• manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Ushimitsu Dokidoki Koshotentan

    Ushimitsu Dokidoki Koshotentan – Tacocasi

    Komiya is a struggling grad student trying to make ends meet. He meets Youzou Nishi, owner of the Nishi Bookstore, while searching for an affordable room and board, which the latter had advertised in exchange for looking after the bookstore occasionally. After living a month with Youzou, Komiya is smitten. But Youzou is a great mystery. Apart from managing a bookstore, he also has another job that Komiya doesn’t know much about, except that Youzou’s clients all seem otherworldly. Komiya doesn’t think about it much until an earthquake and rejuvenation water turns Youzou into a child. As it turns out, Youzou also runs a pawn shop of holy miracles for gods. (Source: futekiya)

    Since the release of Nidaime Jiguko BrothersTacocasi has become an instant favorite. Their stories are of a paranormal bent, featuring various gods and demons.

    The Story of Ushimitsu Dokidokidoki Secondhand Bookshop or Midnight Bookstore is another delightful offering following the same theme. It combines magic, romance, and mystery.

    Forty-something Youzou is a secondhand bookstore owner who moonlights as a trader of magical contracts, deals, and items. He offered board and lodging to a struggling grad student Komiya, who it turned out had been crushing on the spectacularly oblivious older man.

    A magical accident caused Youzou to turn into his child-like form and needed Komiya’s help going about his business. He goes from child to adult and back at certain hours, which can be tricky and/or awkward. Also, they need to find certain deities to help Youzou return to his adult form permanently. Cue the quirky supernatural side characters.

    The setting is a university town near the mountains. It has the slow living idyll, quaint houses, and old neglected shrines. It’s a place that makes it easy to believe in the supernatural. It reminded me of our overnight trip to the mountains to stay with an indigenous tribe. Boy had they a million stories to tell of their paranormal encounters!

    The neglected shrines connect to how the gods and goddesses of certain shrines had to hustle to keep their homes going. It brought the gods more in touch with human business. For instance, the goddess of fire is in charge of a famous hot springs and makes ink that she sells. The deities then secretly put the money in the donation boxes.

    The setting is just one of the charms. The manga also gives us a slow burn, understated, cozy romance. While it seemed mostly one-sided as seen from Komiya’s POV, and Youzou has one heck of a poker face, it is not angsty but focuses on Komiya’s joy of being able to take care of Youzou, both in his child and adult form.

    It also has a rather practical approach, with Youzou explaining his inconvenient position that would make dating him impossible. Then, the disarming poker-faced man declared he was not discouraging Komiya from kissing or hugging him. What is our boy to do, but not waste any chances and jump headfirst into the fire…

    Despite the stakes involved and the external conflicts, I loved how the story has Youzou’s chill vibe all over it. It’s wholesome and adorable but not overly cutesy or fluffy or anything extreme. It’s amusing without going over the top. Overall, a gently compelling story where the heart goes doki doki.


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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Not All Himbos Wear Capes by C. Rochelle

    Villainous Things: Not All Himbos Wear Capes – C. Rochelle

    PLEASE NOTE: Full list of Content & TWs can be found in the front of the book and at c-rochelle[dot]com.

    Xander

    Big City is supposedly the place where dreams come true. As someone just trying to live my life, I can tell you, it’s more like a recurring nightmare where dreams get c*ckblocked at every turn.

    Especially if you’re a supervillain like me.

    The irony is that I have zero powers, despite coming from purebred villain stock, but try telling that to Big City’s beloved hero, Captain Masculine.

    This himbo is ruining my research, and if his firepower doesn’t kill me, the sight of him in Lycra surely will. Luckily—or unluckily, in my opinion—my bestie just signed me up for the Bangers dating app and found my perfect match.

    If this isn’t the start of my villain arc, I don’t know what is.

    Butch

    It’s hard feeling like I have to wear a mask every day—that the only value I bring to the table is the sparkling image others have created for me.

