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MANGA: Toshishita Joushi wa Homeraretai
Toshishita Joushi wa Homeraretai – Minamoya Kazuki
[Pushy Younger Boss x Lone Wolf Older Subordinate]
A heartwarming office romance that begins with two adults ‘complimenting each other’!“This is a suggestion to help our work go more smoothly… Why don’t we compliment each other?”
Kashiwagi, in his 30s, has just moved into a new industry. His brilliant younger boss and mentor, Amamiya, seems a bit uncomfortable interacting with him, an older subordinate. Concerned about their relationship, Kashiwagi waits for an opportunity to have a relaxed conversation with him, but catching up with the very busy Amamiya proves difficult.
One day after work, Kashiwagi runs into Amamiya who is working overtime. He offers to help, hoping to improve their relationship even if just a little, but…?
What surprising suggestion comes from Amamiya, the capable younger boss…!?
Younger Boss Wants to be Praised is a sensible workplace romance that happily runs on the communication trope.
Kashiwagi is a new hire who will be working with a younger boss, Amamiya. After the awkward first few days, the ice between them broke when Kashiwagi complimented Amamiya.
The two then talked candidly about how they could work better together and Amamiya suggested they give each other compliments. The younger men is the type who is motivated by praises.
The more time they spent with each other, the more Amamiya wanted to see Kashiwagi’s true personality. He was puzzled by his subordinate’s rather apathetic reaction to the praises. Kashiwagi, on the other hand, found his boss intriguing but hesitated to be more open because of a scandal that ruined his reputation in his former company.
There were plenty of scenes where it was just Kashiwagi and Amamiya talking. These are two level-headed men and while there were moments of conflict and emotions were heightened, they always sought each other to clear the air, afterward.
Even the love confession and the response, plus the fact that Kashiwagi is bi while Amamiya had never been with a man, were handled through an open conversation. This isn’t to say there were no sparks or excitement – quite the opposite! There’s plenty of zing to go around, just in that subtle, low-key style that always hit the kokoro.
The scenes are either in the office or in public spaces, so the two men try to be discreet about their relationship. The artwork beautifully highlights their adorable blushy expressions, the barely restrained passions, and the kisses!
As much as I love dark romance, wholesome couples in healthy, supportive relationships will always be goals. Cheesy as it sounds, workwise and relationship-wise, Kashiwagi and Amamiya perfectly complement each other!
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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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MY TOP BL MANGA OF 2024
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MANGA: Ichioku no Otoko
Ichioku no Otoko – Akimitsu Hino
Although he is an assistant manager, Michiya Matsukaze lives in a rickety old apartment and makes do with holes in his socks. He generously treats his subordinates every week and dotes on his pet hamster, Hamuo, although Hamuo is clearly trying to escape at every chance he gets. After one such attempt, Matsukaze runs into Klaus Sakakibara, who falls in love with Matsukaze instantly. With the help of his butler Gramps (a secret magician that can turn animals into human form), Klaus schemes to make Matsukaze his forever. For a financially struggling single man like Matsukaze, what price will he write on his tag? Oh, and… should we go over that power that Gramps possesses…?
`(Source: Fantasista Inc.)`
100 Million Man must have been created when the mangaka and their editor were extremely drunk or high as a kite. I’m including the editor because somebody approved this for publication.
The main plot of a man, Michiya, who sold himself for 100 million yen to be, Klaus, a rich man’s boyfriend is mundane enough. The plot quickly descended into chaos and mayhem when an escapee hamster, Hamuo, parachuted out the window with a 10,000 yen bill. A chase ensued, Klaus’s butler stepped in, and Hamuo suddenly found himself naked and human.
The butler, Gramps, has magical powers and fulfills anything his master desires. The more sillier, the better. Add to this are more animals transformed into ridiculously horny men even Gramps, also suddenly transformed, couldn’t resist.
This wackadoodle manga is nothing but hijinks and shenanigans where disbelief and common sense are thrown out the window the moment you start reading. I wouldn’t consider this porn without a plot because there is actually a method to this madness, believe it or not.
If you like Gintama humor mixed with erotica, this one’s for you.
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MANGA: Ikemen no Senpai ga Jitsu wa Doutei de Junjou Deshita
Ikemen no Senpai ga Jitsu wa Doutei de Junjou Deshita – Nobana Saori
Saijo, a salaryman, and Tachibana, a junior, are lovers. Mr. Saijo is handsome and very popular with the girls in the company, but he was actually a virgin! So, I try various things with the two of them to get rid of……!
Was The Hot Senpai actually a Virgin? is an adorkable gap-moe romance between an established couple: salaryman Saijo and his kohai, Tachibana.
Saijo is known as “the prince” in his workplace for his perfect, godlike appearance and manner. Men and women fawn all over him. Unknown to them, Saijo constantly struggles to maintain his Mr. Perfect persona. He’s actually hella awkward and easily flustered, but when he’s in the zone, boy, does he shine!
Tachibana, the rookie, noticed his secret struggles and told Saijo it was okay to be his real self. This made Saijo sit up and take a good look at his rather direct kohai—and find him cute.
