kkimczyra's avatar

kkimczyra

  • tapas: CZYR700P
  • Joined Oct 19, 2021
  • 25
sort

BL Manga Recommendations

This an ongoing thread. The list has in no particular order or ranking/ratings and I finished reading these listed below. Enjoy reading!!!
1 Classmates

Classmates

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Asumiko (@asmk_gengaten)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

I genuinely love how pure and poetic this manga is, as well as how well it captures young love and its everyday, unforgettable moments. However, this manga is full of cliches, yet it's drawn in such a way that it's captivating; it's pure and innocent, which I simply love about it. The plot is beautifully crafted as well. Sajou and Kusakabe are endearing and well-made characters. When I read it, I got butterflies in my tummy because of how simple the story was. I instantly fell in love with Sajou and Kusakabe. They also give me this heartwarming feeling of tenderness.

2 Graduate

Graduate

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Asumiko (@asmk_gengaten)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment (Winter), Seven Seas Entertainment (Spring)

***Sequel

When I was reading this manhwa, I couldn't help but smile. The story was told at a slow yet comfortable pace. I like how the tension between Hikaru and Rihito builds, and we can see the difficulties they face. Also, the enthralling art style, as well as everything else, is stunning, and it makes me love the story. However, I still get uncomfortable with Hara sensei when he tries to touch Rihito, whom he knows is in a relationship. Even so, I enjoyed reading it because we get to witness how their relationship grows and it's just so heartwarming.

3 O.B.

O.B.

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Asumiko (@asmk_gengaten)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

***Sequel to Classmate and Graduate

Seeing Hikaru and Rihito's relationship blossom was so relaxing. I also like how they had an unspoken understanding that it was a kind of trust between them. It gives you a nostalgic feeling when you witness them fall in love when they were in high school and now that they're in a long-distance relationship. I really like how this manga deals with a lot more mature and serious issues too. Personally, I don't quite like Arikasa, but I simply appreciate that he's telling his daughter his sexuality. Also, Hikaru and Rihito coming out to their parents were handled really well. 

4 Blanc

Blanc

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Asumiko (@asmk_gengaten)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

***Sequel

This manga is my personal favourite. It's simple, but it's charming and meaningful. One of my favorite things about Hikaru and Rihito's relationship is how they showed that distance doesn't matter when it comes to love. We've witnessed how serious and committed they are to each other and their relationship. They did, however, face difficulties in their relationships and eventually broke up. It was heartwarming to watch Hikaru come through for Rihito, as he usually does, and was supported by Rihito and Kumi san. I appreciated how realistic the depictions of prejudice, homophobia, and Rihito's fears of judgment and discrimination regarding their relationships were. It's also interesting that Nakamura Asumiko's highlighted some real-world issues, such as gay marriage administration.

Witnessing Hikaru and Rihito's struggles allowed them to mature and re-evaluate their lives, which made me moved to tears. Who would've guessed that Hikaru's chance encounter with Rihito, singing alone in the classroom, would change their lives? They were classmates and boyfriends and are now married. When they stepped out of the venue and put on the veils, I got teary-eyed, and I thought it was sweet that Hikaru composed a song for Rihito.

5 Futarigurashi

Futarigurashi

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Asumiko (@asmk_gengaten)

Publisher: Pixiv

***Sequel to Blanc

The story of Hikaru and Rihito isn't over yet! We've been following their journey from high school sweethearts to marriage to living together, and I'm glad we've been able to see them up until now. I've been patiently waiting for an update, and it's been so long that it's already 2021, but we finally get to glimpse Hikaru and Rihito's simple and domestic day-to-day lives as spouses.

6 Hybrid Child

Hybrid Child

Author/ Illustrator: NAKAMURA Shungiku (@marukawashoten)

Publisher: Emerald (Kadokawa Shoten), Digital Manga Publishing

7 Iki o Tomete, Ugokanai de

Iki o Tomete, Ugokanai de

Author/ Illustrator: ARAI Yoshimi

Publisher: Be x Boy Gold

8 Itou-san (Sui KURAKA)

Itou-san (Sui KURAKA)

Author/ Illustrator: KURAKA Sui

Publisher: Opera

TW: Physical abuse, Prostitution, Sexual abuse, Gangrape, Violence, Blood, Gore

This isn't the first time I've read a dark and twisted BL manga, so I'm expecting the same unhealthy relationships, including manipulation and nonconsensual ones, because they want to own them. Surprisingly, none of them happened. It was refreshing that Itou never forced himself towards Kyousuke, despite the story's dark and heavy situations. He never does anything to harm Kyousuke and just wants him to start a new life. He always protected him in his own favorable manner. Although I believe Itou's methods are wrong, I believe those motherfuckers deserve it. I loved how Kuraka-san builds the twisted element not between them, but rather how they meet, get themselves into a twisted position, and try to escape this sort of twisted fate. I also like how the black and white compliments the atmosphere of the manga and how effectively it was drawn. The plot is well-paced and enthralling, portraying two wounded individuals—a killing machine and a prostitute—living in a harsh society. I actually like Itou and Kyousuke, and I love the pace at which their relationship has grown, with their love making which I found much more intimate. 

