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MANGA: Koi no Mimiyori Chuuihou
Koi no Mimiyori Chuuihou – Okuyama Puku
Hajime can’t wait to make the scene at his high school……… but his dreams of coolness are soon dashed by the appearance of the weird and wily Nagura! A third-year elite student with a serious thing for perfect ears, Nagura will stop at nothing ’til he’s swabbed Hajime to his heart’s content! How long can this pair of almost friends keep their cat-and-mouse game going? Warning! Whispers of Love tickes your senses with astrange and sweet tale of bold obsession, braving obstacles……… and plenty of surprise crushes! Two cute guys give their all in a playful tug-of-war where no one’s sure who’s calling the shots… Which one will get everything he desires……… before the final school bell rings?
Of all the silly, ridiculous plots… ʱªʱªʱª (ᕑᗢूᓫ∗)
Warning! Whispers of Love is two idiots going on a merry chase all over the campus because sempai wants to clean kohai’s ears.
Resist he might but as expected, kohai couldn’t help but slowly fall for sempai. But dare he let sempai do it to him? Clean his ears that is…
The title story is already super hilarious. It’s extra funny to me because I’m one of those people who have a Q-tip addiction. I feel the issue of itchy ears is not talked about enough. We should have a Q-tip addiction support group. Who’s with me?
The adorableness of the story is perfectly matched by the kawaii art. I’ve always loved how the mangaka drew her characters. They look so floofy!!!
The volume also includes one shots of slightly less ridiculous but still cute stories.
My Room is a roommates to lovers stories of a Tokyoite who found himself falling for the stranger he agreed to live with for two weeks. This has the most subdued and melancholy mood.
Beyond The Lens is a reunited childhood friends to lovers romance of two high schoolers. This is the least interesting chapter for me. The characters were pretty generic, The story was so-so.
Tomorrow, Dogday, Sunny and Clear a.k.a. cockblocked by a corgi is one high schooler competing with a dog for his boyfriend’s attention. This one’s a riot. And hella frustrating because boy badly needs to get some.
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MANGA: Loveless
Loveless – Penguin Frontier
Lee is doesn’t feel love. Or so he thought…
Thirty-something salaryman Lee is living a lonely life, incapable of feeling love since the time his parents died when he was young. He’s roommates with another man, a guy who trusts no one after breaking up with his girlfriend. The two lived together and occasionally sleeps together, all out of convenience. One day, their simple arrangement changes…
Loveless is a one-shot that will crush your heart into tiny pieces in one short chapter. It’s a very succinct portrait of a life barely lived, of people going through the motions of living. It’s about a relationship that can hardly be called a relationship and how one doesn’t realize what they truly have until it’s gone.
The manga is very melancholy. The gorgeous colored art really did a good job reflecting that broody, introspective mood. I imagined this would make a great short film. I could already picture the beautiful soft-focused shots of the lonely people in the city at night ala Wong Kai Wai.
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MANGA: Only Mine
Only Mine – Katou Setsuko
A collection of stories.
This volume is a collection of slice-of-life stories, mostly about salarymen and a couple university students.
Only Mine is a romance between a taxi driver and his passenger. The salaryman was pretty forward but I liked the way their relationship developed. The taxi driver was adorably blushy. This needs to be a series or a full volume at least.
Omoi Megurasu (Think About) is two antagonistic coworkers bonding over a dog. Well actually, it was more like one begged the other to play with his dog. He was turned down but the stubborn man showed up unannounced anyway. This one had some twisty surprises. Really liked how the story played out.
Dare yori Negau Shiawase wa (I Wish Your Happiness More Than Anyone) has an interesting premise but boring execution. This is about two men working in the bridal industry. Couldn’t say more about it because it was so meh.
Boku no Jiman no Koibito desu (You Are My Special Lover) is about a salaryman who had to endure his coworkers boasting about their girlfriends. They all thought he was single and wanted to set him up. Dare he show them his boyfriend’s pictures? This is a nicely-done coming out story. The couple had such a great relationship. They really took time to talk things out. The boyfriend is a total sweetheart! So worth showing off!
Mokuyoubi no Yoru, Sentou de (At Thursday Night, In Public Bath) is about a university student who goes to the public bath owned by his classmate. Said classmate would then stare at his body, smiling like a loon, while he takes a bath. I’m all for a guy who’s upfront about things but ogling your customer while they bathe is creepy. The story was boring too.
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MANGA: Inoue-kun Hajimemasen ka?
Inoue-kun Hajimemasen ka? – Fujitobi
When Inoue’s asthma acts up on the first day of school, a boy named Karasuma helps him out. Inoue falls in love with him almost instantly, but Karasuma insists that he’s not interested in love. Inoue doesn’t give up and continues to ask him out at least three times a day. When Karasuma’s emotions get the best of him, Inoue mysteriously gets hurt by a mysterious breeze smashing a nearby window. But how could the sudden wind be Karasuma’s fault?
Adorbs!!!
Wanna Try Dating Inoue? is a collection of two interconnected stories set in a world where all sorts of furries and other mythical creatures exist.
