this is how you relationship

let me tell y'all about Doukyuusei. it's healthy, it's realistic, relatable, and non-problematic. Doukyuusei doesn’t have tw/ r*pe, cheating, sexual assault, death or any of those upsetting contents gay representation is usually riddled with; it’s just unfiltered awkward teenage love, as pure and relatable as can be, like sparkling soda pop.

Doukyuusei sequel. as always, simple and beautiful, non-problematic scenarios between two boys in love.

what i enjoyed about Ame to Kiss is how simple the story was. though it works with realities such as (tw/ anxiety and self hatred), feelings of jealousy and distrust, the atmosphere is kept light and without unsolvable obstacles. the character development, while lacking in some aspects, shines bright with Maeda towards the end. it's a light and enjoyable read.

This is one of those rare lighthearted stories in which despite dealing with elements such as (tw/ bullying, r*pe, sexual assault), it doesn't define the relationship based on feelings of hate or distrust. In fact, trust and consent were the foundation of the story's relationship. This is shown throughout the entirety of the story by the main character, Kengo, who is incredibly patient and loving, and a safe haven holding everything his partner needed in order to heal.

FIND YOU A MAN LIKE POSITIVE-KUN

Negative-kun To Positive-kun, a.k.a. Jun-chan and Shin, are your atypical idiots in love. As the title suggests, the two characters are polar opposites with almost nothing in common (besides their love, of course). This seems like an entryway into a problematic relationship, but I was elated to find only a romance sweet enough to rot your teeth.

The Tragic Tale of Tsumabuki's Glasses, or, Lucky Number 13. Honestly, this is a manga that will keep you grinning ear-to-ear throughout all 12 1/2 chapters. Usually, I'll keep this list is a safe haven for those who want a break from too many relationship stops, but I found that this story is full of (surprisingly) healthy comically problematic situations (healthy for the reader, unlike poor Tsumabuki). What little drama entails is dealt with sincerity, and with a lot of awkward love.

All anyone needs to know about Pochi and Tama is that it's warm and healthy and happy and oh so domestic, and there is so much wholesome love that it's practically spilling out of the pages.

change comes with seasons, and so does love. Aishiteru is radiating with good, happy feelings. it's simple, but, there's no manga in this world... i could ever love... more than i love this one ;)

I was unsure as to whether or not this had a place on this list bc of some (a lot) of the subjects it deals with (tw/ r*pe, depression, anxiety, cheating, violence, jealousy), but Rouge took my breath away with its first story. It's not new or original; we've all read the Bad Boy tropes before. What makes this so GOOD is the understanding & nature of consent, mental illnesses & trauma, even sex, & it deals with it so. damn. well. bless this manga's soul.

“Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt that the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love." (Hamlet – Act 2, Scene 2)

Tamayura is a story that brings feelings of melancholy and longing, and also hopefulness. It faces and breaks through the hardships of loving someone, unconditionally, even with the world against you.