Manga Monday: I’m Looking for Serious Love!

Author/Artist: Shoko Rakuta
Publisher: LOVExLOVE
Released: February 15, 2022
Received: NetGalley
Warnings: Sexual assault, drugging

I’ve been in the mood to try more manga in the new year, and naturally, I want to read a little bit of everything. The ultimate goal is to add to my list of favorite series that I’ll continue to follow. However, I’m Looking for Serious Love! will not be making that list.

Kyouhei lived his whole life in the country while dreaming of the day he could move to the city. Now that day has come, and he’s feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. His new neighbor, Takara, isn’t helping things.

You see, Kyouhei can’t help but feel confused by Takara. One moment he’s friendly; the next, he’s insulting. But Kyouhei is trying not to judge everyone in this city based on one person’s behavior.

I think this might be the first time I’ve rated a manga one star. It is undoubtedly the first one-star read of the year, which is a bit disappointing. To be clear, I feel I have a good reason for not enjoying I’m Looking for Serious Love!

That reason is consent: there’s none of it in I’m Looking for Serious Love! Kyouhei is put into uncomfortable situations in multiple instances – situations he didn’t consent to be in. This includes a scene where he was drugged and then sexually assaulted. The book ‘addresses’ this issue by having Kyouhei think that a favor has been done to him. It’s all profoundly concerning and not at all a healthy thing to portray.

This manga is deeply unsettling even beyond the unhealthy relationship between Kyouhei and Takara. I would not recommend I’m Looking for Serious Love! to anyone, especially not anyone who would become upset at these subjects.

Thanks to LOVExLOVE and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.