“Shintaro Tokumitsu is a high schooler living all alone, but things take an unexpected turn when a girl named Towa shows up on his balcony! Not only is she incredibly pure and sweet, but there's something different about her—something…divine. Just who is Shintaro's new roommate, and what adorable high jinks lie in store?!” (Yen Press)
Matoba's “Studio Apartment…” will feel familiar to fans of light-comedic romance titles, with a young man placed into a precarious situation through a mysterious visitor, in this case, an angel who lacks basic social skills but is keen to please. As such, there is a familiar comfort in the predictability of a title of this ilk, one in which the foundation is laid out and the humor comes naturally. To some, admittedly, this may be a reason to avoid the book, but if you are looking for a relaxing read that will lighten your mood “Studio Apartment…” is an ideal evening deviation.
For those looking to dig a bit deeper into the plot of the book, there is a certain degree of fan-service to be found here but it is not the focus or so lascivious that it will deter those looking for a more quaint romantic title. Additionally, the humor (thus far) is relatively harmless with a majority of the punchlines resting on the naivety or the cuteness of the angel. Essentially, the book embraces cute and wholesome in equal measure to make for a joyful light tone that dominates the first book.
One of the most welcomed surprises, however, is the tease of a larger world that extends past angels into elements of Japanese folklore. What the series does with this addition remains uncertain, but the light playful tone in volume one proves promising in ‘matoba' being able to add more characters with the same adorable charm that dominates volume 1. Alternatively, the series could deviate into ‘harem' silliness, so those who don't enjoy that particular genre may want to wait for a few volumes before deciding if it is worth their while.
Visually, the manga struggles slightly to produce a strong visual style, instead leaning into a kawaii aesthetic that focuses on fashion and large expressive eyes. This is certainly serviceable for a book that defines itself on light comedic touches to really push the story, but it is still somewhat underwhelming as far as overall appeal goes. The character design, down to their fashion and mannerisms, is endearingly adorable, an aspect that is, arguably, the most important aspect of art for any given rom-com.
“Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included” is an adorable rom-com and a relaxing piece of escapism. It may be rather predictable and slightly generic, but not all romance manga needs to redefine or push the genre in intriguing ways–sometimes it just needs to hit the right notes and keep the readers engaged. The only reason for fans to avoid this type of release lies in the title's ambiguity about how the plot will develop and whether it will have the same cutesy light tone or deviate into the more niche genre of ‘harem'.
