manga. I really like this manga and want to read many times.
The main character, Midori has been in one sided love with Akira since the day she knew his kindness. She is so lovely character because she is expressive and her facial expression change a lot. I want to take notice friendship between Midori and others.
The main character, Midori has been in one sided love with Akira since the day she knew his kindness. She is so lovely character because she is expressive and her facial expression change a lot. I want to take notice friendship between Midori and others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2016
see full review @ Katie's Corner
Today I have a very nice manga for you. It’s a perfect dormitory romance with gender bender. Normally I do not really enjoy gender bender mangas, and if I come around one, I usually avoid. But then I have many that are my favourites. And this one is a perfect example.
I enjoyed this story a lot. Every character had a unique story to tell, and I liked reading about all of them. Definitely my favourites were Hikaru, Izumi and well Ayase-sensei too. Though the last one disappointed me a lot. However, if he didn’t dump Hikaru, she wouldn’t have realized her feelings for Izumi, this story was a lot similar to Charming Junkie. The main male characters both have to cross-dress as girls and work in show biz world. However, here, Izumi was action as a man. I mean it, he never let go of his manly side and he always makes Hikaru remember it.
There are many moments when his secret is at stake and Hikaru is always by his side. About Hikaru, I greatly enjoyed her character. She was very real, her shyness as well as her personality that she developed after being bullied. We get to see how she overcomes her fears and how she blossoms into a beautiful flower. Was Izumi’s secret found out in the end? As if I’ll tell you that. You have to read it for yourself. And you’ll love the ending, though if you ask me there should have been the at least more chapters, with just those two. But well we get what the author thought was necessary.
I hope you’ll find some time to read this great manga. It teaches us a lot and we get to see a lot of character development. There are many fun moments, but there are also many serious ones too. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!
XOXO
Katie
Today I have a very nice manga for you. It’s a perfect dormitory romance with gender bender. Normally I do not really enjoy gender bender mangas, and if I come around one, I usually avoid. But then I have many that are my favourites. And this one is a perfect example.
I enjoyed this story a lot. Every character had a unique story to tell, and I liked reading about all of them. Definitely my favourites were Hikaru, Izumi and well Ayase-sensei too. Though the last one disappointed me a lot. However, if he didn’t dump Hikaru, she wouldn’t have realized her feelings for Izumi, this story was a lot similar to Charming Junkie. The main male characters both have to cross-dress as girls and work in show biz world. However, here, Izumi was action as a man. I mean it, he never let go of his manly side and he always makes Hikaru remember it.
There are many moments when his secret is at stake and Hikaru is always by his side. About Hikaru, I greatly enjoyed her character. She was very real, her shyness as well as her personality that she developed after being bullied. We get to see how she overcomes her fears and how she blossoms into a beautiful flower. Was Izumi’s secret found out in the end? As if I’ll tell you that. You have to read it for yourself. And you’ll love the ending, though if you ask me there should have been the at least more chapters, with just those two. But well we get what the author thought was necessary.
I hope you’ll find some time to read this great manga. It teaches us a lot and we get to see a lot of character development. There are many fun moments, but there are also many serious ones too. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!
XOXO
Katie
March 10, 2020
I'm not into stories where the main character is assaulted, blackmailed, and forced to be around the people who assaulted/blackmailed her. This was just awful. If was someone treated that badly, they would not want to become friends with the person who hurt them. This is offensively bad writing.
Not to mention the fact that two of the characters are 15. They're in high school.
And there's a lot of hinting at a "possible relationship" between one of the 15 year olds and another character who is in his twenties??? That's definitely NOT okay.
I picked this title up because it seemed like it could be a fun manga series like Hana-Kimi or Ouran High School Host Club. It was like neither of those series.
The best character in this manga was the girl's pet pug because he had nothing to do with any of the offensive plot twists. But even a cute pug cannot save the rest of the story.
I would not suggest this title to anyone. There are many better manga series out there.
Not to mention the fact that two of the characters are 15. They're in high school.
And there's a lot of hinting at a "possible relationship" between one of the 15 year olds and another character who is in his twenties??? That's definitely NOT okay.
I picked this title up because it seemed like it could be a fun manga series like Hana-Kimi or Ouran High School Host Club. It was like neither of those series.
The best character in this manga was the girl's pet pug because he had nothing to do with any of the offensive plot twists. But even a cute pug cannot save the rest of the story.
I would not suggest this title to anyone. There are many better manga series out there.
May 10, 2012
Hikaru really doesn't want to stand out in her new, prestigious girls' school. So of course she's rooming with popular idol Izumi! Each girl is willing to go her own way until Hikaru finds out Izumi's secret: Izumi is a boy, working as a female idol to pay his father's expensive medical bills. This could be really bad...
