Bike's manga / #b-manga-rec(23)

Honestly, I didn’t like it at first, but now I can confidently say that it’s great. Each novel got better and better, and it isn’t just a ‘getting through things together’ even though it’s a big premise, but it also fleshes out society and how people treat the disadvantaged. It both a great love story and call to action, and puts a new perspective to things I haven’t seen before. I think it started to get slightly rushed towards the end, but ending wise, it was still really great. I appreciated how many characters got the spotlight, even if it was for a brief moment, and how events spanned across the three novels. Also, it got pretty dramatic, ngl, and I wanted to oull my hair out at some point. But it gets better! Also, the art really improves between novels, which is cool! — Pleasantly surprised at this relationship. It’s quite healthy, and despite a few dips here and there, it’s clear that they do care for each other. Characters are very likable as well. Recommended

Honestly? It was pretty nice, but god, the beginning was especially ridiculous, but in a good way. ...I probably should've looked up the tags online before reading. I read this for comedy, and I certainly got it, but it was explicit, lmao. Fun and surprisingly lovely read. It's formatted in dual POV, with the MC for the first five chapters, and then the ML for the rest. It honestly strengthened the experience, because when I started asking *why* the ML was quite adversed(?), repulsed(?) (I do not know the right words for this), I got my answer. My only comments for concern was the quick turnabout in the end, but I can let that slide. After reading this, I read Akihabara Fall in Love, and I will say this: Kudos to the Mangaka for expanding on a /weird/ side character. The weird activity I saw in the original story was fleshed out in a deeper way, and it added complexity to his character in a neat way. Essentially, it ties in the conclusion of the story, the main couple getting together, and brings it to this one as internal conflict for the ML, and I would say it was integrated well, considering that in this story he was pretty creepy, ngl. I think that the benefit of reading this story before the other one made me respect the mangaka more, because if they were able to expand on this dude, then kudos to them. — Modern-era BL artist and editor, neat concept, neat characters.

Brief notes: inner monologue, school and homophobia, finding confidants in each other, slow burn Finished Volume 1 I liked it. It expresses the POV of both a gay man as well as a ‘heterosexual’ person (or at least a person unfamiliar with homosexual struggles) seeing homosexuality for the first time. The dialogue itself gets confusing at times, but I don’t particularly mind, as it addresses what it means for a person to be gay. It is a bit difficult, at times, to get into the mind space of a person unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ issues, as for me, I have seen it on the internet for a long time, during a time where it’s become more accepted. But I know there are other countries, where even in Japan, it’s still not being taken so seriously, and it heavily relies on the social space around you to feel comfortable. I feel that it expresses internalized homophobia well, especially in the context of a more conservative country. I feel as it’s gotten me, personally, to feel more comfortable about my ideas, as well as embrace other ones. I enjoyed the volume 1 for exploring sexuality, and discussing what it means to live in your adolescence. It is not afraid to embrace prejudice within the school setting, and is able to define what an ‘outsider looking in’ may feel like without pushing the discussion away from issues regarding homosexuality. I appreciate to see an MC who tries to understand, at least, rather than make the narrative about himself. * manga written in 2000

It’s good! I read this blind (haven’t actually played the game) but I found it pretty compelling—characters are given their moments and even Naoya gets his own character arc. I will say that the presence of a few characters are minimized compared to the game (Still haven’t played the game, but have watched gameplay of it online lol) and the Snow Queen arc is massively shortened compared to what’s in the game, but it’s been touted by fans as a good adaptation of the game, and I have to agree. It’s a bit hard to read (I have to pause sometimes to see how characters move from one panel to the next), but I found I didn’t mind it as I got more invested in the story.

Incredibly cute.

Hedonistic SIMP x workaholic I love besotten men. HEAVY emphasis on political drama over romance. Still love it though. Can't wait for the next volume. Update: It’s good! Confusing at times, but good! Not sure about some sub-plots, and there’s a few things I’m iffy about, but overall, it’s really nice. --- Now finished. [ Workaholic and ambitious x Flirty and committed ] — Like a ‘lord’ and his ‘knight’ A little misses here and there, but I’m here for the societal plot. I’m here for the intricate costumes. And I am here for besotted men. I love their dynamic, how MC is trying to Keep Shit Together, but ML’s fooling around. At the same time, ML ain’t just a hoe; his devotion to MC gets him take working duties seriously, which I love. I love m

VERY SOLID. Love both the MC and ML, and even the supporting cast! It’s essentially the trope where someone switches places with an alternate version of themself and has to deal with their new surroundings. In the first world, the ML is besotted with him; in the second, he never really knew him. It’s all tied to this one key scene, and how the author utilized it was really well done. It felt like things were slightly rushed, and I emphasize highly on the “slightly”, but it was good. If there was a thing I didn’t like, it would be the choice guy for alternate!ML. We only met him for a relatively short time and didn’t get the feeling of much chemistry. Besides that, it was great.

I love how the two are so different and yet are...surprisingly similar? I can't quite put my finger on it...but I think it's in the way that they look at their respective identities. Both Shion and Rei are isolated from their peers. Both harbor doubts over their futures/ambitions. They were able to show their most vulnerable selves when they're together, and I think that's lovely. Also, the longer I think about it, the more I find that I love Shion as a character. He's a surprisingly complex character, and it's great, because you wouldn't normally get that from effeminate male characters, especially with how he's initially portrayed as the "I want a boyfriend!" type of person. I mean, he *is* that type of person, but he's also more than that. He's idealistic and a romantic, can get whatever because of how *focused* he is on what he wants...and yet he's also a bit insecure, even lonely because of how strongly he presents himself to everyone else. Shion's a lovely character and I absolutely adore him. Introspective MCs for the win. On a side note...Does anyone have any recs for anything that's got characters like Rei? I've come to realize that he's totally my type. His lowkey autistic ass has snagged me up

Concept: There's an isolated island civilization consisting of several tribes; every few years, a representative from each tribe gets chosen to duel it out with their dicks, and whoever reigns supreme becomes king(?). Thoughts: Conceptually, it's ridiculous; In execution, it's FUN. It's campy, yes, but the character dynamics are hooks you in. Interesting relationship drama and surprisingly sweet character pairings. Fun read. Don't take it too seriously.