In this nerdy and tantalizing romcom manga, a shut-in fangirl orders a call boy, only for him to discover her ulterior motive—her love for a crossdressing character in an erotic game?! This fun and funny love story is perfect for fans of Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku and Sweat and Soap!

“Because… I wanted to understand how my fav felt…”

Sakurako lives alone—a shut-in, an otaku, and a virgin. So it’s out of character to say the least when she calls an escort service and asks a call boy to come to her house! The call boy, Fuji, can tell something’s off. The entire room is covered in sheeting, and his client seems anxious. Just as the whole thing is about to blow up in her face, an accident reveals Sakurako’s true motive–her obsession with an erotic game and anime, and her desire to understand her favorite character’s experiences! Turns out, Fuji’s a fan of the same game, and the same character?!

Just like that, they play games all night, and the sex is cancelled (for now). But can a smooth-talking call boy and a fangirl who never leaves home really build a relationship?

This was an adorable and fun reading experience. It starts off with shut-in Sakurako calling an escort service to experience what romantic love is like the way her favorite character in her erotic game experiences. She’s a virgin and is terrified when the handsome Fuji shows up. He’s very friendly and straightforward asking about her sexual history, what she’s up for, and trying to keep her at ease.

Amidst all of this there’s a fun little accident where Sakurako trips and falls, Fuji tries to catch her but practically lands on top of her…and in the process the TV turns on and an erotic scene appears on the screen, from Sakurako’s favorite game and anime.

To Sakurako’s shock, Fuji recognizes the characters, and it’s revealed he’s an otaku for the same series! He rambles on about his favorite characters and the arcs he’s played in the game, and Sakurako feels her “kinship rising.”

Instead of sex, the two play hours of the game together, until morning. Fuji is genuinely grateful for the fun time he had with Sakurako, and even gives her the cute name Satchan. Sakurako insists on paying him for the overtime he spent with her, and after some protests on his part, he accepts…then hits Sakurako with a question: “Can I see you again? Nor for work…uh…more like…as friends?”

And thus begins a cute friendship between Sakurako and Fuji. This is an important turning point for Sakurako as, with being a shut-in, she’s terrified of going outside, but meeting with Fuji is helping her adjust to the world outside. They go to fan events and themed cafes together, united over their love for the game.

In the meantime we also learn that Fuji’s parents are dead, and he has young brothers he’s looking after…which leads the reader to question why he took on such a risky, salacious job as a prostitute. How bad of shape is the family in financially? How dire are their straits? You get the idea that there’s going to be tragedy surrounding Fuji that will be revealed a little at a time, and that maybe his friendliness might be a front holding back all that pain. I’m projecting, of course, but maybe that’s where this could go.

This is categorized as a romantic comedy, which means Fuji and Sakurako might become something more. For now, I’m really glad to see them as simple friends. They’re a really great pair, and I hope that if they do go the way of romance, that it doesn’t impact what they have now. I hope they can help each other grow as people, too.

I kind of got spoilery with this, so I’ll halt and not tell you where the manga ends…just a quick little cliffhanger. It’s cute and I can’t wait to read the next volume.

I highly recommend this one for fans of adorable meet-cutes that don’t go the way you expect; for fellow otaku/obsessive fans; and for those interested in friendships-to-lovers. I really enjoyed myself with this one.

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A digital advanced reading copy was provided by Kodansha via NetGalley which sources this review. You can find Fan/Girl X Call/Boy from a wide variety of book retailers online for preorder, or find out more directly from the publisher.