Ian
The Husky and His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun (Novel), Vol. 2
I'll update the review next time. For now, I feel like this is the longest and weakest volume. Meatbun does a lot of direct characterization here, but what she tries to describe is too repetitive. There are a lot of things happening, but everything still remains a mystery. I wonder how much emotional damage I'll take in the later volumes.
It instantly became my favorite BL I read this year! Relatable themes and characters—I somehow feel seen, and yes, I cried a little.
I'm not sure how to put it together. Are they chaotic? Yes. Are there any life lessons? Yes. Do I love them? Absolutely. I wasn't ready for that because the theme is trying to bring up the quarter-life crisis and the potential struggles for people who work in the creative industry, and this one is particularly about Sentaro, a music producer. I still don't know much about Touma besides his work as a thug, hopefully we'll hear more about his struggles in the next volume. While Meguru is the example of how the absence of parents can shape a kid to grow up feeling inferior and indifferent. I need to mention that love at first sight and having it stay unrequited for a long time are present in this story too.
So, if you're currently struggling, whether to give up or hold onto your dream, I recommend you to read Dysfunctional Family Theory.
A pretty cute story about a talent manager who secretly in love with his talent who works as a VTuber.
The story starts with Sugawara Mayo, a VTuber with social anxiety who is the complete opposite of his bright persona, Maru. His manager, Mr. Ogino, is a supportive man who secretly harbors feelings towards Mayo, often helps him with domestic work voluntarily.
Mayo often feels uneasy with getting praised for his work because what people see is him as Maru, and the only person who cares about the person behind his persona is Mr. Ogino. I would say Mr. Ogino does a lot to help Mayo get mentally better, becomes someone Mayo looks up to, and their feelings actually turn out to be mutual (but the details are rather a spoiler).
The smut scenes happen almost in every chapter and it was SO GOOD. I love the character designs, especially Mr. Ogino's is totally my type 😔☝️. Overall, I like it. No wonder this work won the Chil Chil BL Award 2025. Can't wait to see them more in the sequel!
I wasn't expecting myself to love this manga this much. There are so many complex things about the main characters, but it wraps up really well. The art, especially the tattoo, and the scenery are so beautiful.
Afterglow begins with Higuchi Kiyotaka, a doctor who has been transferred to a hospital in a faraway town. Later, he meets Tenju, a high-ranking yakuza, who approached him while he was drunk.
The story is pretty triggering, where Kiyotaka has to deal with his medical trauma as a doctor. Tenju is surprisingly sweet—he becomes the person Kiyotaka can open his heart to, despite having an unapproachable figure. Kiyotaka, with his trauma holding him back from pursuing his dream, and Tenju, with his background making it impossible for him to have a proper career—those things only make them grow attached to each other.
I could give it a higher rating if only their encounter doesn't start like that. I appreciate how the author brings this theme to the readers, and I'm glad we will be able to see them more in the sequel.
HE POPPED HIS ANAL CHERRY OMG!
Okay so I'm glad Adachi didn't immediately turn down the offer for branch transfer. He is grown so much into the person he is now, and I have to credit Kurosawa for bringing such a positive influence into his life. Also, Kurosawa feels lighter now that he knows he doesn't need to be a perfect man around Adachi. What a lovely couple!
Don't we love to see adult men maturing and acting their age?
Adachi is finally honest about his secret, Kurosawa accepts his confession, and Tsuge prioritizes Minato's feelings over his own frustration. However, I was hoping they'd go on a date together as a couple on Kurosawa's birthday, but it's okay since the character growth makes up for it. I'm glad I didn't drop this series; their chemistry eventually keeps getting better! Still, this is their first kiss after being a couple for a while? Anyway, we finally know that Kurosawa is older than Adachi.
A cute and heartwarming short story manga about love and grief.
Set during winter in Japan, this is a beautiful story about Kiri Azumi, a maestro who returns to his hometown for a break from his job. There, he met Mitsuya Osamu, a local man who deeply adores him and admires his music. Later, Azumi is asked to mentor the town choir, where he ends up in conflict with Osamu's little sister.
