My Noisy Roommate: The Roof Over My Head Comes With Monsters and a Hottie, vol. 1
Genre: Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Romance, Sci-fi (Manga).
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)

I thank NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in return for an honest review.
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"My Noisy Roommate" follows Osuke, an unlucky guy who lost his apartment on the first day of his attempt to become independent. However, soon a stranger offers him a cheap apartment, which only has two obstacles: living with an attractive young man and, well, ghosts.

Honestly, I'm not much of a BL reader, but I have to admit that it reminded me a lot of Kamisama Hajimemashita at the beginning. I think the tension between the two protagonists is well done and the "found family" almost at the end seemed adorable to me.

Something I'm really looking forward to in the next volume is knowing more about the childhood of both Osuke and Nijio. Although we saw snippets of Nijio's past, I would like to see it addressed more in the future.

Highly recommended for BL fans and lovers of the supernatural.

I thoroughly enjoyed this manga's storyline, which felt refreshing and far from the typical clichés often seen in BL narratives. Although it maintains a PG rating, it is clearly aimed at a young adult audience. The artwork is stunning and complements the paranormal themes beautifully.

Kaho Ozaki deserves commendation for skillfully incorporating various ghosts and spirits from Japanese mythology into this first volume, which adds a unique and captivating element to the story. The balance between lore and humor is well-executed, creating an engaging and entertaining read.

Though the volume is relatively short, it manages to be both charming and fulfilling. The introduction of new characters towards the end adds depth and promise for future development. Overall, this manga offers a delightful mix of mythological intrigue and lighthearted moments.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

★ 3.5

This was a pretty fun and lighthearted story. I really liked the art, designs and the setting for the plot, but I can't lie that not only is the title pretty misleading, but the tags with which this book was advertised as, have left me a bit confused, too.

I found "My noisy roommate" a pretty odd title given that the roommate in question isn't noisy at all and actually is barely even at home... I wish the supernatural part of the story was better advertised instead of focusing on the roommates part and how hot the supposed ML is. The supernatural setting was actually pretty fun and refreshing and it leaves enough room to pump out more lore about the characters. How did the ML enter this world, what lead him to it, why he's so powerful, how do the MC's powers work, why were they dormant all this time etc etc. I just feel like it's a shame that this isn't marketed more as a modern supernatural story because from the outside it just looks like another BL with a fun cover and pretty art.

Oh and speaking of that, this is advertised as BL and i'm a sucker for slow burns but there's not even indications of romance flourishing in this volume so it was a bit of a let down... There were, honestly, plenty of occasions that could lead to a show of any kind of feelings, i mean, they're living together and even sleeping under the same futon, but there was really nothing to hold on to... I wonder how the story will progress in this aspect, I'm curious and I hope they don't just drag it out and then dump all of the romance bits at once... Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see them start slowly, not clicking instantly or a case of love at first sight, I just expected any kind of hint of any kind of feelings, be it romantic, of self discovery or whatever else.

I also wish we'd see more of their daily life. Sure them working together is important for the story, but if you're gonna give your series a title that centers on the fact that the characters are roommates, you ought to show them being roommates more often...

Putting these aside, the story is actually pretty fun. It's not exactly spooky even tho it deals with curses but it's also not a goofy gag story. I want to learn more about the two main characters, we already got a tiny glimpse at their upbringings but i hope they can be more fleshed out in the following volumes.

Overall, this is a pretty fun story but I think it could've been advertised better, starting from that title choice, and if you're looking to read this because of the BL tag, you might need to hold on to delusions for now and keep your expectations low.

The art is great and pretty unique so that's definitely a bonus.

Osuke & Nijio
Rating: 4.6 ⭐

- Roommates
- Co-workers
- Paranormal
- Manga
- Yokai/Ghost
- Self Discovery

This was so cute and I want more, like now! Osuke is unexpectedly homeless and is just trying to prove that he can live on his own, when he's approached by a strange man that gives him a place to stay. The one stipulation is that he will have a roommate, Nijio. Now, these two left out a tiny detail about the ghost real estate business and that they were basically testing him out to see if he would be a good fit to work with Nijio. I liked that there isn't an insta-love or insta-friendship. These two are tentatively getting to know each other and working towards being friends. Hopefully a relationship blossoms in the future from their time together.

