Neko x Neko - Reviews

Neko x Neko
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AvariciousImp's avatar
Nov 27, 2023

A genuinely sweet and mature vers BL couple romance, with healthy communication and conflicts over things that can't immediately be solved by someone opening their freaking mouth. The author certifiably has been in an adult relationship that didn't immediately implode, and I can believe they've had sex at least once in their life. We did it guys. It was such a low bar to clear, but a BL finally did it, and this one vaulted over in style. It's breathtaking, no sarcasm, like spotting an actual unicorn in the wild.

Neko x Neko has a lot of smut, but that's because the story is about sex, and sexual maturity, with some gender contemplations mixed in. And while that's happening on page, it does such a good job of breaking down so many basically inescapable BL stereotypes of gay men in one volume that I am in awe of it, just a little. It took the 'only gay for you bro' trope, which I despise, and rebuilt its meaning into something beautiful, while simultaneously rejecting the kind of toxic jealousy that's lionized as masculine and sexy in romance lit. Fitting, for a story that's also sorta about buildings, and the tradesmen who put them together. The characters are solid and multifaceted for as little time as we get with them, and it somehow finds time for them to settle multiple minor conflicts in four chapters while doing the above. For the smut, we get lube, sex toys, prep (multiple times), a versatile couple who both have time to have sex with each other multiple times, and so on. Really tightly written, two thumbs up.

If I had to fault it on anything, it would be the throwback art style for something written in 2018. It's very reminiscent of late 00s BL in that regard, with the really weird lips that were emblematic of the time. We also get the same familiar lightsaber censorship, which I can't say was missed. Thankfully we have no yaoi hands, but it's a near thing. Both of them are super lanky, and while their hands look big because skinny arms, I'd say they're in proportion. What I do have a mild bone to pick with is the sameface. They... kinda just got the same face. Not great in that regard. What I will praise, art wise, is the delicate balance of making the men super expressive, while also understanding the context in which people socialized as men would make those expressions. They're not 'uwu smol beans so precious must protecc my babies', but they're also not stonefaced, cold 'rational man who takes what he wants' types who never show vulnerability, and the art does back up those character elements really well.

I just can't recommend this series enough if you're as tired as I am of seeing the same ancient, tropey bodice ripper stories dressed up as M/M.

8/10 story
6/10 art
9/10 characters
8/10 overall
donnymazarati's avatar
Feb 28, 2024

This is the healthiest BL romance I have ever read. The relationship between the two MCs is so sweet and fun to read. My favorite thing is their communication and the way they stand by each other. Also, they're switches! I love that both characters are able to trade sex positions and enjoy it. They also tackle how bottoming is associated with submissiveness and how that may make a first-time bottom feel. I would definitely recommend this one!

8/10 story
8/10 art
8/10 characters
8/10 overall
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florida5611's avatar
Jul 26, 2023

I read all the volumes of it and I was taken aback by how amazing it was!!!ike they had the best communication and understanding. They are so in love with each otherr!!! They had no drama and so straightforward and were legit like a married couple!!! It literally became one of my favorite mangass😭💖✨

10/10 story
10/10 art
10/10 characters
10/10 overall
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YukinaZero's avatar
Jul 20, 2021

Surface level a short sweet gay romance. There was also some deep moments exploring body shame and sexual identity that I wasn't expecting.

?/10 story
?/10 art
?/10 characters
8/10 overall
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Yaoilover9000's avatar
Dec 16, 2020

Switch exigence jhahsbdjsis vewy cute! + genuinely interesting :3 the characters always have me uwu-ing, their highschool past was used nicely (i liked lil-keita's spunk an also that one line about satoshi being excited about construction work cuz he was yakuza lol)  an the over-arching plot of building a cafe = cute,, reminds me of jaehee ending where u own a coffee shop together and are lesbians ^_^ 

I also liked how keito as trans works,, tbh i think the story makes more sense if u think about it that way,, especially the part where hes stressing over satoshi being straight, his body changes, etc etc, it feels like his worries are that of a non cis person -_ •×•_- 

Anyways, the story was simple but cute

i think the main attraction is the lovey-dovey dialogue (they have their moments :>) also the art style is very sleak n i liked that 

÷÷Although there are smex scenes, their main use is an extension of the characters emotions rather than smth u get off to÷÷

?/10 story
?/10 art
?/10 characters
8/10 overall
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