Metamo Kiss

7.5/10 +Great chemistry between leads; fun protagonists +Likeable setting and strong supporting cast +Adorable, feel-good artwork -Favors dues-ex-machina over organic character arcs -Narrative poorly fleshed out Chance meetings can change our lives in unexpected ways, especially when there’s a touch of magic involved. Sora Omote conceives a sweet buddy love story featuring a trodden Cinderella type who just can’t catch a break with his family’s body swapping curse. The characters alone are what make this read enjoyable, with the sweet, boy-next door Hanamaru being the perfect match for the fiery and opinionated Nanao. Omote’s cute, fluffy artwork also plays a big part in creating this cozy atmosphere for thereader, in addition to a strong supporting cast. What prevents this read from truly sticking its landing is its lack of commitment to its themes. The plot creates the conflict instead of the characters, with our main lead never truly leaving his comfort zone. Combined with poorly established magical rules, Metamo Kiss offers a feel-good setting but never fully fleshes out the narrative. Stories like these require a strong character transformation, yet the final conflict is shoehorned in without any agency from our key players. Despite being the product of incredibly wasted potential, Metamo Kiss succeeds in laying solid groundwork for an enjoyable romantasy.