    Such is the life of being Captain Masculine, Big City’s greatest superhero. This is the existence I was destined for, and I will gladly defend this city against every threat to its people.

    Except Doctor Antihero.

    I’ve seen countless villains come and go, but something about Antihero intrigues me more than the usual hero-villain encounters should.

    It’s because of him that I impulsively signed up for a dating app, hoping a meaningless fling with a local normie will help get my head back in the game. The truth is, what I really want is someone who sees me—the man behind the mask.

    But that’s a luxury no superhero can afford.

    Not All Himbos Wear Capes is an MM romance between a superhero and a villain. Our men find other men in tight supersuits incredibly attractive. Sometimes, they keep these supersuits on while engaging in explicit extracurricular activities with each other (and sometimes they even use bad words!).

    This is not your kid’s superhero book. This is Sin City and The Boys having a love child with extra spicy Spideypool and is meant for 18+ adults who can handle such things.

    The Villainous Things series contains standalone books (each with HEAs) that feature interconnected characters and an overarching plot.

    *FULL LIST OF Content & TWs can be found in the front of the book and at c-rochelle[dot]com*

    CONTENT & TROPES:
    • MM romance
    • Dual POV
    • Superheroes/villains
    • Grumpy/sunshine
    • Star-crossed lovers + fated mates
    • Lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers (yup)
    • Hurt/comfort + found family
    • D/s dynamic that’s more bedroom than lifestyle
    • MM romance (in case you missed that part)
    • Plus suspenseful plot + save-the-world epicness for pizazz

    POTENTIAL TRIGGERS:
    • Sweary dialogue
    • Naughty irreverent humor
    • Extremely morally gray characters with moments of psychotic ideation
    • Extra spicy extracurricular activities (see inside book and c-rochelle[dot]com for specifics)
    • Minor gore in villain lair and during hero/villain battle scenes
    • Controlling + neglectful parents with some physical (superpowered) abuse
    • Lack of autonomy + indentured servitude
    • Restraints (not the fun kind)
    • Detailed descriptions of humans’ negative effects on coastal wildlife (specifically with pollution and including a seagull autopsy with details of the contents of its stomach)


    Heroism and villainy as a matter of perspective, or in this case, a matter of signing the contract, is a frequently explored theme in superhero stories.

    Villainous Things, by C. Rochelle, is another take on the subject. The series opens with Not All Himbos Wear Capes, an enemies-to-lovers secret romance between Big City’s golden boy, the cheese-tastically named Captain Masculine, and Doctor Antihero, a member of the infamous villain clan, the Suarez family.

    The world here is divided between normies and supes. The supes are considered different species and shouldn’t procreate with normies because their abilities might harm ordinary humans. They are expected to form strategic alliances with other prominent supe families to create more supes.

    The supes are further divided between superheroes and supervillains. The heroes are backed by the government and signed contracts to protect the city from the bad guys.

    Cap Masculine and Doc Antihero first met as Butch and Xander via an online dating app. They immediately hit it off on their first date. Still clueless of each other’s alter egos, they continued dating until things became serious between them.

    Then Xander invited Butch to meet his family. Only for Butch to realize Xander is from the notorious Suarez clan, having recognized his sister as Ultraviolent, and his mother as Glacial Girl. Xander still remained the clueless loving boyfriend, while Butch tries to find the right time to tell him. 

    Also, his family has arranged for him to marry a girl from another famous superhero clan, treating Butch as nothing more than a breeding stud. His entire life has been mapped out since birth and Butch is used to following orders.

    The plot starts simple enough as a secret identity romance, where the supposed villain shows his caring side and the hero discovers his kinkier desires. There’s also a grumpy/sunshine aspect, Xander being the growly top and Butch as the sunshiny himbo.

    I’m not a fan of the romance because it’s mostly boring daddy/boy foreplay with cringy dirty talk. Outside the bedroom, they were okay, mostly just there as eyes to see the world through. In short, I don’t care for the MCs. I just like the things happening around them. 