The title story is about an asthmatic high schooler, Inoue, who was assisted by a poker-faced senpai, Karasuma after a particularly bad asthma attack. The super cheerful, super positive, super persistent Inoue promptly fell in love and was asking Karasuma to go out with him every chance he got. He was turned down every time. Strangely enough, Karasuma is always there to help him whenever he’s in a pinch. Why then is senpai so adamant about not wanting to date him?
This is how you do persistent, possessive characters. Typically I would be annoyed with Inoue’s type of character, the kind who throws themselves at the other person and wouldn’t take no for an answer. To me, that is harassment. However, Inoue did it so charmingly and so cutely. There were no dub-con moments. Everything was just so fluffy and gentle.
Karasuma is a tengu who possessed a rare ability. It is this rare ability that caused a disaster. This is why he doesn’t want to fall in love. But Inoue was pure sunshine and positivity, Karasuma found himself falling.
I particularly enjoyed the switch to Karasuma’s POV. Karasuma is expressionless most of the time it’s hard to tell what he thinks. But he’s just as endearing as Inoue in his own broody way. I loved their light/dark combination!
I Tried Dating Ookami is about Asaka who was confessed to by a big-scary-looking werewolf. Too scared to refuse, he agreed to go out with Ookami. He continued to be scared during their mostly awkward, mostly wordless interactions. The wolf was too intimidating. He couldn’t take it anymore, something had to give…Then he discovered, Ookami is not what he seems.
This is a story about not judging a person why his appearance. It was fun watching Asaka find out about the many wonderful things about the big guy. As you could have guessed, Ookami is a big softie. This wolf is really a shiba inu. Like I said, adorbs!
I really loved this volume! The art is very kawaii with furries and random creatures everywhere. The bonus panels at the end of each chapter were super fun!
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MANGA: Midara Na Sasayaki
Midara Na Sasayaki – Minase Masara
Sequel to Kokoro to Karada no Hazama. Coworkers Ryuuichi and Haruyoshi are dating but now Ryuuchi’s working all hours.
Indecent Whispers is the raunchier sequel to The Interval Between the Heart and the Body. This one-shot is a glimpse at the life of your typical overworked couple.
Haruyoshi is getting increasingly frustrated with his blue balls situation. His lover, Ryuuichi, has been working overtime during the weekends. When they finally had some alone time together, Ryuuichi was too tired to get in the mood. Desperate times call for desperate measures, Haruyoshi decided to get creative.
I think this skirted the edge of dub-con. Although, the two were already a couple so…I don’t know. I’m also not sure these two would last given Ryuuichi’s seeming lack of effort to give his boyfriend some attention. I get he’s tired but he could have offered to cuddle while getting some shut-eye instead of being bitchy.
Overall, I liked the prequel better. However, I think this would make a good series. A few more chapters might do wonders to Ryuuichi’s prickly attitude.
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MANGA: Kokoro To Karada No Hazama
Kokoro To Karada No Hazama – Minase Masara
Kokoro to Karada no Hazama is a prequel to Midara na Sasayaki scanlated by Hochuuami Haruyoshi was always a player until he met Ryuuichi. Now he’s settled down, but suddenly Ryuuichi says he’s going to an omai! Has Haruyoshi been wrong about their relationship the entire time?
The Interval Between the Heart and the Body are two idiots, Haruyoshi and Ryuuichi, fuck buddies who didn’t talk properly about their true feelings for each other.
Things came to a head when Ryuuichi met a girl for a marriage interview. Haruyoshi threw a fit, wanting to sabotage his lover’s date. His loyal-but-so-goddamn-tired-of-this-shit friend, Takahara, decided to take action forcing the two lovers to confront each other.
That is basically what happened. The rest was them having make up sex. Still, as simple as the plot is, this one-shot was still interesting enough for me to look forward to the sequel. What happens when they take their relationship to the next level?
Best character here is obviously Takahara, being the only sensible one. I’m on the fence about whether I want him to be secretly in love with his dork of a best friend or not but I definitely want him to have his own manga.
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MANGA: Apart de Itooshii Kimi ga Naku
Apart de Itooshii Kimi ga Naku – Ohtake Tomo
Ishikawa works as a prop hand at a television studio. One day, a young actor name Ikami comes over and says to him ”I’m going to die tomorrow”…… Following that encounter, Ikami tries to make small talk with Ishikawa.
You, My Dearest Crying In My Apartment is prop hand Ishikawa slowly being drawn to young actor Ikami. Actually, it was more like Ikami, who everyone described as difficult and cold, inexplicably latched on to Ishikawa.
The prop hand found himself taking notice of Ikami’s quirks and comparing them to everyone else’s comments about the actor. The latter was spending more and more time in Ishikawa’s apartment. One day, they talked about Ikami’s problems with the studio head. Then one thing led to another and they ended up kissing…
We’ve seen a lot of characters forcing themselves on another character. I don’t know what that trope is called but I frequently found it annoying. What I liked about Ikami here was that he did it in a way that didn’t irritate me. And there were no sexual harassments involved. Or anything sexual at all, at first. I’m not even sure these two realized they were gay.
