chroniclesofabookworm | [Manga Review] A Condition Called Love 1

BY: Megumi Morino
SERIES: 花野井くんと恋の病 [Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai] (#1)
RELEASES: January 24, 2023 by Kodansha Comics
GENRE: Romance
AGE RANGE: Teen
RATING: 2 out 5
SYNOPSIS: Hotaru doesn't need a boyfriend. But an act of kindness to a classmate going through a breakup opens a door she never thought to step through, in and everything begins to change... A sweet new shojo romance manga from the creator of Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty!

Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first year who has always been ambivalent about love, preferring instead to have a lively life with her family and friends. So when she sees her schoolmate, Hananoi-kun, sitting in the snow after a messy, public breakup, she thinks nothing of offering to share her umbrella. But when he asks her out in the middle of her classroom the next day, she can't help but feel that her life is about to change in a big way...

REVIEW: I'm having trouble getting into this manga. Basically, Hotaru is just your average 16-year-old. She's nothing special. The most popular boy at school is obsessed with her. He repeatedly tries to make her fall in love with him after she puts her umbrella over him out of kindness, but she isn't sure she will ever fall in love with him. The two agree to date on a trial basis from now until Christmas Eve. Will Hananoi convince Hotaru that he is worth loving?

When Hotaru decides to go on the dating trail, I want her to run. Clearly a red flag. She’s clearly uncomfortable with his behavior, and it’s a sign that he’s not respecting her boundaries. Instead of pursuing her relentlessly, he should focus on building a genuine connection. If he doesn’t change his approach, it’s hard to see how this relationship could work out.

On the other hand, some readers might see Hananoi's persistence as a sign of genuine affection rather than a red flag. In many romance stories, grand gestures and relentless pursuit are portrayed as romantic, showing the depth of one's feelings. If Hotaru is open to giving him a chance, their trial dating period could help them understand each other better and potentially build a meaningful connection. It all depends on how their relationship develops and whether Hananoi learns to respect her boundaries.

I gave it 2 out of 5 stars for the incredible artwork, but I have no idea where the plot is going. The lack of direction in the plot makes it hard to stay invested, despite the beautiful artwork. Without a clear sense of where the story is heading, the characters feel stuck in a loop. A more focused narrative could elevate the overall experience.