New year, new nuisance! Nagatoro and Senpai open the year at a shrine famous for matchmaking, hit the slopes for a school ski trip, and do some sparring at an MMA gym. But will these new events bring Nagatoro and Senpai closer together, or will Nagatoro’s chaotic kidding spell K.O. for their pairing.
Senpai and Nagatoro spend the new year together. And the ski trip together. And… look, they’re basically dating. Except not. This time out we get some surprising insight into our leads, however, amidst the usual goofing around.
The secret to a series like this is to keep iterating on what came before while not being utterly repetitive, since the premise is pretty much built on a foundation of doing the same thing until the audience or mangaka gets bored.
And that’s basically what keeps nudging this a step above other similar series. This is a manga that prides itself on attention to detail and small progressions amidst its fan service and usual shenanigans. Typically a story has just enough to make it not exactly the same.
The shrine visit is a case in point, as our henpecked hero and the equally hapless Nagatoro wind up spending some time together after the flimsiest excuse possible to get Nagatoro into a shrine maiden get-up.
I love how ridiculous Nagatoro’s behaviour has gotten, in that she’s very disappointed when Senpai won’t pay any attention to her, but she doesn’t seem to have any inkling that she could wear the pants (and does) if she was so inclined. The way this story ends, with Senpai landing a crushing blow to Nagatoro’s defences, is one of the book’s highlights.
By far the best story arc is the ski trip, which is basically the mangaka showboating the entire time. The art here is on fire, with tons of great skiing scenes, and Nagatoro’s cat-eared hat and paw gloves are utterly adorable. There are some amazing spreads here, including one full page of Nagatoro straight up flirting with Senpai that is practically a poster.
We also learn Senpai’s name, which I feel never came up before, yet I felt would be a much more momentous reveal. Also Senpai apparently has friends, who knew?
There’s definitely been a turn towards Senpai’s relationship with Nagatoro benefitting him in a bunch of ways, in terms of confidence and getting him to move outside his comfort zone. Almost every story here takes that angle and it’s nice to see. Even the ridiculous boob joke that is the Art Club president notices it.
(As an aside, I nearly burst out laughing at the apparent ease with which said president gets into Tokyo University of the Arts, while the lead character in Blue Period has been literally killing himself over that same goal for volumes now.)
Nagatoro herself definitely seems to want to be less direct with Senpai, despite what I said earlier, as she’s more inclined to hint broadly and try to get him to pick up on her offers (Nagatoro’s friends are definitely trying to push the two of them together now and that’s a fun use of those characters). What makes this work now is that Senpai’s getting a bit better at reading those cues, showing he might be marginally better at this than he was before.
On the downside, I don’t love the contact lens story, which is basically an excuse to get Nagatoro in glasses for a bit. I’m also not especially enamoured of the judo story in progress, although we get a little more serious about seeing Nagatoro’s past and her training Senpai does get a few good moments. I’ll reserve full judgement until next time.
3.5 stars - on balance, a great volume of a series that’s better than it has any right to be, especially that ski trip arc, which tips the balance up for me. This still really impresses me with how it can make something engaging out of these two characters who started off so differently.
Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro - Vol. 10 (My Kindle Review)
The new year’s here and we see our duo at a shrine making wishes. Later we also see them skiing on the slopes and face off against one another in the judo ring. There’s also a bit of a new look for Senpai. A- (91%/Excellent)
Senpai se está defendiendo bien, ya no es tan tímido, solo que ahora por quien le gusta, y estamos viendo mas de ella con el judo incluso. Lo del año nuevo y el esqui que lindo, quiero verlo animado.
4.5 Stars. Another great volume. This one moved at lightning speed. With a fun little skiing story and the thoughts of what comes after highschool being mentioned a lot of character development happens throughout. Personally I was excited that we are finally getting glimpses of Nagatoro's mysterious past with Judo. Finally a shocking development of Senpai suddenly getting a bit of confidence is very entertaining to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I thiiiiink this is Nagatoro vol 10, so I’ll just leave my review down here. I’m really enjoying the character development. How Senpai realizes that he geniuenly likes spending time with Nagatoro. He’s not shy about the fact anymore, only shy with asking and admitting it to Nagatoro. I think EVERYBODY in this damn series knows its time... like come on even Art Prez wants to see them together. It’s crazy how the most basic of MCs became to have such a nice and good personality. Also, his name is Nao?? Or something similar? I might’ve missed it before but in this volume where his “friends” (which appeared out of nowhere) called him that, I was suprised. Him trying to get better at skiing for Nagatoro is again... gold. The transition panel of Art prez skiing was so funny too. The Judo thing is also very interesting and we’re starting to learn more about that main character’s pasts and futures. From some of the first volumes, I gotta admit the Manga has come a looong way, even if there is still a long way to go. I can’t believe a year has passed (for me it’s been 3 days lol). Anyways, excited to keep up with the manga and watch the upcoming episodes of the anime! (I already watched the first 2 jeje).
