gems

10/10
- SO CUTE
- bro is whippedddddd
- they get together pretty quickly
- interpersonal drama is either rare or gets resolved quick
- ikemen

9/10
- recced by a friend, real fun
- lots of twists and turns
- compelling characters
- it's unusual for me but i actually don't mind if there's romance here. they have chemistry.

10/10
- THE ART IS FIRRRRREE
- oda-level perspective and action scenes
- interesting world building

9.5/10
- isekai
- also fire art
- mc has a bit of imposter syndrome in that he only succeeds because of isekai knowledge, but actually he is really clever
- repeat: FIREEEEE ART

10/10
- actually somewhat known but criminally underrated
- this is how you make dragons scary again
- a love letter to lord of the rings
- a strong/op protagonist who struggles because of his lack of experience and has actual stakes despite his strength
- very classic fantasy in feel
- the isekai aspect of this is really well done, in that there is emotional resolution to why he remembers his past life
- just a really well written story with stunning art
- just a good, classic hero character

8/10
- romance
- business marriage
- ml can hear thoughts while fl can read thoughts (fl wasn't taught how to read)
- fl is mute
- fluffy
- slow update

9/10
- isekai
- mc played this conquest game before and is now an 'evil god'
- but he is just very socially awkward so ppl mistake it for a stoic ruler
- atou is so cute and badass and vicious
- morally grey
- slow update

10/10
- political intrigue
- no stupid misunderstandings
- smart and mature characters
- the chibis are so cute when they kiss >x<
- fl and ml keep a healthy balance between prioritising their relationship and their goals
- cold outside but warm inside fl, suave outside but lovesick inside ml
- cute dynamic and bantering :(((((

9/10
- tw child abuse, implied suicide
- depression (bipolar disorder)
- mc slowly gets better
- relapses into depression
- ambiguous ending
- bittersweet
- the personification of the 'insects' is vivid and very real

8.5/10
- cw eating disorder, child neglect
- destroyed me
- romance angst? nah. family angst is where it's at
- but also romance angst
- prepare tissues
- flawed characters
- fl goes back in time after her death
- resolves to not neglect her son this time
- translation is a bit unbearable