Tune In to the Midnight Heart
-May 6
-Volume 2 July, Volume 3 September
Rate around 3-4 stars (not quite 4 stars but somewhere in this range)

So... Compared to other eARCs I've read recently this one I didn't dislike but I also wasn't oh I want the next volume right this moment type feeling. Personally, it would fall in the category of reading in between series I'm waiting to pickup/release. Each character did bring something to the table and not feel like it was the same personality over and over, which is nice. I do feel like Arisu already has a feeling who Apollo is, but I get the feeling that all 4 will fall for him at some point- has a harem feeling. As the series progresses, it seems we'll learn more about all 5 and probably some flashbacks to the past to get more of a backstory especially for Arisu and Apollo. I'm curious if it will do Apollo's point of view at some point, even just a small portion. If we didn't get some details of Arisu and Apollo communication before Apollo stops broadcasting, you could feel Arisu is kinda stalker'ish as his mission is to find her which lasts years. His classmates seem to be aware of his desire to find the voice too, which means he is pretty open about it.

Would I continue? Potentially, other series would take priority over this one as of volume 1. I would give volume 2 a go and see if it changes my mind.

Summary:
Arisu found comfort in listening to the voice of Apollo. However, one day Apollo decided to stop with their streams. Arisu was determined to find the person behind the voice and ended up enrolling in a high school where he believes she might be attending. During an announcement he hears what he believes is Apollo’s voice and bolts to the broadcasting room to find there are four girls who could potentially be Apollo. All 4 have dreams, their voices are slightly similar with varying personalities -the real Apollo is not revealing themselves so easily. Arisu asks to join the broadcasting club, but he would be of no purpose until he proposes to buy better equipment for them. Now all Arisu has to do is learn about each one and find Apollo. Easy right?

The main thing that drew me to this manga was the interesting premises. Arisu is definitely an interesting protagonist for sure and while it’s been a while since I’ve read a harem themed manga I have to say this is an interesting one. It’s funny and well paced. I liked the characters and for a first volume it gave us enough to get us interested and wanting to continue the story.

If you are looking for a fun rom-com manga you may like this one, just remember it is an harem one.

As always thank you to Kodansha Comics for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

I picked up this manga because the cover and the girl characters caught my eye! The premise is pretty interesting, tracking down a mysterious livestreamer by joining a school club is a fun twist. But I’m not really into the harem aspect; it feels a bit generic and takes away from the main story. The MMC's appearance is, as always, so basic. Still, it’s an okay read if you’re into school drama with a touch of mystery and... doki doki love story?

Arisu has a serious problem. He fell in love with a girl without ever getting her name. Arisu fell for a voice on a podcast and asks every girl he meets to say "I love you." Its been three years, he is starting a new school and after a courageous outburst of an intro to his new class he finds his way to the broadcast club. He finds four girls who sound exactly like the girl he remembers, each one a possibility and a different personality entirely. Will he find out who his long lost love is? If he does, will she still love him, or have they grown too far apart?

Tune In is a funny rom com romp, a harem by any other name but its the heart that was sweet enough to remember. I could say a lot of buzzwords. but this is a great fun story. Who do you want to be Apollo? Which one, page by page will take your heart and inevitably either be his mysterious love or is true love better than one from memory? You will hate or love every attempt he makes to find out. Isn't that what's great about being in love? He's not perfect nor is he detective Conan. He's just a young man giving his all to find the woman he loves. What more could you ask for?

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for this novel.

Ah lads, everything about this manga is honestly annoying, didn’t even realise this is a harem even. It’s honestly the worst 😫😫😫

★★★★☆ (3.95/5)**

Masakuni Igarashi's "Tune in to the Midnight Heat 1" is a captivating journey that expertly blends elements of mystery and emotional depth. The narrative pulls you in from the very first page, with a unique premise that keeps you guessing. Igarashi's writing style is both engaging and evocative, painting vivid scenes that immerse the reader in the story's atmosphere.

The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own complexities and motivations that add layers to the plot. I particularly appreciated how the author explores themes of connection and introspection, making the reader reflect on their own experiences.

While the pacing is generally well-handled, there are moments where the story feels a bit slow, which might test the patience of some readers. However, the rich character development and intriguing plot twists more than compensate for these minor lulls.

Overall, "Tune in to the Midnight Heat 1" is a thought-provoking read that leaves you eager for more. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that combines suspense with emotional resonance.

This was a very cute manga. The characters were fun and cute even when the main was being annoying, which was meant to be. The story line flowed nicely and at a good pace, as well as the characters forming connections at a good pace. I will look into reading volume 2 for sure!

Imagine taking Nisekoi, tossing it into the present day, and sprinkling in some digital-age charm—this is what you get.

Our protagonist? A modern gentleman equipped with top-tier "rizz" skills, charming his way through a cast of girls ranging from VTubers to idols, announcers, and voice actresses. Yes, it’s heavy on the voice appeal—some might even call it a full-blown voice fetish. And honestly? It works.

The real question isn’t if there will be a winner—it’s when. (Spoiler: Probably not until the final chapter. No, this isn't 100 Kanojo.)

