I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #Beautiful Art(114)

Most school-centered teacher x student pairings are not realistic. This is one which is. It takes a long time for the older man to warm up to his pupil, and the story explains each reason why very carefully.

The story of the relationship between Kawasaki and Fujita, childhood friends and rebound-lovers, who parted with far too much unspoken communication and misunderstanding between them. A spin-off to Oko-sama Star.

Spin-Off sequel to Sabita Yoru Demo Koi wa Sasayaku and the fourth chapter of Renai-Rubi no Tadashii Furikata, this manga follows the story of Hayashida Ken, Yumi's abusive ex-boyfriend, and Shuuna Ayuma, his new lover and colleague at work. Flashes and hints of Hayashida's past come out during sex, but Shuuna mistakenly assumes it has to do with his inexperience as a gay lover and, before he can uncover the truth, he learns that he is being transferred to a different city.

Satake Aoi, a university student, wakes up rolled in red string, the result of a promise granted by a god whose name I'm not even going to begin to spell out. Thus begins Satake's days as Mr. Popularity, a situation that isn't as much to his liking as he thought it would be when stonkered out of his gourd. Now he's got to pay up by becoming the god's bride.

A subtle entomological story about a boy's observations about a chrysalis overlays a series of gorgeous art images spanning decades of life between two male lovers.

A reunion at college after a year of separation for Naoto and Taichi, 2 ex-boyfriends who split in high school because Taichi made the mistake of calling their relationship a sex friend arrangement. The problem lies more with Taichi's crappy communication skills than the actual chemistry and connection between them. Naoto was understandably offended, but when his inhibitions are loosened by liquor, his real feelings shine. So now the boys have to conquer this gap between what they feel and how they express it. Another meaty, satisfying read from Ogeretsu Tanaka with realistic relationship problems, terrific sex scenes and a fine conflict primed for unorthodox resolutions. This continues into Volume 2 when an existential dilemma paralyses Taichi just as a newcomer starts moving in on Nao.

Misaka and Masahiro express their mutual attraction and the other feelings this attraction provokes in a mature fashion, while negotiating their work schedules in the modeling industry and fending off possible interlopers. The artwork is gorgeous, as par for Kousaka Akiho, but the conflict arch was too shallow and short-term to keep it interesting. Every difficulty was neatly stitched up and resolved before it was possible to experience a pang of fear or hitched breath for their relationship. In fact, far too much precious manga time was spent over scheduling difficulties without any sense of loneliness or loss. Some advice to would-be mangakas: if you want an appointment book to be the main theme for resolution of feelings, you've got to make it the enemy. Otherwise, it's like filling in a to-do list.

Hot Love in Cold Russia. Sensitive special ops spy meets cupcake yakuza for kidnapping and captivity sex. Scratches the uniform fetish itch.

Haruna, a art student, picks up the injured stranger, Shiki, on the street and tends to his wounds because he reminds him of a stray cat he once rescued. Shiki has been driven out of the nearest town, and his arm is covered with intricate, traditional yakuza-style tattoos. When Shiki moves to leave, Haruna holds him in an embrace to stop him from going, but they really know nothing about each other and it ends tragically.

Recounts a sexual tryst between a homosexual archeology professor who is in a long-distance open relationship and a very proud, but previously straight, male artist who has completed some renderings on behalf of a female (married) lover for a restoration project in an Eqyptian necropolis. Kabra Kare provides us with stunning graphite drawings and strong visual references to classical western art, history and architecture, including some lovely images of Romantic Germany. The interesting character-driven plot asks whether pride, stubborness and integrity are character virtues or flaws. I look forward to seeing where this story takes us.