I sort of agree that it has a shit ton of issues, especially at the beginning but... I don't know man, I've been following this thing for way too long, I may as well enjoy it.
Don't bother with it if the beginning doesn't work for you, you're most likely justified in your prejudices against it. But if you've made it this far... it has its moments 🤷♂️.
Another feel-good volume I breezed through quickly. Senpai is experimenting with wearing contact lenses but also discovers just how cute Hayase looks wearing his glasses. There's some tender moments with New Years Shrine rituals, etc. Also, Hayase is quite the talented skier (of course!) while Senpai is still learning to ski the beginner course. She may tease him but as always, Nagatoro's actions show us where her heart really is....as she rushes in to save Senpai from getting run over by two other guys on skis who are goofing off and not paying attention to where they're going. She also keeps up her old habits of blurting out her genuine desires then covering them up with joke. Even other guys in Senpai's class can pick up that Senpai is special to Nagatoro, that she always wants to be around him. Senpai has the revelation, though, that he doesn't actually know very much about Nagatoro, especially her recent past. Senpai decides he wants to actually put some effort into the school Judo tournament this year and asks Nagatoro's friends for help. Gamou's family owns a mixed martial arts gym and invites him to check things out. He works up the courage to ask Nagatoro to train him to get better at Judo and she reluctantly agrees. She provides him a uniform then emerges with her own and spars with him. She's really good at the sport but evidently something happened in her past and while she's happy to train Senpai she refuses to compete herself anymore...and doesn't want to talk about it, not even with Senpai. He compliments the graceful beauty of her sparing match with Gamou and Nagatoro merely smiles and is like "ok weirdo."
It was long wait to get this volume, too....B&N delayed my order more than once. And over all too quickly. I'm grateful for any of the little steps of progress Senpai & Hayase make in their relationship...the romantic attraction is there and mutual, but they only take baby steps and have a hard time looking each other in the eye about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Pretty good volume! Nagatoro got to teach Senpai all sorts if stuff!
BTW, Senpai's (first?) Name seems to be Nao. He's called it twice by class friends. Probably short for something. First, Senpai and Nagatoro go on a New Year's shrine visit. Then later, Senpai gets skiing lesson, twice, and shocks his school friends when they find out he's on close terms with Nagatoro and her school hottie buddies. Later, Senpai ends up being invited to a MMA gym that one of Nagatoro's friends runs. On a lark, he goes to watch, and who shows up? Yes, Nagatoro. Well she puts on a good show, but when it's his turn in the ring with Nagatoro, she mops the floor with him! Turns out she used to be a regionally famous for Judo. When Senpai questions her about it, she gets a really sad look on her face, and refuses to talk about it. So, volume 10 is done, and these two grow closer. Senpai is making changes, too, and seems intent on asking out Nagatoro. Come on buddy! You can do it!
Was thats some relationship development I see before me?!
There genuinely seems to be some steps forward in there romantic relationship, although the "only teasing" parts crop up righr after which is still really cute.
There is so much to love about this series, its quickly becoming one of my top favourites!!
Things are moving along but at a snails pace. I wish something would present itself that would give this series a little sense of urgency. The last couple volumes feel like that have been in the same place.
This is quite possibly my favourite manga series ever now. The New Year section was beautiful. Hayashi and Senpai are amazing together. I am looking forward to Volume 11! Will definitely be preordering it when I have the opportunity. :)
Este es un buen volumen, porque aunque si le haga mucha broma, NAgatoro si termina ayudándole mucho a senpai con aprender sky o judo. Y la parte del clásico visitamos el templo en año nuevo, creo que está muy bien hecho y no se siente tan cliche
Ok this one was actually the best volume in the series so far. The snowboarding/skiing trip was cute the way they taught each other and also nagatoro teaching him how to fight finding interests in what she likes. The couple is cute and I feel like before long their feelings will be confessed.