Reviews

I received this manga from TokyoPop in exchange of an honest review.

I just LOVE cocomi’s works so I was excited when I found out this was by cocomi!

While the story at times was a bit confusing, we go back and forth in time. We start at the break up and see what caused that bit by bit as the story moves on, but we also are in the now where these two guys are still figuring out if they want to give it another shot (or if it is just fuckbuddy time). At times I thought we were in x time but we were in y time. Eventually it worked better for me, but yeah, in the beginning especially it was just a bit too confusing and I had to push myself to keep reading.

I did like the idea of starting at the break-up and going from there. I could definitely understand Naruse and why he was done with it all. He loves Toui, but Toui just seems to forget Naruse is around when a novel needs to be written. He skips meals. Disappears for weeks. Doesn’t say love yous and all that. I would have also just chosen for myself at a point. OK, it took 4 years, and as we can see they just cannot leave each other, which made me both sad (because do you want to go back into this relationship) and happy (maybe there are ways to save this). I liked that we got to see things from both angles. Not just Naruse and why he stopped, but also why he keeps coming back. But also Toui. That guy really has no clue, which both made me shake my head and laugh. Oh man. You really need to open your eyes.

There are some sex scenes in the book and I wasn’t always a fan of them. I mean, it was mostly just make-up sex and at times it felt a bit forced. Like Naruse was not there for THAT and Toui just did things to him.

I am happy with the ending though and it is one I can stand behind. Though I do hope that Toui really has learned and will keep up with things. Naruse deserves a happy relationship.

The art was, as expected because cocomi, pretty and I love the style! Just look at that cover, isn’t that perfect?

All in all, despite some issues, I am happy with this manga and I had fun reading it.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

animasoul's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Die Geschichte von Naruse und Tsukushi ist anders als normale BL-Lovestorys.

Naruse und Tsukushi sind schon lange ein Paar, doch irgendwie funktioniert ihre Beziehung nicht mehr so wirklich. Also trennt sich Naruse von Tsukushi, doch immer, wenn dieser ihn ruft, steht er ihm trotzdem zur Seite.

Die beiden erkennen, was sie aneinander hatten und haben könnten. Naruse weiß eigentlich gar nicht, warum in seinen Augen die Beziehung gescheitert ist, während Tsukushi überhaupt keinen Plan hat. Ihm ist nur bewusst, dass er Naruse vermisst, denn Naruse ist irgendwie sein Dreh- und Angelpunkt, der Anker, der ihn festhält und ihm Kraft gibt.

Trotz ihrer Trennung erleben die beiden immer wieder gemeinsame Momente. Momente, die zeigen, dass sie eigentlich nicht ohne einander können. Ich mag diesen Aspekt in der Geschichte sehr. Da lässt es sich in meinen Augen verschmerzen, dass der Zeichenstil etwas sauberer sein könnte, die erotischen Szenen besser ausgearbeitet und die Panels besser strukturiert.

Dafür passt es mit der Tiefe der Story, auch wenn es noch etwas an Charaktertiefe und mitreißenden Emotionen vermissen lässt, ist diese Geschichte durchaus lesenswert und nicht nur reiner Durchschnitt. Sie hebt sich durch die Art der Erzählung ab. Die gegenwärtige Story wird immer wieder von gemeinsamen Rückblicken durchsetzt und lässt einen gemeinsam erleben, wie emotional aneinander gebunden die beiden Protagonisten sind.

Eine interessante BL-Lovestory, die nicht nur von körperlicher Anziehung erzählt, sondern auch von emotionaler Bindung.

lightoferebus's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

komorebis's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Why I picked it up: Reread. I read the fan translation a long time ago and recently discovered that Tokyopop released a print version so... I immediately had to buy a copy.

What worked for me: I love cocomi's art so anything they release is an insta-read. This volume feels catered to me specifically because post-break up stories are just about my favorite things to read ever. The slow, reflective style really works well here; I felt connected to the characters and understood why their relationship failed but also rooted for them to get back together. The first time I read this, I actually

didn't think they would get back together, so the whole 'final date' at the football game and they way they found their way back to each other made me cry.

What didn't work for me: I hate to say it but the translation is not the best. Some of the phrasing is really awkward, and the dialogue and narration doesn't flow as well as I expect it to. I think the fan translation I read was miles better.

Ultimately I'm really happy I'm able to hold a print copy of one of my favorite mangas in my hands :')

kirsau's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

This was bittersweet and I loved it. The story begins with a breakup, and the couple coming to terms with their lives and where things "went wrong" in their relationship.

Ultimately a happy ending but this is definitely a little more serious than I think most would expect. If you're out for fluff or smut this really isn't that, but it's a beautiful reminder to make sure you don't take your partners for granted.

angie_98's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

niovski's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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