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MANGA: Otogibanashi wa Awa to Kie
Otogibanashi wa Awa to Kie – Jyanome
Oka, the manager of a ramen restaurant in Sapporo, has been in a friends-with-benefits relationship with his high school classmate, Akemi, ever since graduation. As much as they seem to have mutual feelings for one another, Oka is still hung up on the memory of his unrealized first love back in high school, while Akemi, shunned as the son of a yakuza family, has resolved to live his life in solitude.
But just as Oka is trying to convince himself to finally let Akemi go and end their relationship, someone connected to his fleeting first love appears…
Fairy Tales like Bubbles Burst starts with a moment forever frozen in memory.
Ramen shop manager Oka will forever remember that time in the library when he saw a boy crying. Now an adult, he looked back on it as his first love. Meanwhile, he’s enjoying the benefits of his best friend Akemi, which started on their high school graduation day.
It has always been casual with them until Oka meets the boy he thought he saw in the library who’s now a salaryman, openly gay and has just asked him for a date. It is what he has wanted all along, but why does he feel so conflicted?
Oka and Akemi’s relationship is both simple and complicated. Simple in that they’re fuck buddies, have been friends since childhood, and both have been single since high school. It’s complicated when Oka suddenly realizes his true feelings, and Akemi’s family background comes into the picture, putting a wrench between him and Oka.
Suguru, the salaryman, would have been easy to hate in his third-wheeling ways. But the man surprised me, not only by being a buttoned up salaryman by day and a vision of fabulousity at night, but he turned out to be the best wingman the lovelorn Oka could ever ask for! I love Surugu so much I want his manga. I wouldn’t mind a poly because last I heard, he has three boyfriends!
Childhood connections and little acts of kindness the doer has forgotten yet are very memorable to the receiver are frequently used in manga. The mangaka delivered particularly poignant moments that made my chest ache. The mutual pining and longing are so palpable that they hit me right in the kokoro. There’s also a heartwrenching separation and a happy reunion that made me smile!
The romance was developed so beautifully, the relationship between Akemi and Oka evolving while remaining constant. Also, they go at it like rabbits so this manga is hella smutty.
The artwork is stunning! The characters are lovingly drawn, and their expressions convey so much emotions. Which is just perfect because this is a manga you truly FEEL!!!
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MANGA: Koboreru Ambivalence
Koboreru Ambivalence – Hakata
Wataru, a 3rd year student, has to do the cleaning at school in order to get enough credits to graduate. His partner in cleaning is Yugo, a 1st year student who tends to be absent at school. Yugo’s arrogant attitude piques Wataru’s interest since he sees in Yugo his childhood friend and, as a result, Wataru feels it’s his duty to take care of him.But Yugo hides a secret…The long-awaited spin-off of Watarun from “Sankaku Twilight” is finally here.
We knew Wataru as the childhood friend/crush of Miki from Sankaku Twilight. He didn’t endear himself for playing with Miki’s feelings.
Spilling Ambivalence is Wataru’s turn. As a senior high schooler, he was assigned as a cleaning duty partner to a freshman, Yugo. He tried to befriend the younger boy, only to be rebuffed rudely. Both annoyed and intrigued, he kept trying to find a common ground with Yugo.
One day, Yugo caught a private moment between Ikkei and Miki on camera, and afraid his friend might be blackmailed, Wataru asked him to delete it. Yugo agreed to do so if Wataru would date him.
Yugo is foul-mouth with a hot temper, but the mangaka succeeded in making him endearing by making him cute and blushy. As the story progressed, Wataru discovered Yugo’s softer side and slowly he found himself falling.
Wataru is a bit too cool for school and a known troublemaker, but he handled Yugo’s vulnerabilities and insecurities in a surprisingly mature way. And the dates he planned were fun!
Admittedly, I don’t see them as a forever couple. As kindly as he treated Yugo, Wataru gives off strong bad boy/player vibes. He’s more of a first-boyfriend kind of boy, whom Yugo can gain experience and have precious high school memories to look back on.
While I’m not a fan of Wataru, this manga is a great sequel to Sankaku Twilight, showcasing his good side. The humor and romantic development are well-executed, and there are cameos from Ikkei and Miki.
Overall, a sweet story about fake boyfriends and real feelings.
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MANGA: Sankaku Twilight
Sankaku Twilight – Hakata
Pure-hearted sentimental love depicting the complex love triangle of an emotionless handsome half-Japanese boy and a dedicated Kansai dialect-speaking delinquent high school boy. A new story is born.
Miki, a delinquent who enjoys fights and is feared by those around him, ends up becoming a library committee member with Ikkei, who is his complete opposite. While they clash due to their contrasting personalities, Ikkei learns one day that Miki has a crush on his childhood friend and senior, “Watarun”. Despite the surprise, Ikkei supports Miki without prejudice and somehow becomes cherished.
