r/singapore • u/nezumiro_ • Apr 25 '26
I Made This A Manga about Singapore - [SINGLE X 35]
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u/LEGAL_SKOOMA π³οΈβπ Ally Apr 25 '26
>bukit hill
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u/stockflethoverTDS Apr 25 '26
New Bahru
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u/Probably_daydreaming Lao Jiao Apr 25 '26
Realise this when I told my friend I visited new bahru, he was like you know bahru means new right? Great place but I can't unlearn that fact
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u/HoothootNeverFlies Mature Citizen Apr 25 '26
they intentionally named it that knowing that fact too, their public explanation was that they wanted to emphasis how new the place is, and malay does use repetition for emphasis, like betul2. But it does feel like they are trying too hard
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u/eisenklad Apr 25 '26
maybe future locations ?
> West Barat
> Utara North,
> Selatan South95
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u/Affectionate_Cap_400 Apr 25 '26
Which is located just 5 min walk away from the nearest residential heartland, Tengah Central
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u/SappyPaphiopedilum I β€ SGT Dollah Apr 25 '26
Skills future training arc when?
Thanks op for the meal but this confirmed my worst fear, 35 & single smoker on balcony
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u/TNO-TACHIKOMA Apr 25 '26
but what if it is peak handsome dude or chio bu
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u/SappyPaphiopedilum I β€ SGT Dollah Apr 25 '26
Then I'll
go to the balcony and breath the smokewarn them I'll call NEA4
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u/d23durian Apr 25 '26
Pls no, don't make it some mediacorp series where they expound on some govt policy every episode .Β
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u/SappyPaphiopedilum I β€ SGT Dollah Apr 25 '26
Haha I'm making a joke on manga/anime having training arcs
Gov alr made comic and shows about their policy long ago le
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u/Puzzleheaded_Style52 live,love,travel Apr 25 '26
Also need more representation. Everyone looks slim and good and all one ethnicity, except for the token black guy and fat guy. Even in mrt ride got more representation than the comic.
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u/SappyPaphiopedilum I β€ SGT Dollah Apr 25 '26
That's because this Singapore is the one where Crazy Rich Asian was filmed
Jk OP, but yea more Malay & Indian char could be nice
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u/TreadmillOfFate (β―Β°β‘Β°οΌβ―οΈ΅ β»ββ» Apr 25 '26
to be fair it's only chapter 1
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u/Elyx_117 Apr 25 '26
Great work. But ah.... Dont smoke on the balcony please π
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u/quietobserver1 Apr 25 '26
Hope he quit sometime as the comic progress.
Maybe the cover image foreshadow it, the cigarette smoke is a barrier separating him and Diana, so HE NEEDS TO QUIT!
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u/nezumiro_ Apr 25 '26
you can read the rest here: singlex35manga.com
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u/Amphylos Apr 25 '26
This is some good drawing!
I really like the bit when "it's the sea" and just tiny sliver of horizon there, such real life..
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u/boatlegion Apr 25 '26
brooooo wth I was trying to smash the preorder button after reading the first chapter ππππ anyway i donated a little bit ππΌ aaand i hope it helps you FINISH SO I CAN ONE DAY READ THE WHOLE THING HAHA π₯²ππΌ
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u/Feedbackr Apr 25 '26
Dope. Reminds me of the few local webcomics we used to have, Slackers was one of them.
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u/Outrageous_Ad4922 Apr 25 '26
Got hooked from the first page but maybe the doorway reminds me a bit too much of a Japanese apartment π€£
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u/Probably_daydreaming Lao Jiao Apr 25 '26
This makes me wonder, can you install a Japanese doorway in your flat?
Legitimately speaking, a lot of design cues from Japan make sense like the heated tub and fish grill in the stove. I wonder how much can is possible to install
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u/Outrageous_Ad4922 Apr 25 '26
Itβs not impossible to have a genkan (thatβs what theyβre called!)
But there would be certain limitations such as you cannot hack up the flooring to create that step up into the actual house. Not sure about other technical limitations thoughβ¦
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u/enewssg π I just like rainbows Apr 25 '26
If i were house searching and it had a genkan that would be a big plus for me!
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u/robertsky NotHereNotThere Apr 26 '26
I can imagine three ways for the doorway:
1. have a visual separator. i.e. two different floorings, either different pattern, colours, or materials, one for the doorway, and another for the rest of the house.
2. have a separator strip installed at the end of the 'doorway'. also as a visual separator.
3. hdb allows up to 50mm for floor tiles and mortar base combined. it would be a bit more expensive but pouring concrete for the rest of the house to make up that 5cm to achieve the step up into the house may work.
