On the surface, the Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga may be another manga about a mangaka.

Well, it’s not that hard to tell, with Nozaki holding a pen that you only use when you draw manga, a manuscript in his other hand, and rulers in his back.

But here’s the thing about the manga in general – it’s not something you would expect if you’re familiar with a manga like Bakuman.

Or you can say Monochrome Days if you want something more recent.

What makes it different, you ask?

Well, I’ll give you the deets in a moment.

But suffice it for me to say you will find this manga just as entertaining, despite the manga having a different vibe.

If you’re looking for something similar to Bakuman, this manga can be the latest addition to your reading list.

What the Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga is all about

Here’s the book description that I got from Bookwalker.

The boy of her dreams…is a girl’s manga artist?!To the eyes of high school student Chiyo Sakura, classmate Umetarou Nozaki–brawny of build and brusque of tongue–is a dreamboat! When Chiyo finally works up the courage to tell Nozaki how she feels about him, she knows rejection is on the table…but getting recruited as a manga-ka’s assistant?! Never in a million years! But for someone who makes a living drawing sweet girly romances, Nozaki-kun is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to matters of the heart in reality. And so Chiyo’s daily life of manga making and heartache begins!

What got me to read the manga

Well, I already watched the Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun anime a long time ago.

So, I kind of knew what to expect when I picked up the manga.

Will I consider giving this manga a try if I’ve never watched the anime before?

You bet I will, since I do find the premise interesting and I have fun reading them.

Heck, I even thought about getting the manga in print because of how much I enjoy reading the manga.

What makes the Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga worth reading

When you think of a manga like this, you probably think this manga has a serious vibe similar to Bakuman and Monochrome Days.

Well, you’re not wrong about that since the selling point of this sort of manga is all about the closer depiction of what being a mangaka looks like.

But this manga, on one hand, is nothing like Bakuman and Monochrome Days at all.

If anything, it feels like how the characters in Bakuman and Monochrome Days are goofing around as they try to find inspiration for their manga while trying to meet the deadline.

Sure, you’ll learn a thing or two about what it takes to work on a serialized manga.

But for the most part, you’ll see Nozaki trying to observe as much as he can and conduct experiments if he must in the name of finding inspiration for his manga.

That sums up what Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun is, but with a unique twist.

What’s the unique twist, you ask?

Instead of the usual long chapters like the ones in Witch Watch, we have 4-panel comedy manga.

While it can feel like the story flow is somewhat truncated because of the 4-panel manga structure, it’s actually effective in delivering the punch line.

Rather than waiting for the elaborate scene to deliver the punch line, you can get to the punch line quicker within the second or the third panel instead.

The good thing about the manga is that it doesn’t have exaggerated jokes to the point where it feels like a turn-off.

If you’ve been staying away from the comedy manga for this reason, you can rest assured that the jokes are similar to what you get in Witch Watch, but minus the pop culture references.

What I didn’t expect when I read the manga

Okay, I admit I’m not someone who is easy to burst into laughter.

But for some reason, this manga never fails to make me laugh in every single chapter.

And it’s not the kind of laughter that gives me a chuckle here and there either.

We’re talking about the kind where I’ll be laughing out loud.

Yes, the anime was funny, and I had a fun time watching it.

But I don’t remember I laughed this much when I watched the anime, though.

While I did say that Witch Watch is funnier when it becomes anime, I find that the Nozaki-kun manga is way funnier than the anime.

I guess we have the 4-panel manga structure to thank.

Depending on how quickly your funny bone is tickling, I don’t recommend that you read this manga in public.

There’s a big chance you can’t control yourself from laughing out way too loud.

So, don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

Who should read the manga?

If you’re into reading comedy manga such as Witch Watch, then there’s no doubt you will enjoy reading Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun as well.

Okay, I admit some parts of the story don’t seem to flow well because of its 4-panel manga structure.

But it no longer feels like that once you get the hang of it.

Well, at least for me.

The only reason for you to avoid reading the manga at all costs is that you’re not into reading comedy manga.

If you want something more on a serious note with a closer look at the manga’s behind-the-scenes, then a manga like Bakuman and Monochrome Days is your best bet.

Where to buy Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga

The good news is you can read the manga for free on the Manga UP! website and app.

While you can read the manga for free with the UP coins, you will need the XP coins if you want to read the latest chapter, though.

You can get started with reading the manga right here if you’d like:

Read Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga on Manga UP!

Enjoy the manga, and would you like to get your hands on it in digital or print form?

Well, you’re in luck since you can get the manga in whichever format you prefer on Amazon:

Buy Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga on Amazon

Alternatively, you can get the manga on Bookwalker as well if you prefer not to buy the manga on Amazon for whatever reason:

Buy Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun on Bookwalker

Prefer to read the manga in Japanese? You can get the print version of the manga in a set right here at CDJapan:

Buy Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun manga in Japanese on CDJapan

Over to you

What do you think about Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun? Are you interested in reading the manga after reading about it on my blog?

Let me know in the comments.

P.S. I admit that none of the books I write are comedies. But if you’re fine with reading a serious light novel in the thriller and suspense genre, then you may want to have a look at my books.

You can get any of the digital versions of my books on my Payhip store. Use the coupon code SEKINAMAYUBLOG to get 25% off on your purchase.

Books by Sekina Mayu