Aiko's manga / #Manhwa(206)

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.

Yeah it’s pretty okay

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.

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.

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.

4.5, it’s not bad for a short manga, it’s actually a unique concept. A mafia member from 1920-1950s New York suddenly appearing in modern day Japan only to get into a homosexual relationship with a Japanese man who’s technically over 60+ years younger? Wouldn’t have put that on a BL bingo card by any means. I really do like the one, unfortunately though there is SA (forced oral sex) and a constant innuendo around the Uke being compared to a woman but for the innuendo, I’ll overlook it because this man is from a time riddled with all sorts of discrimination and the over appropriation of neurotypical cooties. Besides that, it’s nice to watch this battered crude gangster of a Seme become this very much in love has only eyes for the Uke type of guy. I could reread this.

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.

I love the art, it’s reminiscent of devils temptation but it’s a very original style. I expect to give it 5 stars when it’s completed

N/A, These type of stories that aren’t exactly outright romantic yet romantic figuratively is a real representation of BakuDeku talk among the fandom.. that a trope like theirs is an intensely bittersweet one that has depth to it.