If you’re not already hooked, this probably isn’t your thing—especially if harem dynamics or the whole "voice appeal" angle doesn’t do it for you.

But if you're into charming (and obviously legal) boys with that errand-running, do-it-all energy, paired with a crew of adorable and ambitious girls, then give this one a shot. It’s quirky, cute, and surprisingly self-aware.

Off the bat, I think this series has a very interesting premise and explores an underrated art form through voice acting and radio announcements. I also think that the wordplay is successful, considering that this is a translation from a Japanese manga; I found that the puns did come off quite effectively! I also like that there are practical elements such as understanding enunciation and tone from each different character, and I think that each character is well defined and distinct from within the harem. Lastly, I like that it avoids the classic ecchi fanservice tropes that most harem comedies will throw.
That being said, I'm having trouble liking Yamabuki as a protagonist; while he comes across as a genuine fan of the girls and offers critical advice to each of them, he has very weak motivations as a character. It would have been great if he only had a desire to meet Apollo, rather than considering his remarks as a stain on his otherwise perfect career. It's hard to like him when he comes across as a rich Mary Sue (having had money to provide the girls upgraded equipment through his stocks), and how he considers the club and others as beneath him (his opening scene did not leave a favourable impression on any of his classmates, let alone the reader). His toilet-humour quirk is also rather cringey at times, even when he means it as a way to break through to others. While these qualities can be redeemed as the story progresses, it is hard to root for him because of the way these qualities come together as a character.
That being said, I did enjoy seeing the relationships develop, and it was clever how the author progressed each girl's story piece by piece, so that the series becomes more episodic. Ultimately I have mixed feelings about this manga, but I think that there may be enough potential in it to pull off a successful story.

Tune In to the Midnight Heart is a quiet, atmospheric read that mixes soft romance with a touch of the supernatural. Volume 1 sets a mellow tone, drawing you in with its calm pacing and emotional undercurrents. The characters are gentle and introspective, and the art has a dreamy vibe that fits the mood perfectly. It’s not super fast-paced or flashy, but it has a kind of quiet charm if you’re in the mood for something low-key and heartfelt.

Next year, harem rom-com manga Tune In to the Midnight Heart is getting an anime adaptation. Fortunately for curious fans, Kodansha will be releasing the manga in English next month! And we’ve got an early look at the first volume.

Join us as we dive into the story of a boy searching for his lost love. The good news is, she’s right in front of him. The bad news is, she could be any of four girls in his school’s new broadcasting club!

The Setup
Finding the voice

Tune In to the Midnight Heart focuses on Arisu Yamabuki, a perfectionist from an esteemed family. His all-boys high school has just merged with a local all-girls high school. And according to Yamabuki, he’s looking for a girlfriend. But that’s not strictly the truth. Yes, he’s looking for a girl. But a specific one. Whom he knows only by voice.

Several years prior, Yamabuki listened to a webcast hosted by a girl known only as “Apollo.” He was often her only listener, and he fell in love with her from afar. Now, with this merging of schools, he’s certain he’s found her. Sort of. She’s one of four girls in the school’s broadcast club. And it really could be any of them.

Meet the Girls
Who is Apollo?

Four girls also star in Tune In to the Midnight Heart. And between their career goals and respective vocal talents, any of them could be Apollo. Student council VP Shinobu aims to be an announcer. The shy Iko wants to be a VTuber. The outgoing Rikka has plans to become a singer. And the manga-loving Nene aspires to be a voice actress. All four of these paths are careers Apollo has considered. And at least one aspect of each girl’s vocal delivery is a match for Apollo.

To get closer to all four and find out who’s who, Yamabuki volunteers to underwrite the club. Not only will he pay for their equipment, he’ll also set them on the path to success. With close observation, he hopes to unmask Apollo. But Apollo recognizes him. She knows who he is, and she loves him too. But, at least for now, she keeps her secret.



A Secret Romance
Love across the airwaves

Tune In to the Midnight Heart has a lot in common with The Quintessential Quintuplets right off the bat. While our male protagonist is in a harem situation, only one of these girls is the one he’s looking for. Motivations aside, he is going out of his way to help them succeed and grow in their chosen fields. And, as we see at the end of Volume 1, this story is told in flashback. Apollo and Yamabuki will get together. Someday.

This is a very cute series, even if Yamabuki does start off pretty irritating. He’s got the potential to grow, as we see even in these early chapters. And readers who are less into traditional harem narratives might find themselves enjoying this one. After all, it’s not so much about one guy getting fawned over pointlessly. Rather, the couple exists. It’s just a matter of finding it. The manga hails from Masakuni Igarashi, who also wrote Senryu Girl. That genuine earnestness and sweetness carries over, even under a “harem” label.

Tune In to the Midnight Heart Vol. 1 goes on sale May 6.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this manga

This was not much my kind of story and when I cannot get into a story at all I really don't have much to say, but i can see others maybe liking this more then me

Boy goes school look for a girl and finds all these different girls

3.5.

