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morthos's reviews
160 reviews
One-Week Family: (BL manga) (One-Week Family by Yatsuhashi, Yatsuhashi
Very cute but also very average in terms of story. As much as I loved this family of Yuu, Kei, and Ren I felt like it wasn't as emotional as I hoped it was going to be. My most invested parts were Yuu and his conflict with being a child who has no time to BE a child because of his job as an actor as well as not being able to spend time with his mother, the only parent he has right now, who is a CEO. With Kei being his parental guardian and now Ren who’s fulfilling a similar role, when it came down to them doing the mundane it was very cute and made me sad. I do wish there was more emotion put in the scene where Yuu got to talk to his mom about how he felt, it was still nice... I wanted her to cry but it was still nice.
The only time I felt bored was when we took time away from Yuu, away from the three of them learning about each other more, whenever we cut to Kei and Ren's acting job conflicts. It was boring to me and some explanations were a bit dumb because it just felt like “rich people” problems and, Lord, did I not care. It wasn't even about anything interesting either. One had a fear of and felt jealous over being surpassed by other child actors while the other was dealing with only being seen as the superhero character he played. It's fine but also I'm bored. There were also parts where they would talk about growing as people or talking about Yuu's conflicts only to cut away to their industry problems and I just rolled my eyes.
Another small thing that got to me was the progression of the confession. A part of me felt like it was rushed, just a little bit forced and that's probably because we're at the last chapter so it felt like we had to bring it up now. It was fine but I do wish we got that confession earlier so we got that time to see them also grow as a couple. Lastly, there was so much apologizing. Everyone was overly apologetic about everything, like, girl, it’s ok.
4.25
The only time I felt bored was when we took time away from Yuu, away from the three of them learning about each other more, whenever we cut to Kei and Ren's acting job conflicts. It was boring to me and some explanations were a bit dumb because it just felt like “rich people” problems and, Lord, did I not care. It wasn't even about anything interesting either. One had a fear of and felt jealous over being surpassed by other child actors while the other was dealing with only being seen as the superhero character he played. It's fine but also I'm bored. There were also parts where they would talk about growing as people or talking about Yuu's conflicts only to cut away to their industry problems and I just rolled my eyes.
Another small thing that got to me was the progression of the confession. A part of me felt like it was rushed, just a little bit forced and that's probably because we're at the last chapter so it felt like we had to bring it up now. It was fine but I do wish we got that confession earlier so we got that time to see them also grow as a couple. Lastly, there was so much apologizing. Everyone was overly apologetic about everything, like, girl, it’s ok.
Ashita Asatte Sorekara Itsuka by Ichi Ichikawa
2.25
So here me out, getting through chapters one and two felt like when it's mid-summer down at your grandparents' place in the country and people are doing stuff inside, time is moving, you hear people talking... But you're sitting on the sofa, in your room watching tv, or on the porch outside. Time is moving slowly for you but you know things are happening around you. You're aware that things are happening around you but the time it's taken to get from 1 pm to 2 pm has felt like five hours in-between.
I don't usually read other's reviews unless I'm super unsure about what the tags are leading to. But I saw two people saying how average this was and I kind of agree. I love slow-paced stories but there's something about this that felt like nothing's happening despite a good bit of stuff happening between up to chapter three.
Some parts did annoy me but it's the usual bullshit you'll find in a BL. I didn't start feeling fully annoyed by the plot until around chapter four to the point where I already knew how the story was gonna go and contemplated dropping it. I'm more mad rather than annoyed that Takayuki was never held accountable for manipulating Aki for so long and I'm mad that the author basically wrote him getting a slap on the wrist when confronted by the end of it. I wanted rage from Aki. I wanted Takayuki dead.
The only reason I finished this was because I've put too many books on hold for similar annoying reasons and just need to finish something. But, yeah, as a whole, I can already feel that this isn't going to be something I'm going to remember once I'm done reading it.
Also, Takayuki's kind of creepy and not in the way the author meant him to be. He's creepy in an "adult who's been interested in a kid since they were 15 and waited til they're 18 to date them" kind of way. Hmmmm I wonder why...
I don't usually read other's reviews unless I'm super unsure about what the tags are leading to. But I saw two people saying how average this was and I kind of agree. I love slow-paced stories but there's something about this that felt like nothing's happening despite a good bit of stuff happening between up to chapter three.
Some parts did annoy me but it's the usual bullshit you'll find in a BL. I didn't start feeling fully annoyed by the plot until around chapter four to the point where I already knew how the story was gonna go and contemplated dropping it. I'm more mad rather than annoyed that Takayuki was never held accountable for manipulating Aki for so long and I'm mad that the author basically wrote him getting a slap on the wrist when confronted by the end of it. I wanted rage from Aki. I wanted Takayuki dead.