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u/kenshixkenchika Apr 25 '26
Hey OP, really good. Iβm hooked now. Youβve captured the dilemma of single workers in their 30s well (housing and job progression etc), but more importantly touches on wider themes of sg society. These works are important keep at it
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u/geeky_kilo Apr 25 '26
the kind of cb who smokes at his balcony.....
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u/A_extra π I just like rainbows Apr 25 '26
Immediately lost all sympathy after that
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u/freshcheesepie Apr 25 '26
Rich enough to stay alone in balcony unit and still complaining about life.
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u/quietobserver1 Apr 25 '26
I think that's his daydreaming part, he was running to get to the agent at that time.
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u/KluelessKoder Apr 25 '26
Nice, but the drink labels are in Japanese :x
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u/nasi_lemak Apr 25 '26
Looks like some generated stock manga image. Apartments door also looks japanese, car is definitely not a Benz.
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u/Tactical_Moonstone Apr 25 '26
That is straight up a 4th generation Lexus RX series SUV.
Lexus cars have the
γγmeshed front grill design.4
u/chingyuanli64 Fucking Populist Apr 25 '26
Don Don Don, Donki, Don Don Donki
Iβm in paradise, itβs a wonderful place for me
Don Don Don, Donki, Don Don Donki
Letβs get together and shop for something new
Don Don Donki
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u/BlitzAceSamy Apr 25 '26
Wow, they are buying resale... Meanwhile me as a 35 single still waiting for the next BTO exercise π€£
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u/eisenklad Apr 25 '26
they cant wait till 39/40 to move into own place.
for those younger readers, grind hard to do that...
resale 2-room is just as expensive as 3-room.
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u/idgafman21 Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
Love the concept and story but cant help but feel like the Singaporean setting feels...unconvincing? The Japanese drink can, the Japanese doorway, office workers in suit and tie (not common) kind of makes it confusing and less believable.
Also some issues with continuity in the illustration eg apartment exterior has no balcony but otherwise great work!
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u/ImportantConstant225 Apr 25 '26
Great works, except MC β¦ donβt smoke at ur balcony please
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u/eisenklad Apr 25 '26
MC gonna take a bigger loan to match her bid,
then quit smoking to reduce expenses.
fast forward another 10 years, prostate cancer.
the irony
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u/throwaway2229920285 Apr 25 '26
actually really like this, hope you do more! and I don't agree w those saying they look unrealistic, it's not like the average japanese has manga hairstyle either
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u/flylikeawind Mature Citizen Apr 25 '26
One of the best things I have seen here instead of the usual toxic shit.
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u/meister00 Apr 25 '26
has that chainsawman artstyle.Β from this 1st chapter setup, my guess is that diana & shunli are going to hook-up & purchase that flat together. or go for the joint-singles scheme, then as room-mates their relationship develops. (and then at the end plan for a family or adopt a kid that can mind-read?) going the single or childless dink route, ain't gonna get this manga to become govt-supported media piece (or perhaps it's better not to).Β
a suggestion would be expanding on the world-building, e.g. the job salaryman is too generic, shunli's relationship with his family & friends (non-colleagues like those from school days), the estate's neighbourhood, throw in some global politic events that affect life & introduce drama etc.
as a single dude who also purchased a resale flat, i can vibe with the main guy. he seems not to worried about the money, maybe his job is paying well (even get to have the wallet draining past-time like smoking). my job was an average one but still high enough to be not eligible for bto (barely passed the ceiling cap), had to grind & scrimp to be able to afford a unit in an estate that is still young (less than 20years), though it would be in the hdb plus classification. his fears about falling behind the "bell-curve of life" is also relatable.
on realism, the one that stands out the most would be that the singles are too good-looking. but eh it's manga, it's a power self-insert fantasy. i'm gonna get downvoted, but in real life most singles (including me) would be average-looking & below. the unwanted sales bargain bin bunch.Β the handful that look great, usually have their mind set on singlehood (can be due to relationship trauma or just their desired way of life) or want to live their lives flirting & fucking around so they choose not to settle down.Β
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u/r3tidd3r Apr 25 '26
irl the main character looks like the property agent and makima gonna report main char to HR for being a creep
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u/Responsible-Clock723 Apr 25 '26
lol everybody complaining about main character smoking at balconyβ¦ maybe throw in Shun Li kenna complained by neighbour and fined by NEA, making his life not shunli after all π«
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u/teestooshort sorry I mono Apr 25 '26
Idk why, but the first thing I notice is the hairstyle and the hairstyle doesnβt give singaporean vibe
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u/SendMeF1Memes Apr 25 '26
Whole thing is pretty cool, very relatable but not sure why OP went for a style that looked kinda generic for the main characters when you can see that the side characters had much better local stylisation and Singaporean flavor
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u/KnightingGale Apr 25 '26
Ya I enjoyed it but so many things feel more "manga Japan" than Singapore.
