Manga Review: Sweat and Soap, Volume 2, by Kintetsu Yamada

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: April 2020

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

In an office romance, there's a fine line between sexy and awkward... and that line is where Asako -- a woman who sweats copiusly -- met Koutarou -- a perfume developer who can't get enough of Asako's, er, scent. Don't miss a romcom manga like no other!

Asako's living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she's ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company's lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what "that smell" is, she's terrified... but could it be... that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Asako... does she like him?

The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the "too real!" workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!

 

Review:

 

Asako is faced with a potential rival, and she has to decide whether she's willing to fight for herself here or not. She's always been a rather quiet and shy girl, unwilling to put herself out there or defend herself, or even ask for what she wants. But when she realizes just how much she wants Natori, she starts putting herself out there a bit more at a time.

I relate a lot to Asako, and I understand her struggle. Which is why it's also really nice to see her making the effort, putting herself in new situations in order to be closer to Natori.

While they're still keeping their relationship a secret at work, they're still finding time to be together as much as possible. And when Asako visits her family, she decides to share the news. The second half of the volume features Natori meeting Asako's brother, and while it felt very shojo here, it was still handled relatively well. Natori is tested, but he handles it well, and I think it even helps him want to be as good as he can be for Asako.

While there is some drama brewing, I think the themes are being handled rather maturely. And I do love Asako and Natori's relationship and how it's progressing. I'm excited for more.