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To be honest, I didn’t know much about The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love before reading it. However, the cover immediately conveyed exactly the kind of warm-hearted atmosphere I enjoy, so the manga quickly found its way onto my reading list without any hesitation. The manga is created by Tomo Nanao, who is internationally known for adapting the novel Until We Found Each Other into manga form.
Tenkoi in Hachioji, as the title is originally called, has been published since November 2021 in Kadokawa’s shoujo magazine Asuka. Currently, two volumes are available on the Japanese market, with the U.S. license held by Yen Press.
So, how was it?
The story follows Kotarou, a young systems engineer who has had to navigate life alone after losing his family. When he returns to his grandparents’ old house in Hachioji, blurred memories of his childhood start to surface. One of these memories leads him to a local shrine, where he once met a Tengu girl named Hime. When he returns to the temple one evening, he suddenly finds himself in an arranged marriage with Hime herself! But Hime has big dreams: she wants to explore the world, try new foods, and discover the joys of life. Interpreting Kotarou’s agreement as an invitation to live with him, she moves into his house - turning his life upside down.
The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love quickly reveals itself to be a warm-hearted mix of romance and humor. The dynamic between shy, slightly brooding Kotarou and the energetic, curious Hime is refreshing. Hime’s journey to navigate the human world adds a charming and humorous touch to the story with her childlike wonder over everyday things. Her excitement for food—one of the manga’s central themes - provides many cute and entertaining moments as Kotarou helps her take her first steps into the modern world. What I particularly enjoyed was the gentle way Nanao weaves in Kotarou’s longing for belonging and love. It’s not an obvious theme that’s constantly in the foreground, but you can feel how much Kotarou yearns for a family - whether through the people who raised him or through new bonds he now seeks to create.
Although The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love follows typical romance genre clichés and doesn’t go particularly deep, it offers a comforting familiarity. Nanao manages to keep the story enjoyable and endearing despite its predictable plot, thanks to lovable characters and subtle humor. The relationship between Kotarou and Hime develops at a pleasant pace, giving the story room to unfold organically.
While Tomo Nanao’s artwork isn’t overly impressive, it perfectly matches the cozy atmosphere of the volume. Her style is modern, fluid, and pleasing to look at, even though the backgrounds are often kept simple. Backgrounds are more prominent than one would usually expect in the shoujo demographic, however.
Yen Press releases the manga in the publisher’s smaller paperback format. Readers can look forward to some color pages at the beginning of the manga.
Is it worth reading?
Overall, the first volume of The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love offers a solid introduction to a light-hearted story about finding love and belonging. It may not be the most original manga, but it creates a cozy, familiar atmosphere that fans of the rom-com genre are sure to enjoy. The humorous and sweet moments between Hime and Kotarou leave you wanting more and promise an entertaining continuation.
The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu's Love GN Vol 01
€14,30
Upon his return to his hometown near Mt. Takao, the lonely youth Kotarou reunites with a tengu girl he used to know, Hime. To his shock, Hime decrees that they must be wed! Intent on marrying Kotarou, will Hime be… read more
