Danica Davidson
July 27, 2021 
Ririka is a gyaru high school girl living with her dad who insists to her friends that she’s never had a crush on anyone. That changes when a young man moves into the apartment next door. Ririka helps him get situated, and when she sees the crap he’s bought from the store to eat, she invites him over for dinner with her family.
It turns out he’s recently graduated from a top-notch college, and Ririka’s father suggests he eat real meals with them and tutor Ririka as his way of giving back for the food. As Ririka continues to spend more time with Hinocchi, it’s clear from her expressions that she can no longer say she’s never had a crush on anyone.
For a good chunk of the manga Hinocchi is Ririka’s crush in mainly the why-not ways. In other words, why wouldn’t she get her eyes on someone attractive who lives so close? Why wouldn’t a high school girl like herself be attracted to someone a little older and with maturity? For most of the manga Hinocchi is mellow, sleepy, overworked and friendly, but nothing stunning. He often looks tired and dazed, and it’s easy for him to be absent-minded.
Things get more interesting toward the end of the first volume. It’s Ririka’s birthday, but her dad won’t be able to come because he’s on a business trip and he won’t be able to fly back in time. Hinocchi, who in most ways seems oblivious, actually shows up at her door and gives her flowers for her birthday. She’s amazed he even knew when her birthday was, let alone that her put this effort into it. He expresses sympathy for her situation, and here we get into the interesting and personable Hinocchi, not the tired man next door who can’t cook to save his life. Ririka’s feelings for him increase, but it’s still unrequited love considering who they both are. Just because he’s being nice to her doesn’t mean anything past that, as much as she wants it to. It feels like a tale of yearning familiar to many adolescent girls, and it shows the honest, organic way that Ririka keeps thinking about Hinocchi.
My Darling Next Door is a digitally-only release from Kodansha.
Story & Art: Rukana
Publisher: Kodansha
____
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