Tachibana is an ordinary, respectable salaryman with a colorful, leopard-printed past. This comes out in his speech fiercely defending his beloved senpai when Saijo was the target of gossip.
Tachibana’s hometown friend and new employee, Suzume, stirs the pot, making Saijo jealous of his closeness to Tachibana while hitting on Saijo at the same time. It was a bit chaotic. Everyone was a hot mess for a moment there.
When Saijo and Tachibana started dating, it led to the most awkward and funny sex scenes. It was the virgin leading the virgin where our dorky prince and his equally dorky but determined boyfriend grappled with logistics, premature releases, and repeated attempts at mutual satisfaction.
This is a fun, wholesome, and blushy look at a loving, supportive couple learning trust, intimacy, and pleasure as they navigate their work and personal lives. I love these dorks!
Our naughty boy, Suzume, has his own story in Osananajimi ga Do M de Tsundere Nan desu ga.
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MANGA: Master wa Koi wo Shiranai
Master wa Koi wo Shiranai – Io Amaki
Natsuki’s a coffee shop owner who took over his father’s business. Akutsu, a regular customer, is a real estate businessman in charge of a redevelopment plan that involves evicting businesses in Natsuki’s shopping district. They become adversaries as negotiations continue with the shopping arcade, which explains Natsuki’s aloofness toward Akutsu in their daily exchanges.
But, one day, they become secretly involved in a way Natsuki never imagined. Akutsu spots Natsuki outside a bar catering to men and notices his hesitation to take the first step. Who would have guessed that he would suggest experimenting with him?
So begins a bittersweet, mature game of love between a confident realtor and a coffee shop proprietor who has no experience with relationships.
Source: Renta!
The Coffee Shop Owner Knows Nothing About Love is an enemies-to-fuck-buddies-to-boyfriends romance between a cafe owner, Natsuki, and real estate developer, Akutsu.
Akutsu can’t seem to stay away from Natsuki’s cafe despite his company’s plans to redevelop the neighborhood where the cafe is. Natsuki is inexperienced, and after an awkward encounter with Akutsu in front of a gay bar, agrees to gain experience with Akutsu’s help.
Unknown to Natsuki, Akutsu has been crushing on him for a long time now.
Akutsu’s approach was borderline dub-con-ish but the man is really just confident and slightly possessive because he wants Natsuki to himself.
There’s also a grumpy/sunshine dynamics. Natsuki easily gets annoyed and flustered. He’s a mix of German and Japanese descent so he has blond hair and blue eyes. And boy is he blush-y!
Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the two men were a thing. So it was pretty funny when Natsuki thought he and Akutsu were doing a good job keeping things hush-hush.
It’s a familiar plot but executed well. It gave me a thrill when my favorite childhood connection angle was revealed. The two MCs are likable, and while their romance had some drama, it was cute and spicy.
Overall, not breaking any new ground, but still entertaining!
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MANGA: Akumariage
Akumariage – Shimiri
Kairi Tsuji was born with mysterious marks on his hands. One day, a demon appeared before him in order to take his soul as part of a contract from his past life. Kairi is in shock at the sudden turn of events, but the demon, Raju, cursed Kairi with the marks on his hands in order to prove it. Just as Kairi thinks his life is over, Raju pushes him down and takes his virginity…?!
Akuma+Mariage is for everyone who loves Grell-type characters: redhead, fangy, flirty, and hella clingy.
This is a story of Faustian deals and reincarnation where our boy, senior high schooler Kairi, is jealous of his former self and competes with that self in pleasuring his demon spouse, Raju. The demon refuses to leave his beloved Kairi’s side and follows him everywhere. Later, he transforms into a super-kawaii chibi version hidden in Kairi’s pocket.
Things become more exciting when Kairi’s memories of his past life return, and a powerful demon appears to stir trouble and attempt to ruin their relationship.
While Kairi and Raju’s romance was spicy and sweet, I was more interested in the other demon and the blond angel who appeared in a brief scene together. Their one-sided (the demon) antagonistic dynamics were more compelling to me. And you can tell the taller, arrogant demon is going to be the uke.
I also prefer past Kairi to the boring present Kairi. Past Kairi had more sass. Raju is a lovable horny himbo who adores all versions of Kairi and just wants to be showered with affection.
The closing chapter is fast-forwarded 10 years later and 27-year-old Kairi is ready to introduce his demon spouse to his mom. He’s showing more personality here so salaryman Kairi isn’t so bad, either.
Overall, a mixed bag. Read it for Raju!
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MANGA: Unmeiteki Lovemeter
Unmeiteki Lovemeter – Miyama Kaoruko
Kai Shizuki is an ex-idol who is considered a prince at school, but he has a secret. He can see balloons above people’s heads that give away their true emotions toward him. One day, while being chased by fans, Shizuki is unexpectedly saved by Shinozuka, the supposed bad boy. Even more surprising, Shinozuka’s balloons are bigger and glossier than any Shizuki has ever seen before.
Fateful Lovemeter is a delinquent romance between the school bad boy and a former child actor. And boy, do we love our delinquents with golden hearts!