A fun, entertaining story of gender bending and acting and finding your dream. The first of 8 books detailing the entangled lives of Hikaru and Izumi and their friends, rivals, and even a couple of bank robbers.
A fun, entertaining story of gender bending and acting and finding your dream. The first of 8 books detailing the entangled lives of Hikaru and Izumi and their friends, rivals, and even a couple of bank robbers.
July 13, 2009
It didn't like this one at ALL. In fact, I took it back to the store the day after I bought it and immediately traded it in for something else. I'm not entirely sure what turned me off of it so bad, other than the art, which I thought was pretty not great. The premise is pretty stupid too, although I must admit to absolutely loving Nosatsu Junkie, which has a pretty similar premise (just more beautifully drawn and much, much funnier). In any case, this just really didn't work for me.
March 9, 2016
So far it is a little cute, but kind of weird. The idol roommate Izumi is just on the edge of being too much of a jerk to like. Mostly I'm thinking about the actions he took to blackmail Hikaru. THAT's the first thing you do to your new roommate? WTH?
Hikaru goes with the flow a little too much. I hope she grows more of a backbone.
I'm interested in seeing where this story goes, but the main characters so far aren't that endearing.
Hikaru goes with the flow a little too much. I hope she grows more of a backbone.
I'm interested in seeing where this story goes, but the main characters so far aren't that endearing.
September 27, 2017
The whole blackmail and predatory behavior creeped me out.
April 28, 2020
I picked up the first two volumes of this when I was in...8th grade? It was like 2005.
I remember liking them, but I ended up focusing more on other series at the time and throughout high school.
I just got the rest of the series from Thriftbooks, because I wanted to finish it and have it complete in my manga collection. It's relatively short, so not a huge investment.
I didn't remember the shadier parts of this, that's for sure. Izumi's pretty quick to blackmail and threatening assault in order to keep his secret, even though Hikaru hadn't given him any reason to think she'd out him.
Other than that, the art was one of the reasons this series stood out to me a back when I first read it. There's "typical" shoujo art, there's iconic Tanemura art, and then you have the occasional series where the art just gives a different kind of shoujo vibe. It seems that people either really like the art for this series, or really don't. It's interesting.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes. It's been a long time coming.
I remember liking them, but I ended up focusing more on other series at the time and throughout high school.
I just got the rest of the series from Thriftbooks, because I wanted to finish it and have it complete in my manga collection. It's relatively short, so not a huge investment.
I didn't remember the shadier parts of this, that's for sure. Izumi's pretty quick to blackmail and threatening assault in order to keep his secret, even though Hikaru hadn't given him any reason to think she'd out him.
Other than that, the art was one of the reasons this series stood out to me a back when I first read it. There's "typical" shoujo art, there's iconic Tanemura art, and then you have the occasional series where the art just gives a different kind of shoujo vibe. It seems that people either really like the art for this series, or really don't. It's interesting.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes. It's been a long time coming.
September 6, 2024
The protagonist starts in a new school and the most popular girl is her roommate making her a target for all her fans and everyone..
The problem is that she doesn’t want all this attention because she has been a victim of bullying and harassment from her classmates.
But her roommate gets ill , and she helps her with fever by getting her change blouse without asking cause she was fast asleep. Finding out her big secret, and then what her roommate did ?! She blackmailed her with getting her naked and taking a photo of her . Then the protagonist said she will continue to go to school and keep the secret . But the roommate which is an idol by the way gets in more trouble and the protagonist is a good person can’t just leave her roommate in trouble, getting herself more involved with her.
Not gonna continue .. too much nonsense and bad things happening
The problem is that she doesn’t want all this attention because she has been a victim of bullying and harassment from her classmates.
But her roommate gets ill , and she helps her with fever by getting her change blouse without asking cause she was fast asleep. Finding out her big secret, and then what her roommate did ?! She blackmailed her with getting her naked and taking a photo of her . Then the protagonist said she will continue to go to school and keep the secret . But the roommate which is an idol by the way gets in more trouble and the protagonist is a good person can’t just leave her roommate in trouble, getting herself more involved with her.
Not gonna continue .. too much nonsense and bad things happening
May 11, 2023
I don't enjoy storylines in which the protagonist is assaulted, blackmailed, and forced to be around those who assaulted/blackmailed her. What a horrible experience. When someone is treated that badly, they will not want to become friends with them. This would turn into a degenerating cycle of sexual abuse in real life. However, since this is a romantic comedy, it'll be sugarcoated into “he only hurts you because he likes you”.
