Crossplay Love:Otaku x Punk,known in Japan as Josou-shite Mendokusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi[lower-alpha 1] and abbreviated Nekuyan,[lower-alpha 2] is a Japanese romantic comedymanga series written and drawn by Toru,originally released independently since April 18,2018,and published by Mag Garden on MAGXIV since September 10,2018. The series is also published in collected tankōbon volumes,which are released in English by Seven Seas Entertainment since September 2022.
The story follows Yuuma Hanae and Shuumei Satogiri,two young men who fall in love with each other while cross-dressing,both believing the other to be a woman. Following this,both try to keep the other from learning the truth. The series was well received by readers and critics for its comedic and suspenseful writing,and was nominated for the 2019 Next Manga Award and the 2020 Denshi Comic Awards[ja].
Premise
Yuuma Hanae,[lower-alpha 3] a gloomy student,works at the Taishōera-themed maid café Roman as a waitress,where he as part of his job cross-dresses in a kimono-inspired dress and goes by the feminine name Hana.[lower-alpha 4] Shuumei Satogiri,[lower-alpha 5] a delinquent at the same school,mistakes Yuuma for a woman and falls in love with him,but is afraid of approaching him,so he disguises himself as a woman,and becomes a regular at Roman as his female alter ego Mei.[lower-alpha 6][1][3]
Yuuma does not realize that Shuumei is a man,and falls in love with him,too –but since Yuuma dislikes delinquents and Shuumei dislikes gloomy people,both must keep the other from learning the truth of who they are.[1][3] Other characters include Shuumei's childhood friend Yuzuru Tanigami,[lower-alpha 7] who sees through Yuuma's and Shuumei's disguises but pretends not to.[3]
Production and release
The series is created by Toru,who writes the story with a combination of misunderstanding-based comedy,romance,and suspense.[1][4] It was originally released independently through their Twitter account starting on April 18,2018;[4] since September 10,2018,it is serialized by Mag Garden on their digital platform MAGXIV.[3][5] Mag Garden has published collected tankōbon volumes of the series in Japanese since February 9,2019 under its imprint Blade Comics[6][7] and has released 13 volumes as of September 10,2024.[8] On November 5,2019,Toru and Kesaran Nanigashi to Soup'ya-san creator Yuu Horii released a cross-over one-shot manga based on their respective series,Kesanani &Nekuyan Collab!.[lower-alpha 8][9] Mag Garden has also released Crossplay Love merchandise including art prints and badges.[2]
The tankōbon volumes have since been translated into other languages:Kazé began publishing the series in German in April 2022,[10] Dango Manga in Thai beginning in June 2022,[11] and Seven Seas Entertainment in English in September 2022.[12][13]Piccoma has published the series in French since September 2022 as a digital-only release.[14]
106. "Ikidomari to Korekara" (行き止まりとこれから, "Dead End and From Now On")
107. "Kyoufushin to Koukishin" (恐怖心と好奇心, "Fear and Curiosity")
108. "Yankee to Sagadachi" (ヤンキーと逆立ち, "Delinquent and Handstand")
109. "Kizu to Kaori" (傷と香り, "Injury and Smell")
"Bangai-hen: Bunkasai to Hitomaku" (番外編 文化祭と一幕, "Extra: Culture Festival and One Scene)
"Kakioroshi: Touchaku to Junbi (描き下ろし 到着と準備, "Bonus: Arrival and Preparations")
Chapters not in collected volumes
The following have not been published in collected volumes as of the release of volume 13:[5]
110. "Te to Te" (手と手, "Hand and Hand")
111. "Honki to Uso" (本気と嘘, "Truth and Lie")
112. "Itsuwari to Makoto" (イツワリとまこと, "Lie and Truth")
113. "Ibasho to Kesshin" (居場所と決心, "Place and Determination")
"Bangai-hen: Kamibukuro to Nakami" (番外編 紙袋と中身, "Extra: A Paper Bag and its Contents")
Reception
Crossplay Love was nominated for the 2019 Next Manga Award[37] and the 2020 Denshi Comic Awards[ja],[38] the latter of which called it a great series with an intriguing premise.[39] The manga's web edition had been viewed 15 million times as of February 2019,[40] and was popular with readers;[4] the American comic book store Sour Cherry Comics reported that it was their second-highest selling queer manga of 2023, after Asuka Miyazaki's X-Gender, and one of their highest selling comics of the year in general.[41]Animania[de] and Splashcomics both considered it a good cross-dressing comedy for fans of the genre, recommending it to readers who have enjoyed similar manga like Mikiyo Tsuda's Princess Princess.[42][43]Crunchyroll News recommended it to readers who like "fluffy" romantic comedies, and included it in a feature on "fantastic" LGBTQ manga.[44]
The writing was generally well received, with Animania, Koneko[de], and Splashcomics commending it for its comedic and "mind-boggling set-up" and quirky scenarios,[42][45][46] and NLab finding it cute.[4]Koneko appreciated the comedy of the hidden boys' love scenario;[46]Animania also highlighted the comedic moments, which they thought would appeal to cross-dressing and gender-bending fans, but found the timing off for the slapstick-based gags. Reviewing the first volume, they also criticized the series for not living up to the premise's potential to the same level as similar series like Wakana Yanai's Cinderella Closet,[42] although Splashcomics found the story to develop well as it continued, with increasing amounts of chaotic and wacky comedy and suspense as more characters get involved and the two leads try to avoid getting found out.[43][47]NLab, too, enjoyed the suspenseful developments, such as when the leads meet while only one is disguised as their female alter ego.[4]Multiversity Comics liked its "multi-layered" exploration of sexuality and gender, which they considered earnest while avoiding becoming too serious.[48]
Critics also liked Toru's art, with Splashcomics calling it well staged,[45] and Animania calling it a stylish, appealing and frantic shōjo-like style, although at times a bit too visually cluttered. They also liked the character designs, which they thought suited each character well, such as Yuuma's "gorgeous" dresses and Shuumei's sporty outfits,[42] although Koneko considered the protagonists' female personas to be better drawn than their regular selves.[46]
Notes
↑ Josou-shite Mendokusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi (Japanese: 女装してめんどくさい事になってるネクラとヤンキーの両片想い, "Dressing Up Like Women Became Troublesome: A Pessimist and a Delinquent's Mutual Unrequited Love")
↑ Kesanani & Nekuyan Collab! (「ケサなに」＆「ネクヤン」コラボ！, Kesanani to Nekuyan Korabo!)
