My Love Story with Yamada Kun

Hola book lovers! How is everyone? What have we been reading? Recently I have been reading tons of fantasy and contemporary romance novels. One early afternoon, while browsing my local library, I decided to peek in the manga section, which reminded me of the Princess Jellyfish reviews I made a few years ago. Well, another anime that left me wanting more was My Love Story with Yamada-Kun Lv999.

This series revolves around two young adults who meet while playing an online video game and later become friends in real life. The anime and manga both capture that slice of life feel, which makes consuming them feel like a treat.

However, there is currently no official announcement for season 2, so join me on this journey as I read the manga.

Summary:

College student Akane decides to go to a Forest of Savior (FoS) meetup shortly after her breakup, the MMORPG game she used to play with her ex. She’s determined to show him what he’s missing, but Akane’s thrown for a loop when she spots him with his new girlfriend, whom he met online. Luckily, Akane runs into her guild mate Yamada, who is also a professional gamer, and convinces him to pose as her boyfriend.

Akane’s plot is successful, but she is still nursing a broken heart and ends up inviting Yamada out for drinks. However, this ends with a mortified Akane sleeping off her hangover at Yamada’s.

The two become friendly and begin running into each other all over town. However, Akane cannot seem to crack the reserved and elusive Yamada, who seems completely uninterested in anything besides video games.

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The manga captures both the essence of the video game and the loneliness of living on your own, but together they make each page feel cozy. This first volume sets up Akane and Yamada as opposites: Akane’s bubbly and charming, which contrasts with Yamada’s reserved and serious personality. Akane’s in college but splits her time socializing with her real life friends and her online guild. Meanwhile, Yamada comes off as socially clueless! Akane runs into him just as his classmates attempts to confess her feelings to him, and he rudely turns her away, unaware that she was divulging her feelings.

Not long after this incident, Akane discovers that Yamada is only in high school. Which really explains away much of his behavior and actions. No offense to the young adults.

Although Yamada might be bad at reading social cues, he is not without friends. He holds a close bond with the members of his guild. Especially their guildmaster, Eita, who is also Yamada’s childhood best friend.

Eita, who is referred to as his username Rurihime, plays FoS as a charming female avatar and is also a friend of Akane. Eita is very kind and very much the mother of the guild.  Eita is the first to remind Yamada that they must be more welcoming to the new players. He also lends an ear to Akane right after her breakup.

Through out this first volume, Akane slowly begins to mend her broken heart; she plays more City of Forest, she goes out on dates, and she begins to take an interest in Yamada. Although even Akane is unclear if what she’s feeling is attraction.

Nothing overly romantic occurs in this first volume, but the manga is most definitely setting up the foundation for Yamada and Akane. As previously mentioned, Yamada and Akane have a bit of an age gap going, and I am rather curious to see how it will play out. However, I understand the age gap could make some readers uncomfortable, so feel free to skip this manga.

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This first volume is fantastic and gives readers just a small taste of what to expect from this story. The Manga is ongoing and is currently being translated into English, with Volumes 1-7 out now.

Content Warnings: alcohol, vomit, Age gap relationship.

Until next time keep living in libros,

Gaby

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