In my opinion, this is an offensive piece of writing.
Not to mention that two of the characters are 15 years old. There are hints of a “relationship” between a 15-year-old and an older character? That's definitely not acceptable.
I wouldn't recommend this manga to anyone. In terms of manga series, there are a lot of better ones.
In my opinion, this is an offensive piece of writing.
Not to mention that two of the characters are 15 years old. There are hints of a “relationship” between a 15-year-old and an older character? That's definitely not acceptable.
I wouldn't recommend this manga to anyone. In terms of manga series, there are a lot of better ones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
I picked up this book on a whim at half price books. I wasn’t really sure what to expect coming into this, however I found myself happy to read something that I’m not completely used to. I find the art to be quite pretty, and the main character is quite cute. That being said, she brings up often how she doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. The reason why I couldn’t give this 5 stars is because Izumi is just a little problematic. I want to like his character, and I do to an extent, but he does end up taking nude pictures of Hikaru without her consent. Overall, I’d say give it a try, but do remember that in reality, a lot of Izumi’s actions are not okay in the slightest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2018
Hikaru was more then a shy girl, she was a total introvert. She convinced her parents to allow her to go to an all girl school so she could just disappear.And then what happens? Her roomy turns out to be Izumi Kido, a very popular teen idol! That's the end of privacy. And then, and this is not a spoiler, it turns out that Izumi is actually a guy! The Japanese do this type of a story extremely well, and this manga is no exception. Good art, good writing, and a bunch of twists in the first volume. This is well worth reading.
March 4, 2021
The sexual assault at the beginning really, really has me in disbelief. This is supposed to be a romance, and fun, and that just really ruined it for me. No matter what, I can't be happy with this series. Unless the main female protagonist goes off to find romance with ANYONE but the main two male protagonists, which we all know isn't going to happen. I'm going to continue reading this, but I'm gonna be pissy about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2021
Well, weird. And I struggled a bit to finish it.
She goes to an all-girls academy, but she would like to be invisible. She becomes the roommate of the most popular girl in school, which is a very famous idol. She gets bullied because of it, and she's forced to cooperate with the other girl, who .
The dynamics between the three of them (the other girl's manager included) are a bit weird. Let's see how it goes on.
She goes to an all-girls academy, but she would like to be invisible. She becomes the roommate of the most popular girl in school, which is a very famous idol. She gets bullied because of it, and she's forced to cooperate with the other girl, who .
The dynamics between the three of them (the other girl's manager included) are a bit weird. Let's see how it goes on.
August 23, 2025
Reread 9 years later. It seems I only read volume 1 at the time. Now I’m trying to get through some of my physical tbr. I remember finding these at a used book sale, probably the library. I may have enjoyed these better as a teen, but as an adult I’m finding it kinda not worth the read. Writing this after reading volume 2. There’s only 8 in total & since they’re manga they go by quickly. For now I’ll continue. Most likely will not be keeping these afterwards.
January 2, 2018
Read it, it was ok, not a favorite, not a keeper.
January 27, 2022
funny and outrageous, has all the elements of an early 2000’s shoujo that make it enjoyable (although it still does have its questionable plot points)
June 25, 2023
Unhinged first volume
February 1, 2024
Great book
July 16, 2024
I'm so tired of yuri bait smh 😑😑😑 they're hot tho
November 2, 2024
bisexual dream
October 31, 2013
Hmm this actually reminded me a bit of Nosatsu Junkie, Volume 1 with a guy gender-bendering as a female model. While it's similar in that sense, the rest is really different!
SOOOOO interesting bits:
Hikaru: She's in a sense a great female protag, though she's a bit whiny in the sense "I don't want to do this...I can't forget what happened in the past, but Izumi's blackmailing me again, so I guess I will..." kind of way. She's not whiny in an annoying oh no someone's feelings will be hurt kind of way. I guess, how to describe it? I guess Hikaru's rejection for anything showy and for anything to do with being in the spotlight is more humorous than anything. I also like that she does have another relationship before she realises that she loves Izumi.
Izumi: yep, liked his character. He also doesn't deny his feelings when they come, but rather, hides them. Also he's responsible, taking care of his job and of Hikaru. A bit of a bully, but in a nice way that leads to friendship not a masochistic, annoying way.
Character developments: overall, successful. I really liked Hikaru's particular character development. She really does grow!
Now for the downers...Okay, remember how I thought it was nice that Hikaru had a relationship before? Well, at the same time, even though it's seemingly wrapped up later on, what happens between them, but it just happened to quickly. I guess because the star couple is Hikaru and Izumi, so that guy couldn't be in there. But really, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but there could have been a little bit more angst?
