Bike's manga / #on-hold(41)

CH.7 Got through what I can only assume is MTL. Not sure how to feel about it now. I can see myself either liking or dropping this series depending on the direction it goes. -- Isekai into a Dating-sim BL! These are fun.

Read up to 32.7 Like the perspective this manga provides on the porn industry (particularly in JP). Behind the scenes tid-bits (fake cum, camerawork, etc.). Fun reoccurring cast. While I'm not the biggest fan of the narrator (perverts aren't my thing. i say this reading this manga lmao), he's charming in a pathetic kind of way. I adore the frog design, it's so stupid-looking, haha.

Chapter 12 --- Same author as Netkama Punch. I ended up not really vibing with the pairing in that series, I wonder if it'll be different here? Either way, I'm always down for MMORPGs, so here I am. I clicked because I saw that the fan translation team for Neighbor Guild Member was also working on this one. --- I'm not a friend of the jealous girl trope. Especially when the series doesn't have many girls to begin with. Just my preference, though. Not a big fan of the catfishing trope in general. Might be a problem for me reading this series haha

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

Besotted x Fucking Oblivious Tsundere It's cute, but I am slightly concerned with the ML and how he wants him to stay chubby. Better not to look into it too much, I suppose. Recommend: a light read, pretty wholesome, all things aside

Fun cast of characters. Edit: Still seems to be things that are still hidden under the surface. Can’t wait. >CH: 44 Catch me crying at the end of this arc. I’m so proud of him.

Started CH. 45. Goddamnit I got really invested but I realized this series ain't even done yet so I'm putting it on hold now before I destroy myself. Brother gets roped into a male strip club and proceeds to get entangled with blondie. Everyone's in here because of problems, whether debt or other issues (got a bit of a found family vibe, tbh). Club itself is a subversion of gender roles---males catering to females with the agency to spend their money. Touches upon adult entertainment life, which pleasantly surprised me. Apparently third season started, and where it's at right now is...not great, so I'm taking a pause now. --- Also not going to lie, I got Dio and Iida vibes from the main pair. Besides that, enjoying the dynamic. --- Also is it just me or am I getting massive brother complex vibes from the main antagonist? Specifically "Walk on Water" kind of brocon.

Refreshing read wherein the "red flag ML" you see in other BL is actually the MC here. Hits all the boxes: holds power (well-established in the industry), manipulative AF, etc. He's even aware of ML's feelings for him, but rather just wants him for sex (at least, for now). Contrasts with the ML, newcomer to the scene. ML is like a buff puppy---very innocent despite his initial looks. We're getting to the point where ML is starting to realize MC's BS, though. Not sure what's going to happen next, but I think it'll be very interesting. Liked the sexual tension in this one. On CH 26.

On CH. 11. It’s fun; it’s cute. Dude from an older era wakes up in the body of an idol. The group kind of sucks; they’re about to disband. We’re following the protagonist as he adjusts to his body.

Chapter 36 --- Loving it. So it's one of those "ranker" stories with game mechanics not unlike S Classes and ORV, except this one has actual BL, apparently? From what I'm getting, I'm assuming the BL will be on the backburner, but I'm not complaining---premise is interesting. Dude lives a chill life, having effectively disappeared from the public eye following his party's defeat of a dungeon that had threatened to destroy the world. He spends day-to-day life imposing mundane barrier spells, hanging out with those in his small guild, fulfilling the wishes of those who had died, doing numerous small hobbies, etc. While haunted by the past, he's determined to live a normal life. Unfortunately, lots of people want to know the Korean guy who managed to survive the event. One of these groups are pretty influential, and he ends up getting caught into their schemes. --- Read chapter 15. MC's backstory is compelling. The dungeon game mechanics seem interested (especially the aspect about Gaia?). I'm also intrigued by the emphasis on the "stat viewing inbox" thing. It's only accessible by those with skills---you can cloak your stats and they'll seem innocuous so long as the person looking at them doesn't have a high level "skill viewer" ability. The chemistry of the main pair is also interesting to me. They've hardly interacted at this point, but I can see the potential. Also, I love me a MC that wants nothing more than to retire after having lived life as a hero. Love this trope.