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u/amper-sands Apr 25 '26
I love this so much, OP!!! The Jalan Rd and Bukit Hill π€£π€£π€£ Love your art and canβt wait for the next chapter π keep doing what you do!
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u/Dorkdogdonki Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
βIβm falling behind everyone elseβ is so real in life. Until I stopped giving a f**k about cliche stuff like money, titles, possessions and just fight against myself instead.
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u/Ill_Vacation_1791 Apr 25 '26
Hei OP, I like the overall story and canβt wait for the next chapter. Please ignore the keyboard warrior. I am a fan now.
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u/YourEvilKiller π³οΈβπ Ally Apr 25 '26
This is great. It's rare to have local manga series that look and feel like it's from Japan. Your panelling and pacing are also well-done. This is pretty much a professional piece.
It's funny how most people did take notice that the MC smoking in his balcony is rude, which is true in an apartment block with neighbours all around.
I also noticed that his one-room apartment resembles a Japanese apartment, rather than a Singapore apartment. I suppose you may have taken inspiration from other manga. But I can be wrong there.
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u/zen002 Apr 25 '26
The mc too handsome doesn't make sense being single at 35.
Probably the short dude at the end more likely ahaha .
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u/Imperiax731st Own self check own self β Apr 25 '26
The real story of Shun Li, the industrial park.
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u/fienzer46 Apr 25 '26
so whats the story behind this manga, wat inspired u to make it OP? are u singaporean or japanese?
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u/TheStranger234 Apr 25 '26
The story reminded me a lot of Kowloon generic romance, but in Singapore.
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u/Cybasura Apr 25 '26
Some of the legal issues aside, like smoking in the apartment, the characters feel alittle too much like anime lmao
Like the assistant director (?) Is straight up Makima
100% relate to the scenario though
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u/mitochondrionnnnnn Apr 25 '26
i thought i was reading spy x family this is so peak i love the panelling
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u/sharingan87 Mature Citizen Apr 25 '26
Seeing your manga made me really happy. As someone who is working towards my dream of becoming a better manga-style artist, I've always wondered whether there were others in Singapore who shared the same desire, and now I know it's a yes :)
Making a manga requires a lot of skill, time and effort, so I hope you feel proud for making this! I'll be rooting for you every step of the way and hope you keep making more!
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u/MebiAnime Apr 25 '26
Great read! And it's always the cheerful cleaning auntie that greets people with a smile :)
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u/kristinealyce weebshit Apr 25 '26
I wonder how much OP need to change his storyboard now that smoking in balcony is bad image.
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u/SnooHamsters3300 Apr 25 '26
Plot twist: flash back (Vol 10) - they have met somewhere .... Neighbors? Primary school?
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u/butbeautiful_ Apr 25 '26
would love if the character visual can be more local alike than japanese manga.
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u/Stock_Necessary_6993 Apr 25 '26
This is so cool OP! Love the art. Is there only one chapter out so far?
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u/tiredchachacha Apr 27 '26
Something about the storytelling but i can't believe I just read a preview about a 35yo guy with this life πͺ it's good
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u/Einheimm North side JB Apr 27 '26
Letting this grow a few more chapters before reading to avoid the dread of waiting for new chapters....
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u/Razputina Apr 27 '26
Love, love, love this, OP! It's so well-illustrated and professional-looking. Are you gonna be at any events selling your work, like Doujima? I'd love to support, and like, buy a hardcopy of this manga! :)
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u/Artist17 Apr 28 '26
So they gonna stay together then
Looking forward to the continuation, great job!
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u/AdventurousRip7444 Apr 28 '26
Using outbidded instead of outbid is very on brand for a Singapore manga
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u/dametokill Apr 29 '26
This was amazing π the first page got me thinking of Smoking behind the Supermarket with you! Love your art Nezumiro! β₯οΈ
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u/steppingoneggshells9 May 01 '26
yo idk im not a fan of mundane 9-6 comics esp its sgrean but ts got me reading
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u/learning-a-lot May 01 '26
Ooo hooked on this immediately! Looking forward to seeing the next chapter.
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u/itcomesinwaves_s 24d ago
Iβm visiting, just browsing reddit and this had me hooked! love it! the struggle is universal unfortunately π but great art I love it
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u/Purpledragon84 π I just like rainbows Apr 25 '26
1st page i thought i watching chainsaw man. Makima trauma is real