Otonari-san Wa Koi Wazurai (“Neighbors’s Love Trouble”) [English], by Arai Kei
(28 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)
Loading...
I really loved this manga.
Thanks to both the drawings, and story.
In terms of art, we have soft tones, rich little details here and there, a drawing style that shows care and affection for the depicted characters, and a certain “natural” representation of the bodies, with their flaws and qualities. Sure, the woman is plump, very busty, and with pubic hair, but in a natural way, nothing exaggerated or fantasy-like. It felt real, somehow, and allowed deep immersion while reading.
In terms of story, I know many will resent the niche choice, we’re in adultery territory. A woman whose husband is away for work has a one-night fling with her male neighbour, because he’s worthy human being, they both felt attraction to each other, and she felt the man needed the moral support to bounce back into control of his life (job done). I can’t disapprove of that kind of adultery, it’s human, no evil is meant and support is given, feelings didn’t sway, and I felt it would have been more hypocritical to resist it, perhaps. It’s too easy to judge, life isn’t manichean, black or white, it’s made of an infinite series of grey shades, and sometimes it’s OK to give in…
It’s an old discussion, I know, the “purists” never approve, condemn the mere principle there may be excuses for cheating, while the “lenient” party find that there are several valid excuses and/or reasons; I belong to the “lenient” group, it’s all a matter of personal POV and cultural background.
–Update: excellent news, this share has become obsolete! Its contents are now part of Gunjo Gunzo, a 245 pages long complete tank 
