【Aspiring Manga Artist × Romantic Comedy】 A Limited-Time Romance Experience to Pursue Realism!? Combining Manga Creation with Romantic Comedy!

“Kakunaru Ue wa” is a coming-of-age romantic comedy featuring Uehara-kun, who is deeply in love with 2D worlds. Uehara-kun dreams of becoming a manga artist, but his romantic comedy manga is dismissed as “lacking realism,” and he's about to give up on his dream. The story begins when Miyamoto-san, a gyaru in his class, sees his manuscript. They start a pretend romance for the sake of the manga, and the distance between the two, who were never supposed to cross paths, gradually decreases.

First, the charm of this work lies in the heroine, the gyaru Nina. The character and artwork are extremely cute, and the contrast between her and Uehara-kun is striking. The story portrays their daily efforts as they aim to become manga artists together, starting a pretend romance to supplement their lack of romantic experience. The process of this pretend romance gradually turning into real feelings is refreshing while adhering to the classic elements of romantic comedy.

Reading “Kakunaru Ue wa,” you can tell it was created by someone who truly loves manga. The high resolution of the characters and the heartfelt passion are palpable, bringing tears to your eyes. The emotions of having a favorite manga dismissed and the joy of meeting someone who loves the same work evoke strong empathy. The depiction of the two striving to achieve their dreams makes you want to cheer them on.

However, some believe Uehara-kun, the protagonist, could use a bit more charm. In this type of romantic comedy, the portrayal of the protagonist is more important than the heroine's cuteness. If Uehara-kun, who is an introvert, were depicted with more inner beauty, awkward kindness, struggles, and efforts, the story would gain more depth.

On the other hand, Miyamoto-san's style is great, making it visually enjoyable. Elements like her long, slender legs and firm buttocks appeal to certain fetishes. These visual attractions are also a major charm of “Kakunaru Ue wa.”

This work starts with the template of an otaku, introverted protagonist, and an outgoing gyaru, but it beautifully combines the passion for becoming a manga artist with romantic comedy elements. It's exciting to see how the two will navigate their paths in romance and manga artistry in future developments.

The story follows two characters with no romantic experience growing as a pretend couple. Uehara-kun's development and Nina-chan's adorable attempts to actively propose ideas to enhance their couple dynamic, only to get embarrassed each time, are incredibly charming. The scene where she calls his name at the pool is particularly moving. We hope they continue to overcome obstacles together and create their best manga.

“Kakunaru Ue wa” is a coming-of-age romantic comedy filled with a love for manga, featuring the characters' growth and their efforts toward their dreams, which is moving. It's a book with future developments to look forward to.