Falling in love with a friend is complicated. A stray sunbeam hits them the right way when they smile, and suddenly, hearts are skipping beats. Otonari Complex unwraps the challenges of one childhood friend falling in love while the other is painfully unaware. It’s almost impossible to take the plunge and confess, knowing it could change everything. With college starting, life already feels like it has too much change. New friends, clubs, and different schedules complicate things. Having one thing stay the same feels comforting. However, a rival romance would shatter it all.
Otonari Complex is a manga with five volumes in total, published by Seven Seas Entertainment, written and illustrated by Saku Nonomura. This review will cover the first volume so you can decide if it might be the right read for you.
Childhood best friends Kuji Akira and Ninomiya Makoto are an odd pair to run into when they make their late-night run to the convenience store for makeup and coffee jelly. Akira is tall, handsome, and often mistaken for a boy due to her tomboy fashion sense. Makoto is often mistaken for a girl, and it’s not just because of his short stature; it’s the way his sister does his hair and makeup. As much as it annoys Makoto to be his sister’s tester for products for her job as a makeup artist for television, he started doing it for a really sweet reason. His sister first tried to get Akira to be her model, but Akira was uncomfortable with the idea, feeling that girly things don’t suit her. Makoto gave himself up without hesitation and started the trend of being dressed as a girl. He ends up not minding it, and it becomes a part of him. I think this shows how much Makoto cares about Akira; he picks up on what makes her uncomfortable and tries to protect her from it. This has always been a theme in their relationship, as when Akira was teased for being a tomboy as a child, Makoto always stepped in to tell the bullies off.
The manga mostly focuses on Akira’s perspective, but will occasionally switch to Makoto for certain scenes. I think it better shows the conflicting emotions between the two about their relationship. Akira has never seemed to have romantic feelings for anyone. She seems very reserved, making her friendship with Makoto the most important one. Makoto is devoted to Akira, stating several times throughout the manga how important she is to him. She’s never had to worry about losing him, so she’s never examined her feelings for Makoto, realizing they may be stronger than just friends. I don’t think she fully knows the difference between just feeling like friends and feeling a romantic attraction. Akira’s friends suggest they go to a mixer to meet some guys now that they’re in college. Makoto is asked not to go to give Akira space if they’re not planning on dating. There are several instances of the story making the main characters consider how others perceive them, not only how they perceive themselves. Akira starts hanging out with a guy from the mixer Seo. She messages with him regularly, and they go out to see volleyball games together. For the first time, Akira has to decipher her feelings and figure out what having a crush feels like for her. I thought it was crushing that after all that emotional turmoil Seo confesses to Akira that he wants her to put in a good word to Sayaka, Makoto’s female alter ego, who absolutely went to the mixer. Only because Akira asked. He would do anything for Akira.
I found Akira’s personality slightly frustrating. All that emotional stress to find out if she was having her first crush, and she still calls him a nice guy when he’s using her to get to her friend. She isn’t mean to anyone and can always find a way to justify someone’s actions. Makoto is the only one to pick up on her true feelings based on her facial expressions. He encourages her to talk to him about her feelings. Then, for some reason, the only rude things she says are to Makoto, admitting she’s jealous of his looks because he could have anyone. I think this is her own insecurities slipping out, and it is an important moment, as after the rejection, we see her try but fail to embrace a more feminine side. Seo was the start of the turmoil to come for Akira.
Akira and Makoto are both changed after Seo’s confession. Wanting to feel like anything but a threat, Makoto starts dressing like a girl less often. This feels like it erases a part of his identity that was created for Akira. While out shopping Akira picks up a pair of pumps, then puts them down, and then looks again. I’ve been in this exact scenario. She wants to embrace her girly side, but it’s daunting to make a change like that. You get used to a style. You may like the way something looks, just not on you. I think Akira loves the way Makoto looks all dressed up as a girl and is afraid she would look terrible. She was already teased for looking like a boy; I think it would be devastating to attempt to look more feminine and get made fun of again. Makoto is her rock and constantly reminds her she’s great the way she is. In return, Akira praises Makoto when he dresses as a female, embracing that side of him. Some people would find it weird, but Akira never sees him differently, making it almost normal.
Fumi is the final piece of the puzzle in the first manga volume that starts the racing of Akira’s heart. She goes on a date with Makoto, finally making Akira face her feelings. At least a little. Several times Akira mentions her fear of change. Starting college and making new friends is tough, and Makoto is the safe constant in her life. When he goes on a date, she realizes that there is a risk of change. If he gets a girlfriend that doesn’t like her, she may not be able to see him as much, and that scares her. She couldn’t handle him not coming to the mixer with her and had him come in disguise. When Makoto takes some space for himself, she feels upset and apologizes with coffee from the convenience store. The thought of him not being around scares her enough to mention it to him after his date. Makoto sees this as a positive thing and as Akira finally seeing him as more than a friend. I thought after Makoto assured Akira he would never let another girl become more important, and that the date with Fumi ended and he was still single, she’d get it. AKira stays as dense as ever, though. My heart just about burst out of my chest when Fumi retaliates.
Otonari Complex is not a slow burn, but volume one takes the time to set up the main characters. They not only have to worry about rivals, but also their own insecurity that stops them from hesitating on the line from friendship to the possibility of being something more. The fear of change is a big theme for Otonari Complex, and Akira especially has to learn how to overcome that. She also needs to start getting at least a little upset with people who are flat-out rude to her. If you’re looking for a short but complicated romance, this could be for you! Do you prefer a fast or slow burn romance?
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