The Girlfriend Project

3/5

The series is still ongoing. I'm going up to date right now but am going to drop it for now at least until it's complete. I prefer to binge a series in one go rather than wait for each update.

SPOILERS AHEAD /SUMMARY:

From what I have read so far which totals to around 44 chapters I can say that I really like how both Ryn and Julia are developing individually as characters. I also like how the author portrays how other people (side characters) affect their actions.Julia and Ryn first meet after having to partner up for a project in one of their classes. Although at first, it was awkward due to a misunderstanding, they soon hit it off as friends. Julia is having money problems, while Ryn is trying to find a fake girlfriend. Julia is considering getting a third job while Ryn tries all the dating apps. She manages to get a date, which ends in total failure. She ends up asking Julia to be her fake girlfriend and even offers to pay her. Julia thinks about it but ends up agreeing.It all goes well in practice, but once the date comes to meet Ryn's family, they end up arguing due to the difference in class. Julia was reminded of how badly rich people had treated her mother due to her job as a maid. After some consideration towards Julia, she ends up appearing later to support her even though they had argued earlier. They still went through it, and Julie managed to hold her ground for a while. They argued again, leading her to be invited for Christmas.They spend more time together, and they finally kiss twice. Unfortunately, this happened when both of them were drunk. This is when Julia's character development happens. She is in denial of her feelings for Ryn. Everyone manages to notice her feelings before she manages to accept this. This prompted a conversation with her father, during which he expresses his desire for her to marry and have children. One specific line that triggered my flight or fight instinct was that she just needed to find the right guy. This doesn't really affect her much in the moment and continues her friendship with Ryn. That is until her mom asks her about the subject, which causes her to burst and confess that she is actually in love with Ryn. Everyone except her dad is supportive.She spirals after this going on a date with one of her guy friends. It ends up a fiasco because she ends up being homophobic towards Ryn in attempt to appear as straight as possible. She needs up accepting that she's a lesbian and spending the night at Ryn's. On the other hand, Ryn started going out with someone else and is getting better at dealing with her family. She gets enough confidence to end the fake relationship with Julie. She is also taking action in terms of her education opting to go more in the arts fields.

Overall, I liked how the relationship is developing. Although I did get frustrated at times, it wasn't because of bad art, bad writing, or bad art. I like how both Julie's and Ryn's growth isn't dependent on each other. They are both growing in accordance with the events that are taking place in their lives. I am excited to see what happens next. I would recommend this manga to others. I would warn them about the homophobia and internalized homophobia that are present in some scenes.