“Manga editor Asako Suga decides moving into a new home is just the thing she needs to get over a painful breakup with her toxic ex-girlfriend. She finds the perfect place for rent—affordable, spacious, lovely garden included—but there's one catch. The house comes with a live-in landlord! It's disappointing enough that Asako can't have the single life she hoped for, but her cute landlord also seems to be hiding a big secret…Will living together bring them closer, or turn out to be more trouble than it's worth?” (Yen Press)
In a genre often full of teenage romances, with youth experiencing their first flings in highly emotional situations, mature stories with more complex characters are always welcome. This is made all the more rewarding when a title like Yodokawa's “Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord” does an exemplary job of exploring the nuances in these relationships, separating it from the often overdone coming-of-age tropes in the category.
This is predominantly true of protagonist Asako, who knows her hang-ups and how her insecurities and desires can lead to turbulent relationships. Observing her navigating her newfound attraction to her new landlord Kitano, while showing the restraint that comes with age and experience, makes for a relatable read for anyone past the age where falling in and out of relationships is a carefree endeavor. At the same time, Asako is dedicated to her work and strong-willed, showing she is aware of her shortcomings but in no way ruled by them. She is an admirable protagonist that many will be able to see themselves in, regardless of falling under the banner of yuri.
Adversely, the ex-idol turned landlord Kitano is a bit more aloof and radiates a childlike innocence, a frequent archetype in the romance genre. However, Kitano faces unique struggles in leaving the limelight of stardom, and the character has a lot of depth beneath the bubbly exterior. Combine this with sincerity and kindness that radiates warmth towards everyone, and Kitano makes the perfect counterpart for the more reserved and introspective Asako.
The two personalities and how they timidly approach each other give the book a relaxed pace. Consequently, there is room for exploring different elements of human interactions, with simple actions like buying a couch together, making meals, and tending to the titular garden, giving the book a welcome wholesomeness.
Visually, “Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord” is wonderfully expressive in capturing the characters' emotions, great at interjecting subtle humor, and captures the comforts of home with detailed backgrounds. The potential downside for some will come via a lack of swoon-worthy panels between the two characters, yet this is a necessary tradeoff for the more realistic portrayal of falling in love after experiencing past heartbreak. Regardless, the larger print size from Yen Press is a welcome choice for such a warm, charming title.
Mangaka Yodokawa has crafted quite a wholesome and welcoming story in “Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord.” Those who enjoy slower-paced and more realistic portrayals of romance with an older protagonist will appreciate the book's thoughtful approach and warm visual style and tone.
