Aiko's manga / #BL(103)

100.0+, I LOVE IT! I’m sad I didn’t read this sooner but bless the anime trailer for it led me here ʅ（◞‿◟）ʃ This is SO wholesome and cute, it’s quite a bit of reading compared to your average BL manga (ofc less than anything with 70+ chapters and ofc less than a novel). But it was necessary to make this level of depth, it was a beautiful composition of monologue with a nice flow. And it had the perfect mix of fluff to smut, I’d reread this one again and again T^T

100000+, a perfect one shot side story extra of my favorite green flag couple! The extra outfits the Uke uses in this one is a really pure clean cute way of trying to seduce the Seme, I love it, and ofc they still have a way to do these smut scenes with a true touch of romance.

1.8, I can tell this manga attempted dry humor but failed because to make dry humor it has to be funny. It’s not funny at all. The most it was is light hearted when there’d be a pure break like an admission of the Uke wanting to remain friends or the granny taking the side characters out. Even then, the method of cutting a scene by abruptly ending it with the Uke being teased + storming out is over used throughout the entire manga. Additionally, there is repetitive SA of the Seme to the Uke and the side character to the Uke. And these types of manga that mainly make a foundation of teasing the Uke just don’t have much depth to them, it’s hard to stay interested. It perhaps would’ve been cute when feelings started to come out IF they went on any dates at all and put any effort at all into their new found love, but no, they just have smut and say they love eachother. Disappointing, but at least the art is nice and the granny is adorable. Wouldn’t reread.

3.6, I think it has potential and it was cute at times but I like a longer story, at least long enough for the following: There to be more of a development of feelings, the Seme fell in love with the Uke purely bc of looks, I would’ve liked to see it grow past that into something with more feeling besides admiring the Ukes maturity, etc. For this development and getting to know eachother to grow as they grow, unfortunately it’s a relationship with a student and adult (even if adult is semi new out of HS), it would’ve been way better in my eyes if they were both mature adults with secure feelings. And with that leading me to the next point, they moved along a little too quickly for me. It seems like there should be more chapters elsewhere. The cutest detail that might have saved this manga a bit is having a cute puppy love Seme only due to the fact that he has that puppy like adoration and persistence as well as this protective bond he creates after seeing the interaction of a coworker of the Uke touching him inappropriately. Unsure if I’d reread this.

1000000+, over 120 chapters and it still leaves you wishing for more in the best possible way. In the “it’s-so-spectacular-I-never-want-it-to-end” type of way. Dare I say there’s no SA or grape despite this masterpiece having a main plot that involves a camboy being manipulated by a sketchy CEO who ends up serving time, making this already exceeding. But on top of that, there’s no toxic chosen miscommunication plot, the most that got dragged out was Beom unable to confront his feelings but even then the story sequencing did SO well in intertwining it with flashbacks that support is inability to confront his feelings because he’s never been taught how to let alone even seen anyone face their feelings head on in his life before Dowon. And although there’s so much smut, it’s all consensual and all of it is so unique. Despite so much smut, from the dialogue to each characters internal processing, the writing is unlike anything I’ve read. There’s a few spelling errors from translation to here but I can overlook the very minor few spelling errors because the writing is so on point, there’s a perfect ratio of silly comedic lines to deep existential lines that describe in an artistic way how love feels (both to love and to be loved). Plus the art? OMFG the art is superb, anatomically speaking, color speaking, expression speaking, all of it. 120+ chapters and I’d reread it again and again if I could. This is one of the few manhwa that without hesitation, once I can afford it, I will certainly support the writer, the artists, and the team as much as I financially can.

