I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #reencounter(15)

It starts off with the classic Eugene Onegin plot set-up involving rejection: Yusei was Hotaka's senpai in high school and archery club, where he rejected the younger boy, even though he was attracted, because Hotaka is male. Years later, Yusei's work superior, Ueda, wants to introduce him to his new boyfriend, who happens to be Hotaka, every bit attractive as ever. That's where the similarities with the Eugene Onegin storyline end. For one thing, Yusei always regretted the way they parted, not just after finding out that he still thinks Hotaka is hot.

A reunion at college after a year of separation for Naoto and Taichi, 2 ex-boyfriends who split in high school because Taichi made the mistake of calling their relationship a sex friend arrangement. The problem lies more with Taichi's crappy communication skills than the actual chemistry and connection between them. Naoto was understandably offended, but when his inhibitions are loosened by liquor, his real feelings shine. So now the boys have to conquer this gap between what they feel and how they express it. Another meaty, satisfying read from Ogeretsu Tanaka with realistic relationship problems, terrific sex scenes and a fine conflict primed for unorthodox resolutions. This continues into Volume 2 when an existential dilemma paralyses Taichi just as a newcomer starts moving in on Nao.

Not Takagi Ryou's best stuff by any stretch. Multiple stories which fall a bit flat and dull for lack of adequate character development and subtlety. She seems to do better with fantasies.

After a tragic life, rewarded by a singular serendipitous experience of the Sublime in External Nature involving an unspoiled South Sea paradise and a gorgeous native islander, Zomu achieves professional statues as a photographer, but his heart was so captivated by that one moment of Satori, everything else pales by comparison. The years and work grind at his soul, until at last, he finds himself divorced, half-blinded by lupus and longing to reconnect to that experience of Eden, and in particular, to the islander whose coming-of-age ceremony he witnessed. As fortune has it, the islander is Mani, a now-embittered specialist in auto-immune disorders, who has rejected his past, deserted his clan and tribe, and feels embarrassed by the ritual symbols of his connection to the islands. Zomu pushes forward with an attempt to bring Mani back to the sacred grounds from his youth, meeting opposition and resistance at every step. The result is a powerful and deeply felt story of two wounded men in their middle age coming to terms with the ferocious toll of existence and struggle on the spirit and their attempt to recapture Paradise Lost. Okadaya Tetuzoh's story is mature, enriching and beautifully drawn. READ THIS!!!