First off I enjoyed this more than I thought. My experience with manga harem stories is from like 200 versions of Tenchi Muyo, Love Hina, etc. Quirky humorous stories that are usually lighthearted and kinda middle of the pack manga. I felt Midnight fell into this category. It was enjoyable. I snorted quite a few times with laughter and I’m looking forward to the next book, but it’s not a full captivation where I absolutely have to get my hands on the next one immediately.

What I did like about this is our Mail main character is absolutely a trip. He has such a strange character with no filter and a skewed view of himself as perfect, but he also does have qualities and confidence beyond any normal teenager. At first, I honestly thought this was a bit misogynistic, but in the lit shepherds of the book, the girls absolutely start calling out his nonsense for what it is and I appreciate that. Every time he starts being absurd, they put him in his place leaving him baffled as he seems unable to understand how he can be anything other than perfect. The fact that he does kinda start learning he’s not doing everything the right way was appreciated. And this is just early days in the series AND it’s a comedy. So the fact that he’s kind of book smart but social aptitude idiot makes most of the humor here. I would recommend for people that enjoy this type of quirky harem style manga.

Finally a note on the translation. I have a masters in Japanese and Japanese culture studies but even I really appreciate when publishers take time to note cultural or linguistic points that just translations alone don’t give background on. I think this book did a solid job of that. I recently read another book published by the same publisher that did not have that, and likely the translator with someone different but in that case, it was absolutely awful and I ended up giving the book one star. If I was reading this book on translation quality alone, I would give it five.

Thanks to Netgally for the ARC.

Arisu is on a quest to find the girl behind the radio 🎧 the voice he fell in love with years ago 💘 His interactions with the all-girl broadcast club at school were absolutely hilarious 😂 Watching him go above and beyond to help each girl on the team while trying to figure out which one is his Apollo 🌟 was both heartwarming and funny 🥹 The manga ended on a cliffhanger 😱 and I seriously can't wait to read Volume 2 📚

This is my honest opinion of the ARC I received. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity 🙏✨

Arisu found an online broadcaster, Apollo, who he instantly connected with. Years passed and Apollo stopped broadcasting. But Arisu still seeks her perfect voice everywhere. When the local girls high school conjoins with his and he meets a pro group of broadcasters, he feels he finally has a chance to hear her voice again. I really hope this story pans out and he’s able to find Apollo. I also really hope they develop a relationship. This story is refreshing and funny & I can’t wait to read the next volume. I also really enjoyed the artwork.

the story follows arisu - a rich kid who sets out to uncover the identity of a mysterious girl known as "apollo". captivated by her voice during her live streams, he is determined to find her. his search takes him to his newly co-ed high school’s broadcasting club, where he suspects she might be hiding.

the premise is very intriguing and i was excited to embark on the journey of finding the long-lost voice. however, from the start i was caught off guard by the unlikeable protagonist. he's extremely self-centered and obsessive, and his behavior was kind of concerning at times - such as transferring schools solely to track down a person he's never even seen and constantly overanalyzing the girls's voices. his arrogance was absolutely insufferable. truly a walking red flag. 🚩🚩
maybe at the end of the book I saw a SLIGHT change but still, he needs to get a grip lol

the story jumped between some moments making it hard to follow at times.
i couldn't really connect to any of the characters, but i'd like to see how they develop in the next volumes.

the art was really good. all 4 girls looked completely different, and i had no problems telling them apart.

the premise was great, but the execution of the story was slightly disappointing.
even though i had a few issues with this book, the plot was intriguing, and i'd consider reading the next volumes.



*thanks to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Masakuni Igarashi for providing me with an ARC of this manga in exchange for an honest review.*

What a cute story. Arisu is looking for the voice of the girl he's been in love with since middle school. Apollo is keeping her idenity secret at their ne coed high school! At first I was annoyed by Arisu but once I caught on to his pinning over this voice I started to like him. I am excitd to read the next volume to see who actually is our Apollo!

This was a really cute harem romantic comedy involving music.

Rich kid Arisu finds himself enthralled by the voice of an angel "Apollo" he is determined to find the girl.behind the voice. He even goes to lengths of changing highschools just to find her.

A group of girls in broadcasting club have dreams of being idols could one of them be this mysterious Apollo?

I didn't love this one as much as I wanted but I know people who would.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Masakuni Igarashi for providing me with an ARC of Tune In to the Midnight Heart 1 in exchange for my honest review.

Tune In to the Midnight Heart 1 is a charming harem-style romcom manga that follows Arisu as he embarks on a quest to find the voice of a mysterious girl he once listened to during her live streams, known only by the name “Apollo.” Set in a newly co-ed high school, Arisu’s investigation leads him to the school’s Broadcasting Club, which he believes “Apollo” may be a part of.

This manga is a delightful mix of sweetness and humor, with moments that are both endearing and funny. The artwork perfectly complements the lighthearted tone of the story, bringing the characters and their interactions to life in an engaging way. I found the blend of romance and comedy to be quite refreshing, and I’m eager to see how the story unfolds in the next installment.

I don't know if the main character was supposed to be THAT annoying, but he was. I truly don't know if it was intentional or not, but I couldn't stand him.

On a more positive side, the artwork was good and it was a fast paced book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc