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MANGA: Kotaete My Drifter
Kotaete My Drifter – Kamome Ohshima
It’s the hedonistic New York of the roaring ’20s. One night at a dazzling party Elliot meets Robert, a suspiciously suave man who reminds him of his first love. The two handsome gentlemen hit it off right away and soon their relationship takes a romantic turn… However, the paths of history are often cruel. Can they withstand the challenges thrown at them? Let Ooshima Kamome’s newest work captivate you with its sweet and dark atmosphere…
Answer My Drifter takes us to 1929 New York, just before the stock market crash. At a party, Elliot meets Robert, and the two quickly become lovers. Robert stirs memories of Elliot’s childhood friend from Chinatown—a half-white, half-Chinese boy he once loved.
Though Robert hints at ties to the mafia, Elliot remains his lover. When those connections and dark past catch up with Robert, Elliot is forced to fight for the man he loves.
This manga beautifully juxtaposes sweet and angsty, innocence and violence. Past and present Elliot dotes on Robert, unaware of the horrors in Robert’s life. Learning Robert secretly saved him from those when they were kids only made his resolved to keep Robert safe even stronger.
Chapter 4 is particularly harrowing in its graphic depiction of violence, so tread with care. Robert went through the wringer and was forced to work on the streets to survive, making him feel unworthy of Elliot.
His farewell letter is heartbreaking, but Elliot would have none of the goodbyes, determined to have him no matter what. Cheered so hard whenever Elliot was always there to catch his man. That ending made my heart soar!
This is a poignant tale of enduring love, resilient against poverty, tragedy, and time. Overall, friends may drift apart, life and love can always bring them back together.
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MANGA: Shitateya to Bocchan
Shitateya to Bocchan – Ohshima Kamome
Since he was a child, Takamiya has had a one-sided love for Katayama, the owner of a small tailor-made clothing store. With the age difference between them, Takamiya does not expect his feelings to be reciprocated, but he decides to make a declaration of his love anyway… and is bluntly rejected by Katayama! But Takamiya does not intend to give up. With his stubbornness, will he succeed in melting the heart of the reluctant tailor?
Ecstatic to find another manga about a tailor!
Tailor and Scion is a poignant age gap romance between Takamiya, a college student, and Katayama, the reserved tailor he adored since childhood.
Takamiya first fell for Katayama as a boy accompanying his father to the shop. Now an adult and determined to be seen as such, he confesses his feelings—only to be bluntly rejected. But Takamiya is nothing if not persistent, and slowly, ever so slowly, Katayama begins to tolerate, then rely on, his presence.
Whether Katamiya will ever lower his walls completely is another matter. And to make thing more complicated is an invitation from a fellow tailor, offering Katayama a chance to work abroad—an opportunity Takamiya refuses to hinder, even if it breaks his heart.
Our boy is a ray of sunshine with unputdownable determination to make the love of his life happy. Seriously, Katayama is spoiled rotten. Takamiya does everything from shower him with gifts, to cooking for him, to nursing him when he’s sick.
Katayama cuts an elegant figure in his shirts and waistcoats, always perfectly groomed—until he isn’t. Those rare moments of dishevelment are the tells, the cracks in his composure that reveal how deeply Takamiya affects him. As the older, unflappable one, he often appears cold, and it took a while before I was convinced he has feelings for Takamiya.
This is slow burn at its most potent! This manga gradually squeezed my heart tighter and tighter. The sheer amount of pining is almost overwhelming as Takamiya contents himself with whatever crumbs of affection Katayama deigns to throw his way.
I almost thought Takamiya deserved better but the mangaka works subtle magic. No L-words were exchanged but in Katayama’s nuanced reactions, his half-said truths, and fleeting softness we glimpse the melting of ice. Then he would go say something swoony and completely slay Takamiya!
Overall, crushes your heart first then stitches it back in place with the most exquisite care!
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MANGA: Aien Catharsis
Aien Catharsis – Ohshima Kamome
Ryuuji, the young master of the Inamiya apothecary, finds himself intrigued by the blunt honesty displayed by his driver, Kondou. One day, he discovers the burning passion that Kondou holds for him after he snuck a peek at Kondou’s journal. But even after Kondou discovers that Ryuuji read his journal, his behavior doesn’t change, which leads Ryuuji to be extra self-conscious of that fact…
Aien Catharsis is a gentle historical romance between a kind-hearted CEO and his too-honest-for-his-own-good chauffeur.
Ryuuji inherited the generations-old Inamiya apothecary. His succession is a bit controversial. The history between him and the other apprentice was later revealed. Kondou became his driver, and upon noticing the young man was practicing his writing skills in a journal, became very intrigued.
Kondou had a tendency to speak his mind plainly, which often got him into trouble, especially with the older employees. However, Ryuuji found this refreshing and soon became drawn to his chauffeur. When Ryuuji discovered Kondou’s feelings for him, he felt unsure about how to respond.
This is set in post-war Japan, where traditional family-owned companies struggled with modernization and adapting Western techniques. Ryuuji has to balance keeping traditions and keeping the company profitable. He is young and so more open to new things.
He also has to navigate being the boss, his growing feelings for his chauffeur, and some resistance from his older employees, who still remember the controversy. There is minimal angst, though there is the expected internal conflict with Ryuuji coming to terms with his feelings for Kondou soon enough. And when he is in, he is all in!
That cover perfectly captures the dynamics between Ryuuji and Kondou! Kondou is that devoted seme whose world revolves around his beloved boyfriend.
The artwork is just as evocative, and you should see Ryuuji in suits and Kondou in his chauffeur uniform! Since this is a post-war era, there’s suits moe to be had as men still wear more formal clothes.
This is a story that moves in a languid, graceful pace. At times, too slow but the slow-burn romantic development was always beautiful and passionate!
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