Elevator Strategy
Wataru works ridiculous hours at a fancy-shmancy IT firm and is constantly looked down upon by his annoyingly perfect coworker, Jin. Things come to a head when one late night at work, Jin offers to help out with Wataru's little problem (unfortunately timed boner, oops!). I actually really liked this one. Wataru is really adorable and I also kinda feel for him. It's like I'm seeing myself, between the inefficiency, insecurity and long hours. I do think Jin was a bit of an asshole, especially in that flashback, wow. But he improves. And how! He also handled the stalker situation perfectly. 5
Nanji Ware wo Kouryaku Seyo
My, my! What an excellent collection! 1: Masashi is a salaryman who secretly loves ero games. One night, he receives a visit from Squartha, a prince from an alternate dimension, who must have sex with a man to fulfill the task set to him by the Goddess, in order to save his country. Could the situation be anymore ero game like?! For what it is, this story sure depicted an incredibly healthy relationship. Not only is Masashi such a capable man, he is also so empathetic, and loving. The way he took responsibility, damn! I also really liked that they were surrounded by supportive and tolerant people. It's so great that precious, sincere Su is getting loved like he deserves. I'm really glad the goddess sent him there. She was probably meddling to save him from his disgustingly cruel father. 5 4: Uke can't help but be turned on and intrigued by the man (Kentarou) who is always eyeing him like he wants to swallow him up on the train. Yet, all attempts to entice him fail because the virgin seme is too inexperienced to be confident enough to take bait. That, is, until the uke runs into a disgusting molester and Kentarou snaps! Damn. I love seemingly herbivorous semes who snap like this. It was incredibly hot! Especially that train scene, whew! Yet he was so uncertain at times, too! It was so endearing. Enjoyed the outgoing uke who had no qualms about going after what he wanted. 4.7 5: Maekawa is elated to be working for Okuyama, a high specs, extremely young company president, who maintains a very positive, healthy and inclusive workplace. After being rescued from an absolutely terrible job, Maekawa finds himself switching between hero worship and intense attraction for his president. And when he finds out pres is gay, well! This is genuinely so enjoyable, because we get to see Maekawa slowly gain confidence, pick up hobbies and finally make time for himself. Okuyama definitely saved his life. You really have to respect people like Okuyama who build their own safe space into an empire in such an intolerant society. Hats off! The sex scenes were hot, too. 4.9 Overall, I really enjoyed each plot, all the characters were lovely, and even the supporting characters were very well done, too. Managaka has a definite skill for cramming detailed storylines into a couple pages. 5!!!
Mahou Tsukai Countdown
1: Haru is a timid, nearly 30 year old virgin who is determined to pop his cherry before the big day (and hopefully avoid being a wizard). Not only that, it seems he's straight but can only get off by anal masturbation. Kei is the gentle soul who becomes involved with him when his sister blows Haru off for an arranged date. Kei arrives to deliver the message but ends up staying for more. Much more. It was okay. Kei is such a sweetheart. Uke was nice too, not counting that one hurtful incident. Overall, it was nice, and the progression was good. 4.5 6: Kazuki and Yuki have just moved in after dating for a while but Tetsu, Yuki's kid keeps interfering in there time alone. Tetsuhiro was honestly a bit of a brat and overall the story was bland and underwhelming. 4.3 Overall: 4.4
Kazoku ni Nattemimasenka?
Read but can't remember anything much Edit: 1: Takemura became jaded after his first love in high school told everyone he was gay, and got him bullied for it. But when he meets the kind-hearted Natsui at work, he feels drawn to someone else for the first time in a very long time. It was cute, and I really liked Natsui. He's such a sweetheart. I'm glad they'll give Mori a happy home. 4.8 3: Kuma goes to a high-school that has a bad reputation for housing delinquents (it's not true). It's never bothered him but when he ends up meeting a timid university student he falls in love with, he has to wonder whether Yagi really does want to spend time with him or is he just scared? If this had been a light-hearted fluff piece, I'd have adored it. But the sex scene really ruined it for me, what with the age gap, and everything. It also felt too rushed tbh. How does one just fall in love like that. It wasn't believable. 4 5: An emotionally detached psychology major finds himself falling for an energetic first year business student. I didn't really like him a lot, the uke. You shouldn't take people's feelings for granted like that. But because he went after him, I have to give the dude point. Also, overall points for the story because Harada is too precious T.T 4.4 Overall: 4.4
Koufuku wa Kimi no Tonari ni
