The Otaku Love Connection Volume 2 Review

Back in February, Square Enix Manga introduced us to a new series, The Otaku Love Connection, which proved to be an entertaining romcom steeped in otaku fandom. Now its second volume is here, and it’s time to find out what’s next for the cast.

Toward the end of Volume 1, Otonari and Mashiro had become friends with Yuzuru and Chihiro, the beloved couple that they cheer on with all their might. And as we reunite with them for Volume 2, we find Yuzuru is delighted to have made new friends, and Chihiro is begrudgingly going along with it all for the sake of his beloved girlfriend.

And now there are bigger problems to contend with as exam season is upon them! It’s not so much a problem for Yuzuru, who’s almost always at the top of the class, but Chihiro’s self-esteem often takes a hit as he struggles academically. He’s worried about having to repeat the grade, but more than that, he feels that he’s unworthy of his smart girlfriend. The solution is a group study session with Otonari and Mashiro; surely, between them and Yuzuru, they can prevent Chihiro from failing any of his exams?

Elsewhere, we’re introduced to new characters, including the fujoshi Supika Jogasaki, who is in Otonari’s class and is the heiress to a very rich family. She’s been cheerfully shipping Otonari and Chihiro since the two started interacting more. And then there’s Yuri Hashibami, a himedanshi from Chihiro’s class who enjoys watching over Yuzuru’s interactions with the other girls. He’s also childhood friends with Jogasaki since his family has served hers for generations (Otonari and Mashiro immediately latch on to this and get excited about a potential master-servant relationship blooming!).

Mangaka Chu Amairo has a lot to balance now with the introduction of new characters and developing the existing four, but thankfully, that doesn’t pose much of a problem. Since the newcomers share classes with two of our main cast, their familiarity with the group allows them to interact with very little awkwardness. And it helps that Yuzuru all but adopts Jogasaki straight away, while the others find themselves cheering for the very obvious romance brewing between Jogasaki and Hashibami.

If you weren’t a fan of watching characters ship real people together in Volume 1, then that’s not a problem that has been alleviated. If anything, now that there are more shippers, it has gotten worse, not better. Still, I think since everyone became friends, that element has become more comfortable. And now we have these characters being shipped so many different ways that it makes for a more comedic and light-hearted atmosphere than before.

A downside of there being so much happening is that the pages are quite busy with text jammed in wherever possible, but for the most part, I think Amairo avoided it being overwhelming. And now all the introductions are done, Volume 3 will hopefully not suffer the same fate.

Otherwise, this proves another good instalment. The new characters are likeable and I appreciate how they change the dynamic of the existing group. There are a lot of different storylines Amairo can explore with the wider variety of personalities involved, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s to come in the future.

As mentioned, The Otaku Love Connection Volume 2 comes to the West thanks to Square Enix Manga and continues to be translated by Minami with lettering by Brandon Bovia. As with the first volume, the translation reads well, and there are plenty of helpful translation notes at the end for those unfamiliar with some of the otaku terms. The series also just won the Best Translation award at the American Manga Awards! Also included is a colour page at the beginning depicting our two new characters.

Volume 3 of the series is currently scheduled for an English release in October. In Japan, there’s a fourth volume that just came out in June, but so far, that’s not in the English schedule, so I suspect there’s a lengthy break awaiting us.

Overall, The Otaku Love Connection Volume 2 is an enjoyable second instalment to this romantic comedy. If you were on the fence after the first release, this one is unlikely to change your mind, but those of you happy to continue will enjoy watching over the cast and the new friends they’ve made.

A free preview can be read on the Square Enix Manga website.
Our review copy from Square Enix Manga was supplied by Turnaround Comics (Turnaround Publisher Services)

© Square Enix CO. LTD/ Chu Amairo