    Because bigger things are happening than just a forbidden love affair. Cap Masculine’s blinders fell off, and he took a stand against the indentured servitude his famous superhero parents signed him in when he was born. As they and the rest of the superheroes have signed such contracts.

    At this point, the plot became a convoluted game of political machinations, supe rights, family upheaval, and unlikely allies where power is challenged, and murders are committed to maintain the status quo.

    I wished the Saurezes came on page much earlier because they were the more interesting characters. Xander has a complicated relationship with his family. He says they’re all psychopaths and stays away from their house. They appeared halfway in the story, and made things a hell of a lot more chaotic and exciting. 

    Apocalypto and Glacial Girl have five known children, Violencia, Wolfgang, Baltazar and twins, Gabriel and Andre. Xander is the secret baby because he didn’t show any superpowers. His high IQ gave him multiple PhDs and nifty inventions, which he used to save the ocean. These inventions were hijacked by his evil dad into dastardly gadgets.

    Wolfgang, a.k.a. Hand of Death, practically stole the show, when he made his move to secure the Suarez family. One of the most powerful villains and a sly psycho who will protect his family at all costs, but is also surprisingly vulnerable, he’s my favorite character and happily, his book is next.

    The rest of the books feature the male siblings and continue the overarching plot so the books must be read in order.

    At first blush, Not All Himbos Wear Capes is a fun, raunchy take on the superhero trope. Then it goes grey and gritty the more we know about Big City and its secrets.

    While not really saying anything new about heroism and villainy, it still gave us an intriguing world that is fun to explore through the eyes of its superheroes and villains. Overall, heroically kinky, villainously wears its heart on its sleeve.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Villain
    Artist: Ado
    Album: Ado’s Mitattemita Album


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    NOT ALL HIMBOS WEAR CAPESKindle | Audiobook

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Villain by Ado

    Soundtrack to Villainous Things: Not All Himbos Wear Capes by C. Rochelle

    Villain by Ado for a book about forbidden relationships, embracing one’s true identity, and freedom from societal pressures.

    I’m sure we freak them out just by holding hands
    You’re reported when you opt out of the “rat race”
    I’m not a mutant; I’m just me
    Whether that’s X or Y

    Stubborn people hoard many goods and evils
    They say I’m “infringing” upon you
    Oh…

    Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Nocturnal petals
    I wear different clothes and pretend to be a boy in front of you
    Dear Dr. Duran Duran
    Please come pick me up
    To someone I don’t even know, I’m already a villain

    My hated life
    My hated life
    Eventually becomes inflamеd

    I cover up my deviant nature again
    A stamеn and stamen won’t get anywhere?

  • quote,  Uncategorized

    きっと手を繋ぐだけでゾッとされる
    馬鹿げた競争 一抜けたら通報される
    突然変異 じゃない ただの僕さ
    X とか Yとか

    べき論者様は善悪多頭飼い
    僕が君を “侵害” するって言いふらしてる

    Oh, Mr. Crazy Villain, Villain
    夜行性の花弁
    違う服着て君の前では男子のフリする
    拝啓 Dr. Duran, Duran
    迎えにきて下さい
    顔も知らない誰かにとって僕はもうヴィラン

    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    蛇蝎ライフ
    蛇蝎ライフ
    挙句の糜爛

    逸脱の性 をまたひた隠す
    雄蕊と雄蕊じゃ立ち行かないの?
    ねぇ知ってんのか乱歩という作家のことを
    Import you, import you
    造花も果ては実を結ぶ

    ぶるってんじゃねーよ 多種多様の性
    愛しい哀しい話をしよっか ゼラチン質の
    「で?」

    Mr. Crazy Villain, Villain
    可能性に幸あれ
    僕のハート1LDK 嫉妬くらいはさせてよ
    Hi there モットー YOLO, YOLO
    微熱愛でいいのに
    誰も知らない 知られたくない皮膚の下

