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MY TOP BL MANGA OF 2019
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MANGA: Sore wa Tabete wa Ikemasen
Sore wa Tabete wa Ikemasen – Koishikawa Ao
Ordinary university student, Kou, is living with Naoyuki; a gentle and timid vampire. Frightened of his narrow coffin, the cowardly vampire doesn’t scare Kou, but can Kou resist becoming his “lunch?”
An extra specially drawn compilation about Naoyuki’s older brother, Yukito, and a werewolf called Seiichirou! Every time a full moon appears, this werewolf has a particular problem…
The other title series contains a debut volume, compiled in four parts for a complete read.A volume of beautiful character designs and intriguing storylines.
You Can’t Eat That+ Kindly Dinner Table: A cowardly vampire and his roommate tried to live a happy life together when the vampire’s older brother comes in saying the cowardly vampire is going to marry a girl chosen for him. S’alright. I was more interested in the older brother and his man.
The Werewolf Afflicted on the Night of the Full Moon: The intense and complicated relationship between a spoiled-rich vampire and his submissive werewolf seme. I would love to see this as a full-length manga.
Friends Season: A so-so summery friends to lovers story
Entangled, Untangled: A special connection between sensei and student that I would love to see explored further
The Truth is You’re Kind: Featuring a break up, a make up and beanstalks. Wasn’t really feeling it
Beautiful Person: A peak at what’s it’s like to have a mysophobic lover. Kinda of cute but could have been more fleshed out.
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MANGA: Zantei, Koibito
Zantei, Koibito – Akiba Touko
Contains 3 short stories:
Chapters 1-3 – They’d been drunk. Or, more specifically, his boss had been drunk. So when Sakamoto jumped him, Kurahashi just went along with it. After all, it was just the alcohol…right?
Wrong!
At least, that’s what his boss thinks…and said boss doesn’t have a problem trying out a relationship with a colleague he thinks is in love with him. Unable to gainsay him, Kurahashi gets dragged into a relationship he never asked for – and finds himself getting deeper than he ever imagined.
Chapter 4 – Two childhood friends who abruptly drifted apart years ago are reunited. One of them is now a Buddhist monk… What does his friend feel about this?
Chapter 5 – The shy, reclusive, bespectacled Egawa confessed to Aoki on high-school graduation day…and was politely turned down. The two unexpectedly reunite in university, but to Aoki’s surprise, Egawa has become a completely different person who’s very popular with the ladies! But why does this cause strange, conflicting emotions within Aoki?
Eclectic collection featuring an office romance, childhood friends and unrequited high school crushes.
Zantei, Koibito: The main story and the best one. Loving the combination of the blunt, free-spirited boss and the calm, overachieving subordinate. I struggled at the beginning but it eventually won me over completely.
Just as the Buddha Says: Blond, green-eyed monk found peace and acceptance for his love for his childhood friend in Buddhist philosophy. Great premise, so-so execution.
The Obstinate Coward: Aoki turns down Egawa’s confession on their high school graduation only to find Egawa has changed in college. Aoki was an ass. My least favorite.
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MANGA: Double Play
Double Play – Nitta Youka
A guy who prefers net-life instead of reality… Is it even possible for someone like him to fall in love?
Giving hope to introverted geeks everywhere but hmm… I don’t trust the seme. He’s a little too seme.
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MANGA: Love Letter
Love Letter – Sakai Kunie
Kagawa recounts his meeting and becoming friends with Okada when he is introduced to Okada’s fiancee. But can their incredibly complicated relationship really be summed up simply as friends?
Gadamn angsty, unrequited feels! TELL HIM!!!
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MANGA: Issho ni Dakejya
Issho ni Dakejya – Kasai Rikako
Noboru was really excited about the trip to the hot spring resort his miser of a boyfriend booked for them. However, it didn’t turn out the way he wanted. Will he get his happy end?Part of Canna’s volume 11 short project, The Onsen Boys Short Project.
A sketch of relationship that looked like it wouldn’t last long.
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MANGA: Yes It’s Me
Yes It’s Me – Yamashita Tomoko
A collection of short stories.
1) Love Dancing Beneath My Eyelids
College student Numakami has known for a long time that his classmate Mahara is in love with him. But Mahara is pure, innocent – and still a virgin. For some inexplicable reason, this makes Numakami feel annoyed at being the object of his affections.2) She’s Missing
Yanagi is in love with Kobayashi, who can’t seem to stop talking about Adachi – a girl in their class. What will become of these three teenagers and their complex relationship?3) Minun Musiikki
A quiet pianist and an obnoxious, outspoken cellist often find themselves alone in the music room together…4) Yes It’s Me, (5) Yes It’s You, (8) Yes That’s It
The story revolves around Toma, who is head-over-heels in love…with himself! However, so is everyone else around him; and he knows that his business partner and old friend Enoki is no exception. Toma doesn’t blame him — after all, he is only the most brilliant, beautiful, and all-around perfect person to ever walk the face of the Earth! Who wouldn’t fall for him? Weirdly enough, Enoki is convinced that Toma returns his feelings. But they should both know by now that there’s no one he loves more than himself…right!?6) Loathe!
“I love you. And I know exactly what you love and what you hate. But regardless of how much I love you or how much time we spend in each other’s company, there are things I loathe about you as well…”7) Dreams Unfold at Night
A serious story about transsexuality and gender issues.Yamashita Tomoko-sensei once again pulls off her signature brand of unconventional BL stories, this time on the theme of “You’re in love with me, aren’t you?“
Love Dancing Beneath My Eyelids: A nice contrast between the world-weary and experienced vs the pure and innocent. Guess who gives in first.
She’s Missing: Bitchy, bitter boy jealous over his friend’s determined search for a missing girl his friend wants to sleep with. We can do without the rape comments. My least favorite of the bunch
Minun Musiikki: An obnoxious cellist about to be divorced getting in the face of a pianist he knew was in love with him. Quite frankly, I don’t trust the cellist.
Yes It’s Me+Yes It’s You+Yes That’s It: One of the best friends-to-lovers stories I have come across with!!! Living for Enoki’s completely matter of fact handling of the narcissistic Toma. ♡ ♡ ♡ ╰(*´︶`*)╯ ♡ ♡ ♡
Loathe!: A sketch of a love-hate relationship between two men. I wouldn’t mind reading the full story.
Dreams Unfold at Night: This was more educational than romantic. I did not get the ending.
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MANGA: Kimi to Natsu no Naka
Kimi to Natsu no Naka – Furuya Nagisa
Sequel to the popular Kimi wa Natsu no Naka.
Saeki and Wataru are now university students edging towards the next level in their relationship. Much, much slower paced than its prequel, much more mellow but still fluffy as ever.
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MANGA: White Cup
White Cup – Komari Nodoka
A boy meets a mysterious and mischievous man, requesting for a taste of the Sake he carries, on his way back home.
A haunting memory of summer and a fox spirit.
I want to see them drinking sake from that white cup.
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MANGA: Sannin Gurashi
Sannin Gurashi – Hirakita Yuya
After living with an abusive father, and a runaway mother, two brothers decide to live on their own. The story follows their life together and how they fall in love with the people they do.
Also contains a oneshot called “Pinky Promise” about a kindergarten teacher who falls for the older brother of one of his students.
Sannin Gurashi+First Love, Then Afterwards: Inter-related stories about gay brothers and their significant others. Homey and heart-warming
Pinky Promise: A very insta love story about a pre-school teacher and a high school student. About as convincing as a pinky promise.