Aiko's manga / #BL(103)

5.0, it’s kind of a cute story actually taking into account that it takes the time to show the backstory of not only the fantasy world it’s set in but both the main characters as well. I’ve seen some say that the Seme isn’t portrayed as being as in love with the Uke as the Uke is to the Seme but I beg to differ, the Seme felt PTSD in a way that he immediately felt betrayed by the Ukes choice to hide some vital information which led to the misunderstanding. Fortunately, it wasn’t dragged out and a lovely side character kindly explained everything and even gave advice based on observations all to help the Seme process the situation in a more accurate way. Throughout the process of the Seme falling in love as well, he found (similar to the audience) the Uke actions to be quite cute and found a lot of traits to be attracted to which was all outlined in internal dialogue and supported by the side character that made a move. So I like this story for sure, very cute. I could reread this one.

2.0, I’m sorry this is pretty unbearable lmao. Their dynamic could’ve been cute but there’s grape, there’s SA, manipulation, avoidant communication, and in the end the whole plot falls on the Uke that got graped and SAed to mend somehow when it’s the Seme who said NOTHING the entire time because the plot made it a mess. This has potential but it ain’t it, it’s pretty bad. Their final chapter all about communication is just salt in the wound, why does it always have to END with this miraculous show of positive open communication as if it’s a band aid on a gash, like it’s supposed to be a sweet heart warming thing to end a story off. Yeah no sorry, won’t reread :(

4.9, I actually like this one, it’s equal parts funny and cute. I’d consider most actions they took to be consensual though it’s obvious the plants are the ones being non consensual as an accelerant for the plot so that neither of the characters are in that position. I was not expecting it to include tentacles, and was a little off put if they were going to allow the tentacles to go all the way (it went further than I wanted it to) but thankfully the Seme stepped in. The pacing isn’t too bad either, it’s a nice short simple plot, nothing too deep or complicated. I would reread again.

5.0, this one is really cute in that this couple has such a pure overall tone. They’re illustrated very adorably without them looking too childlike and this adds to the character design that they’re both in the midst of their age of discovery. For this reason, I think the end of chapter four although it’s shameful and upsetting, being a vet of sorts of this genre allows me to know that compared to 90% of these other BLs, this is a better manga even with this scene than most. The Uke stopped the Seme before anything went past a kiss, im so very relieved knowing the creator decided to make that the cut off point. I wish it wasn’t a given that such a scene like SA or non consensual actions should be a part of this genre at all but lesser evil is that a line was drawn and they communicated well in the end. I’d reread this one.

4.8, I like this one for its amazingly well illustrated art but also because it’s a unique cultivation of Vampirism, Dystopia, SM dynamics, and biologically supernatural traits all in a single manga. It seemed obvious that there was a fine line of touching on all these subjects without going overboard and I say this because I feel it had a good balance of it all. At times, I do feel like there were aspects that could have been improved upon in a more fine-tuning way (such as creating perhaps a smoother introduction of the Uke and Semes initial encounters that led to their one-of-a-kind relationship and less reptitive scenes of the Seme getting drugged, beaten, or nearly killed consecutively - as in spacing these occurrences out more or reducing the amount of them). But yeah it’s great, I’d reread

4.8, not bad! It’s actually sweet in the moments that they fall for one another, I especially love a Seme that falls hard and deeply for the Uke without being toxic in a forceful SA type of way. In a way, I actually understood the Uke a lot more down to the resistance type of ways esp with his past traumas, I just didn’t care for the multiple themes wherein the Uke is misled into things (going back to his home town, believing he’d have to explain himself to the Seme when his brother answers the door, etc.). But the Uke dealt with it all well plus he’s a power bottom, I can’t be mad, it’s a dynamic I actually love to see in BLs sometimes. Could reread.

5.0, their dynamic is hilarious adorable since it’s a golden retriever x black cat combo but also very down to earth since their friends who are learning to love together. I think their start was randomly abrupt but I can overlook it since it’s given to us as a flashback of past events which is mainly referenced to be briefly spoken upon. I could reread it again, it feels like it’s a little bit of a long build up to see the goal/fruit of the labor that started in chapter 1 but worth it in the end.

3.0, as cute as they are at times, there was multiple scenes of SA and r*pe throughout the entire manga. Even if the Seme is portrayed as this naive guy who misinterpreted a *drunk individual*s actions and just because the Uke idolizes the Seme in admiration, doesn’t mean their nonconsensual activities are suddenly consensual. I like that they communicate at times, IE the Seme confronting the Uke to communicate what’s wrong and the Uke saying it outwardly so the Seme could correct actions? Great. Fantastic. But I wouldn’t reread because of the blatant SA n grape.

4.6, I rate this on the low-ish end thank most seem to simply because I think each story needed more. For the first couple, I’d like to see them grow from having a singular character being successful to the point of idolization to both characters being successful to that extent while still maintaining a healthy level of connection. It’d give me a full circle feeling of a story about maturity mixed with romance of green-flag proportions. The second couple, I actually think we’re perfect as is, im relieved that the trope of a third instigator antagonist wasn’t taken too far. I’d say he definitely harassed the second couple but didn’t SAY or grape or cause them to take a break in their relationship, this is a role that actually shows it’s purpose in proving how devoted the more tsundere Uke is. Very cool. (FYI the crossover of the 1st n 2nd couple was actually pretty cute). Third couple, definitely could’ve touched more in depth on their background, I’d love to see it. And allow for a slower confrontation into confession trope which words for a short series like this but still, even a slight slow mo of that progression would have been Goldilocks. Idk if I’d reread.

5.9+, besides the creeper ex-side piece this story is soooo wholesome and lovely. The looks-like-gangster-is-actually-a-sweetheart trope is the cutest ever, this hanger looking Seme is so crude looking but is the sweetest Seme I’ve read recently I loved reading it. I just wish they explained and found the source of why he suddenly nearly burned the Uke tho with human temp out of the blue. Other than that, I’d reread!