JK Haru is a Sex Worker in Another World Vol. 1
Author: Ko Hiratori
Illustrator: J-ta Yamada
Publishers: Seven Seas
Age Group: Mature
Genre: Isekai, Smut, Fantasy
Type: Manga
Content Warnings: Violent Smuttiness, Misogyny —like a lot…you’ll want to punch something
Spoilers ahead
Plot
Haru is reincarnated with her classmate Chiba into a world of swords and sorcery where women are less than second class citizens. Her only options are a slave or a sex worker, so she joins a brothel. Chiba on the other hand, becomes an adventurer and arena fighter.
We follow Haru’s slice-of-life in a chauvinistic world where she’s just trying to make money to feed herself.
Character Development
Haru was your average popular girl that had it all until she was hit by truck-kun (along with Chiba who tried to save her). She didn’t get any special cook skills. She’s sassy, two-faced (for self-preservation), and intelligent. She’s very observant and gives men exactly what they want so she can get it over with. She doesn’t care that she’s a sex worker but she’s also not going to let them mess her up too bad.
She does a lot of introspection and we get the sense that being in this world has helped her to see people differently. One example of this is with Sumo (an adorable virgin guy that’s overweight and in love with Haru). She remembers that she wouldn’t have given someone like him the time of day but ends up loving their chats (he never buys her for sex). He’s a good listener, brings her delicious food from his family’s restaurant, and is pleasant to be around.
Chiba is your average otaku fanboy who seems to have had a crush on Haru since before she knew he existed. He’s got several cheat skills and thinks he’s the next hero of this world.
The secondary characters help Haru’s slice-of-life breathe. We meet a couple of the other sex workers who she has girl-time with. We also meet some background patrons to get an idea of an average night of sex working that Haru has to put up with. She’s very logical in her approach to these men (including cutting her hair so it’s less likely her hair gets pulled).
World-building
We get a lot of world-building through the eyes of Haru. It’s mostly about how the men are disgusting pigs as she notes their different fetishes, what most of them are like, etc. We learn a little bit about the culture from Chiba that women can’t do a lot of jobs because they’re inferior. At the same time, we learn there’s a war with the demon lord that’s been going on for a few centuries. The humans haven’t made any progress against the monsters. Most of their forces just prevent the line from being broken.
The monsters sound really interesting as they can learn magic, attack in unified groups, some even speak in the human tongue. We also learn that they like to steal children (probably to eat). This world is not a friendly place on all sides for Haru, yet she wants to do more interesting things.
Themes
Survive in a way that you already know.
I think this a great theme because it helps to understand that life isn’t always fair. It’s not always going to be fair. Haru has a history of working as an escort so she chose the easiest option for herself. Sometimes, we don’t need to think too hard on how we want to live. What is it we’re good at, what are our skills, etc. Everyone should live how they want and Haru is the epitome of this. She doesn’t let the world’s views stop her from going out by herself to enjoy good food (even though it’s frowned upon).
Observations & Predictions
Chiba got some super cheat skills but there were a few things I noticed. First, while Haru doesn’t know if she has any skills (most people in this world have no idea) she can smack Chiba around. Also, it was originally just supposed to be Haru that came to this new world. Chiba only came along because he tried to save her, thus changing his fate.
I predict that Haru may be the actual hero. Everyone will underestimate her because she’s a woman.
One thing the author does in this is show body positivity. I think it’s fabulous and I want to see more of that!
Recommendations
Similar Titles:
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Underestimated Female Protagonists:
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My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
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Smutty Titles with good plot:
Chained Soldier
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Yachirin Bitch Club
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