As someone who enjoys reading stories revolving around otaku, I will say that Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is different than any other manga and light novels with a similar theme.

After all, the story itself is about how hard it is for the otaku to hide themselves for the fear of being scorned by people who aren’t otaku. And it’s even harder to do when you’re in a relationship.

So, how do you solve the problem when you’re an otaku and want to be in a relationship but don’t want to look down upon because of your interest?

Well, the solution to the problem is simple: just go and date another otaku. This is what the manga is trying to imply here.

What Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is all about

Here’s the book description that I got from Bookwalker.

Narumi Momose has had it rough: Every boyfriend she’s had dumped her once they found out she was an otaku, so she’s gone to great lengths to hide it. When a chance meeting at her new job with a childhood friend, fellow otaku, and now coworker Hirotaka Nifuji almost gets her secret outed at work, she comes up with a plan to make sure he never speaks up. But he comes up with a counter-proposal: Why doesn’t she just date him instead? In love, there are no save points.

What got me to read the manga

I already watched the anime before. So, I already know what to expect. Since I do find the story to be interesting, I decided to give the manga a try instead.

And the fact that the manga was on sale at that time also got me to read this manga too.

What makes Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku worth reading

If you’re familiar with Japanese culture, I’m sure that you’ve already aware of Japanese society’s perception towards otaku.

Just take a look at the characters from Princess Jellyfish. That’s how Japanese society perceives otaku for the most part. What’s more, they also don’t have anything nice to say about otaku in general too.

While it’s true that otaku tends to be associated with someone who is obsessed with something, the kind of otaku that is being portrayed in this manga isn’t like that at all.

In Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, these characters are someone who is into anime, manga, and video games. But unlike the characters in Princess Jellyfish, all of them have a normal job.

What’s more, they don’t even look and behave like your typical otaku too. It’s hard to tell if they’re one unless they admit that they’re an otaku.

Do these people exist? Of course, they do. In fact, I’m sure that many of us are like them too. We love anime. And we also work hard to make a living. We don’t resemble anything like the typical otaku at all.

Sure, there’s still a stigma about liking anime, manga, and video games regardless of the society we live in. But for the most part, the story that is being portrayed in the manga is relatable to many of us.

Regardless of where you come from, I’m sure that you can relate to pretty much most of the things that being said in the manga.

That makes the manga a fun read not only because the story is relatable. But it’s also hilarious too despite the manga having a heavy theme.

What I didn’t expect when I read the manga

I never imagined that I would become a fan of Hirotaka after reading the manga. I admit that I wasn’t a big fan of him at first since I was drawn to someone like Kabakura when I watched the anime for the first time.

Well, I have to credit Koyanagi for that. It was thanks to her saying wonderful things about Hirotaka that makes me start to like him. And she’s right about Narumi is lucky to have someone like him on her side.

Who wouldn’t want someone like Hirotaka in your life, right? Not only he’s good at his job, but he’s also amazing at playing video games too. And the fact that he accepts Narumi for who she is makes him an amazing guy to have around.

Sure, Kabakura also has a nice side of him too. But for some reason, I’m drawn to Hirotaka a lot more than Kabakura when I read the manga.

Who should read the manga

If you enjoy reading romantic comedy manga, then you will find Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku to be an interesting read because of its unique angle about love and being an otaku.

Since the story revolves around otaku, keep in mind that there will be tons of terms that may not make much sense in the English context.

But don’t worry about that because the manga also comes with the translator’s notes. You can always refer back to the translator’s notes if you don’t get what these characters are referring to in their conversation.

Where to buy Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku manga

As always, you can get the manga in digital or in print on Amazon. You can buy the manga right here:

Buy Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku on Amazon

Can’t buy the manga on Amazon? You can also buy the digital version of the manga on Bookwalker. That’s where I got mine. You can buy the manga right here:

Buy Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku on Bookwalker

Prefer to read the manga in print? You can also buy the manga in print on Wordery. I highly recommend you to buy books on Wordery because they offer free worldwide shipping.

If you’d like to buy the manga in print, you can get it on Wordery.

Buy Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku on Wordery

Over to you

What do you think about Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku? Are you interested in giving the manga a try after reading about it on my blog? Let me know in the comment below.

P.S I admit that all of my books tend to be on the serious side. But if you enjoy reading a psychological suspense light novel with a little bit of romance in between, then you may enjoy reading my novel The Diary of Modern Cinderella.

Curious about the story? You can read about it and even download the sample chapter right here:

The Diary of Modern Cinderella on Payhip