Smells Like Green Spirit
Mishima, a student at a school in the countryside, is bullied by his classmates. The reason is because he's seemingly gay. In reality, Mishima does like guys so he doesn't resist their bullying, and instead, finds solace in secretly cross-dressing. One day on the rooftop, Mishima finds the lipstick he'd lost before in the hands of Kirino, one of the bullies... and Kirino was about to put on the lipstick that Mishima used on his own lips. This is the story of young boys looking for a place they can really be themselves. ---------- Such a rollercoaster of emotions. The MCs are really relatable. I feel so sad about Kirino's character's ending. Seeing how Kirino ended up choosing to put up appearances out of fear of causing (his) mother grief really broke my heart. It was hinted pretty heavily, that Kirino could be a transgender character (as the author included pretty strong hints that Kirino could have gender dysphoria: how the fact that Kirino's voice deepens over time, growing taller to the point of being the tallest in their grade, hands being more and more define, and most importantly how Kirino's in pain from seeing such changes, also how Kirino prefers to talk and be referred to in a feminine manner and wanting to "go to Shangri-La and be a woman"). I just feel so sad for this character, he was never able to reach acceptance, and ends up living a lie. As for Mishima's character, he was able to reach some sort of a peaceful ending, which makes me glad for him. I also liked Yumeno's character growth and how it was portrayed. Learning from the past and moving forward.
Zattou Ni Asobu Sakana
He went fishing, but he got fished for instead! Natsumi Narasaki, a single 29-year-old who works as a scout for a porn agency, picks up a beautiful girl named Meiko out in the city one day. When she invites him to a hotel 30 minutes after they meet, he assumes she's a woman with an unusually high sex drive... but when he takes her to the agency office, they discover that "Meiko" is in fact a beautiful boy! Still, when Natsumi's boss suggests he seduce Meiko anyway, Natsumi takes Meiko to a hotel... Where he pleasures Natsumi! ---------- I really enjoyed the progression of this one, as Mei and Natsumi had great chemistry, but I have mixed feelings over the "consensual" first time. But the way it was handled was alright somehow. I don't understand why so many people said in the comments about this one that Mei shouldn't have been the top just because he's a crossdresser. That doesn't mean anything. Men (be they straight, bi, gay, pan, ...) can wear anything they like. Be it a sweatpants or a dress, makeup and a pair of high heels. People should stop assuming feminine men to be bottoms. And masculine men to be tops. It's about preference, not looks, let alone expression. Secondly, I personally don't think Mei was "acting like a woman" at all as some said. First off, in the manga, he himself stated that the reason he cross-dressed was because he "enjoys the thrill of screwing up straight guys like Natsumi". So it's not like it was something he was so dedicated to, but even if he was, so what? Looks good on him. I may personally I prefer manly couples, but that's only a PREFERENCE, and I can still enjoy this kind of pairing perfectly fine. Yet somehow, these comments can't seem to accept that a cis, gay man can happen to not be all that manly and likes wear skirts and makeup. Just let the guy do what he wants for f**k's sake. Fact is, he looks hot, and he rocks those dresses. Deal with it. Just my opinion tho. You're free to like what you like and think what you want to think people. ----- Now if you've read down to here I congratulate you for your patience! Sorry about taking this issue too seriously, but comments can be seriously toxic on here and downright wrong at times. I usually try to hold back but I felt I had to let it out in my review this time. On that note, have a good one!
See You Again
Shiwoo always used to say, “Yujin, you’re my favorite person in the whole wide world.” And Shiwoo always believed he was truly special to Yujin. After all, Shiwoo never really liked all those girls he dated, anyway. But when Yujin finally confesses his love, he finds himself rejected and alone... Years later, Shiwoo is a celebrity. The hard-to-manage celebrity gets a new manager that seems so familiar... her name is even Yujin... It takes but one night of too many drinks for Shiwoo to discover she isn’t really what she seems. ----------- Both Hyun & Taehyung should seriously be sent to jail. Both of them. Shiwoo needs to see a therapist and Yujin really needs to mature like mad. As angry & betrayed as he may feel, the man he supposedly loves was blackmailed, raped and abused. I don't care if he thinks that Shiwoo still likes Hyun. Victim blaming is just disgusting. No person in an abusive relationship would ever be able to see sense through all of the manipulation & psychological traumas. Eunchan, as great a person he may be for always standing by Shiwoo's side and taking care of him, the guy's a "doctor" yet doesn't do shit to help him recover. This story is just triggering me in every way possible. It's just straight up unnecessary rape all along. That's the plot. No one's likeable and you only see Shiwoo suffer again and again. Being repeatedly abused, traumatised and taken advantage of. No thank you.
Someone else's BL Manhwa
The main character, Seung-hee, looks like an ordinary student, but he is homosexual and likes crossdressing. He lives a quiet life at school, meets people in Internet gay communities, and tries to find his true connections, but it is not easy. One day, Seung-hee meets a man of the gay community and eventually scuffles with him. To make matters worse, he will be witnessed by Park Seung-taek, a classmate of his. ---------- This BL really hit differently. Every character had so much depth. Seunghee's character was especially fascinating. There's something about him that just draws you in and makes you root for him the entire ride through. Suhyeok's character felt a little lacking at times, but he was still a very interesting one to follow. But above all, Kyubin & Seungtaek's dynamic was such a breathtaking one, First of all, the author really took me by surprise by handling their story first. A huge change compared to most BLs in the way the 'second couple' trope was handled. It got me to be even more invested in their story, as well as being filled with anticipation regarding Seughee's story's arrival. I'm also really glad that they chose not to dwell on the two adult characters (forgot their names, sorry). Maybe as a side story it may be interesting, but I feel like had it been included within this one, it would have spoiled the plot's main focus, making the story drag on uselessly. Inbeom's character was a really interesting one as well. Instead of causing useless drama within the relationship, he grew as a character and learned from his mistakes. I don't condone his past sexual and physical assault acts towards Seungtaek, but he did learn from these mistakes he committed. And decided willingly to step back and change his ways. That made him all the more interesting as a character and made me want to root for him to get back on track. His earnest friendship with Seunghee's development was also a really endearing one. Seeing those two damages and hurt characters fill in each other's voids was really interesting. Finally, Seunghee & Suhyeok's relationship felt hectic at times, and it also came off a little forced at it's beginning, but after we got the flashbacks & explanations for Suhyok's feelings for Seunghee, it then all came together and felt just right. Making their relationship feel real and filled to the brim with chemistry. I really quite liked how it developed over time. I would have loved for it to be lomger. Especially for their College years' arrival. After Suhyok also came out to his father and Seunghee's relationship with his started to change, I feel like there's some unexploited potential left here and there that could be worked on. Making this even more interesting, as well as showing us further character growth in the process.
Moon and Sun(Abe Akane)