It was just Ikami deciding to spend time with the other man. As a socially awkward person, I could understand the young actor being not personable. He talked only to people he liked, which is Ishikawa. And there’s Ishikawa realizing he’s having a good time. Also, that they liked each other that way.
The story isn’t as dramatic as the title made it out to be. The feels were slow-burn and low-key. This one-shot was written like there were supposed to be more chapters. It could certainly use another one or two to fully flesh out the characters and some plot points. The ending had the couple reuniting but still left me hanging.
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MANGA: Koi Saku Potager
Koi Saku Potager – Mita Homuro
Yui, a young chef, is secretly in love with Tetsu, the guy that works as a farmer in the neighbourhood. But secrets can’t be secrets forever, right?
This is why chefs should date adorable vegetable farmers!
Fall In Love In The Potager is a super fluffy, slow burn manga about enterprising chef Yui who is head over heels in love with young farmer Tetsu. Almost everyday, Tetsu eats lunch at Yui’s cafe. The chef wows him with delectable dishes made from his own farm’s vegetables.
The story is told from Yui’s POV. He pines for the young farmer who is quite oblivious to Yui’s more than friendly feelings. This has such a gentle vibe and the wholesomeness of fresh greenery. It’s when the POV flips to Tetsu’s that the feels intensifies.
Tetsu’s perspective touches upon the Japanese tendency to avoid buying misshapen vegetables. As a former office worker who just took up agriculture, Tetsu struggles to grow the ideal kinds of produce that are marketable. I loved how this made a sweet and endearing connection between the two main characters. That scene where troubled Tetsu discovered what Yui had done really tugged at my heart.
The secondary character, Miho, is a riot! He’s the bossy waiter who constantly nags the laidback Yui into working harder. He schemes to increase profit, is good with computers and brought the two dorks together. This man needs his own manga.
The artwork is lovely! I like how it complemented the story. The cover’s vivid watercolor illustration is eyecatching. It’s a style that not commonly seen. Foodies will also appreciate the unique recipes Yui whipped up for Tetsu. The mangaka generously shared them at the end of each chapter.
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MANGA: Ishibashi Defence Corps Individual
Ishibashi Defence Corps Individual – Unohana
Kokubunji, a Uni student with a rugged face, endures harsh training everyday in order to protect his friend, Ishibashi, who has an angelic smile and a supple body.── During class, club activities, and on holidays, he must carefully observe Ishibashi, so that he does not face danger! For his beloved Ishibashi, Kokubunji must struggle on a daily basis! He is tested to act logically, constantly! He is in defensive war for his best friend, with the Uni’s top student (with a dirty mind).
Ishibashi Defense Corps Individual is a funny, hopelessly in love with your best friend story about the super athletic Kokubunji whose sole purpose in life was to protect his beloved best friend, Ishibashi.
Ishibashi is a cheerful guy who is passionate about protecting his country. He and Kokubunji have been friends since middle school. Unbeknownst to him, his grumpy friend only joined the defense academy just to be with him.
The two friends navigate freshman and senior year. Being a natural athlete, Kokubunji excelled at everything effortlessly. The only thing he struggled with was hiding his true feelings towards Ishibashi.
I really liked the manga’s military navy setting. The story itself is light-hearted and cute. Kokubunji’s total adoration for his friend was super sweet and pure. I loved how the two friends progressed into boyfriends. It just felt natural. The scene where Kokubunji fried his brain when Ishibashi kissed him was hilarious!
The artwork is not that unique but I loved the way the mangaka drew the expressions. Especially Kokubunji’s. The man has an epic resting bitch face. His going-gaga-over-Ishibashi-while-trying-to-keep-it-cool face was super funny. He gave off this intimidating aura but he’s really just a big dork.
Bonus here was Sakura-senpai, Ishibashi’s roommate. He is a great character. Kokubunji thought their senpai was after his best friend so his hackles were up. Later, it was revealed that their senpai was actually, quite sneakily, working to turn the friends into a couple. They also learned that Sakura has a boyfriend. I’d love to read their story too!
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MANGA: Kemonomichi wo Tadotte
Kemonomichi wo Tadotte – Satsuki Yuki
One full moon night, a man suddenly meets the werewolf “Kuro”, hiding in the back alley. Immediately fascinated by the werewolf’s overwhelming presence, all reason is lost in the face of pleasure.
Kemonomichi wo Tadotte is a rare werewolf manga with actual knotting. Beyond the smut, this is really a tender kismet romance between two werewolf breeds. In this world, werewolves who stayed in the forest are called ‘kuro’ while those who decided to blend with humans are called ‘shiro’.
One day, a shiro found a kuro on the streets on a full moon night. He convinces the wolf to stay with him for the night. The kuro found it difficult to accept such kindness until the moon compelled him to take the shiro.
What I liked best was the twist later on. It’s the typical childhood connection plotline but it gave the story weight. And elevated what would have been nothing but more than an excuse for some knotty sex into a compelling love story that made me want more of this couple.
This oneshot has great potential! Turn this into a series please.
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