When you get your very first lover in life, every single day is so exciting, isn't it? The time spent with the one you love is special, and even casual conversations become precious memories. But what if an unexpected person interrupts such a happy romance? “Kanojo no Tomodachi”, drawn by Jyura, is a romantic manga that starts from just such a stimulating situation. The protagonist of the story is Hidaka Takeru, a third-year high school student. He has just started dating the adorable Koga Kaori, and his heart dances with excitement in these days with a girlfriend he is experiencing for the first time. However, in their relationship that seems to be going smoothly, a certain troublesome existence was lurking. That is Kaori's friend, Yoshioka Tomoko. Normally, one would want to get along well with Kanojo no Tomodachi (girlfriend's friend), but in Tomoko's case, circumstances are a bit different. With her appearance, Takeru's once pure romantic situation begins to move in a complicated direction all at once.

The woman who projects an intense presence in “Kanojo no Tomodachi” is Yoshioka Tomoko. She is the owner of quite bold values, feeling unsatisfied with general romance. What is more, to Takeru, who is her friend's lover, she goes so far as to suggest an affair. It is a development that makes you want to interject, “No way, would you say such a thing to your friend's boyfriend?”, but these actions unconstrained by common sense are precisely the point making the story interesting. Tomoko's charm is not merely that she is a proactive woman. Her speech and actions that shake the other person's heart, and a dangerous uncertainty of not knowing what she will pull off next, stimulate the reader's curiosity. Every time she appears, one becomes curious about what kind of reaction Takeru will show. She is a character who creates such unique tension.

Dismissing this work as merely a stimulating romantic manga might be a bit of a waste. What should be noted is the difficult position Takeru is placed in. For him, Kaori is the first girlfriend he finally got. Of course, she is an existence he wants to cherish, but Tomoko aggressively approaches him there. Sincere feelings toward his girlfriend and the temptation suddenly directed at him. The confusion born between them gives human depth to the story. If I were Takeru, how would I respond? Reading while imagining such a thing seems like another meaning will become visible even in casual exchanges between characters. Not only the joy of falling in love with someone, but being able to enjoy even the hesitation and conflict accompanying romance is likely the highlight unique to this work.

What is interesting in this story is the relationship between the three: Takeru, Kaori, and Tomoko. While Kaori and Tomoko are friends, Tomoko takes action that could shake that friendship. Takeru on the other hand is also placed in a complex situation where precisely because she is his girlfriend's friend, he cannot easily keep his distance. A casual word from someone might change the relationship. Such instability serves as the driving force to read through the story. The more people expected a gentle youth love story, the more surprised they might be by this unexpectedness. What is trust in romance, and is a swaying heart the same as betrayal? Behind the stimulating premise, themes that make you unexpectedly ponder are also hidden.

“Kanojo no Tomodachi” is a manga work by Jyura whose serialization began on Kodansha's “YanManga Web” from May 6, 2021. Furthermore, a TV anime adaptation was also announced, and expectations swell regarding how the unique romantic patterns depicted in the manga will be expressed in video. What is particularly intriguing is likely the point of how Tomoko's bold speech and actions, as well as Takeru's delicate psychological movements, will be portrayed. It is a work to which not only people who like romance manga, but also people who want to enjoy unpredictable human relationships and psychological bargaining, should pay attention. The happiness of first love, and the dangerous invitation entering into it. “Kanojo no Tomodachi”, where two opposing elements intersect. Will Takeru indeed be able to protect his relationship with his precious girlfriend? It is an unmissable romantic story that makes you want to confirm the answer.