This review is for I Want Your Mother to be With Me, Volume 1. One Peace Books provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I Want Your Mother to Be With Me, written and illustrated by Yutaka Tazawa and published in English by One Peace Books, follows Ryo Ishizuka, a part-timer studying for his accounting exam who’s hopelessly in love with his co-worker, Yuzuki Tachibana—a single mother doing her best to raise her son, Asahi.
Ryo’s feelings are an open secret at work, much to the amusement and skepticism of his co-workers, especially Akiho Oshima, who thinks he’s delusional for believing Yuzuki could ever reciprocate. When Ryo finally confesses, Yuzuki gently rejects him, explaining that she’s not just a woman but a mother—and asks if he truly thinks he could help raise her son on a part-time salary. It’s a sobering reality check for Ryo, who learns that love doesn’t always overcome circumstance.
Still, Ryo’s earnestness shines through. From chance encounters outside of work to awkward dinners and shared moments with Asahi, his affection for Yuzuki slowly evolves into something deeper than infatuation—it becomes care and respect. Whether he’s making origami bugs to win over Asahi or rushing to the hospital to visit him when he’s sick, Ryo proves that love sometimes means showing up, even when you’re not sure you’re enough.
As the story unfolds, Tazawa balances heartfelt emotion with light comedy. Yuzuki’s struggles as a single mother feel authentic, while Ryo’s naivety provides a charming counterbalance. Their dynamic grows naturally, leading to small but meaningful moments that linger long after the final page.
From a production standpoint, the localization is solid, though there are moments where the translator’s notes appear as side asides instead of being seamlessly integrated into the dialogue. The choice to translate “origami paper” as “folding paper” also feels unnecessary given manga readers’ familiarity with the term, but the typesetting is clean and complements the tone well.
Despite its somewhat provocative cover, I Want Your Mother to Be With Me is anything but lurid. It’s gentle, surprisingly wholesome, and grounded in real emotional stakes. The mild sexual humor feels more like natural awkwardness than fanservice.
As someone who was once a young single mother, I really appreciated Ryo’s sincerity. His love doesn’t come with conditions or expectations—it’s about wanting to be there for someone, even when that means growing up first.
A heartfelt, quietly funny story about love, maturity, and learning to rely on others, I Want Your Mother to Be With Me is a refreshing romance that earns its emotional beats. I recommended it for readers 13 and up.
I Want Your Mother to Be With Me was published on May 27, 2025, and is available to purchase wherever manga is sold, including Amazon.
