An office lady by day and a webcam freak by night, what can go wrong?
About On-the-Job Training
On-the-Job Training is a manga series by Isako and it is published in English by TOKYOPOP. In it, Rin Narumi is your average 30-year-old. She works in accounting, is good at her job, and really doesn’t stand out. Once she’s off the clock, it’s a different story. Narumi is running an adult live streaming account under a persona named “Minarin.” Narumi has had a pretty bad dating past, unfortunately including abuse. Because of this, she develops an aversion to sex and feels pretty down on herself. With her alter ego Minarin, she feels as if she’s in control and is receiving the love and respect she deserves.
All is well with Narumi and her double life until one day after a work party her cute junior, Shinonome, ends up at her place and discovers her secret. But to Narumi’s surprise he’s also a viewer and a big Minarin fan. Shinonome admits to Narumi he also has some issues involving sex leading him to pass out. When Narumi and Shinonome end up in a compromising position, Narumi discovers Shinonome’s touch actually turns her on. The two end up deciding to work together to help overcome their sexual issues.
My Thoughts
I can’t tell you what I thought On-the-Job Training would be about because I was half through the story before I realized I did not read the synopsis. Narumi and Shinonome look so good on the cover, I had to jump right in to this story. Needless to say, I was instantly invested. I love the concept of someone taking agency over their life and doing the thing they need to in order to process or move forward from something. Is Narumi’s webcam persona a bandage over her sexual issues? Perhaps. But I think her taking the initiative to do something to process her trauma is commendable. Maybe it’s not the “right” thing to do conventionally, but it works for her and it is a step forward.
As a result of Narumi taking this step in gaining agency over her life, she doesn’t immediately recognized how touch starved she is. When Shinonome accidentally grabs her boob, Narumi is instantly turned on and remembers how good sexual pleasure feels. This gives her hope she can be “healed” and get back into the dating pool. Although the details of Narumi’s past aren’t given in depth, we can see how much it weighs on her. I appreciate the depiction of someone who has been harmed in the past still wanting to seek pleasure and not wanting to write off sex and romance completely. Because the reality is, we are sexual beings and to many of us, it is an important part of our lives.
I also love how On-the-Job Training subverts expectations. If you think these two are going to get into it right away, think again. Given Narumi and Shinonome’s backgrounds, it makes sense why they will be moving slowly when it comes to sex. Instead what we get are two people with complicated sexual histories working together to overcome them and move forward. This isn’t always something we see, especially with a man also having a complicated relationship with intimacy. I’m excited to see these two deepen their bond and how they end up together (hopefully) as the story continues.
Where to Buy On-the-Job Training, Vol 1
On-the-Job Training, Volume 1
Author & Illustrator: Isako
Translator: Carissa Tenorio
Editor: Katie Van Amburg
Copy Editor: Hayame Kawachi
Retouching and Lettering: Vibrant Publishing Studio
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
On-the-Job Training, Volume 1 is available for pre-order and will be released on March 10, 2026.
Thanks TOKYOPOP for the ARC!
