Nisekoi: False Love
Story and Art by Naoshi Komi
Published by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump
Raku Ichijo is your average high school boy. He struggles with balancing academics and his social life, and his romantic life is full of awkward glances at a beautiful classmate. What sets Ichijo apart from his fellow classmates is his home life – he is the son and future leader of a yakuza syndicate.
As the son of the yakuza syndicate’s leader, Ichijo has certain expectations. Despite planning on leaving the yakuza permanently for college, the members of the yakuza look up to Ichijo with the anticipation of following him one day. Ichijo humors his hodgepodge family to an extent, even when it comes to dictating his romantic life.
When the yakuza enters into daily violent spats, Ichijo is called to enter into a relationship with the rival family’s daughter. Chitoge Kirisaki is young, spry, beautiful, and strong-willed. She also got off on the wrong foot with Ichijo.
Things wouldn’t be so bad if Ichijo wasn’t looking out for the love of his life. As a child, Ichijo gave a key to a girl to correspond with his locket. While continuing his romantic charade with Kirisaki, Ichijo fears he will miss out on the love of his life.
Nisekoi: False Love is a great blend of shonen action with shoujo romance (without overdoing it). The first volume is more like situational comedy than danger-filled action, but there is occasional combat between Kirisaki and whoever gets in her way. The comedy is spot-on, the pain and embarrassment Ichijo feels while dating Kirisaki is appropriately hilarious, and the series has a lot of potential. If you are looking for a new manga for the new year, consider giving Nisekoi: False Love a try.
