This manga's title, Nisekoi, means "False Love". However, it should also have a second meaning: "False Genre".

Naoshi Komi's Nisekoi is deceiving. At first, it starts off with a genuine low-drama love triangle, in which the story is based around solving the mystery behind Raku Ichijou's childhood lover. It is never doubted for any moment that comedy is the main focus of this manga; however, it also has a great amount of romance. As the plot thickens and the story progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for the reader to predict which girl the male protagonist will end up with. (And that's what all romance manga should strive for: unpredictability). Unfortunately, Nisekoi could not take the momentum of its great start and carry it throughout its entirety.

After the end of the anime adaptation, I (along with MANY others) went to the manga seeking a continuation of this enticing love story. I wanted to find out more about Raku Ichijou's past. I wanted to know how his relationships with the various girls would be resolved. Did I get what I was looking for? Not quite. What I did get, however, was a continually-growing harem that seemed to solidify the fate of Nisekoi, which is that Raku Ichijou will never choose a lover. As the chapters progress, the main premise of Nisekoi becomes increasingly muddied, to the point where you forget that it even had a plot. It simply becomes a never-ending slice-of-life manga with dashes of romance here and there. Nothing too major though, as its premise has changed to pleasing the male demographic with more and more beautiful girls instead of providing a solid romance story.

Nisekoi is listed as belonging to "Romance, Comedy, and Shounen" genres. While that is absolutely appropriate for its beginning, it does not stay that way; it can only be seen as a harem manga as it progresses. Every single girl that is introduced in the manga eventually falls in love with the main protagonist, Raku Ichijou, who is even initially "bland" and "unappealing" in the eyes of said girls. Clearly, this is not an element of the standard romance manga.

Perhaps Nisekoi's one claim to fame would be its characters. Their extremely appealing personalities and mannerisms are clearly reflected in the occasional character popularity poll. Just the fact that so many people are willing to express their support of their favorite character shows how likable each and every one of them are. All of the girls act cutely and are lovable. Any one of them have the potential to become one of the reader's favorite characters; that's how appealing they are. The same can be said even about the side characters, like Kosaki Onodera's mother or the various members of Raku Ichijou's gang. No character ever comes off as being bland (which is ironic, because the "bland character" Ruri Miyamoto actually serves to provide some of the funniest punchlines).

Overall, Nisekoi will appeal to readers who enjoy watching characters interact with each other in a slice-of-life fashion (with hints of romance) and those who do not mind a stagnant plot. However, if you are one who absolutely despises a genuine romance manga being ruined by the addition of a harem element, steer clear of Nisekoi. You know best what type of reader you are.