MANGA REVIEW | "Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro" - Vol. 19
The love confession. It’s the thing rom-com readers wait for the most. Sometimes, a writer will brush past it, not realizing the importance of this moment. After all, when we’ve seen two characters grow closer to one another, seeing them finally put their heart on display will no doubt make any reader swoon. Nanashi understood this assignment well, and in the penultimate volume of Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro, the moment arrives in the most beautiful of ways.
Knowing this, then you can probably guess what occurs in the judo tournament. But the results don’t come easily. Nagatoro still has a lot of doubt in herself, as she fears a loss may be coming. Thankfully, she has someone like Hachiouji in her corner, and just as Nagatoro gave him his backbone, he returns the favor. It has its moments of goofiness like most of their interactions, but the sweetness that comes out of their warm embrace is one that’d melt even the coldest of hearts.
Then, there is the match between Nagatoro and Orihara. Nanashi goes all in with capturing the action and excitement of the match. Every throw, every fall, and every face of painful emotion is showcased with plenty of passion. Even as we see Hachiouji and Nagatoro’s clique cheer her on, the way it’s all framed makes it impossible to guess who’ll win until the final couple of panels. But when the last attack hits and Nagatoro is standing victoriously, one can’t help but cheer with joy!
With that, it all comes down to the big moment. Hachiouji is still nervous, as Nagatoro tends to be on the attack, even when in a positive mood. But this time, he’s got plenty of gumption roaring in his heart and belly. As such, the two decide to meet and go someplace quiet to fully talk. And it’s here where we see how everything led up to this moment.
Nagatoro and Hachiouji’s first meeting, the afternoons in the art room, the teasing, the facial expressions, and the crying and manning up. So much has happened in these 18 ½ volumes, so when Hachiouji speaks first, it sounds like Nagatoro did a number on him negatively. And at first, that is the case. However, as Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro has shown us readers, this is a tale of a man regaining his composure and reclaiming his humanity. All of this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Nagatoro, and Hachiouji is eternally grateful to have her in his life.
Finally, those magic words come out of Hachiouji’s mouth. It takes him a bit to get there, but when he finally says it, the look on Nagatoro’s face is precious. After all, not only did Nagatoro change Hachiouji for the better, but he did the same for her. As all of those feelings rush up inside of her, and the two of them hold hands, it demonstrates why this series has been one of the greatest manga rom-coms of the 21st century.
There’s room for a bit more fun before the volume’s conclusion. The new couple have a steamy video chat in their respective baths, but it shows just how comfortable the two of them have become with one another. Of course, someone has to muck up the mood, and it takes a slip of someone’s phone to give the other quite the eyeful. It just goes to show that even when they’re a couple, there will still be some playing pokes and jabs on poor Senpai’s behalf.
What else is there to say about the nineteenth volume of Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro? We got the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. So now, where do Nagatoro and Hachiouji go from here? There’s only one more volume left, so let’s see where this road to love, magic, and teasing will take them. I honestly cannot wait!
