Manga is a very broad and diverse medium, with a very wide level of style and plot complexity.
This manga falls on the simpler side, both in terms of drawing style and plot. however, that's not a bad thing, as it's a very enjoyable read and better than many MANY more "mainstream" manga.
It's sweet homey, sometimes sad, but overall it captures very well the feel of "ordinary life" and getting to know someone.
drawing style is a bit rough, but also warm, homey and pleasant. the rougher drawing style actually supports the feel of life they're living in a run down apato, as well as Ochiai-san's emotional state of mind.
Ochiai-san and her backstory are interesting and I'm quite fond of her as a character. Being weak willed, she is completely broken by divorce and her self-loathing and low self esteem can ring bells with more people than we think. Seeing her slowly heal, grow out of her trauma and misery and learn to love live is the best part of this manga. OK OK I will also address the elephant in the room: she is also hot af, and yes, seeing her IS pleasant.
As a slice-of-life manga, it doesn't skimp on daily life, details, etc. (for example, buying a bicycle or umbrella) and I find these chapters very enjoyable.
I DO however have a few issues with it:
- Sawatari-kun. He is the most annoying part of the manga later on, and that's because he is basically a cardboard cutout instead of a character. In my view, he is even worse than bland eyeless "protagonists" in other online manga like "Gambare, Douki-chan" or "Getsoyoubi no Tawawa" - these guys at least have SOME emotional reactions; they get flustered, etc.
But Sawatari, no. Dumb plastered smile and that's it.
only time he ever shows any emotions is when he protects her in first chapter. from there on till latest chapter (53 at moment of writing this comment) he always has this plastered oblivious smile on him, and he doesnt seem to IN THE LEAST notice the beautiful (stacked, curvy) girl next to him nor react to her in any way different that he would benevolently react to a say a child or a kitten.
It's really annoying when you think about it. and it also breaks the immersion, one keeps wondering OK whats up with this guy? Being slow is one thing but this is on another level.
- (connected to that)
there's no "action" between them. I mean - COME OON, you have a healthy 20-sth man who is with a VERY physically attractive woman. You don't need to make it a hentai and one can be discreet about it and still let the readers know that it HAS happened. Without sex in such situations as between two of them, plot realism suffers.
So yea, overall it's a good and pleasant read if you can swallow Cartboardari-kun.