Initially, Ikkei couldn’t stand Miki, but as time goes on, he starts to find him adorable…?
Triangle Twilight is a love triangle romance and a sweet story of first loves.
High schoolers Miki and Ikkei were on library duty. Ikkei is a popular half-Japanese, and Miki is a known delinquent. They initially got off the wrong foot, but when Ikkei saw Miki’s incredibly cute expression when looking at his senpai and childhood friend Wataru, he realized Miki was in love.
The two started getting along when Miki learned that Ikkei had kept his secret and that he was willing to lend an ear to his love woes. The longer they spent together, the more Ikkei fell for his new friend. But could he compete with Miki’s beloved senpai?
Miki is a sweet, loyal soul, like an adorable puppy who follows his senpai. When he smiles, he smiles with his whole being, lighting up the room. The only thing missing are little fangs. Ikkei is thunderstruck by that smile and would have been content to be Friend #2 if not for some encouragement.
I normally steer clear of love triangles but the way the plot unfolded, how the feels developed, and how the triangle was resolved, it was heartfelt, satisfying yet painless. Ikkei and Miki were two of the most lovable characters, and I was rooting hard for them.
Wataru is an interesting character and cause of conflict. He learned some lessons at the end and I’m looking forward to his manga.
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MANGA: Chuuken-kun
Chuuken-kun – Fuu Aikawa
Akira, a sensitive high school boy who struggles with socializing, admires Nao, an older cafe employee. He respects Nao as his mentor and follows him around like a faithful dog out of sheer hope of getting closer. As they spend their days eating, traveling, and chatting, Akira’s feelings gradually develop into romantic love, but…
This is an everyday love story which portrays step-by-step feelings of a loyal but clumsy school boy and a guy with maxed-out social skills.
(Source: GOT)
Faithful Dog is a slow-burn, dialogue-heavy slice-of-life romance between a high-schooler and a college student.
While on the train, Akira had an unfortunate experience, and only Nao was kind enough to help him. After that, Akira started hanging around the cafe Nao works in and following the older man whenever he could. He did so faithfully that Nao was reminded of Hachiko.
Nao is cheerful, friendly with a smile like sunshine, and Akira is amazed at how he spreads happiness. He inspires the high schooler to be a better person. The two enjoy each other’s company and hang out at every opportunity.
The plot chronicles the character development and the relationship between the MCs. First, Akira goes from admiration to something deeper. Nao starts seeing things from a different perspective after Akira’s confession.
The two MCs had lengthy conversations, discussing things matter-of-factly. The romance is low-key and, as the blurb advertised, very much rooted in the everyday. There were no grand gestures or unnecessary drama, just things falling into place because, being sensible people, they communicated properly.
Though, I think it’s a missed opportunity not to put size difference into play with Akira being much taller than Nao.
Overall, this is not a manga with lots of bells and whistles. Its charm is in its simple, straightforward quality, highlighting friendships, personal connections, and how their lines crossed and evolved.
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MANGA: Naisho no Stalker-san
Naisho no Stalker-san – Hiro Haruyoshi
Kadoya is a resilient, hardworking, and gentle person so, he’s often pushed to do a lot of work. He has this certain “secret”. He is living strangely with someone he can’t see. When he comes home completely exhausted, there’s a hot bath and meal prepared for him. And at night… “He” comes to his side and holds him. Kadoya feels so perfectly supported in everything, from housework to letting his sexual frustrations that it feels like he can’t live without “him” anymore…!
My Secret Stalker is about the overworked salaryman Kadoya having a stalker problem.
Interestingly, this is not one of those nuisance stalkers who leave disembodied doll heads or notes written in blood. Kadoya’s stalker is as helpful as a shoemaker’s elf, cleaning his house, preparing his dinners, and even engaging in somnophilic shenanigans to help the perpetually exhausted Kadoya sleep better.
Conflict comes when Kadoya starts hanging out with his kohai Yakumo, who is friendly, sometimes flirty, and always ready to help. Kadoya’s stalker is becoming jealous. Kadoya fears he might disappear, just when Kadoya was dependent on him,
The stalker thing is creepy but it floats Kadoya’s boat, him being lonely, needy and wanting to be taken care of. Also, the TLC, the humor and the pretty characters offsets the cringe aspects.
It wouldn’t take much brain power to guess the stalker. I mean, he’s just there.
This is a fun and smutty manga with a cute-ish romance about a guy with good intentions going about it the wrong-ish way.
To paraphrase Kurt Cobain, “I’m so creepy. That’s okay. My will is good.”
