Standby Kiss - Ore no Senzoku Secret xx
Very cute!
Hajimari Wa Sayonara
The concept was really good but the execution wasn't there for me. some of the plot points didn't make sense? And then there were times when the story completely shifted from one thing to another between chapters?
Sabita Yoru Demo Koi Wa Sasayaku
*Revised after re-read 5 stars! I changed my initial review of this manga after reading it again, I now feel it is fully deserving of 5 stars, the art style is beautiful, the characters are all distinct and the story is very compelling. So if you haven't read it yet and don't want any spoiler discussion, go read it! :) ***Spoilers*** Why I initially had a lower review~ I will admit that part of my initial negative feelings were due to the fact that I don't like to read the summary or comments about a story before I read it because major plot points are often given away. However, while the summary says that "Yumi's boyfriend hits him..." I feel that even if I had read it I wouldn't have been prepared for the mature nature of the contents. At the time I was disturbed by the violent beatings that Yumi endured while having sex with his abusive boyfriend. This coupled with Kan-chan being made to be a victim with dialogue like "I know you're in love with somebody else..." Implying that Yumi's lack of sincerity in their relationship was partially to blame for Kan-chan's behavior. I know it's fiction, but it was frustrating the first time around, especially because I did not understand that the author was setting up Kan-chan to be a protagonist of a prequel "Azami," a sequel "Renai-rubi no Tadashii Furikata," and a follow up "Hadakeru Kaibutsu." Also from a different cultural perspective, I don't understand what the deal is with hating pity so much? It comes up a lot in manga and BL but I don't really get what the deal is? After looking up several definitions of pity and comparing it to my own social understanding I guess it's that they have so much pride they can't stand the thought of a person thinking they are experiencing hardship? Because somehow that's weak? Even though literally everyone on the face of the earth experiences hardship and we all experience it at different times and intensities so of course other people will sometimes be in more advantageous positions than yourself and sometimes it will be the reverse? You can see that as someone with not a lot of "pride" like Yumi it was hard the first time reading it to relate to him as a character. What changed~ When I came back to this I was looking to read an emotionally challenging mature BL drama. I was prepared to view a depiction of brutal sexual violence, and I knew that things ended well so I was more able to enjoy the ride. I was also able to understand Yumi better this time around. PSA:"on average, a victim of abuse will leave their abuser 7 times! Before finally leaving for good." Yumi is a victim of abuse. After re-reading this I was able to have more compassion for Yumi and his inability to leave his abuser. I was also able to understand that due to Yumi's feelings of helplessness from abuse, he might overcompensate in other areas to feel strong. Mainly not wanting to be pitied or coddled. Overall this was an excellent story that has really stuck with me. For its realistic depictions of the abuse victims face, to the gentle love that blooms in the undercurrent. If you made it all the way to the end of this, wow! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. :)
Shuraba Maker