Related Research Articles
Police in a Pod is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Miko Yasu. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Morning since November 2017. A television drama adaptation aired on Nippon TV from July to September 2021, while an anime television series adaptation produced by Madhouse aired from January to March 2022.
Issak is a Japanese manga series written by Shinji Makari and illustrated by Double-S. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since January 2017.
The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satoshi Shiki. It is a remake of the original manga series Dororo by Osamu Tezuka. It has been serialized in Akita Shoten's Champion Red magazine since October 2018.
Wandance is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Coffee. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since January 2019, with its chapters collected in 13 tankōbon volumes as of August 2024. In North America, the manga is licensed for English release by Kodansha USA. An anime television series adaptation produced by Madhouse and Cyclone Graphics is set to premiere in 2025.
The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tsukiya. It began serialization in the Comic Ride pixiv website in June 2018, and later transferred to Micro Magazine's Comic Elmo manga service in May 2020. It has been collected in 12 tankōbon volumes as of July 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Feel and Gaina aired from July to September 2022.
The Witches of Adamas is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yu Imai. It was serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Monthly Young Magazine from July 2018 to November 2021, and later transferred to Yanmaga Web continuing from December 2021 to July 2023. Its chapters were collected in eleven tankōbon volumes.
Shinkurō, Hashiru! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Yuki. It was first serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Big Comic Spirits from January 2018 to October 2019, and later transferred to Weekly Big Comic Spirits in January 2020.
With You and the Rain is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ko Nikaido. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine since August 2020. An anime television series adaptation is set to premiere in 2025.
Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Onigunsou. It was first serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Miracle Jump from April 2014 to December 2015, and it was later transferred to Ultra Jump where it continued from January 2016 to June 2023. An anime television series adaptation by Bandai Namco Pictures was broadcast from January to March 2023. A second season aired from July to September 2023.
Snack Basue is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Forbidden Shibukawa. It has been serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump since July 2017, with its chapters collected in 15 tankōbon volumes as of June 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Puyukai aired from January to April 2024.
Yuria-sensei no Akai Ito is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kiwa Irie. It was serialized in Kodansha's josei manga magazine Be Love from February 2018 to September 2022, with its chapters collected in eleven tankōbon volumes. A nine-episode television drama adaptation aired on TV Asahi from October to December 2023.
Vampeerz is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akili. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Sunday Gene-X from February 2019 to April 2023, with its chapters collected in nine tankōbon volumes.
Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hazano Kazutake. It was serialized in Kodansha's Shōnen Magazine R online magazine from April 2017 to January 2023, when the magazine was disbanded, and was transferred to the Monthly Maga Kichi website in February 2023, with its chapters collected into thirteen tankōbon volumes as of February 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Doga Kobo aired from July to September 2023.
My Clueless First Friend is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Taku Kawamura. It has been serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Gangan Joker since May 2018, with its chapters collected in 18 tankōbon volumes as of July 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Signpost aired from April to July 2023.
Hidarikiki no Eren is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Kappi. It was published on cakes web manga service from March 2016 to September 2017. A remake version, illustrated by nifuni, was published on Shueisha's online platform Shōnen Jump+ from October 2017 to October 2022, with its chapters collected in 24 tankōbon volumes. A 10-episode television drama adaptation was broadcast on MBS and TBS from October to December 2019. An anime adaptation has been announced.
Steel of the Celestial Shadows is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Daruma Matsuura. It has been serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Superior since June 2020.
Chihiro-kun Only Has Eyes for Me is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sato Ito. It has been serialized in Kodansha's shōjo manga magazine Nakayoshi since June 2019.
Oh, Those Hanazono Twins is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Nena Kitajima. It was published on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket website from July 2020 to December 2021, with its chapters collected in seven tankōbon volumes.
Back When You Called Us Devils is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Takashi Sano. It was serialized in Kodansha's manga website Magazine Pocket from August 2017 to August 2020, with its chapters collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes.
In the Name of the Mermaid Princess is a Japanese manga series written by Yoshino Fumikawa and illustrated by Miya Tashiro. It was serialized in Shueisha's shōjo manga magazine Ribon from December 2020 to March 2023, with its chapters collected in seven tankōbon volumes.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
