just_m3h's manga / #Age Gap(222)

Goto buys Akira, a guy 10 years his junior, at a gay bar, because he looks just like Goto's childhood love. Akira goes with it for curiosity's sake, at first. But soon finds himself falling for the endearing and lonely man who gave Akira his first time. Oh, goshhh. The way he keeps saying “you okay?” and “is this all right?” during sex. Dammit. I'll die. I'll die, I say!!! And Goto, damn. What a lovable uke. The juxtaposition of his capable work self with that helpless, innocent man in bed! ~Ahhh Edit: Having said that. Given how young Akira is. It's kinda uncomfortable. 10 years is a LOT. It helps, though, that Goto is so damn young, in so many ways. 5

Akito falls in love at first sight with maths teacher, Masaki. After weeks of finding excuses to be with him, he finally confesses, only to be rejected because Masaki himself is in his own fruitless unrequited love. Can Akito get him to look his way? If. If at least Masaki had held off the sex until graduation, I could see myself liking this more. But as it is? It bugs me. I get that Akito was 18 and Masaki was quite young himself. That Masaki wasn't even his teacher. But he's still in a position of responsibility towards Akito, and this is really just not right for me. 4.3

Nio Kaminari was shunned by his rich and influential family for being an omega, but his gentle and kind brother never let go of him. When his brother passes away in an accident, leaving behind a child of Kaminari blood (Masoh) and a step child (Suou), Nio knows he must take Suou away to give him a happy childhood. Yet, as Suou grows up, he starts to harbour less than childish feelings for his guardian. This was really difficult to read. I came into it expecting a feel good story about a guy who raises a child well, finds a good alpha and all three of then becoming a family. It's just very strange for them to be together, in my honest opinion. I just can't. One thing I will say, though, is that it's great that Masoh is such a good kid. 4

I. Okay. Hitoshi bumps into a yakuza looking guy who pops out from the trunk of a car the middle of the night. Bullied into taking him home to hide him for a while, Hitoshi has no idea how his life is about to be thrown into upheaval. Mah definitely has something loose up there. He cares about Hitoshi dearly, obviously, but that rape scene was frankly horrifying. And his reactions to so many things are just, off. Hitoshi, I sympathized with him and his mom so much, and my heart still hurts for them. I wish Hitoshi had taken everyone's advice and retaken the exam. I wish his bullies would get justice served to them. This feels unfulfilling. And yet, because of the brilliant plot, and intriguing story telling, I give this a 4.45

Yuu goes to Tokyo, where the his beloved step cousin Hatahiko lives, for university. After an incident at his place, Yuu is rescued and allowed to stay over until he can find a new place. Living together, Yuu's feelings continue to grow, yet Hatahiko is detached and insistent that Yuu has mistaken his feelings of dependency and admiration for love. I really enjoyed this one. I loved the depth Hatahiko's feelings of alienation and how much Yuu's smile saved him, gave to their relationship. I love that their parents and grandparents were such lovely, warm people. That Hatahiko wasn't unnecessarily stubborn, prolonging their separation. That Yuu was so brave, made friends, and improved on his weak points (I hate stories where the clumsy or useless person is always just useless and clumsy no matter how hard they try and their loved in spite of it). What I didn't like, though, was the age gap. I just don't get why they had to be that far apart in age. Other than that, really good. 4.6

Great world building. Across the big lake is a country where therion and half therion (sentient beings with animal characteristics) rights are disregarded and they are treated like slaves and "pets". The country where everyone is treated equally finally manages to enforce a truce via allied forces and works to rescue refugees and survivors. One such rescued child is Lyco, who was badly mistreated as a "pet". He is temporarily housed with a social worker, Yuto but they love each other so much, that Yuto decides to adopt him permanently. Only, Lyco's feelings of love begin to evolve beyond familial regard. It's so well done. Lyco's so cute! He definitely deserves a lifetime of happiness, surrounded as he is by loving people. Yuto is such a kind person, and so supportive and definitely a great guardian. Choosing not to develop their relationship in a rush and not having them physically involved at this stage is a great decision the mangaka made. Very well done. 5

Toki has to take care of his 4 year old nephew, who was orphaned an year ago, for 2 months. Becoming overwhelmed with juggling childcare with work, he accepts help from Chihiro, a friend's younger brother who is in love with him. I think Toki's resolve is a force to be reckoned with. From taking on so much to keep Api happy and his work at bay, to deciding to wait until things were in order before he gave Chihiro an answer, he's so honest and sincere. It's quite endearing. Chihiro is clearly patient as fuck, definitely knows the big picture is where it's at. I also really liked that Toki wasn't incompetent and incapable of learning to cook and take care of Appi, yet smart enough to know when to accept help. The way Chihiro came to their defense and helped them out throughout was also great; that principal was way out of line. Appi is so adorable and precious. I'm so glad he is surrounded by such loving people. 4.8

Masumi who had been molested as a child is very conflicted with his sexual and romantic feelings towards Otomo, the ero mangaka nextdoor. I don't like that Masumi's trauma is never properly addressed or treated. Also, we don't know how old Otome is, so that throws me off a bit, even if Masumi is 18. It would have been good, even the mom ended up understanding (I'm also really glad she's getting remarried to such a nice dude), if only they had warpped up the loose ends properly. 4.4 5: Masumi's best pal Masafumi becomes caught in the web Otome's Kawasaki laid. Yet, Kawasaki himself is talling badly for him. I didn't really like this one at first, because Masafumi is such a gem of a character, and I really think few could deserve him. And Kawasaki really leaves much to be desired. But he does change his ways (amongst many other things) just for Masafumi, and it's difficult not to find that respectable. And also, just a tad, endearing. 4.2

Detective Kei picks up homeless runaway Leo, who was inexperienced but trying to sell himself on the streets. What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement becomes permanent overnight. If I read this right, Kei waited 2 years before they had sex for the first time, which is good, because Leo needed that stability (he might also have been way too young, we don't know his age). But the story, overall, leaves much to be desired. We never find out anything about Leo or his past and that one case in the beginning, we never find out how that ended, either. And did Kei cheat? Because it sucks raw eggs if he did. But we just. Don't. Know. 3.45

1: Miharu, a high school teacher, almost fainted from exhaustion on his way back from school, but is saved by Arashi, a handsome tattoo artist. They click almost instantly and begin hanging out, but it seems Arashi may be hiding something about his past. Quite lovely, so healthy and just, good vibes, all around. Both are such sweet people, both surrounded by good people. Just a happy, fluffy, feel good story, with an unexpected past that's a little lonely, but sweet, just the same. I love that his high school love came to fruition, even if 10 years later. It's so bittersweet and lonely that they didn't meet for so, so long. But I'm glad Arashi wasn't alone in the meantime. Having met again, though, just as he was thinking of him... All I can say is, they are surely fated to be together. ~Ahhh 5!! 6: Hajime, an actor gets the opportunity to star in the movie adaptation of a book by one of his favourite authors, Satou. When they meet, a pure, wholesome love blossoms. Pretty sweet and simple. 4.5