An otaku on an anime pilgrimage to Japan meets a boy who will change his entire life. Years later, the otaku returns to Japan on a mission to reunite with his first love.
About Far From Romance
Far From Romance is a boy’s love manga by Amamiya, published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. It takes place in a small port town that’s well known due to an anime series being set there. In this town lives Tono Arata, a manager at a small IT firm. One day, a British man named Lewis starts working at the firm, throwing Arata’s life into disarray.
Lewis reminds Arata of his first love, a foreign girl he met when he was in college and spent a day with. Lewis throws Arata off because he is so different. He doesn’t understand Japanese working norms, leaves early to watch anime, and he’s extremely direct. Lewis is also bold and makes it clear he’s trying to pursue Arata romantically. One day, he confesses to Arata that he’s the “girl” from his past. What is Arata to do now?
My Thoughts
What is not to love about Far From Romance? Amamiya’s art style is so beautiful and unique. The characters are drawn so lightly they feel airy, and it’s so easy to read their every emotion. The story behind Lewis and Arata’s meeting and reunion is so romcom-coded and makes for an exciting read. Lewis is the ultimate yearner, and I love how he stops at nothing, even moving to a foreign country and learning the language, to be reunited with his first love.
Aside from the cuteness between Arata and Lewis, I loved the side characters in this story. There is a coworker who is an otaku cosplayer, and she is secretly shipping Arata and Lewis. She’s me, and I am her. As an anime fan, I also appreciated the anime pilgrimage aspect of the plot, as I want to visit Japan and explore all the places featured in my favorite anime.
I love Amamiya’s work, and I have all my fingers crossed that we get more of it licensed in English soon!
Where to Buy Far From Romance
Far From Romance
Story and Art: Amamiya
Translation: Kat Skarbinec
Lettering: Karis Page
Editor: McKenzie Carnahan
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Far From Romance is available for preorder now and will be released on December 2.
Thank you, Seven Seas Entertainment, for the ARC.
