Creative Staff
Story/Art: Yonezou Nekota
Translation/Adaptation: Adrienne Beck
What They Say
Playboy Maya catches studious Nemugasa cheating on a test and, to ensure his silence, blackmails him into doing whatever Maya wants. Twice a week, Nemugasa must go to Maya’s room for some steamy action, but as dense and oblivious as Nemugasa is, he fails to notice Maya’s true feelings for him. With college entrance exams around the corner, Nemugasa must focus on his studies, but Maya won’t stop distracting him, causing him to finally snap! Can a relationship built on blackmail ever become something more?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
In this omnibus, a lot of ground is covered. Immediately, main characters Maya and Nemugasa are introduced with Nemugasa’s pants down around his ankles. Maya amuses himself with bullying Nemugasa after he catches Nemugasa cheating on a test. The bullying goes right past teasing to ultimate humiliation.
Nemugasa tolerates their sexual relationship only because of Maya’s silence and the opportunity to study with Maya’s tutor and relative. While Nemugasa is enduring the situation, Maya’s amusement with Nemugasa turns into attraction. Maya realizes his feelings, but it’s completely one side, because Nemugasa only has one thing on his mind. Studying.
The two of them stumble to figure out if their relationship has truly evolved or not. The only way for them to move forward is to admit what’s in their heart and let the past go.
In Summary
This series and related spin offs have been tantalizing fujoshis and fudanshis since 2007, so it was pure joy when SuBLime revealed this license acquisition. As usual, SuBLime does an amazing job of bringing quality and highly sought after manga to English audiences. Don’t Be Cruel is no exception. From the cover to cover, the manga is done exceptionally well, and even better in its omnibus format.
Beyond praising the publisher, the creator Yonezou Nekota is a brilliant storyteller. She draws readers in from page one and leaves them wanting more. She blends her unique style of sexy scenes and emotional ups and downs in a very traditional slice of life story. It’s very easy to forget all the usual tropes as you are drawn into the intense relationship of Maya and Nemu.
There is simply not enough of this manga, and thankfully Yonezou Nekota continues to work on it at the present. I look forward to reading more and highly suggest this romantic, funny and sexy manga.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: 18+
Released By: SuBLime Manga
Release Date: June 14, 2016
MSRP: $16.99