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MANGA: Doukyuusei A
Doukyuusei A – Ouji
Asaoka, the delinquent who rules the high school, and Saji, his taciturn classmate. Asaoka looks down on Saji for being unremarkable and friendless, but one day, a single comment from Saji completely changes their relationship…
Classmate A is a story of a high school boy who has yet to learn not to mess with somebody with dead eyes.
This is a fucked up story of one socially adept delinquent, Asaoka, befriending the perpetually solitary Saji. By all appearances, it’s a kind gesture, but Asaoka’s true motives were less than charitable. He thought he hid it well, but when Saji was headhunted by a criminal group over Asaoka, his envious rage was turned on himself when Saji revealed he knew Asaoka’s intentions all along.
And this is where an insidious friendship, a deceptively affectionate sadism, and a desperate codependency took root because that is all Asaoka could do to survive.
Saji calls it returning a friendship and vows to take care of his classmate. His brand of TLC is something else. He might look nerdy but he’s a hella strong fighter, literally packing a punch and able to take down three yakuza members by himself.
The one-shot is not overtly romantic, but it’s easy to see the beginnings of an intimate bond that would progress into a deeper connection. I could easily see Saji pushing Asaoka’s limits further.
Why our boy thought Saji was a pushover is stupid. Saji is actually attractive, but come on, look at those eyes! It’s always the quiet ones.
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MANGA: Ore ga Suki nara Kobitemiro
Ore ga Suki nara Kobitemiro – Sato Tsubame
“No one in their right frickin’ mind would fall for you!”
Matsuda and his rival Katou belong to the sales department at Touto First Bank’s head office, where the competition is cutthroat for its elite employees. But when Matsuda is in a drunken stupor one night, the two end up going at it…on his own bed! And the next morning, Katou kneels on one knee and proposes!!! Matsuda, who’s always been straight, refuses to accept that the two have slept, so there’s absolutely no way he’d develop feelings for the likes of Katou…right? Right?! When passion and stubborn pride are pitted against one another, which will prevail? Find out in the epic conclusion to this battle for love!
(Source: Taiyo Tosho)
If You Love Me, Be All Over Me is the sequel to Ore ga Sukinara Hizamazuke.
In the last chapter of the prequel, there was a proposal. This installment seems to put the two MCs a few steps backward. Matsuda is still in denial and tries to find attraction in girls but can’t get the insufferable Kato out of his mind.
Kato still dub-cons his way into Matsuda’s pants, which should make him unappealing as a love interest. The mangaka strongly plays Matsuda’s tsundere personality as a foil to Kato’s forwardness. While I don’t approve of Kato’s methods, his feelings for Matsuda are palpable, and I loved how he subtly and overtly supports and admires Matsuda.
The romance secretly unfolds while the plot focuses on workplace happenings with realistic dialogue. I really glossed over most of them but the manga is far from boring. There is plenty of office drama, and romance is compelling.
There are lots of supporting characters adding humor or conflict. Also, I am convinced Kato’s and Matsuda’s supervisors are fucking or should have their own manga.
There is a promise of forever in the end but I wish there was a scene where we see Kato and Matsuda dressed like that in the cover. Flawed as the characters are, it’s not a warm fuzzies kind of relationship. I’m not even sure it would work, but somehow, the manga has me convinced.
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MANGA: One Side In Room
One Side In Room – Mitsuko
Oka, a student, whose gaze could be considered menacing to others and which has led him to be apart from the rest, is in love with Saeki, a handsome student who attends his university.
A few days after the entrance ceremony, during the welcome party of his club, Saeki kisses Oka and tells him: “you’re adorable”.
Ever since that moment, both of them start sharing more and more time together in Oka’s house. They even had more intimate interactions than just kisses. Oka thinks Saeki might be with him on a whim due to his relaxed personality. However, Saeki might be actually taking his actions towards Oka quite seriously…One Side in Room is a closed proximity, tsundere romance between two university students with opposite personalities.
Oka has a resting bitch face and crippling social anxiety, which prevents him from interacting with other students. He’s attracted to the super popular Saeki, who caught Oka staring at him often.
Saeki met Oka on the train after witnessing the introverted man kindly offering his seat to another passenger. When they were both at a drinking party, Saeki took his chance and kissed Oka. Since then, Saeki kept showing up at Oka’s apartment any chance he got.
This would have been your run-of-the-mill opposites attract romance, but Saeki won extra points for being the only seme who’s concerned about how his uke felt after seducing him.
While there is no dub-con, Oka goes along with the flow, wondering why Saeki is doing what he is doing. Our boy is pretty much resigned that his crush was experimenting and will soon go back to girls.
