Hanami's manga / #Nice Art(17)

Sakasa Moji nara Suki da to Ieru

Ongoing | Fujio, Hideyoshico, ICHIKAWA Kei, JARYUU Dokuro, OGERETSU Tanaka | 2014 released

Nekasenaide

Complete | machiya hatoko | 2008 released

Stories that involve the owner and patrons of the bakery. (1) High school student Mitani Kento loves Watari’s pastries to he visits the bakery every day with his best friend Sakurai Hiro. When Hiro gets a job at the bakery to pay for his crush’s birthday present, Kento begins to feel lonely because Hiro doesn’t have time for him, and jealous of his crush. Kento is so cute and funny, I love all his expressions, especially when he’s eating. Hiro seems like the cool, quiet type at the beginning but he’s really a dork. Their relationship is so healthy and just plain adorable, they were hilarious as a couple. It was really nice how they asked an adult about how to not hurt each other. And the mood during sex was really good, it was awkwardly hilarious, and I liked how they helped and encouraged each other through the experience. (2) Shy and insecure Sasayama gets assigned to sales and marketing under Hanasaki. He fell in love with him but he’s too afraid of confessing. They visit Watari’s bakery every day and Watari becomes Sasayama’s confidant. Sasayama is adorable, I want to pinch his cheeks. Hanasaki is caring and attentive to his subordinates but surprisingly jealous and super dense. I loved how lovey-dovey they were. Also, I liked how Watari messed with Hanasaki’s sandwich. (3) Finally it’s fairy gaymother’s turn for romance. After getting all the ships together Watari needs a man too. After waiting for 6 years Watari Natsuo’s lover and childhood friend Kyougo returned. Kyougo lives with Watari and works at the bakery. Their story is more about getting their relationship back on track. Watari is the perfect man (excluding that part where he forced himself on Kyougo when they were teenagers). He genuinely feels bad for forcing him so afterwards even though he wants Kyougo to stay he doesn’t want to force him. He’s sensitive, caring, and he can bake. Kyougo was childish and hurt himself and others unnecessarily. Though I kind of feel bad for him, he’s lost without a goal or a dream to achieve and he feels inferior to Watari, who knows what he wants and works hard every day. I’m happy all of them were able to find happiness.

Pet Wo Kaimashou

Complete | Fujii Sakuya | 2005 released

Oresama To Oujisama (Main Story) (1-4) Hidaka Chikara enters a tv show called “Fight Money” to get money to supposedly rebuild his parent’s ramen shop. However, it was just a scam to get money. He manages to get 5 million yen from Kunimi Tomokazu, the president of a production company. Hidaka gives the money to his friend for his sick sister, but Kunimi wants to be paid back. In order to pay pack the 5 million yen, Hidaka must become Kunimi’s pet. I liked this story. It felt a little lacking and the conflict at the end was too easily solved but overall it was enjoyable. Kunimi is my favorite, he’s kind of silly but also cool and calculating. He doesn’t force Hidaka and wants to make him an upright member of society. I liked Hidaka too, he’s violent and unruly, but not to the point that it’s annoying. I liked how he developed as a person and as a professional. Also, I enjoyed the fact that it was over time that he developed feelings for Kunimi. All in all it was a good story if a little lacking. 4/5 (5-7) Yanagi Hayato was supposed to pick up a foreign exchange student at the airport. In a case of mistaken identity he picked up the handsome Eddie, who fell in love with him at first sight. Eddie turned out to be the second prince of a country in Europe called Sierra. The rest of the manga is very Disney-ish/Cinderella-ish. This was an okay story, the plot was clichéd and nothing new but not horrible to read. I thought Hayato fell in love with Eddie way too fast, again very reminiscent of Disney’s princess fairy tales. Eddie was an okay character, he liked and respected Hayato. He was a bit manipulative with the whole “If you love me…” but at least at the end he was willing to give it all up for Hayato. Plus he wasn’t the stereotypical douche-y prince so that was a plus. Also, he doesn’t force himself on Hayato, which is a huge plus in my book. Both of the characters, as well as the plot were just bland. I will give it a little bit of props for that twist at the end. It was unexpected but good for them. Do you boo. Everyone gets their prince/princess. 3/5 (*SPOILER ALERT* I wondered why Charles was so mad that Eddie picked Hayato and not the princess. I was really confused since it’s obvious he liked her, so if anything Eddie being with Hayato was a plus. Turns out Charles is a girl and was just jealous that Eddie could be with Hayato despite them both being guys. At least at the end she got her princess.)

Aishuu no Kanon

Complete | HIHARA Mariko | 2000 released

In the year 1931 Shinya Kaito’s planned to elope with his lover Yuriko and travel around the world. However, she was married off to a powerful man named Sugai. Being abandoned by the woman he loved, Kaito swore to get revenge for choosing money instead of him. Fast-forward 18 years later, Yuriko died and her son, Sugai Nanami meets Kaito. Now a wealthy man, Kaito buys Nanami from his uncle and forces him to be Yuriko’s substitute. This manga was kind of predictable and rushed as hell. There was one twist that was interesting but it was resolved far too quickly. As for the characters, Nanami was the typical weak uke, he didn’t really have much of a personality but he was likeable. He wasn’t annoying and he was kind of cute. I didn’t really buy his romance with Kaito but I’m glad he got a happy end. He deserved it after all the shit he went through all his life. Kaito was really jealous, possessive and downright creepy. He definitively had a couple of screws loose. I will say this, I liked the thing with the letters, and I think the character designs are good. All in all, it was an okay manga, nothing memorable. If you’re into jealous, possessive lovers, the “I bought you as a sex slave” plotline and you don’t mind the whole falling in love with the rapist trope, then I recommend this manga.

Haru Ni Kogarete

Ongoing | Hihara Mariko | 2006 released