Despite the poor execution of their memory loss, I felt Itou's boss gave up much too quickly, or perhaps I'm dissatisfied with how easily that scumbag died just like that. Itou and Kyosuke have been through a lot, but the epilouge is merely a ray of genuine tenderness that gives them a bright and hopeful ending that is appropriate for both of them. It was both heart-clenching and warm at the same time. The most wonderful part is how they made Kyosuke's memory loss into a blessing for the two of them, freeing them from their tragic past and allowing them to embrace a hopeful future.

9 I: Episode 0

I: Episode 0

Author/ Illustrator: KURAKA Sui

Publisher: Opera

***Prequel

TW: Pedophilia, Child pornography, Animal abuse, Blood, Gore

The sequel to this manga was already painfully beautiful. However, the prequel only has six chapters, despite the fact that each panel is intense. It has a few dialogues, but it really conveys the emotions of how deep and tragic Itou and Kyousuke's childhoods were before they became what they would become in the future. I didn't expect that Itou would know Kyousuke when he was a child. The thing that hurts in this manga is that Kyousuke experienced that horrible thing. He's just five, yet his bastard father threw his own child into prostitution. However, I truly hate Itou's boss for treating him as merely his creation, whose sole purpose is to kill. I am disgusted at how he groomed Itou and made him feel that he didn't need to feel anything. Kyousuke's naming of him Itou gives him an identity; that he isn't "I" or just part of an organization that obeys commands. I'm happy that the past didn't matter to them, and that the two of them together are enough alone. Kyousuke got to reset his life and was finally able to study and start a fresh life with Itou. 

10 Seaside Stranger: Umibe no Étranger

Seaside Stranger: Umibe no Étranger

Author/ Illustrator: KII Kanna (@mioshun0303)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

Both manga and movie has refreshing and realistic feeling. The realistic obstacles that both Shun and Mio have to deal with in their relationship. I'm in love with the art style too! 

11 Seaside Stranger: Harukaze no Étranger

Seaside Stranger: Harukaze no Étranger

Author/ Illustrator: KII Kanna (@mioshun0303)

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

***Sequel of  Umibe no Étranger

12 Youchi na Koi wo Doushiyou

Youchi na Koi wo Doushiyou

Author/ Illustrator: Veni  (@oy2_mgmg)

Publisher: Be x Boy Omegaverse (Libre Shuppan)

TW: Prostitution, Physical abuse, Rape

13 Pink Heart Jam

Pink Heart Jam

Author/ Illustrator: Shikke (@_shikke)

Publisher: futekiya

14 A Home Far Away

A Home Far Away

Author/ Illustrator: YATSUDA Teki (@yatsuda_tk)

Publisher: Kuma 

15 Kimi wa Mou Kamenai

Kimi wa Mou Kamenai

Author/ Illustrator: ASAJIMA Rui (@asajimarui)

Publisher: Be x Boy Omegaverse (Libre)

16 The Scene of My Rumspringa

The Scene of My Rumspringa

Author/ Illustrator: AZUMA Kaya (@azuma_kaya)

Publisher: Comic Chocolat (Shinkousha)

17 Shounen no Kyoukai

Shounen no Kyoukai

18 Goshujinsama wa Ouji ga Osuki

Goshujinsama wa Ouji ga Osuki

19 Given

Given

20 Dangerous Vices of a Gentleman Loan Shark

Dangerous Vices of a Gentleman Loan Shark

21 Boy Meets Maria

Boy Meets Maria

22 I'm a Pop Star, Now Expose Me!

I'm a Pop Star, Now Expose Me!

23 Kiss wa Tsugai ni Hizamazuku

Kiss wa Tsugai ni Hizamazuku

24 Asagao wa Yoru kara Saku

Asagao wa Yoru kara Saku

Comments

You must be logged in to leave comments. or

There are no comments - leave one to be the first!