Hisuiiro no Kaze
2007-released Collection of older works by Oumi Shinano: • Ch. 1 Where Miracle Exists? - Youth / Male Prostitute x Salaryman // Straight Seme // Older Seme // Reencounter • Ch. 2-3 Hisuiiro no Kaze / Wind of the Green Jade - Youth / High-school Student x Famous Novelist (the so-called “Hard-boiled man”) // Seaside Village // Half-Japanese Half-German Uke // Jade-green Eyes // Motorcycle // Family Drama // Older Seme > Wind of the Green Jade is actually the title of the story that the novelist wrote at the end of the story and dedicated to Midori. • Ch. 4 First Step - Dancing // Theater // Stage Actors // Older Seme - [[Also published in Yatte Yaru, Konya!, ch. 3 - mangago.me / read-manga / yatte_yaru_konya / an / yatte-yaru-konya--chapter-3.html / 3 /]] • Ch. 5 Love Song - Inter-linked to and set after the events of ch. 4, it's focused on the established adult couple of Saeki and Yoshiki. > Too bad for the one-sided sex / "rape as a start of relationship" often found in Oumi Shinano's stories! Here, the only story that doesn't have such element is the last one. Anyway, overall I liked all the stories, but for the plot and my personal tastes I really liked the first story and the second story (the title story). For those two maybe I'd have given it 4 stars...
Tomoe Ga Yuku!
8 Volumes (Complete) - Raw: 77mh.com / colist_174431.html OVA (2): gogoanimetv.to / anime / tomoe-ga-yuku-vor2 > Note: the episodes cover the story till half of vol. 4 of the manga.
Yarouze
Sports-themed story focusing on motorcycle racing. There're seemingly three pairs: high schoolers Sou and Fuwa (the main couple - Sou is an enthusiastic racer. Fuwa is a playboy who at first pretends to know about bikes to get close to Kusanagi Sou, but then he becomes serious about racing too); Sou's older brother Kou (who was also a racer but had to quit after an accident) and Jin (the current champ racer who debuted when Kou was still racing. And it was actually because of his reckless driving that then Kou got into that accident); Ekuni (Ekuni engineering President) and Shirube (Ekuni's lead assistant and secretary). While it's a shounen ai, it's actually more of an ambiguous / subtext thing, as any possible romantic feelings aren't really pursued and aren't the focus here anyway. Things stop mostly at jokes and funny moments. The two side couples didn't even have a kiss scene and such. Sou and Fuwa had some interesting moments, especially at the beginning, and I was really loving their dynamics, but it's mainly Fuwa's doing, because Sou is really always thinking only about racing lol. But I loved their bond and reciprocal understanding, especially after Fuwa became serious about racing too (and speaking about Fuwa, I really liked his personal evolution!). Then, in the second part, the story becomes totally focused on them preparing for and doing the racing. Anyway, while I admit I'd have wanted to see a bit more of the characters' relationships, the story is pretty good! Overall, I really liked it, because it's not your typical BL, in terms of plot and characters' interaction etc., and it's attractively manly! Anyway, as long as the mood between the characters is good and the way they behave towards each other is authentic, it's not really necessary to have confessions / proclamations of love and such...theirs was really like an unspoken understanding and I think that's also one of the strong points of the story, which ultimately is an actual sports story and I really appreciated that!
Venus Kiss!!
Tbh, I kinda liked this story mainly because I like old BL, so I liked its 90s vibe, and it's also one of the first BL I read, so it takes me back to those nostalgic times. But I tell you, as for the relationship between Ikumi and Shuuichi, for me it was bad. I mean, it's not only for the rape as a start (many stories are like that), but the dynamics after that and the development, if we can call it that, were bad! Their reactions and the way they behaved towards each other were illogical and weird. No character or emotional depth. It was also strange that the story stops right before the school play and the basketball match, when in the sequel they mention a bit about them but we didn't see them! So, as I said, I enjoyed the old vibe, but the story was executed badly. And the sequel is worse imo. Sequel: 2-14 Jiken
Demian Syndrome
Well, the ending certainly leaves the reader a bit unsatisfied, like one was expecting something more, something definite, you know, a final scene that would seem like a proper closure. But I actually think it's understandable that the author ended it like that, because after all that's just they way Jou and Azuma are, the way their very relationship is all along! So, there wasn't really the need to say anything more and imo a sweet, lovey-dovey scene would have actually felt forced for them. Just Azuma simply asking Jou to go to Nagano (where his real house is) with him for spring break and Jou agreeing conveyed their unspoken understanding and let us know that they'll stay together in the future. The wall Azuma put up around him finally has been broken down and he is now resolute about accepting everything. They feel the same about each other...just like the author said, let's hope they can officially call themselves partners soon! So, I can accept the ending just as it is! Overall, the story was great and I really loved it! Not a masterpiece, but it's an impressive story...one of a kind! # Private|Prestigious School, Catholic School, All-Boys School, Friends "become Lovers", Beautiful Art, Unexpressed Feelings, Friends Grow Distant, Family Drama|Complicated Family (Azuma's), Transfer Student (Jou returns from the USA), Soccer, Love-Hate Relationship|Bickering Love, Sickly but Strong Uke, Strong Seme, Stolen Kiss (when they were younger, Azuma kissed Jou while he was asleep at the hospital. So they were each other's first kiss), Roommates (for a part of the story), Injuries (Jou somehow always ends up in some kind of accident|trouble and Azuma has a motorcycle accident and a stomach ulcer)
Acca - 13-ku Kansatsuka
Unique story in terms of setting and art style. I really liked the characters. In particular, I loved the duo Jean and his friend Nino and their little moments! As for the plot, I actually thought it wouldn't involve me much, as the story seemed kinda flat at first, but after a few chapters it started taking form and things became definitely interesting! It was also nice to follow Jean into the different districts, each characterized by its own scenery and peculiarities, with Nino always following him as well. So, while at first I really liked it mostly for the characters, I ended up liking the plot as well. Adapted to anime - In the anime, the unique color palettes together with the art style gave a refreshing feel and also made the characters stand out even more. Especially the contrast between those bright vibrant colors and the main character's calm, seemingly-indifferent attitude created just the right balance! > The anime fully adapted the story of the manga. In the last episode, after the credits, there's a bonus scene of Jean and Nino that is not present in the manga. Then, there're also additional special episodes and an OVA whose contents are not present in the manga. Prequel: ACCA - 13-ku Kansatsuka P.S. (not scanlated? I don't know, but I didn't find it) - Coming out after the original ACCA series, this story gives more info about some characters, including for example the five chief officers of ACCA, Nino, and Mauve. Side Story: ACCA - 13-ku Kansatsuka Gaiden - Paula to Michelle (not scanlated) - About two rival Juumoku families and their daughters, who are the same age. Spin-off: BADON (not scanlated) - About 4 men befriending each other in prison and then, after being released, opening a tobacco shop together in the capital Badon.
Hai! Step Jun! (Nakayoshi DX)
Otokonoko Ni Wa Himitsu Ga Aru
Collection of stories that share the same theme: the male lead carries a secret. >> Overall, I ended up really appreciating how the author presented the chosen key theme through stories with very different circumstances. And the art is good. Well, for now, only three stories are available...the first one was already ok, but I found the second and the third ones more interesting. I'd be curious to read all the other stories. Spin-off of the first story: Kiss and Ride
19 Sai No Hisoka Na Yabou