I haven't read many manga that center on grief, and Azumi is a perfect example of how losing someone affects a person's demeanor. Even after seven years, it's implied that the grief he carries after her mother's passing still lingers within him. He slowly learns to control his short temper and accepts his flaws through his time with Osamu. The chemistry they built is so natural and heartwarming. I love how Osamu treats Azumi as his savior, and he does his role later as the one who saves Azumi from falling deeper into grief.
One problem, though: while I love almost everything about this manga, the author left one major part of the plot unexplained, and this is not the first time she has done that. I wish there had been a moment Azumi openly talked about the grief he felt with Osamu.
Overall, this manga has a touching story, lovable characters, and a beautiful art style. This is the golden retriever and black cat dynamic I didn't know I needed.
It's all over the place, a mess. Everything is rushed, I have no room to catch my breath, things aren't explained properly, and the characters' motivation feels so forced. I don't like the translation either, probably because the translator had a hard time following the story. I checked the ratings of other books written by the author, and most of them received low scores. It's really unfortunate for a story that had the potential to be great, and with such eye-pleasing art, to end up like this.
I picked this volume up after dropping the series a few months ago, and I'm glad I gave it another chance. I suspect it was either the translation, the dialogue, or the plot that made me drop it before.
I'm not a fan of love triangles, and I can usually follow a story despite that. The issue with the first two volumes is how Hibari constantly feels uncertain and overly cautious about her feelings toward Gaku, which is frustrating to read. Thankfully, she finally receives some decent character development, and the plot focuses more on Hibari and Gaku solidifying their relationship. These are the aspects I like the most. The dialogue and pace of this volume also feel more natural compared to the earlier volumes.
Sometimes I don't need a heavy-themed read, just a wholesome one for my comfort read, yet this manga alone reminds me of something really personal: how queer people don't grow up being proud of themselves, and I see my past and present in them, my beloved Oogami and Shiroki.
Oogami is a cheerful and carefree guy possessed by a wolf spirit. One day, he is loud enough that his neighbor Shiroki, who is a closeted gay man and a TA in his class, has to confront him about the noise complaint. During a full moon, Oogami isn't able to control the possession, and Shiroki coincidentally has to barge into his room to catch his running cat. And that's how their bond begins.
Their relationship starts rough, yet they find comfort whenever they spend time together. Shiroki is unable to open up about his sexuality and trust a new person after that event, and Oogami has to spend most of his time alone because of his possession. Different causes of loneliness, but it won't make the pain they suffered hurt less. That's what it looks like to them, and also to me. I hope this relationship finds me someday.
“When you're with me, you don't have to be strong anymore.”
This is a story about two young men being separated and bound by duty and fate.
Shiki, a boy with unique eyes among his peers, possesses the knowledge to read the weather. Yamato, his childhood best friend who always has his back, is the son of the village chief. One day, Shiki is chosen to become the sacrifice for the festival when the Himiko visit his village. After that, Yamato resented his village, his home, and searched for Shiki's whereabouts for years. Eventually, Yamato discovered that Shiki is alive and has become the Himiko.
I never knew that historical supernatural manga would hold a special place in my heart, especially one centered on the reunion of two young men. Shiki is a beautiful man, and I believe his beauty can beat other women in a beauty pageant. Yamato looks ridiculously hot with his tattoos and ripped muscles all over his body. Both Shiki and Yamato are smart, keen, and wise. Their differences complement each other, with Yamato as the strongest male soldier and trusted companion, while Shiki is the queen who holds the command throughout the entire country.
I love that Yamato constantly pushes Shiki toward freedom, and yet he always waits until he's ready. They both yearn to be free from duty and believe the day will eventually come, and this is what makes the plot engaging. With such gorgeous artwork, an intriguing plot, and lovable characters, I truly wish Serizawa-sensei would make a sequel for them.
A slightly slow-burn romance with the character development that grows their love into something pure and righteous!
Haruki is a village boy who is used to the cold of loneliness left by his parents' passing. After the fortuitous encounter with Akihito, who is a city guy and a professional photographer, his presence warms Haruki's everyday life, with every precious moment captured by their cameras.
