The Kashiwagi-san Next to Me / Кашиваги-сан рядом со мной / Tonari no Kashiwagi-san / Kashiwagi

The Kashiwagi-san Next to Me, also known as Tonari no Kashiwagi-san or Kashiwagi 2010, is a manga that revolves around a high school boy named Yuto who is a hardcore fan of a web artist named Sayane. One day, a girl named Kashiwagi Kotone overhears Yuto talking about Sayane, not realizing that she is actually Sayane herself. However, Yuto is unaware of this fact. Little does he know, his life is about to change when he starts working at his favorite anime store and encounters Kotone there. As Yuto spends more time with Kotone, he starts developing feelings for her. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Kotone is secretly Sayane. Yuto wrestles with his emotions, torn between his love for Sayane's art and his growing affection for Kotone as a person. Meanwhile, Kotone struggles with maintaining her double life and keeping her true identity hidden from Yuto. Throughout the manga, Yuto and Kotone's relationship deepens, as they slowly become more aware of each other's true selves. They bond over their shared love for anime and manga, and Kotone finds herself falling for Yuto as well. However, the fear of losing their connection if the truth is revealed keeps them from confessing their feelings. In addition to the central romance, The Kashiwagi-san Next to Me also explores the theme of personal growth and acceptance. Yuto, initially an introverted otaku, begins to come out of his shell and embrace the real world, thanks to his interactions with Kotone. Kotone, on the other hand, learns to confront her fears and be more open about her identity as Sayane. The manga combines romance, comedy, and slice-of-life elements to create an engaging story. The artwork beautifully captures the characters' emotions and the intricacies of their relationships. Readers will find themselves invested in Yuto and Kotone's journey as they navigate the complexities of love, identity, and personal growth. Overall, The Kashiwagi-san Next to Me is a heartwarming and relatable manga that explores themes of love, self-discovery, and acceptance. It offers an endearing story that will appeal to fans of both romance and slice-of-life genres.