I’m really glad I gave this a shot because it’s a great start to a romance series and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. Takahashi from the Bike Shop focuses on the relationship between Tomoko Hanno and Ryouhei Takahashi. Tomoko works at a stressful job and has trouble saying no to anyone. She starts to get to know Ryouhei, whom she thinks is a complete delinquent at first due to his dyed hair and general demeanor, after he helps her fix her bike. However, he’s actually a caring and kind person, just someone who has a scary face and a blunt personality. He works at a bike shop by her work and as they run into each other more and more, their relationship deepens and Tomoko starts trying to speak her mind more and to get more involved in the life around her.
This is a josei book, so it’s aimed at more mature women than shoujo is. I think that the additional emotional depth and real life struggles that the genre allows for make this particular series really shine. The depiction of the various stressors at work and what Tomoko has to navigate make this very relatable, as well as her desire to not rock the boat ending up with her doing things she doesn’t actually want to do as a consequence. The scene where she ends up going to see a movie she doesn’t like with a man she doesn’t like either, in contrast with Ryouhei’s unfettered enjoyment and determination to do what he wants, is a nice contrast. However, the book also acknowledges that this strength of his is a weakness as well, and that complexity is what I liked so much about it. I also appreciated the more complex storylines around Tomoko’s difficult relationship with her mother and Ryouhei’s place in the community. The art is a little rough around the edges but gets stronger as the book progresses, and I like its busy and realistic nature.
I’m looking forward to Volume 2 coming out in May!