A part that pinched the heart was Oka, always leaving space on the other side of his bed, just in case Saeki arrived in the middle of the night. Saeki often does, attaboy! The biggest emotional arrow to the kokoro is that Saeki and Oka have heartfelt things to say to each other, and they don’t know how. Oh, the agony!
The romance was slow-burn, angsty, and full of delicious pining. This allowed the characters to grow and develop, making their connection feel genuine and relatable. Oka is my introverted spirit animal, and Saeki proved himself worthy by staying true and speaking from his soul.
Their story, especially the beginning reminds me of this Arctic Monkeys song:
Stop makin’ the eyes at me
I’ll stop makin’ my eyes at you
What it is that surprises me is
That I don’t really want you to
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MANGA: Gomidame no Garnet
Gomidame no Garnet – Inuno Mageyuishi
Kanae, a hitman, encounters a half vampire named Sara at a dump site and is attacked. With nothing to lose, Kanae is completely indifferent to having his blood sucked or his home invaded.
Sara, a bloodthirsty defective vampire abandoned by his parents, offers Kanae a deal: “In return for taking care of your decrepit lifestyle, become my food…”
What begins as a physical relationship fueled by the arousal of bloodsucking, brings a warmth they’ve never known, melting away the loneliness they’ve both carried — A love story where two lost souls find each other amidst a cruel and unforgiving world.
The Garnet That Sparkles in Junk is a story about an arranged codependency between a half-human vampire and an apathetic hitman who agrees to provide him with blood in exchange for keeping the hitman’s apartment tidy.
After a meet-disaster where the vampire, Sara, literally fell from the sky, hitman Kanae lets him stay in his house and drink his blood without so much as batting an eye. It was later revealed that Kanae’s extraordinary apathy stems from his tragic childhood. He was taken in by an old man he calls Gramps, who gave him “jobs”.
The plot follows the evolution of their relationship, Sara’s conflicting thoughts about his human and vampire nature, and the changes in Kanae due to his connection with Sara. There’s plenty of cozy domesticity, and the pace and vibe are slow and sweet.
As much as liked the dynamics between Kanae and Sara, the feels didn’t ping my squee-meter. Something felt missing, though I can’t pinpoint exactly what it was. Maybe the stakes weren’t that high, even during the part where Kanae was held hostage by a gang, or maybe Sara’s dilemma was really a non-issue.
All in all, great premise, and an enjoyable read, just needs more oomph.
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MANGA: Ore no Itoshii Kaijin R
Ore no Itoshii Kaijin R – Katou Susu
Kureno Rei, the straight-laced, over-serious president of the student council, is the type of person that treats everybody equally. Day after day, he strives to carry out his duties. Suddenly one day, an evil monster called “Dark Genesis” came flying in from space. His aim is “to obliterate the hero who’s occupying the body of a student in the academy”. In order to protect the students, Rei let himself be possessed by the monster…! And then, showing up in front of Rei’s eyes is Fuwa Minori, a delinquent who had no idea that he’s the hero. Rei wanted to clean up the villain in the most amicable way possible, so he approached Minori and deepened their relationship. However, Minori got attracted by Rei and when Minori confessed to him, Rei’s body changed into a monster’s. The way for him to return to normal is through the hero’s kiss…?!!
My Dear Monster R is a story of an evil space monster about to wreak havoc on Earth when it met the student council president.
Kureno Rei is the high school’s beloved student council president, known to champion students’ interests first and foremost. He’s dedicated, serious, and caring so when an evil monster from beyond the galaxy invaded his body looking for the hero among the student body, Rei transformed into the gentlest villain to ever exist, seeking the hero .
Although he’s a delinquent, Fuwa Minori comes from a family of heroes. His dormant powers awakened when Rei approached him, though he was initially confused by Rei’s friendly approach.
The student council president politely asked if he had any concerns he wanted to share, as Rei was willing to lend an ear and assist. Soon, Minori found himself falling for the president.
Then, one day, Rei’s monster form appeared, and only Minori’s presence made it disappear.
The story takes the hero and villain archetypes and gives them a fun and spicy codependency twist. The monster boyfriend is virginal, straight-laced, and vulnerable, with a self-sacrificing streak, always putting others before his own needs. The hero is popular, laid-back, not-so-academically inclined, a former playboy who completely adores his dear monster.
The two had to watch out for those touch-and-go moments when the monster was about to rear its ugly/kawaii head, and they rushed to a secluded area to do something about it. The rest of the plot highlights the increasing difficulty of getting rid of the monster and the development of their physical and emotional connection.
Our boy Rei is willing to do what it takes to save the world, a.k.a., the students. Minori will do what it takes to save his boyfriend. All in all, the friendliest, most fun, and hella delicious way of vanquishing evil!!!
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