Gozen 3-ji no Muhouchitai

It's a lovely story about a women that is freshly out of university. The story is fast passed and there are almost no fillers. I found it difficult to stop reading many times. The main character is very well constructed and it's easy to identify with her. If you are in your twenties I can say you will definetly see yourself in some of the scenes. There are some classic characters, but they aren't annoying. I found the last chapters to be a little bit less interesting.

The art is very modern. Nothing to complain here.

Overall, I can recomend this manga to everyone that is looking for a good romance!

"I got the job, Mano-san is quitting, and a new person will take her place. The office is like a creature whose cells continually regenerate."

I read this bittersweet manga at precisely the right time, as like the protagonist, I have just begun my first post-university job and the quest of finding value and meaning in an office workplace. What this manga really nails is the feeling of a 'nice' workplace - Occasional interesting tasks and friendly coworkers making up for a lack of personal investment, as well as the feeling of an entire support system emerging from where you're bound to spend most of your week. Early on, the protagonist is berated by one of her older coworkers, who tells her :"don't look down on your work!" (if only out of respect for her other coworkers!). I think this is a message that I will take away from this manga and carry with me for a while.

Otherwise, the tone and plot are funny, sweet, charming. I don't read much josei but this series has convinced me to branch out.

Overall grade: 7.5

Honestly, I loved this manga from start-to-finish. There isn't one thing I didn't like about it.

Story:

This was a simple story about the things that aren't so simple - your first job out of school, your dreams and expectations, and yes, even love.

It would be unfair to just consider it a love story, though, for that's only one piece of the puzzle. There is a realism to this story that is a comfort for those who can relate to it, and I am sure that many could.

This also is a short story about a woman. That may mean nothing to some, but as a woman saying this to the intended audience (women), this means a lot. We know how complex and complicated the lives of women can be and how often this is completely ignored even in the best of series. Despite the shortness of the series, the main character develops quite a bit and naturally. The support characters do not at all, but this story really isn't about them, so it doesn't matter. They aren't in the same stage of life as the main character is.

That there didn't need to be a twist and there aren't any (unnecessary and out-of-place) zany antics to ramp up interest in the plot means that the writer was really coming from a place she understood personally (she even says so) and her talent for storytelling shows in just how clearly and skillfully she communicates the subtleties of the characters thoughts and feelings as they live through the day-to-day.

The pacing was spot on throughout the series.

Art: Beautiful. Really. Contemporary, but there really is a unique style here. I haven't seen anything like it yet. Added bonus is that I only found 2 panels where there was a weird, mal-proportioned face (it's usually more).

10/10

I started reading Gozen 3-ji no Muhouchitai with an open mind, merely because I haven´t had many good experiences with Josei mangas, but it surprised me. I found myself enjoying every chapter, and although it does kind of drop the level at the end, it is quite enjoyable and I recommend it.

You may feel a lot of times that you have been through the kind of situations that develop, and this is a good thing, since it tells just how much reality is included in this manga. Everything is real and has coherent results, and that is what makes this such a breeze to read and enjoy.

The art is good, simple enough to look cute and make you laugh from time to time. It does have a modern feel which is much appreciated.

All in all, I gave this manga an 8 in score. It is good for its length, enjoyable, real and cute :)