    素晴らしき悪党共に捧げる唄
    骨まで演じ切ってやれ悪辣に
    残酷な町ほど綺麗な虹が立つ
    猥雑広告に踊るポップ体の愛

    Oh, Mr. Crazy Villain, Villain
    夜行性の花弁
    違う服着て君の前では男子のフリを!
    拝啓 Dr. Duran, Duran
    ここだよ
    顔も知らない誰かにとって僕はもうヴィラン

    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    ヴィラン ヴィラン
    蛇蝎ライフ
    蛇蝎ライフ
    挙句の果ての糜爛

    I’m sure we freak them out just by holding hands
    You’re reported when you opt out of the “rat race”
    I’m not a mutant; I’m just me
    Whether that’s X or Y

    Stubborn people hoard many goods and evils
    They say I’m “infringing” upon you
    Oh…

    Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Nocturnal petals
    I wear different clothes and pretend to be a boy in front of you
    Dear Dr. Duran Duran
    Please come pick me up
    To someone I don’t even know, I’m already a villain

    My hated life
    My hated life
    Eventually becomes inflamеd

    I cover up my deviant nature again
    A stamеn and stamen won’t get anywhere?
    Hey, you know a writer named Ranpo? Import you
    Someday, even artificial flowers will bear fruit

    Don’t be so scared; there’s a wide variety of genders
    Let’s talk about gelatinous things, like lovely things and sad things
    “So what?”

    Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    May you be happy with the possibilities
    My heart’s an 1LDK apartment, let me be jealous at the very least
    Hi there! My motto is YOLO
    I just need a little love
    No one knows, I don’t want anyone to know
    What’s under my skin

    This is a song dedicated to the great villains
    Act the part to the very bone, viciously
    The more cruel a town, the more beautiful its rainbow
    Dancing on obscene ads, it’s a pop font love

    Oh Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Nocturnal petals

    Wearing different clothes, I pretend to be a boy in front of you!
    Dear Dr. Duran Duran
    I’m here!
    To someone I don’t even know, I’m already a villain

    My hated life
    My hated life
    In the end becomes inflamed

    Kitto te o tsunagu dake de zotto sareru
    Ratto reesu ichinuketara tsuuhou sareru
    Myuutanto ja nai tada no boku sa
    X toka Y toka

    Beki ronja-sama wa zen’aku tatougai
    Boku ga kimi o “shingai” suru tte iifurashiteru
    Oh…

    Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Yakousei no hanabira
    Chigau fuku kite kimi no mae de wa danshi no furi suru
    Haikei Dr. Duran Duran
    Mukae ni kite kudasai
    Kao mo shiranai dareka ni totte boku wa mou viran

    Dakatsu raifu
    Dakatsu raifu
    Ageku no biran

    Itsudatsu no saga o mata hitakakusu
    Oshibe to oshibe ja tachiyukanai no?
    Nee shitten no ka ranpo to iu sakka no koto o Import you
    Zouka mo hate wa mi o musubu

    ​yes, and?

    Burutten ja nee yo tashu tayou no sei
    Kanashii kanashii hanashi o shiyou kka zerachinshitsu no
    “de?”

    Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Kanousei ni sachi are
    Boku no haato 1LDK shitto kurai wa sasete yo
    Hi there mottoo YOLO
    Binetsu ai de ii noni
    Dare mo shiranai shiraretakunai
    Hifu no shita

    Subarashiki akutou-domo ni sasageru uta
    Hone made enjikittе yare akuratsu ni
    Zankoku na machi hodo kirei na niji ga tatsu
    Waizatsu koukoku ni odoru popputai no ai

    Oh Mr. Crazy Villain Villain
    Yakousei no hanabira
    Chigau fuku kitе kimi no mae de wa danshi no furi o!
    Haikei Dr. Duran Duran
    Koko da yo
    Kao mo shiranai dareka ni totte boku wa mou viran

    Dakatsu raifu
    Dakatsu raifu
    Ageku no hate no biran