Very fun and cute, I love that the MC's are growing a friendship instead of insta-friendship. I love the yokai and Zashiki-warashi is a HIT! I love them, especially when they weigh in on situations that they don't need to! Keen to get into the next volumes!!

It is a good first volume. It gives a good introduction to the premises of the story and the focus on Japanese ghosts mythology is a great hook and a nice backdrop for the characters' romance.
The characters are still quite under-developed but there's space for depth that might come in later volumes.
All in all, it's a lot of fun and very cute from the get go and it makes you want to keep reading on.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this. It was a solid manga/graphic novel. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!! But over all really good. I enjoyed the interactions they had with the monsters/spirits. And it’’s sweet that they’re kind of a relocation service for them.

This story has potential and I would like to see where this series goes.

It starts off a little slow and disconnected, but once the facts are established, the story picks up quickly. It is much like a cross between JiuJitsu Kaisen and Bleach. You have two guys that are trying to help spirits move on to a better places while they work and live together. Nijio sends the spirts away while Osuke attracts them. Nijio’s powers are too strong so the yokai dare not go near him, but when Osuke becomes his roommate through unfortunate circumstances, it all works out. Except, Osuke is very sheltered and rubs Nijio the wrong way half the time.

Again, I would love to see how this story plays out and how the two become romantically entangled.

The bonus detail at the end explaining yokai and other items for readers who may not know about Japanese culture and folklore is a nice extra touch. The artistry of this manga is also well done. I would recommend for someone new to BL and Japanese culture.

This was such an interesting story! I loved the dive into the paranormal! The main character passing it off as sleep paralysis was a great idea! I actually expected this to be more slice of life but was pleasantly surprised by the paranormal action!

This was so cute!
Osuke is on his own after graduation and when he comes back to his hours old apartment it’s been flooded! Out on the street he is approached by a quirky man who gives him an offer he can barely refuse after hearing about him basically being homeless. Live in this luxury apartment.. but with a catch.

Osuke is introduced to a world of yokai and has to live and work with Nijio - his angry looking roommate who is really hard to read!

I really enjoyed this first volume and would love to continue if there are more in the series! The main characters relationship is funny and sweet and I’d love to see if they gain more yokai spirits along the way.

The book subtitle says it all ─ The Roof Over My Head Comes with Monsters and a Hottie. The story is off to a great start and I really enjoyed the art style. I will be back for volume two.

I received a digital copy of this manga from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

**My Noisy Roommate: The Roof Over My Head Comes With Monsters and a Hottie** delivers a delightful mix of supernatural intrigue and BL romance, perfect for fans of both genres.

The story kicks off with Osuke, who, after losing his home, finds himself thrust into an unexpected situation. Just as he's settling into his new apartment, he’s unceremoniously evicted, only to be offered a seemingly perfect place under rather peculiar conditions. Enter Nijio, a stunningly attractive blond who is as enigmatic as he is charming. It turns out that Nijio is not just a roommate but also a guardian of sorts, tasked with managing the supernatural phenomena that seem to follow Osuke.

The manga’s charm lies in its ability to blend the everyday struggles of finding a place to live with the fantastical elements of the supernatural. Osuke’s initial excitement about his new apartment quickly turns to bemusement and intrigue as he learns that his new living situation comes with both supernatural beings and a strikingly handsome roommate.

Nijio, with his mysterious aura and unconventional beliefs about the supernatural, adds a refreshing twist to the usual roommate dynamic. His interactions with Osuke are both humorous and endearing, with the chemistry between them developing amidst the chaos of ghosts and otherworldly creatures. The romantic tension between the characters is a highlight, offering fans of BL a satisfying blend of flirtation, emotional depth, and lighthearted moments.

The artwork complements the story perfectly, with dynamic illustrations that capture both the eerie and romantic elements of the plot. The supernatural elements are well-integrated, adding an extra layer of intrigue without overshadowing the developing romance. The balance between humor, romance, and supernatural drama makes for a compelling and entertaining read.

For fans of BL and supernatural themes, **My Noisy Roommate** offers a delightful escape into a world where the mundane and the magical collide. The combination of a charmingly flawed protagonist, an enigmatic and attractive roommate, and a host of supernatural occurrences creates a story that is both fun and engaging. If you enjoyed series like **FANGS** and **The Dragon’s Betrothed**, this manga will be a welcome addition to your collection.

