In 2020, the world stood still as the COVID-19 epidemic spread everywhere. Kintetsu Yamada, known for the popular romance manga Sweat and Soap, was inspired by the work-from-home culture fostered during the pandemic. Originally planned as a one-volume story, Home Office Romance became a one-volume manga about two neighbors who work from home and explore romance during unprecedented times.
Slated for release in English on November 12, Home Office Romance offers a realistic and relatable look at the lives of its adult characters and their romantic endeavors. As a huge fan of Yamada's previous work, Sweat and Soap, I was very excited to check out this new manga.
A tale of home office romance
Nokoru spends most of his time working in a company. sweatshop but suddenly had to work from home due to the pandemic—along with millions of other Japanese office workers in their own homes. Nokoru was shocked at how much time she saved working from home while spending time on hobbies like gardening, reading manga, and playing games. He even rediscovered the feeling of getting a good night's sleep for the first time in months. I think all adults working during the COVID-19 pandemic can immediately relate to the main character of this story, which easily captivated me after just a few pages.
While in the backyard tending to her garden, Nokoru gets acquainted with his next-door neighbor, Naruto, who is also hunkered down at home as much as an archeology graduate student can be. The two started talking to each other while on their respective balconies and sparks started flying from there. However, exploring the romance at home becomes challenging and sometimes confusing for these two neighbors.
Volume cover
A perfect love story that left me craving for more
Home office romance is short and sweet. The gentle artwork, easy-to-follow panels, and romantic tension kept me turning the pages late at night. The characters go through the same situations that I and the rest of the world go through, making them easy to understand and empathize with. The story isn't particularly deep or thought-provoking, but I don't need or want that in every character drama or romance I read.
Home Office Romance is a story from the heart of Kintetsu Yamada, and the manga author writes the characters' thoughts so candidly that it makes you feel involved. Nokoru, with a blank and tired expression, doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve. But his thoughts were fun to read, and I caught myself thinking similar things during the pandemic as well as while exploring romantic feelings.
This manga only has one volume which is what I regret the most. Yamada ends every chapter of Home Office Romance and their previous works, with one after another, always leaving me wanting more. Sweat and Soap is 11 proper episodes. I enjoyed every chapter in it and was grateful that it was neither too long nor too short. Home Office Romance is a one-off episode that makes me sad that there aren't more episodes, but since the work ended so perfectly, being a standalone doesn't make it any worse. Home Office Romance absolutely deserves a little space on your shelf if you're an avid collector of romance comics, and especially if you like stories with adult characters.
Home Office Romance is published by Kodansha and will be released in English via physical and e-book versions on November 12. You will be able to read the digital version on Kodansha's website.
Check out my other manga reviews, such as Unico: Awakening.
© 2023 Kintetsu Yamada, Kodansha
