It’s been a while since I found a josei romance as refreshing as this one! From the topics that it touches, to the unique art style, it left a big imprint on me.
To get to the point..:
Do I recommend this manga? Yes!
Who do I recommend this manga to? Fans of romance manga who are looking for a little more substance.
Who do I not recommend this manga to? People who don’t enjoy romance, people looking for a fluffy romance.
Trigger warnings? Family drama
Information About the Manga
Who wrote Takahashi From the Bike Shop?
This manga was written by Masamitsu Nigatsu. You can check out their X here.
How many volumes are out?
In Japanese, there are 8 volumes published.
In English, there are 2 volumes published so far. Volume 3 will be released October 28th!
Extra info
This manga also has a drama! You can learn more about it here (English link).
First Impressions and thoughts
I will be honest, when I was first shown this manga on twitter, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I didn’t love the art style, and I wasn’t all that interested in looking more into it at the time.
When I saw it at the library I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad that I did! This is such a sweet story, and the art is perfect for the story. I really don’t know what I was thinking.
While it may seem like a simple story at first, it has the overall tone of the importance of accepting yourself, and surrounding yourself with people that deserve you.
It doesn’t waste any time on the drama that can often be found in shoujo romance manga, instead replacing it for more subtle pieces of drama more commonly found in adulthood.
What’s it about? – I borrowed a description from Amazon
From unwanted advances from her boss and work dumped onto her by coworkers, thirty-year-old Tomoko Hanno, or Panko for short, struggles to stand up for herself. But when her rusty bike breaks down, she meets Ryohei Takahashi from the neighborhood bike repair shop. Although he can be a bit overbearing, Panko finds herself relying on his considerate nature and her world begins to shift…
My Favourites
- How real all of the characters felt – Tomoko and Ryohei’s first date felt so incredibly real to me – to the point that i’m sure i’ve been on that exact date.
- The realistic problems the characters face – absolutely none of the problems that the characters face in this manga feel needless. They are all realistic, and I can understand why they happen. Nothing feels out of place.
- Ryohei respecting Tomoko’s boundaries – When she says she’s not sure if she’s ready, he stops right away!
My Least-Favourites
- Nothing!
The main characters
Tomoko Hanno
- 30 years old
- Office worker, unhappy with her job
- Finds it difficult to say no to people
Ryohei Takahashi
- In his late 20’s
- Works at a bicycle repair shop
- Speaks in a very rough manner
- Finds it difficult to say things he doesn’t really feel
Maddies Manga 
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