When Osuke leaves home for the first time, unfortunate events happen, and he is kicked out of his apartment on the first day! He then gets an offer from a real estate agent for a room but with a catch: he has to room with Nijio, who deals with the supernatural as his job, and Osuke gets looped in!

I enjoyed this a lot. The story has a balanced blend of comedy, mystery, with supernatural elements. It was paced well, with each chapter dedicated to a new assignment.
It was cool to see the different types of yokai presented. I appreciated the variety shown! Not all of them are creepy or violent. There’s also an explanation of each yokai at the end of the book.

Osuke's nice personality and his aloofness compliments the mysterious and stoic Nijio, creating a lot of comical moments.

The art style was beautifully detailed with crisp, clean line art and excellent shading.

Are you looking for an easy to read, cute story that involves beautiful art and hot male leads? Check this out. But if you’re easily disturbed by monsters, ghosts, and the supernatural, then maybe not. I personally did not find it scary at all, but there were a couple of creepy images.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kodansha Comics for providing this free review copy. All my opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgallery and Kadansha Comics for an early release copy of My Noisy Roommate: The Roof Over My Head Comes With Monsters and a Hottie by Kano Ozaki.

This story has an interesting premise! Each Ghost that our main characters try and negotiate with are interesting to read about, My favorite negotiation with a ghost has to be the Zashikiwarashi (Zashiki-warashi?) the character design for them is adorable, the scene with the alcohol is cute and funny, I hope that the author keeps them around, they are one of the cutest characters. I like our main characters however I think I needed more time with them to really love them, I don’t think we get to know either of them to much in volume one. I would be interested to continue reading this series and see what other kinds ghost these two negotiates. Also the teaser about new characters? I’m intrigued!

This is such a cute manga about two men trying to negotiate with Japanese ghosts, demons, and other otherworldly creatures to leave houses occupied by humans. The two men are opposites (kind of like a grumpy/sunshine trope), which creates a really cute dynamic!

Fantastic beginning of a new BL fantasy / paranormal manga series. The art is absolutely gorgeous and it's great that the author gives some information on the mythological beings being mentioned or appearing in the story. Osuke is an adorable guy and Nijio more of a cool, mysterious character. They work well together and it's nice to see their relationship slowly develop. I do also appreciate that the author seems to take their time writing their romance. So far, nothing felt rushed, be dubious consent happens, which is great to see.
I'm excited to see the story go on and I'll hope to one day own a printed version of the manga.

This new series has a really fun set up.
I really like both of our male leads, and I really enjoy their odd couple energy. Weaving in the yokai relocation element to the story just fed my soul in the best way. The cast of characters are quickly making their way into found family territory, and I am actually excited to see where this one goes. It could go a few ways, so I'm interested to see where we land.

Thank you for letting read this.

I am like the concept of the ghost as roommates because at frist the other roommate beside Osuke and Nijio but they did gain a roommate which I thought he was cute. I do like how Nijio is starting to like osuke for be a scared and worrisome because of the jobs they get.

Thank youI received a copy of this Volume from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

First, I think the art style of this series is beautiful, it left a very strong impression on me and I wish I was more willing to continue the series just for that. Unfortunately I just don't feel very drawn or compelled to continue based on this volume.

The label of BL Romance definitely has me a bit confused, because there really isn't much romance at all. I'm not sure if the tension was supposed to be there but it genuinely felt like I was just reading about friends (if they could even be called that much). Neither character was giving much of anything. This in addition to the characters not feeling very fleshed out just makes it very difficult to feel engaged.
The pacing felt strange in the beginning because of how quickly we were moving through any worldbuilding we were given. I know it is difficult to find the balance, especially for the first volume, but it was disappointing.
All this being said, it is still a fun concept that I'm sure can improve in future volumes. I love the idea of the characters working as spiritual real estate agents and colleagues having to live together. I hope this series is able to deliver on the romance it promises.

This was so fun? I need the second one like yesterday!!

If crack is treating itself seriously and it works out.

Im looking forward to their journey.. lets see how slowburn it really is.