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[PG, slice of life]
+ enemies to friends to lovers
+ but make it speedy
Cute and short story about schoolboys with enemies to friends to lovers trope. I like that it's so straightforward with no dragged conflict at all.
[PG, found family, slice of life]
I've read dozens of mangas with this exact dynamic and fall in love with every one of them every single time because honestly, this found family trope is god tier. Adorable, heartwarming, ML is pushy but i still can't hate him, and no unnecessary drama.
[18+, romance, school life]
TW: pedophilia (not between MCs)
I didnt rly have an opinion about this manga the first time i read it, but found myself really liking it after rereading! The artstyle is gorgeous, the writing is good, and the vibes are off the charts that it's quite a charming read eventhough the story's underdeveloped. Side note: ML's relationship with his ex is fkn disgusting but it was so satisfying to watch the teach be called a pedo (which he totally is, eugh).
[PG, romance, hurt/comfort]
TW: past rape, bullying, homophobia
+ affectionate couple
+ good support groups
This manga is so pure and healing and honestly cathartic??? Idk. I was in a maudlin mood when i read this and went through 5 stages of grief by the time i finished. At the end of it, i was just happy that these kids managed to find a safe place in each other.
[PG, supernatural, rom-com, shool life, slice of life]
About a boy who can see people's red strings, including his own, and his desperate attempts to not fall for his "destined" person. Light and adorable!
4.5/5
[18+, slice of life, romance]
+ established mature couple
+ growing old together
Another tear duct destroyer god damn it. I hate and LOVE this kind of manga. This couple thrived for so many years, and i love seeing them care for each other, talking about mundane things like aching joints...retirement...dementia check ups...buying graves together...(sobs) there isn't really a conflict here, just domestic goodness and the bitter sweetness of growing old together. Good read!
4.5/5
[PG, romance, found family]
+ strangers to friends to lovers
+ affectionate couple
This is basically hallmark movie plot but executed a million times better lmao. The Longing is strong in this one, the panels are beautifully drawn, and it's amazing how warm the story is eventhough it's set in the middle of harsh winter.
4.5/5
[18+, slice of life, romance]
TW: homophobia
I always love stories with established couple because most of the time they focus less on the sexual/fetish-y aspect of being gay and more on the important aspects of gay relationship like dealing with homophobia, coming out to the family and the consequences, struggling to be each other's next of kin legally, etc. This manga does have a fairy tale-ish happy ending, but overall it's a good, comforting read for a closeted gay man like me.
4/5
[18+, slice of life, rom-com]
TW: dubcon because of alcohol
+ co-workers
+ manly couple
+ good dialogues and writing
I love the casualness of this manga. Everything flows naturally in a laid back manner and the two MCs' personality complement each other well. No idea why i didn't include this manga in this list before, but it's a pretty good read (go check out the djs too!).
4.5/5
[PG, supernatural, school life, rom-com]
TW: child neglect, emotionally abusive family, homophobia
+ enemies to friends to lovers
+ SO ADORABLE
+ great side characters
+ supportive friends and family
+ affectionate couple
I read too much of highschool BL... but let me tell you that this one is so funny and adorable and wholesome that i couldn't help but keep reading! A good rom-com with a healthy dose of friendship and family feelings.
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I highly recommend Neko x Neko.
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/neko_x_neko/
It's about an already established couple who have been together for a few years already. One day the uke suddenly gets the desire to push down the seme. It's a good story and it's so rare to found stories about seke/reverse couples.
id also recommend rivalry (sanggeuk) and big&big ! both are consensual, good characters and art... big&big is super funny too and rivalry is very interesting (with clichés but in the entertaining way)
and Love so pure!!! their love really is pure... for both couples in it
midnight men is a also a good story with gorgeous art
If you want a good dom/sub dynamic series set in the real world, i HIGHLY recommend https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/my_partner_s_tastes_and_fetishes/
It's so so good and has really healthy dynamics, includes aftercare, redefining boundaries and discussions after scenes (and the dom sticks to the boundaries until the sub gives permission in the future to push them in their play), and when the sub uses the safety signal/safe word, the dom stops *immediately*. Some of the kink is RACK and CNC but they handle it really well (again, it's negotiated and discussed). They may be idiots who are bad at feelings but their kink dynamic is a really good one.
Ooh, will give it a try, ive seen people complimenting it before but never rly got into it. Thank you so much for the rec!