Kowloon Generic Romance Vol. 1 – Retro Romance with a Sci-Fi Twist
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My Thoughts:
Kowloon Generic Romance is not your average love story. Set in an alternate version of the infamous Kowloon Walled City, this manga delivers a nostalgic, hazy aesthetic that feels both romantic and slightly dystopian.
The story follows Reiko Kujirai, a real estate agent who lives a simple life… at first glance. Her interactions with her grumpy co-worker, Kudou, are filled with slow-burn tension and the classic will-they-won’t-they dynamic, but something feels off. There’s a lingering sense that Reiko isn’t who she thinks she is, and as the story unfolds, the reader is pulled into a much deeper mystery.
The romance element leans heavily into emotional restraint, longing glances, and awkward moments, but what kept me reading was the worldbuilding. The city feels alive: neon lights, cluttered shops, street ramen, and smoky bars. It’s dreamy and intimate but with the eerie weight of secrets underneath.
What I Liked:
Gorgeous art and setting, you can feel the atmosphere.
A romance that isn’t just fluff, there’s mystery and suspense baked in.
Hints of sci-fi and memory loss that make things feel off in the best way.
It doesn’t give everything away, keeps you guessing.
What Fell Flat (for me):
The slow-burn romance dragged at times (I’m not a big fan of the will-they-won’t-they trope).
Not a lot of plot movement in volume one, but it definitely sets up big things.
Rating: 4/5
Great for romance lovers who want depth, atmosphere, and mystery in the mix.