4.9, it’s actually a very wholesome manga in the big scheme. They’re a pure dynamic with some funny quirky moments, no red flags in sight, and it’s cute how they each of their own opposite personalities that somehow complement one another. Although a little taken off despite being a green flag because it feels like an unfinished story. I think all was well until the concept of the Seme telling his current crush (the Uke) he was dating his ex crush, I don’t think the reasoning for this action was explained well enough, because the Seme despite being very obtuse with most social interactions, in order to really understand why he should feel sorry I felt there could’ve been a scene included where the ex crush explained to him why that was just a silly drunken confession and how it might’ve made the Uke feel before telling him to apologize and come clean. I’d like to add though that I did like how the Uke approached it at first, with a proposal to mend things without granting total forgiveness because I think it’s fair to feel at least a little reserved about these events especially since the Seme didn’t quite explain himself well (again him knowing why he messed up exactly would help nail this point), but I don’t feel like that was the time to formally become a couple. I would’ve liked instead of asking him out, the Uke instead suggest they go on a few dates (another movie, eating at a restaurant or new cafe, amusement park, art gallery, etc.) Also, the conflict regarding the gossipy schoolmates, I like how they were dealt with partially but I wish there were more. Like reporting their toxic behavior to a staff to be dealt with but I understand why this wasn’t the avenue they chose to go with because involving a staff isn’t rl realistic. Last but not least, my least favorite part about this manhwa is that it has so much potential but its ending and its rushed pace of them finally kissing/smooching right in the end was lacking. I feel like certain parts could be dragged out a little more to add seasoning to the plot, and that it could’ve continued for a few more episodes or season before finishing off cleanly. Could reread again though.

3.6, I rated this one higher initially because it is cute in some ways. The first volume of the main/intial Uke and Seme started a bit rough, I can’t justify the Seme continuing to have coitus with the Uke as it NOT being grape. Even if he didn’t know that the Uke was a parallels universe version of his partner, the Uke said no and even kicked him in the chest. The second volume where the younger universe Uke and Seme both head butted/kicked the crap out of their older alt selves only solidified this point. No means no, so its rating is lowered. That aside for the first volume, it was actually cute at first, the rivals to lovers trope that comes to a head with them genuinely nurturing their connection. Ofc it’s cute. And most of the side stories were cute as well, except the one with the plus sized Uke and r*pist sexual offender Seme who was somehow accepted. I get that it’s some people’s kink or sexual fetish to be with someone plus sized, that part is fine, the not fine part is that every ounce of it was not consensual. Wtf is that. Also, volume two kinda ruined it for me. They transported too much, it’s like the overuse of the hit-by-truck-kun-amnesia trope, esp the chapter with them doing a foursome of sorts. I just couldn’t quite vibe with it, the only good thing that came from volume two was a semi cute realization that in every universe they could be together happily no matter the circumstances (be it apocalyptic or otherwise). Wouldn’t reread again tho.

5.0, I think it’s cute that there was a habitual factor to their behavior and that Baku could pick up on Izus mood shift but I always wish DJs for Boku No Hero Academia could have a little depth to Bakugos deflective behavior. But also a part of me just wants a bit of angst wherein Baku tries to atone for his bullying rather than continue or pretend we’re past it. Could reread again tho, it was cute.

1.0, there’s not substance in this manga, this is a classic case of a manga built upon the r*pe of a naive Uke that’s taken advantage of by a Seme with a superiority/savior complex that simply wants to monopolize the one they’re interested in. Realistically, I can only imagine that this Seme will eventually cheat on the Uke once he finds someone prettier/cuter that also has a juxtaposed personality, because that’s basically all that’s enticed him. Its mangas like this that not only started but feed the bad reputation this genre has. Waste of time to read, never reread again.

3.9, tsundere plots can be a bit irritating for me because although the anxiety behind confessing is very real and relatable, from experience I’ve noticed that drawing it out just causes more pain to ruminate on when it’s all said and done. Although this story, despite looking like a quick little low effort manga outwardly, actually uses the plot of having a Tsundere to flip the narrative on him. His Tsundere actions came with consequences. It’s sad but also really cool, and they’re kind of a cute couple. It’s just odd (tho very consistent with anime-like tsunderes) to be so confident with a persona of being flirtatious yet still be a tsun..? Not sure if reread again tho.