The visuals are breathtaking. Every detail, from the animals and the snowy scenery, is beautifully drawn. Everything feels like the warmth during winter, honestly refreshing after reading so many angst BL stories. A bit of miscommunication actually helps the MCs to spend more time together, and it reminds them that something unfortunate can turn into some precious memories. And yes, Haruki, just like the two male swans, there's certainly something that attracts both of you together. I love them so much.
This is the second time I have read Serizawa Tomo's book, and I can trust her to deliver heartwarming and wonderful stories to us. If you like this book, I recommend you read another work by her, White Liar.
“What about this one?”“Mine.”
I had to quote the most savory part right at the start of my review. I know Lan Wangji has loved Wei Wuxian ever since Wei Wuxian visited his clan to study as a guest cultivator, but I can't prove it yet. His big brother, Lan Xichen, acting like a cupid for him, is so precious to me (we love a supportive brother).
Meet Wei Wuxian, an impudent and infamous patriarch who is resurrected thirteen years later in the body of Mo Xuanyu after being banished from the earth, and Lan Wangji, a shrewd and dignified cultivator who, after a few fortuitous encounters, chooses to care for and journey alongside him.
The plot is consistently funny, and although there are moments of seriousness, the frivolous and curt interactions between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji make it far less stiff or mundane to read. All the major characters are written beautifully, accompanied by such complex backstories, and the relationships they have are so precious that I feel the need to treasure them myself. The supporting characters play a significant role in the MCs' development without needing a lot of characterization.
The translation is solid, easy to follow, and quite natural (said by a non-native English speaker). Both the chapters and the narratives are quite long: 374 pages across only 7 chapters. The whole flashback in Chapter 4 is way too long, but thankfully, it didn't bother me too much.
If you like adventurous and humorous duo in a xianxia fantasy setting, this series is for you to pick!
I giggled so much reading every Kurosawa's inner thought lol, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!
There are times when I see its live action adaptation whenever I scroll through my TikTok page, and here I am. The plot is so unique—it follows Kiyoshi Adachi, a 30-year-old virgin man who suddenly awakens the ability to hear people's minds by having physical touch, and Yuuichi Kurosawa, a gentleman coworker who surprisingly has a secret crush for Adachi (and a closet pervert, at least according to Adachi). There might be a potential side couple growing in this manga.
I'm not a fan of the art style, but they both have good chemistry, and it's surprisingly wholesome, fluffy, and adorable. I'm excited to read the rest of the series!
The story follows Kouta Enatsu, a virgin alpha and college student, who lives next to his scary-looking neighbor, Ryunosuke Miyanaga, an omega who hides his secondary gender. Both of them have a little bit special case, with Kouta not having any obsessive fixation on omegas (which is a good thing and I love to see it), while Ryunosuke not being able to fully suppress his heat with suppressants. Apparently, they turn out to be compatible with each other, while neither do they realize what they truly feel.
I'm not sure if it's been introduced in other works before, but it's nice to have a new type of alpha introduced to the readers from this book (and yes, I want more). That's part of its charm and potentially a spoiler, so I definitely recommend giving it a try.
“Your destiny is to become a magical girl.” “What exactly do I have to do to become a magical girl?”
I picked up this book because of its gorgeous cover and catchy title. Good premise and concept of magical girls but its main focuses are poorly executed.
The magical girls in this story mainly got their power from traumatic experiences. It portrays how women are badly treated in this society, so I recommend you check the content warnings first (suicide attempt, domestic abuse, and violence). Their goals are to serve justice and fight climate change.
It's a good thing to present three serious issues as the focus, but the exploration is limited and lacking in depth. Instead, this book delivers “Everything you did has its consequence,” and that's it. It almost lacks connection with the main issues. There's a lack of nuance and depth in the portrayal of the characters' experience.
But despite the flaws above, I adore the character's relationship and did not expect a cutesy romance presented in it. Both narrator and Ah Roa have an opposite personality, but they do well together. With its face-paced read, it helped me to keep reading this book. I want more, and I wish there is a sequel of it.
⭐️ 3.5/5
A heart-wrenching, yet heartwarming story about family and grief, based on Malaysian folklore and superstition.
It says that the most beautiful blooms come from the darkest soil.
pelesik
She shivered slightly under his gaze—she had no blanket—so he curled himself around her for warmth and smiled when she sighed happily in her sleep.
kampung
sarong