tsukineko's manga / #Multiple Couples(92)

This is pretty cliché old-school bl tbh, but it has its good moments. The 1st couple's relationship started so fast it was freaking hilarious - they move in together after knowing each other for a matter of days lol! As for the 2nd couple, I always find the crying puppydog uke type really annoying, but the seme was more of an interesting character, despite, (or maybe due to?) acting like a complete asshole at times.

After this, read the sequel 'Lover's Mode'. That was quite a saga! I'm still a little ambivalent about it though. At times, (especially near the beginning), I found it kind of mediocre, (both the art and the story), however, as the story unfolded, I became really attached to [most of] the characters. Only Takamiya × Izumi left an icky feeling, (à la Usami × Misaki), until the end when I warmed to Takamiya after reading about his past, (in the Shiki story). I would say that overall the storytelling and art, which improved over time, were solid, (not brilliant). However, at times they were truly excellent! Several pages stopped me in my tracks - the expressivity of the imagery, shaking me to my core! I bookmarked some of those pages, but I'm not sure the bookmarking feature on the site works anymore. One of the pages screamed at me so loudly that I noted down the page number because I absolutely didn't want to lose track of it: Vol. 04, Ch. 02, Pg. 19. (I have been in a similar situation, and that page truly conveys the sheer despair and desperate pain and anguish one can feel, and the wretched screams that are ripped from deep within. It's also true to reality that one breaks down AFTER the ordeal rather than during.) I remember that one of the other pages that had a big impact, was of Naoya alone in the snow, at Xmas, crying from loneliness. Actually, I would say that loneliness is a constant theme in this manga, and this mangaka is very good at expressing it, (and other emotions), through imagery. OK, enough with this long ass paragragh - I'm off to read the sequel...

1. Hana to Ryuu 2. Sessa Takuma 3. Kizuna 4. Gun and Heaven

Check out the BLCD to hear how they sound different when they reverse roles!

Looks really promising. The art looks good, and the plot seems interesting, funny and well written. For once I actually find the uke attractive, plus he's strong willed, (not just in a tsundere way), and not a crybaby.

'Barairo no Kenkyuu to...' chapters 5 + 6 are extras of this manga. The art, writing and story, are beautiful, poetic and angsty. It ended up a lot less dark than I thought it would, though. Tbh, I like darker better, and thus found this almost too fluffy. I find it near miraculous that the couple ended up in a mutually beneficial relationship, rather than in an abusive, codependent one. I'm glad for them of course, but it makes for less fun, albeit perhaps also less predictable reading. It's strange, though, as I do love the whole 'healed by love' trope - so why was I disappointed by this outcome? Perhaps it happened too easily, thus impairing my ability to suspend disbelief? As soon as they found each other, they were saved. Their relationship was never once in [serious] difficulty, despite their colossal amount of baggage, and despite the various circumstances that should normally have strained things considerably. I was also disappointed that their sadomasochistic sides were not properly explored. Now I'd love to read a manga entirely about those brothers.