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MY TOP BL MANGA OF 2023
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MANGA: Hyakusou no Uraniwa
Hyakusou no Uraniwa – Aoi Aki
Once upon a time, Marcel’s sister fell in the forest while gathering herbs. Her injuries were grave and Marcel was at a loss for what to do, until a fearsome horned man appeared, offering helpโin exchange for a promise. Now, ten years later, Marcel returns to the woods, steeling himself for death. Instead, he finds something quite different: a gentle soul, friendshipโฆand perhaps something more.
Entangled With You: The Garden of 100 Grasses is a flora-themed collection, as beautifully rendered as it is poetic and poignant.
The main story is a Beauty and the Beast-inspired tale, but the beast here is only a beast in appearance. Gisel is a kind soul, lonely, with only books to keep him company.
Marcel and his sister, Bertha, are apothecaries who frequently go to the woods to gather herbs. After his sister was injured and Gisel helped them, Marcel promised to return after Bertha married.
It started with a misunderstanding, but Gisel and Marcel’s friendship grew deeper as the year passed. There’s very light conflict, if you could even call it that. The whole vibe was very cottage-core, even though they lived in a mansion.
The romance is very low-key, acknowledged only in smiles, kind gestures, and soft words. Their idyllic existence washed over me like a balm. Gentle, cozy, magical, and wholesome, the kind of story they would do if Ghibli created BL manga.
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MANGA: Stellarium
Stellarium – Aoi Aki
Kanata is a scientist. After his former lover died, he became a workaholic and an alcoholic. He was working on an experiment when he made a mistake which resulted in boy’s sudden appearance. He tried to shake off the boy’s existence by trying to dispose of him, since he is not human, but his friend stopped him. Their relationship started to change when Kanata gave him a name, but deep inside his heart Kanata feels anguished by the reality before him. This boy’s resemblance with his former lover is undeniable…
A slice of life collection of inter-related stories with gentle, melancholy atmosphere and hopeful open-endings.
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MANGA: Tsumasaki Ni Kourozu
Tsumasaki Ni Kourozu – Aoi Aki
1-3) Tsumasaki ni Kourozu
Iwai Arata was recommended by his professor to work part-time under a rather eccentric mycologist, Murota. The mycologist seemed hard to approach at first. But slowly as he got used to Iwai’s presence, he became friendlier in his own way, showing Iwai a whole new world and giving him guidance with life. Though every day was fun and exciting, a sense of unease began to creep into Iwai’s heart4) Lingering Light (Tsumasaki ni Kourozu – Extra)
5) A Fish’s Warmth
Hirotaka has a secret. When people fall asleep, he sees fishes swimming out of their bodies, wandering and playing, and going back when they awaken. But, the deeper one’s secret is, the more solitary he becomes.6) Excursion at Midnight (A Fish’s Warmth – Extra)
7) August, End of Summer
When Haruhiko’s grandfather dies, he stays behind in the old house for the memorial service. Left with regrets of lost time, a mysterious boy, and forty nine days in the countryside, Haruhiko finds himself accepting the oddities and discovering a beautiful place.8) The Coming of Summer (August, End of Summer – Extra)
Magical summer tales as soothing and peaceful as sunshowers.
Tsumasaki Ni Kourozu: Gently paced age-gap romance between a socially awkward professor and his research assistant amidst fascinating illustrations of flora. No magic at all but felt so nonetheless
A Fish’s Warmth: In a world full of secret fishes, melancholy high schooler opens his heart to friend. Their fishes dance together.
August, End of Summer: College boy, dead grandfather and a lonely fox spirit. Poignant and enchanting.
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Kimi ni Yoseru Blue – Aoi Aki
In a port town on a small island came a transfer student from a big city. Yuuta, a friendly guy, becomes friends with the isolated transferred student Kouhei. One day, Yuuta, who grew an admiration towards Kouhei, has to face a love confession made to his new friend. Then, Yuuta finds out that Kouhei has someone he likes…
Melancholy, bittersweet and evocative.
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MANGA: Sacharias no Me
Sacharias no Me – Aoi Aki
A very short story about Eduard and Carrel who are trying to find their own path to love.
A serious story about change with an atmosphere that is a little mysterious and ambiguous.