The only reason I finished this was because I've put too many books on hold for similar annoying reasons and just need to finish something. But, yeah, as a whole, I can already feel that this isn't going to be something I'm going to remember once I'm done reading it.
Also, Takayuki's kind of creepy and not in the way the author meant him to be. He's creepy in an "adult who's been interested in a kid since they were 15 and waited til they're 18 to date them" kind of way. Hmmmm I wonder why...
MY HOME YOUR ONEROOM by Yoshi Tsukizuki
4.0
I honestly wish this got a physical release because, after that other manga I just read, this was just so much nicer to chill to. It wasn't perfect but I really like how forward Masato was with everything with how he felt and how he recognized the situation. Even though I love slow burns I might’ve been reading too much of them lately or the ones I am reading have felt like four chapters of frustration and one chapter of them actually being a couple. Reading this was kind of freeing, though there were still moments where I didn’t agree with Atsushi’s childish actions. It gave me slight Usagi from Junjou Romantica vibes and, let me tell you, those are horrid vibes.
Still, I was really here for the straightforwardness that I rarely see in BL and I just thought the overall main story was kind of cute. What wasn't cute was the amount of jealousy they both showed, however. I’ll always and forever hate whenever I find myself saying "People are allowed to have friends! Let people have friends". Again, so tiring to see this level of jealousy.
Btw, the extra story: Sexual harassment? Rape to lovers? Skipped.
花をたどれば君の指先 by にかわ柚生
Not even the proposal, one of my favorite things, saved this for me.
3.0
Where is the looooooore?!?!? I wanted more Kotofuji loooooooooore!!!! This had me on a frustrating rollercoaster because I wanted this to be a reincarnation story in a way, but instead, we got ghost fucking. Fine. Whatever. But then they showed me an interesting backstory for Kotofuji, got me invested only to see them do nothing with it? I want to see them talk more about Kotofuji’s past, about Tsuguyasu, and more about why he was in pain in the shrine.
It just feels like things aren't being said, we’re seeing it get swept under the rug so they don't have to deal with conversing about it. But when there was a conversation it would happen off-screen most of the time and I wanted to throw my ereader.
Like, not to be ace on main but if these bitches don't start communicating in my romance manga I'm gonna start chainsawing tables.
Update: So I wrote all that around chapter three or four and while a conversation did finally happen, everything I said still stands so I'm not removing all that. I'm actually both confused and angry about how this went. Yes, we got more backstory for Kotofuji. Yes, we got a "let's talk about this" moment. The conversation and explanation were so surface level that I felt tired reading how they didn’t want to be a "burden" to each other while also being a bit confused about Kotofuji and Tsuguyasu's timeline together.
スイートアワー1R [Sweet Our 1R] by Kamoburger, カモバーガー
I went into this fully knowing this was tagged with “lack of communication” and “misunderstanding”, yet I still wanted to give it a chance because I've read some ok books with those tags. I feel like what pissed me off the most was the level of dodging Kaname was so adamant in doing that he literally felt he wasn’t in the wrong????? My guy, what do you mean "what happened?" this is all literally your fucking fault!
This could've been a completely different story about how Kaname felt their relationship was only built on sex, communicates that to Shima so he wouldn’t feel like his boyfriend is sick of being with him, and then that the rest of the story is just them finding their footing in what they both want in this relationship realizing that what they both want is sex. And that’s ok! Kaname could've said something in chapter three leaving room for the rest of the chapters for them to be on that “sex break” and learn about each other more since that seems to be what Kaname was worried about. Earning the reader that sex scene AFTER the Christmas tree kiss. Instead, we got a scene where Shima was frustrated enough to force himself on Kaname until he cries that it hurt because rape was more important to the author, I guess. I feel like the author really wanted me to see that Christmas tree scene, gasp, and go "awww" and think it's cute. I’m supposed to just forget and forgive the frustration because the Christmas tree kiss was adorable?!
But you know what, I am sad. Sad for Shima that he had to deal with that shit and sad for me that I have to buy this because it's getting officially translated.
