For a first serialization, this is impressive. I first read this a couple of years back, when the complete scanlation was not yet available. I enjoyed it, and when everything was translated read the rest feeling left satisfied. Charming Junkie is a shoujo manga first and foremost, and happens to be one with many shoujo tropes. That being said, the story handles them well, and the cliches are minimal. The story is basically Naka and Umi's journey and growth as models and eventual romance, with many more characters to help or harm them along the way. It's slightly like a coming of age manga in a sense.

It's simple yet effective, especially when you see how much the art improved over serialization. The art wasn't so bad in the beginning, aside from a few oddly drawn panels and proportions. One thing this mangaka does best is her reaction shots, which are hilarious. During the big reveal moments of Umi and Naka modelling, I was treated to truly lovely illustrations that really grasped how far the two had gone.

Naturally, this manga is not for everyone. Some people may be offput by how Naka and Umi's feelings develop for each other. At first, their relationship is one full of bickering and teasing, and its a wonder that the two even ended up together in the first place. The whole thing reads as a romcom in a way. However, I enjoyed their relationship so much because despite it's foundation, it grew into so much more. The way the two supported and encouraged each other, starting as the most unlikely of friends into something more, was great.

Currently re-reading this, and it's a series that I feel like is great to read once and then revisit in the future because of how enjoyable it is. Cliches it may have, but the way they're dealt with, and the many characters in the plot are ones that I feel like any fan of shoujo can grow to love. I don't mention the other characters so much, but they are also very notable for why thy contribute to the plot in their own right.

9/10 for me overall. Old but gold read. Check it out!