Aiko's manga / #BL(103)

4.2, non consensual kiss to start a BL story off is kind of telling ngl. No foreplay that leads to asking for consent, just random ass kiss. Very disappointing for the Seme since he also was the one to start a misunderstanding from reacting rudely, a close minded trait. But due to his looks, he was rewarded for this behavior with love <3

4.6, though the plot at times felt quite silly I honestly think it’s a more pure story than normal for this genre. I’m not sure redemption arc fits this narrative so I’ll call it a glow-up arc which is essentially self explanatory. This glow-up arc was pretty well-intended, it was motivated by admiration and in the end we confirm that though it went out of its way to hide the past, the Uke reciprocates that admiration in the end. And their love is really cute. Love to see a bashful Seme now and again, without context you’d probably think he’s the uke. The art is great, very nice. My only grievance would likely be how abruptly it’s ended, I feel the pressure of hiding the past was dragged out a little long too but since it was a driving force to this plot (probably the purest misunderstanding-plot) I understand and forgo to that. I do wish it was dissected a bit more, for example having Jaehyun explain to Joo that the shame and disappointment he’s feeling is self loathing that he’d need to work through psychologically but that they could work on it together through their relationship. This could’ve led to a side story chapter in the future when they’re both older and a bit more mature (where the Seme has a new hairstyle IE the shower scenee where his hair was peak), where they’re seen as mutuals in a happy stable relationship showing they still can make each others heart race but they’ve clearly lived a happy life together getting to know each others habits etc. I could read this again if there were a smoother ending.

2, because the art is pretty and the characters are significant from the original story (since this is a side). Good lord was this disappointing. The plot is a mess, and the uke is irritating for no good reason- the entire plot was catalyzed by the ukes obsessive pride. Mind you, yes, there are people out there like this who simply can’t accept when good things happen to them but it doesn’t make this any less annoying. I was shocked by how many chapters there were, their conflict did NOT have to take this long to resolve. Just because someone is stubborn, prideful, and egocentric, does not mean they don’t know how to communicate. Did their side character participation in the main characters story building teach them nothing? Truly? Also the character dialogues are so clunky it might as well be in novel format. On the bright side it has comedic tendencies but unfortunately for them it undermines their conflict. On another note, as much as I appreciate an uploader that wishes to show readers the entirety of a manga, I feel the random raw chapters were unnecessary. If raw chapters are going to be uploaded with the intention of ‘making sure no important parts were missed,’ running it through Google translate before uploading it wouldn’t have hurt. Instead, the raw chapter as uploaded, and we were suggested to translate ourselves once again with Google. Again, appreciate the intention, but the actions didn’t do the intention justice. Not reading this again.

1.8, this was poorly. How can the plot include the seme accidentally hurting the uke and say it’s the equivalent of the uke deliberately manipulating and hurting the seme? Honestly awful. On top of this, the whole story reveals that the Seme is fairly uncomfortable with all this play meanwhile the Uke is manipulating the Seme into it just to soaking it up unapologetically. Granted usually the seme/dominant are the red flags but to give power back to victims which are normally ukes, you don’t turn the ukes into toxic semes like characters. You empower ukes so they have the upper hand, etc. this is just sad. Bummer too because the art is actually great. But the dom/sub relationships are difficult, these commands aren’t sexy or anything, there’s a sexiness to foreplay and etc. not ‘Stay.’ Or ‘Sit.’ Or ‘Present’. Sliding in a praise here and there was useful but idk, something about it felt empty. Not reading again.

4.7-4.8, it was great fr. I think they’re quite cute, also the art is quite like the anime series Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun. Not a perfect score because I think the consent is questionable. (Uke felt swept away by the mood and intensity at some point so it seems somewhat lucky in that if he didn’t already have a tad crush on the Seme then it’d likely be a definite overstep/assault but anywho). Overall I think their misunderstandings were resolved without feeling rushed but concisely still. And although the whole ‘confession-not-heard’ plot is a little silly feeling, it’s fine. One could say it matched since it’s a youthful bliss type story so it could be seen as canonically accurate (aka accurate to the actuality that most of us reminisce on first loves but def remember cringeworthy moments tacked onto it). I could read this again for sure.

4.8, Aiden really pisses me off being as miscreant as Manager Na and that other ass-hat slacker that got caught for embezzlement or wtv. Big ups for no rape (though we got very close in Aiden’s ‘biggest asshole of the chapter’ award moment) but there was still SA from the other models/offender. Granted, again I am aware that given the genre finding a manhwa that doesn’t have any SA or R*pe is damn near impossible but I’ll not lower my standards. Idc. In the end, they are sweet. Aiden mends his ways (as he fkin should) and Jowoon finds strength in himself which is why I’ll let Aiden pass despite being an orange flag. This is definitely one of those ‘he (1) fell first but he (2) fell harder’ type plots. I could reread this again.

10 fkin stars this one KYOOT. I fkin love this one, no critiques. Perfecto. There was NO r*pe, SA, sexual misconduct or violence by any means. And though there was violence, it was NOT one that caused amnesia or an extension of any misunderstandings. This is could be the prototype, a BL that has a climax and plot that does NOT stem from trauma of a sexual nature yet still has depth, character development, backstory, and shows a progression from them in school to them out of school a little more mature but growing together. They learn from having misunderstandings and becoming isolated to having misunderstandings and discussing them as soon as they can to resolve it in a civil manner. I will read again ofc.

5.0, great basically the prototype to a boys love story from the 2000s. A youthful love that blossoms into something more, discovery of one’s self and their love along the way. I’d love to have a few more chapters on each couple because I think there’s more that can be explored and dynamics that can be tested in order to add a little spice to the plot. By this I mean showing how they face life together as adults, how they support one another through hardships as a partner, and etc. But no r*pe or SA or dubious consent which is unfortunately not common in this genre so perfect score for that !

10, for main couple! I love them, they’re adorable and both have so much character in them. This story did a wonderful job at outlining the characters thought processes, their motivations, how they think of their loved one, etc. Ofc with a couple this cute and interesting, I’d love to see side stories with them like a spa day trip. There was no SA or r*pe or dubious consent for them either. The side stories are a little touch and go, a couple of them were a little dubious consent wise. And although I think one or two side couples lasted longer than one chapter- the single chapter side couples felt too quick and rushed (being that it needed to fit in one chapter I assume). I’ve reread this all for the main.

150.99, I love this manga so intensely I could debate every aspect about it and tell you why it rocks but it’d be far too much to write in a single review. First off, no SA, r*pe, sexual harassment, nothing. Everything is a progression, a story that nods to fate as it feels like something beyond them that brings these two character together, ohhh I adore this story deeply. There’s so much character depth and background available when you intertwine their backstory to the way these characters process their thoughts. Everything diametrically aligns, just breathtaking art to top it off and honestly it’s masterpiece. I’ve reread this SO much.