Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord
Newly single and ready to live on her own, Asako rents a charming house that “comes with a landlord.” When it’s too 
late to break the contract she discovers it comes with a beautiful landlord… living in the attic.
Though the volume begins with Asako’s harsh breakup, she has little time to wallow in sadness. The mangaka she edits for immediately points out her girlfriend was awful, but Asako is a sucker for a pretty face and someone in need. Asako can’t deny this. When she later spots a rental ad that’s too good to be true it sparks a desire to reset her life and prove she can be independent. Meanwhile, all around her, people are gossiping about a an idol group’s lead singer unexpectedly retiring before immediately retreating from the public eye.
A visit to the house cements Asako’s desire to start over, even if she has to tell herself not to be swayed by her prospective landlord’s pretty face. As she’s planning her move, she discovers her landlord, Miyako, crashing in the attic. Backing out now would be far too much trouble and Miyako has a sob story and an obvious secret to go along with the looks Asako can’t resist.
What follows are primarily gentle episodes about eating, shopping, and spending time together that highlight how well Miyako’s naivety and spontaneity work with Asako’s thoughtfulness and logic. They find their rhythm as roommates. Miyako refers to Asako as big sister, not seeing how Asako denies her attraction to Miyako.
Both the artwork and writing are charming, though it doesn’t offer much new to the genre. That isn’t a flaw, however, as it contributes to an overall cozy feeling. There are occasional moments of tension – a potential stalker, Miyako possibly being forced to leave, etc. – but these are blips in a sea of soft humor, sweet moments, and blushes.
This is a story of people finding their place in the world – probably with each other. I don’t think we can have too many stories like this. Even when the characters fit into well-known archetypes, their personalities vary enough to give new people a chance to feel seen. In this case, while they fit into a common serious vs. goofy dynamic, both characters are dealing with their own types of co-dependence and hopefully learning how to create a healthy relationship with each other.
While the publisher rates the title teen, it’s likely more interesting for an adult audience. Both characters are adults – 26 and 19, respectively – and are primarily dealing with adult issues. However, this is a chaste volume with no violence beyond face grabbing. Older teens may be interested in the themes dealing with finding your own place, growing comfortable with new roommates, and finding confidence in yourself.
It’s lighter, so far, than series such as Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon and She Loves to Cook, She Loves to Eat, but will appeal to fans of both. A second volume released in March and the third arrives in August, so now is a great time to start reading and recommending.
Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord
By Yodokawa
Yen Press, 2023
ISBN: 9781975362652
Publisher Age Rating: T
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Creator Representation: Japanese,
Character Representation: Japanese, Lesbian,