1: Satoru who gets left behind at the alter is comforted by his long time friend Daichi. But does Daichi, who happily feeds him and looks after him, only have friendship in his heart? I like that Satoru was hard working. And that he cared so much for Daichi. I don't like that mangaka gave him a general air of incompetence for no apparent reason. Daichi is obviously wonderful, between his unwavering feelings and gentle nature. 4.6 3: Kanata's nextdoor neighbour Hayato is a carefree person who spends his money at the slot machines and brothels. Useless as he is, he doesn't seem to realise Hayato's feelings at all. But one day, he asks Hayato to help him scratch a certain itch. Kinda have to agree with Chika here. I don't get why Hayato is into him. And even though he does try to improve himself, not only do we not see the final results, Hayato actually dissuades him from trying!! Also, asking a high schooler to help you masturbate because you're too broke to go to the brothel? Ewww. And then still not realising Hayato's feelings after everything! Next! 3.4 4: Ryo runs into Min having sex with his sex friend at school, only to learn afterwards how badly Min is being treated. Ryo resolves to become Min's friend and keep him from getting hurt, only to find himself developing more than friendly feelings for Min Mins was sweet and all, but I think Ryo is such a wonderful character. I love how he had no ulterior motives, not even curiosity. He genuinely just wanted to be Min's friend and protect him from assholes like Min's old sex friend. I also really like that Min didn't comment on certain aspects of Ryo's physiology negatively, instead telling him he's beautiful. It was very heartwarming. Would have liked to read more. Much more. 4.8 5: The new hire Shiba is just Nagaoka's type. But he's unfortunately straight. Nagaoka resolves himself to dealing with his feelings quietly but and unexpected situation presents itself during the company hot spring inn trip. 4.4 They're obviously great together and both very likable too. But the sex was too vanilla and disappointing. Even with that shaving scene, which should have been smoking hot, by all counts. Overall: one miss and several mildly good to extremely good ones. 4.3
Konna Koi ni Narunante
Kida is reserved and stoic, and doesn't really want to interact with other people. He was content living in his own lonely bubble until overly friendly Takamura comes crashing through his walls. I love the way he brought Kida out of his shell. Must have been so damn lonely, man. Takamura *is* pushy. But his heart's always in the right place and he doesn't cause any real damage so it's hard to be annoyed by that. Anyway, I love them together. They fit quite nicely ^.^ I would have liked to have seen more, though 4.7
Melt at Night
Tomo is having a hard time settling in at his work where his senpais can be a bit standoffish and his girlfriend also dumped because of his issues with sex (due to old, unaddressed trauma). While feeling down he runs into Haru, who thinks Tomo hired him as a call boy. But even with misunderstandings cleared, Haru seems willing to listen to Tomo's problems and help him out. I cannot sing enough praises to do justice to the perfection that is this manga. The characters, man. The characters! Tomo is the sweetest thing that ever sweeted. Ever! He's so considerate and gentle and just so goddamn nice?! I also love how competent he is at work. And I love that his workplace has become so much better now. Kuniharu may not think he is much, but he's the actual shit, man. He's so lovely, to carefully think about and try to solve the problems of a complete stranger. His gentleness with Tomo, his never needing to be prompted to quit that job, his overall charming self, he's earned an A* in my book. 5!
Amanojaku ni Koishite!
A collection of stories that are silly, fluffy, smutty and mindlessly fun. 1: An amanojaku yokai who has always been isolated and alone due to his yokai nature of being unable to speak the truth, finds himself being protected and cherished by a karasutengu yokai who has never had a problem reading amanojaku yokai's true feelings. Smut, but cute smut. We stan cute smut in this house. 4.7 3: Retelling of Momotarou, the folklore story. Momotarou goes on a wild rampage to defeat all the devils in Devil Island and his troubled companions hurry him back home with the riches to prevent for carnage. Most of them go their own ways but the dog remains by his side, because he has ulterior motives. Kinda meh, ngl. Also, the fact that he drugged him without knowing Momo's feelings, bruh. 3 4: Inoue is in love with his cute coworker Minami, but he keeps getting thwarted by the licentious Section Chief, Tagami. Seems, though, that Minami doesn't seem to mind the intrusion, or Inoue's reactions to Tagami at all. Inoue finds himself in the middle of an unexpected sandwich. Hmm. Was okay. Hot. Shallow and mindless. But hot. 4.4 5: Follows Yuuki around his first attempt to give his boyfriend Tadayoshi chocolate on Valentine's day. Fluffy and cute. 4.4 6: Koutarou is targeted by Takutou, who cleans the windows of the building where he works. Koutarou finds Takutou's intense gaze leaving him more and more flustered. Hmm. Didn't really see how their attraction could have developed. Was hard to get into. And why was that chief such a loose and shady dude. Really puts me off. 3.5
I Wanna Feel You Inside -Seduced by a Sweet Devil
Shinnosuke has a bad habit if seducing and sleeping with men when he gets drunk. One night, he ends up sleeping with the heir to the demon kingdom, Julius and accidentally recieving the kernel of magic which is passed down from one demon king to the next generation's king. It was very hot, but the slapstick comedy bits take away from what is otherwise an interesting plot. I liked the solution, not at all what I expected. Overall, his brothers left much to be desired, and I didn't particularly like the dad either. But the seme was hardworking and suprisingly pure in some ways and the uke was likable enough. 4.45
Kore Mo Shigoto Desu