Seishun Runaway
I love this so much! The story-telling is great, and the characters are all interesting. The way everything unfolded is somewhat unpredictable, which I like. I'd consider this one of my Top 30 but my list is quite cluttered so yeah lol The first couple was adorable. The taller guy is handsome but is really insecure (in an endearing way, not toxic), meanwhile the other guy is charismatic yet elusive. The dynamic is entertaining, and even if the smaller dude is quite sly, you know he's not doing it out of malice. The second couple was a bit out of my league, it's a whole different formula than most of the things I've seen so far. The premise is quite simple: strong, unrequited love since high school (with mild stalker-ish behavior), then reencounter in college. What makes it unique is the glasses character really, the way he thinks is different I can't even explain it. That character feature made their arc unpredictable haha. Though I must say, I wasn't very moved by their part, the resolution wasn't satisfying. Moved too far trying to be unpredictable. Overall I'd rate this a 4.5
Gendai Irozato Tsuya Kobanashi
First story was about a writer who likes writing about old brothels, who met a young kid who had an idealistic vision of the city (the metaphor was that of a caged bird). Idk what to feel.about this one really. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either lol. (and the mangaka loves drawing iced drinks on glasses. kind of weird that theyre always so detailed. perhaps it was a necessary point? like the kid got drugged coz of a drink after all lol) Second story... am i too obsessed with hijikata that im seeing a hijikata x okita au in this one istg. Guy gets his promiscuous friend captive in his house, you can tell he's somewhat guilty but he does it anyway lol. Out of jealousy and insecurity I'm sure. If the first couple was about freeing a caged bird, this one is about caging a wild bird lol. It actually ended up quite well for them. I found it a bit cute, actually lol. (and i don't get how people are saying this is open-ended... what ending are yall fuckers expecting, it's clear as day that they're together)
Tojikometai!
offtopic but dude i rarely see captive mangas but i just saw two of them today. then both mentioned One Piece... i'm freaking out lmao (05.14.20) anyway, second couple is cute. the seme's design is ugh, cool yet gentle-looking *chef's kiss* (spoiler: what a waste he was actually a sadist lmao he was already perfect!) third story: lmao WHAT ON EARTH IS A "PERSON I WANT TO MARRY RANKING" in a goddamn office job LMAO I CANT. omg this shit is hilarious, i love the characters. (this one is the reason for the "good characterization" tag coz they're interesting and entertaining lmao, the most popular guy is so funny). fucking hell this story had so much potential, it was so quick given the one chapter constraint. if given the chance it would've been amazing.
Smoker
I've read this for a few times already and yet I still haven't tagged it, what? lmao I liked most of the stories, the only exception would be Hi-lite. There's really something about Inoue Satou-sensei that I love so much. The art, the flow, everything ugh. I like how the cigarette brand was the concept for each story (e.g. Echo, Hope, Peace, etc.) The way sensei draws abs when sitting is something to take note lol usually artists just draw as usual and dont make the muscles curled up P.S. I totally forgot that there's a cat story included in here. Ahh, so heartwarming.
Happy Honey Life
ch1: Why the fuck are they all talking like this! Every goddamn sentence is an exclamation! Please! Make it stop! ch2: student thought he had an unrequited love with his incredibly kind professor ch3: CUTE. I LOVED THIS ONE. ch4: (i didnt read it, not my type of story) ch5: unrequited love with best friend who died. timeskip to him having taken care of the grown up son of said best friend. (plot twist: the best friend was actually in love with him fucking hell so sad)
Akihabara Fall In Love
hm, quite jumpy flow. not great but not bad lol
Sasakure Memoriaru
I only read the first story It's not a Kano Shiuko manga if there's no perverted character lol. A handsome pervert with sadistic tendencies x An older man who likes dull dim-witted types (actually writing that makes it more 2D but they have character lol) update: why did i not finish this before? lmao so yeah, i just read the other stories at 2020. too bad naoya didn't have a story of his own, i was expecting it but ch4 went back to the other couple somehow lol. and omg i think sensei just made a reference to Castle Mango at ch5 i'm- rkkrdj. the extra from the first couple is a bit oof, though sensei always has had a knack of the cheating type so i'm not that surprised. quite disappointed though also, kano shiuko-sensei's erotic panels are just amazing. truly seen from the eyes of a pervert lmao.
Anti-Platonic
First story was quite cute, but idk I wasn't exactly comfortable reading through it. It's like a simplified version of the usual overturned-playboy trope, but with less drama lol. I liked the second story! An ostracized, misunderstood demon meets a human. They're so cute, the demon being a bit tsundere was quite entertaining lol. The exorcist was good too, he's like the cool supporting character in shounen mangas if you know what i mean LMAO. The ending was an "awww" moment uwu The extras were funny too lmao, i was like: DID HE JUST SAY HE GETS TURNED ON BY "A LITTLE POOP"???? I'M-
Becoming the Librarian’s Pet
eh... nothing special
Ore to Aitsu no Jikangai ××