2.25
This could've been a completely different story about how Kaname felt their relationship was only built on sex, communicates that to Shima so he wouldn’t feel like his boyfriend is sick of being with him, and then that the rest of the story is just them finding their footing in what they both want in this relationship realizing that what they both want is sex. And that’s ok! Kaname could've said something in chapter three leaving room for the rest of the chapters for them to be on that “sex break” and learn about each other more since that seems to be what Kaname was worried about. Earning the reader that sex scene AFTER the Christmas tree kiss. Instead, we got a scene where Shima was frustrated enough to force himself on Kaname until he cries that it hurt because rape was more important to the author, I guess. I feel like the author really wanted me to see that Christmas tree scene, gasp, and go "awww" and think it's cute. I’m supposed to just forget and forgive the frustration because the Christmas tree kiss was adorable?!
But you know what, I am sad. Sad for Shima that he had to deal with that shit and sad for me that I have to buy this because it's getting officially translated.
君を染める朝焼けに [Kimi wo Someru Asayake ni] by 海灯火
3.5
Feel kind of bad giving this a 3½ because it wasn't bad, per se, just kind of emotionless. I had four problems with this story that 3 of them can be summed up as: I couldn't feel what the author wanted me to feel from how it was being shown to me.
This might be because of the scan, but there's only so much we can blame on translation here. There were moments that you know you're supposed to feel sad or distressed or excited for them because you're seeing them go through that. I felt like I was supposed to feel something during Suguru’s dream, during the conversation about Yuuma, the kiss, and how Kengo handled it afterwards because the art showed me these moments were impactful but the dialogue didn't help me feel anything.
It felt more like a the lack of communication and low emotional weight created a disconnect for me. Like this one part, I really wanted Kengo to say more after kissing Suguru. A "sorry" is fine and all but I wanted something like how he understood what he did probably wasn't the best move knowing that Suguru still holds very strong feelings for someone else. I just wanted more talking that felt like something. Suguru bringing up the other person was probably the best “emotional weight" this story had but because the dialogue was lacking, it didn't match the strengths of the art leaving me feeling nothing.
This might be because of the scan, but there's only so much we can blame on translation here. There were moments that you know you're supposed to feel sad or distressed or excited for them because you're seeing them go through that. I felt like I was supposed to feel something during Suguru’s dream, during the conversation about Yuuma, the kiss, and how Kengo handled it afterwards because the art showed me these moments were impactful but the dialogue didn't help me feel anything.
It felt more like a the lack of communication and low emotional weight created a disconnect for me. Like this one part, I really wanted Kengo to say more after kissing Suguru. A "sorry" is fine and all but I wanted something like how he understood what he did probably wasn't the best move knowing that Suguru still holds very strong feelings for someone else. I just wanted more talking that felt like something. Suguru bringing up the other person was probably the best “emotional weight" this story had but because the dialogue was lacking, it didn't match the strengths of the art leaving me feeling nothing.
ハツコイノオト Hatsukoi Note by Amekiri, あめきり
3.25
Update: Not that old of a review but it got picked up for an English translation so I guess I'll be rereading this one too. Probably won't read the spin off in until Seven Seas state that they're doing that one as well.
-
This is the most disappointed I've been about a book that I want to buy, am going to buy, and will read the spin-off of.
It started out really cute, I love both Sanjou and Shouya and how caring Shouya was towards Sanjou. The blog thing was incredibly adorable to me, not sure why. Something about reading Sanjou’s entries was just cute in a way where if I came across someone tumblr or line blog written like that I would absolutely follow.
However, I think around chapter 2 or 3 where we got our first sex scene, it just kind of went downhill? I don't think this story really needed any sex scenes in general but if you just *had* to write one it would've been nice to had held out until chapter 4 or 4.5. Despite how caring Shouya was, neither of them brought up the option of just waiting. Even if it was just for the 1st scene, having Sanjou back out from being scared and Shouya recognizing and respecting that would've been so good! I kinda understand why, though, Sanjou would keep pushing himself to do it because of how his personality is but we really didn't need 4 sex scenes.
I did find out that there's a spin-off that's I'm less interested because I didn't really like Ryuu or Ayumu from the time we had with him. I have a feeling that the author just wrote them together just because. Just because their friends are dating each other so now they have to date each other. I don't think there's a rhyme or reason for them to be dating and while I'm not down for that, I'm gonna read it. Might drop it but I will read it.
-
This is the most disappointed I've been about a book that I want to buy, am going to buy, and will read the spin-off of.
It started out really cute, I love both Sanjou and Shouya and how caring Shouya was towards Sanjou. The blog thing was incredibly adorable to me, not sure why. Something about reading Sanjou’s entries was just cute in a way where if I came across someone tumblr or line blog written like that I would absolutely follow.