Shizuki can see balloons above people’s heads that show their true feelings. He and Shinozuka became friends after Shizuki, chased by rabid fans, ran into the room where Shinozuka frequently hangs out. To his shock, Shizuka found that Shinozuka’s ballon was the biggest and shinest, and he wondered why.
Shinozuka, the notorious bad boy, is rumored to do dastardly deeds, from selling drugs to hiring sex workers to carrying a knife. In truth, he’s just a solitary creature working part-time at a clothing store, occasionally helping out his only friend, Tsuki, and a secret, hardcore Shizuki otaku. The gap moe is giving!!!
The more time Shizuki spends with Shinozuka, the more he learns of the other boy’s kinder, gentler nature. Meanwhile, Shinozuka is just happy to be around Shizuki, even from a distance, so imagine how big his balloon got now that they are friends, and Shizuki laughs or smiles or says nice things about him!
And OMG, the childhood connection!!!
Shinozuka’s balloon had grown so huge that Shizuki doesn’t know what to do with it! It took a while for him to come to terms with his feelings which led to some drama.
The only thing that would have burst this uber-cute bubble is the completely unnecessary rope scene. Fortunately, this was over quickly, and we’re back to balloons, beautiful boys, and a happy ending that is ridiculously adorbs!
Foals said it best:
We fly balloons on this fuel called love.
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MANGA: Afterglow
Afterglow – Wagase Wagimoko
“On one awful night, I met the strangest man.”
Kiyotaka Higuchi was on his way to becoming an elite cardiovascular surgeon after graduating from medical school. Yet, just before getting his specialty qualification, he was sent off to a remote rural town in Kyushu. Now practicing as an internal medicine physician, he struggles every day to listen to the strong accents of the elderly people he treats. Feeling dejected by what he sees as his sudden demotion, Higuchi spends his evenings drowning his sorrows, until one night, while he was drunk and crying, a yakuza named Tenju, rescues him. Not knowing what’s going on, he decides to go with the flow—
Sensei must be a K-pop fan because that muscular guy on the cover looked eerily similar to a K-pop idol.
Also, yakuza MCs come with the most GORGEOUS TATTOOS! Based on a real-life illustration of a six-armed god and fabulously illustrated on Tenju’s glorious body!
Afterglow started when drunk and miserable about his life, Higuchi bumped into the imposing and enigmatic Tenju in a dark alley. Tenju proceeded to dub-con his way into Higuchi’s life with a bold proclamation that he would make Higuchi fall for him.
Guess who fell first?
The good doctor not only has to deal with work pressure and culture shock at the small seaside town he moved to in Kyushu, but he also has to wrestle with conflicting feelings about the relentless Tenju, given that he is a man.
Higuchi is such a dork and a fish out of water the first few months he was there. I rooted hard for the doctor who tried to do his best but was held back by his PTSD. This is a huge blow to his self-esteem, and surprise, surprise, he had an unlikely but effective cheerleader!
I was prepared to hate Tenju the first time he borderline non-conned Higuchi, who was conscious but too drunk to fend off the attack. As the story progresses, we see the surprisingly tender, kinder side of the yakuza underboss, especially in his support of Higuchi’s dream.
Later, we learn that Tenju lives the underground life because it is the only way he knows how to live, being the son of the boss. As cocky as he is, he has a healthy respect of Higuchi’s accomplishments and acknowledges his own humble education
My favorite part of the story is how a respected doctor and a feared yakuza developed a deep connection. I was skeptical at first, but I was swept away by their earnest if unconventional relationship. That they are good for each other was so obvious that even Tenju’s underlings cheered them on.
This one’s a super steamy manga. The drawings are detailed and include cross-sectional highlights. The smut is off the charts, and so are the FEELS!
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MANGA: Koishii Revival
Koishii Revival – Kuroi Tsumuji
First-year university student Higurashi is suddenly reunited with Yoyama, a senior from his high school track and field club. However, Yoyama has lost all of his memories from high school due to a traffic accident. One day, as bits and pieces of Yoyama’s memory start to return, he asks Higurashi “You confessed to me…?”
Koiishi Revival is an amnesia trope, second-chance romance story that could have gone angsty and dramatic.
Higurashi has been crushing on his senpai since high school, fellow track and field athlete Yoyama. Now, in the university, Higurashi is still pining hard.
Amnesiac Yoyama couldn’t help but notice how Higurashi always went out of his way to help him or keep him company. It eventually jolted some vague long-lost memories of high school connections, until Yoyama asked if Higurashi ever confessed to him.
There’s still a bit of drama here, but the story is delightfully light-hearted and wholesome, always with a thread of optimism and joy even in the more emotional scenes. Our boy Higurashi won me over immediately with his sunshine personality, even when hurting, still managed to keep his smile.
There is a slow wooing of Yoyama, the romance going at almost the same pace as his recovering his memories. Yoyama is a bit more serious and his friendship-turned-relationship with Higurashi was deceptively casual in its transition. No grand gestures, no big to-dos, but boy, was it cute!!! The smile on Higurashi’s face was blinding!
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