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

A mysterious laboratory where stars are made; a scientist whose dead lover haunts him; a child whose encouragement pulls him through despair. Aoi Aki's stories are intense and, as always, so beautifully drawn and depicted. In this one, the birth of stars is linked to the rekindling of love.

Ryou, a friend from Ayato's childhood, collapses from fever on his doorstep one rainy night, provoking Ayato's suspicious roommates, whose sole existence functions as a Greek Chorus (or Disney-like cute animal sidekicks) to provide running commentary on Ayato's and Ryou's every move. Ryou assures everyone that he will only impose on them for a month, but after The Roommates investigate him, his obvious attraction to Ayato is revealed in an entirely different light, one dominated by ancestry, inheritances and arranged marriages. The story begins in media res, which makes for an interesting nonlinear start, but promises much more dramatic content than is delivered. In fact, the story seems to be more about the civil resolution of potential conflict and the dampening down of emotional tensions, than grand operatic gestures. Even the jealous roommate subplot, where he simmers with lust for Asato and boils with rage at Ryou, fizzles and evaporates into a whole bunch of ado about nothing. If the reader wants a calm, steady, gentle story about gay attraction, this will soothe and placate. My beef is that mangaka and author were entirely too coy about the sex scenes. Curtains did not need to be drawn shut, and a little more tension in the bedroom would've made up for the lack of fireworks elsewhere.

A collection of oneshots with cute blond ukes and tall, slender, darkhaired semes in various professional and emotional situations, all of which center around the theme of "being taken care of", whether that's in the context of being inept at mundane tasks, being alone in the world, or being stalked by an ex-lover. Sakura's drawing style is attractive, but there isn't much variation in character appearances or types, the emotional connections are overstretched at times, and the resolutions feel awkward. The sex scenes are very nice, however, and the stories are pleasant enough.

Cuticle angel and hair fetish.

Very cute and sexy story about an idiotic host who reunites with someone he has forgotten from his past. Although the tag reads that the manga is incomplete, it works as a short 2-chapter story.

Unresolved Sexual Tension is stretched to the utmost when Reiji, a sales and marketing product tester crosses paths with his first lover from when he was in school, Kagami, now a successful architect, who dumped him with no explanation or consideration. Reiji still loves Kagami and it seems as though his feelings are returned, so why does Kagami persist in pushing him away? The drawings are beautiful. The story is smoldering. This is a great romance for ramping up a steamy mood! Volume 2 is about the company president and his lead model.

Satoru, a hatter with his own boutique and employee relations problems, needs a new clerk fast and picks up a starving stranger to fill the role. Ryou reminds him of his old dog, whom he dearly loved, but Ryou has a past filled with mobsters, government corruption, violence, betrayal and abandonment, and the question is no longer whether it will return on him, but when and how violently it will return on him. An agreeable and engaging story with beautiful art, and a touch of Disney (Hello Flynn Ryder) in the style and mannerisms. The characters are interesting features and the plot comes intricately wrapped in a seriously absorbing suspense thriller! Just watch out for the non-linear transitions and flashbacks.

Uenoyama was once driven to learn guitar, but he lost his inspiration. He comes across Sato sitting in his favourite napping spot with a poorly maintained Gibson and flips out. The two boys open each other's eyes to music, Sato to possibilities he never imagined and Uenoyama to possibilities he had abandoned. An interesting story about rock musicians with gorgeous artwork and believable characters.

An art teacher, Jun, brings about an unconventional awakening within a serious student, Homura, that puts him at odds with the expectations that others have placed on him. Things escalate and it seems to Homura that Jin is pressured to resign under circumstances which are completely misunderstood. After years of guilt and just by chance, he comes across a notice with regard to his former teacher in another city and decides to pursue this lead, unsure of where it will take him.

Motoharu's affection for Akira is thwarted by family expectations and cultural standing — NOT, as one would expect, on his side, but levied upon the hapless Akira, whose responsibility toward his mother's benefactors outweighs his personal choices. This story is, both, tragic and sweet, and both the young men still manage to express what is in their hearts, even though duty supercedes individualism in the time and setting of this story. Takarai Rihito's art is magnificent, and there is continuation of this story in the magnificent story, Hana No Mizu Shiro, or "Only the Flower Knows" [http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/hana_no_mizo_shiru/] ... If you love yaoi, definitely read both of these!