However, I think around chapter 2 or 3 where we got our first sex scene, it just kind of went downhill? I don't think this story really needed any sex scenes in general but if you just *had* to write one it would've been nice to had held out until chapter 4 or 4.5. Despite how caring Shouya was, neither of them brought up the option of just waiting. Even if it was just for the 1st scene, having Sanjou back out from being scared and Shouya recognizing and respecting that would've been so good! I kinda understand why, though, Sanjou would keep pushing himself to do it because of how his personality is but we really didn't need 4 sex scenes.
I did find out that there's a spin-off that's I'm less interested because I didn't really like Ryuu or Ayumu from the time we had with him. I have a feeling that the author just wrote them together just because. Just because their friends are dating each other so now they have to date each other. I don't think there's a rhyme or reason for them to be dating and while I'm not down for that, I'm gonna read it. Might drop it but I will read it.
半分あげる [Hanbun Ageru] by Arashi Arima
I hyped myself up too high with this one, lads. I don't regret reading this, I just went into this wanting more... tragedy. More angst, more hurt to balance the comfort. And the comfort wasn't that strong either but was more present than the hurt. I think the main characters are fine, them as a couple are cute, I love re-encounters, and the story was interesting to me. However, doing the timeskip thing where the first 3 chapters are their senior year and the last 3 (+ extra, so 4) is them meeting up again after a couple of years I felt made both halves feel rushed. There's also the weird way they do scene cutting that didn't feel smooth, so it was really weird to follow like an odd video editing cut back and fourth.
I really wanted to see more communication between Koru and Shiraki during those 3 days. I wanted more slow, quiet moments that would've made the sex scene in chapter 3 worth it. Before, you only really saw Shiraki grow a fondness for Kuro, who was in a "he's my friend, I want to protect him" kind of mode. When the first kiss happened, I was hoping for them to talk after that, but instead, it did a cut away. I felt the same way in the second half when Shiraki confessed because now we know that Kuro still had feelings but was scared to pursue that. And when we do get a perfect "pause and talk" moment, they cut away again to a flashback. We eventually got to sit the fuck down and talk through some stuff but even that I felt like it could've been delved deeper, but I was happy we got it.
I did leave this liking this couple. I left this liking this book. I felt myself about to cry during chapters 6 and the extra. But I think I went into this hoping for something like CUT and then being let down because it was close to being as emotional as CUT was.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
3.75
In August by 畠たかし, Takashi Hata
slow-paced
3.25
I need to stop getting excited about things.
Ch 1-2, 5.1: Didn't like this story that much. It had an off-putting start and weird visual jumps that felt like I was skipping pages. I know this book has 2 stories in it but keeping pace with the writing got confusing sometimes. This couple I ended up not giving a shit about by the time ch. 2 ended. Would've loved to have seen more of them getting to know each other so that the end of ch.2 could hit harder. I also didn't like that they did nothing with the main mc's philophobia be a topic of discussion. I thought maybe their extra chapter might go into more but, no, they just decided that the conversation at the end of ch.2 just didn't happen. Like, HADA WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? HE STRAIGHT UP TOLD YOU WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS A KID AND YOU'RE JUST GONNA FORGET THAT?!
Ch 3-4, 5.2: A a better story but not by much. I liked the characters a little more, they were more interesting to read about. It still had the weird visual jumps and too fast a pacing for me to completely keep track of what's going on, but I actually felt another emotion that wasn't "anger with a side of what?" and that made reading this story a better experience... Slightly. Seeing how this was the story on the cover, I kind of wish this would've been the 1st story we read so I wouldn't've felt like dropping the book 10 times before chapter 2.
Ch 1-2, 5.1: Didn't like this story that much. It had an off-putting start and weird visual jumps that felt like I was skipping pages. I know this book has 2 stories in it but keeping pace with the writing got confusing sometimes. This couple I ended up not giving a shit about by the time ch. 2 ended. Would've loved to have seen more of them getting to know each other so that the end of ch.2 could hit harder. I also didn't like that they did nothing with the main mc's philophobia be a topic of discussion. I thought maybe their extra chapter might go into more but, no, they just decided that the conversation at the end of ch.2 just didn't happen. Like, HADA WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? HE STRAIGHT UP TOLD YOU WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS A KID AND YOU'RE JUST GONNA FORGET THAT?!
Ch 3-4, 5.2: A a better story but not by much. I liked the characters a little more, they were more interesting to read about. It still had the weird visual jumps and too fast a pacing for me to completely keep track of what's going on, but I actually felt another emotion that wasn't "anger with a side of what?" and that made reading this story a better experience... Slightly. Seeing how this was the story on the cover, I kind of wish this would've been the 1st story we read so I wouldn't've felt like dropping the book 10 times before chapter 2.