The second downer, as much as I liked how Hikaru and Izumi got together, it just felt so soon. What I mean is, really, everything in this manga is pretty straightforward and not really dramatic. So I liked it. At the same time, I felt it could have been a little bit more dramatic, have a little bit more angst. Which is sooooo weird that I'm thinking that!
Anyway, I thought this was a good manga, ups and downs, relatively straightforward. I never had a moment where I was like "Don't do that!!!" so I guess it's a good thing, means this is relatively light as opposed to heavy reading.
SOOOOO interesting bits:
Hikaru: She's in a sense a great female protag, though she's a bit whiny in the sense "I don't want to do this...I can't forget what happened in the past, but Izumi's blackmailing me again, so I guess I will..." kind of way. She's not whiny in an annoying oh no someone's feelings will be hurt kind of way. I guess, how to describe it? I guess Hikaru's rejection for anything showy and for anything to do with being in the spotlight is more humorous than anything. I also like that she does have another relationship before she realises that she loves Izumi.
Izumi: yep, liked his character. He also doesn't deny his feelings when they come, but rather, hides them. Also he's responsible, taking care of his job and of Hikaru. A bit of a bully, but in a nice way that leads to friendship not a masochistic, annoying way.
Character developments: overall, successful. I really liked Hikaru's particular character development. She really does grow!
Now for the downers...Okay, remember how I thought it was nice that Hikaru had a relationship before? Well, at the same time, even though it's seemingly wrapped up later on, what happens between them, but it just happened to quickly. I guess because the star couple is Hikaru and Izumi, so that guy couldn't be in there. But really, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but there could have been a little bit more angst?
The second downer, as much as I liked how Hikaru and Izumi got together, it just felt so soon. What I mean is, really, everything in this manga is pretty straightforward and not really dramatic. So I liked it. At the same time, I felt it could have been a little bit more dramatic, have a little bit more angst. Which is sooooo weird that I'm thinking that!
Anyway, I thought this was a good manga, ups and downs, relatively straightforward. I never had a moment where I was like "Don't do that!!!" so I guess it's a good thing, means this is relatively light as opposed to heavy reading.
January 18, 2016
Status: Completed.
Around 2.5 starts.
The story follows Hikaru in her start at an All-girls school. On her first day she meet her new roommate Izumi, who's a popular idol. But Izumi's actually a boy who's posing as a girl to be able to raise money for his sick father. Not the best reason for Gender-bending ever, but not the worst either.
I didn't like Izumi at all in the beginning, he abuses Hikaru's boundaries and trust, and blackmails her so she won't reveal his secret. He gets a bit better as the series continues but I never warmed up to him.
On the other hand, I loved Hikaru; she's funny and self-deprecating and the only reason why I kept on reading this story and gave it a high rating.
The story per-se follows all the tropes of high school shoujo drama: bullying, love triangle, the couple who actually knew each others as kids, etc.
The drawing is okay, however it takes a turn for the worse towards the end of the series.
Around 2.5 starts.
The story follows Hikaru in her start at an All-girls school. On her first day she meet her new roommate Izumi, who's a popular idol. But Izumi's actually a boy who's posing as a girl to be able to raise money for his sick father. Not the best reason for Gender-bending ever, but not the worst either.
I didn't like Izumi at all in the beginning, he abuses Hikaru's boundaries and trust, and blackmails her so she won't reveal his secret. He gets a bit better as the series continues but I never warmed up to him.
On the other hand, I loved Hikaru; she's funny and self-deprecating and the only reason why I kept on reading this story and gave it a high rating.
The story per-se follows all the tropes of high school shoujo drama: bullying, love triangle, the couple who actually knew each others as kids, etc.
The drawing is okay, however it takes a turn for the worse towards the end of the series.
February 24, 2013
This was a lot better than I thought it would be. Much like W Juilet but with an edge. The extremes in here make for an almost fun pairing with the paranoia and flamboyance of Izumi, and the shyness of Hikaru. I'm actually looking forward to more, for the first time in a long time for a manga.
July 15, 2009
Mildly interesting.
The plot: Traumatized girl trying to be normal is transferred to an all-girl's school where she ends up rooming with an upcoming idol star (who happens to be a guy in disguise).
I think I need to read the next volume to really figure out if I like it or not.
The plot: Traumatized girl trying to be normal is transferred to an all-girl's school where she ends up rooming with an upcoming idol star (who happens to be a guy in disguise).
I think I need to read the next volume to really figure out if I like it or not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews