Tsuruko Returns the Favor

[MangaDex]

 

[flxsemi]

I hope this one becomes a sleeper hit because it deserves it. I'm glad the cover baited me into reading this because I thoroughly enjoyed the first chapters with the execution of the characters and the underlying plot of closure from the MC.
Usually, I roll my eyes whenever the misunderstanding trope gets used, but they nailed it here flawlessly IMO. I expect great things from this manga!

 

[Robfaw]

This is actually one of the best romcoms I've read in a while. Hope it continues.

 

[kanamon]

So this is how man vs allegations being serialized looks like

 

[Magnus_Prime]

I kinda wish he'd just shown Sue the photo of his sister; I don't think that it would necessarily have shortened the story.

 

[havelmom]

this is such a bad manga

it starts with a total tragedy setting because of what it seems laziness; by killing everyone close to the protagonist, author has no need to come up with their characters, sorta like how some romcoms have the parents always traveling abroad to save themselves the hassle from writing them in;

then there is the sensei x student; If you're not going to make a compelling story about the taboo, why even bother with this pairing? I'm assuming is ALSO laziness to prevent a relationship from forming;
If a relationship doesn't form, you don't have a romance manga; what's left? comedy? this manga isn't funny, it's just tragic;

then there is the "character just goes along with what's happening"; so you entered a maid cafe (fairy, whatever) and didn't just ask the staff about your sister... why?

overall, this is a 3/10, waste of a good artist in a nonsensical story

 

[NonHaremEnjoyer]

this is such a bad manga

it starts with a total tragedy setting because of what it seems laziness; by killing everyone close to the protagonist, author has no need to come up with their characters, sorta like how some romcoms have the parents always traveling abroad to save themselves the hassle from writing them in;

then there is the sensei x student; If you're not going to make a compelling story about the taboo, why even bother with this pairing? I'm assuming is ALSO laziness to prevent a relationship from forming;
If a relationship doesn't form, you don't have a romance manga; what's left? comedy? this manga isn't funny, it's just tragic;

then there is the "character just goes along with what's happening"; so you entered a maid cafe (fairy, whatever) and didn't just ask the staff about your sister... why?

overall, this is a 3/10, waste of a good artist in a nonsensical story

Oh hell nawwww 💀

 

[Magnus_Prime]

Poor Tsuruko...being treated as little more than a vessel for her mother's pain, her misandry...

 

[coyote_vdb]

The main male character is basically written like a 16-years old teenager. I stopped after 3 chapters, this is really not for me.

 

[Random_Passer-by]

My main comment on this manga is “Excellence and mediocrity can be so bloody close some times, can't they…”

Firstly: The art. It's fantastic, and I love it.

Now, the plot. There are two interesting plot threads intermingled here.

Plot thread no. 1 is a cute and heart-warming story about a teen-age girl trying to overcome her insecurities and appeal to the teacher on whom she has a crush. This plot thread is as sweet as chocolate.

Plot thread no. 2 is a dark and melancholic story about a man who has lost his entire family, searching for whatever scraps of information he can scrounge up. This plot thread is as juicy and meaty as steak.

The problem is: those two threads go together about as well as, uh… chocolate and steak. There is a huge tonal whiplash here, one that the author makes no effort to alleviate.

With this tonal whiplash alone, the situation is dire, but salvageable. What makes it unsalvageable is how flimsy the excuse is for continuing the plot. Here is what I mean:

As far as the MMC is concerned, his only reason for going to the maid café is to find information about his sister. First time he goes there, he thinks the FMC is blackmailing him, so he doesn't ask. Fine, whatever, that's passable. By the fifth or sixth time, however, he knows she is doing nothing of the sort, and keeps not asking. Why‽ WTF kind of reason does he have at this point? It's as if he can sense that the plot will end if he does that, and actively avoids it.

It didn't have to be this way. If his family –or even just his sister– had disappeared instead of dying, we as readers would have something to look forward to: their reünification! This would also handily solve the tonal whiplash.

Also, could the author seriously think of no possible reasons for the MMC to keep going to the café? Couldn't there be a reason why he wants to support the FMC? Or maybe a first attempt at gathering information that failed, necessitating more?

So, all in all…

I hope this one becomes a sleeper hit because it deserves it.

It doesn't, and it won't. It's a pity, but it's also the truth.