Sometimes you never know who you’re going to wake up next to.
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Koppori Nama Beer
What They Say:
A mistake…or perhaps not!?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Originally serialized in Comi X-Eros from the #84 installment, Touno-san is a twenty-page story from creator Koppori Nama Beer, who has about sixteen other works on the service. From what I can tell, it’s been a while since this creator has produced anything and it’s their debut in this magazine and what a way to debut. I’m a sucker for good vanilla stories that show some sense of real feelings about the characters and that they care about each other because the hardcore material is a dime a dozen and easy to find. Something that clicks emotionally while looking as strong as it does here with the designs, expressions, and use of the location to enhance the encounter? Even better. Plus, at twenty pages, it spends its time focusing on the setup to good effect as well.
The story introduces us to Uguhara as he wakes up after a night of hanging out with friends in his rather simple place where a lot of drinking went on. He realizes things got out of hand when he sees Touno asleep next to him, half-dressed as her top is off. He can’t believe that he did anything with her and a brief trip to the bathroom makes it appear that someone threw up on both of them as both of their clothes are in the sink there. When she wakes up she’s got a bit of fear about having crossed a line with him as well, though the way both of them play it out from there goes with the dance in that if they had, they would have remembered because the unspoken word is that they really like each other. And for Touno, well, apparently it would be her first time because she was initially upset at the thought of not remembering such an important event in her life.
That tentativeness has them getting closer together and realizing that they’ve basically confessed to each other in the same kind of awkward way. And it’s freakin’ adorable, particularly thanks to the character designs. That has them moving forward, which is essentially the back half of installment, allow for ten pages of pretty tender and exploratory material as they engage with each other. It’s measured and calm, it has a good sense of anticipation and worry, and a moment where you see Touno admit out loud that it is exactly what she thought it would be like – though Uguhara doesn’t understand what she means. A quiet crush has become real, a dream fulfilled and it’s every bit as good as she thought if not more so. Koppori Nama Beer’s artwork is just fantastic throughout this as it brings in elements from the room as needed at times but knows when to keep the focus on the curves, the expressions, and that singular moment for Touno that takes her – and Uguhara – to a whole other level of existence.
In Summary
Sometimes that random chance-taking moment pays off. I was looking for one more review to sneak in for the day and grabbed this one from the list as it was listed as new, and I like some fresh hentai. Koppori Nama Beer really surprised me with this considering how it could have gone but it completely brought a smile to my face and in its own weird way reaffirmed my belief in true love and finding the right person out there. With beautiful artwork, a smooth story that slides us into the mood with ease after some initial tension, Touno-san ends well enough but leaves you really wanting to see more even if there’s a twist in the works. After being away for so long this is a great way to return and it looks like the longtime fans are definitely and rightly excited for it.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 18+
Released By: FAKKU
Release Date: June 2020
MSRP: FAKKU Subscription