criminally underrated BL

4.5/5

[18+, slice of life, mystery, rom-com]

TW: past kidnapping, nyctophobia, non-con kiss & groping, possessive behavior

I liked this a lot! The banter between Ukai and Chikamichi is fun and their relationship progressing from thorns in each other's sides to friends to lovers is sweet and unexpectedly touching. The mystery element of the story is fleshed out well, and the ending is pretty satisfying.

[18+, supernatural, mystery]

TW: crime, non-con because of supernatural force, ghost sex, dub-con, possession, open ending

+ friends to ??
+ manly pairing

Another favorite by Nishida Higashi. The characters are flawed, but it makes them more human and realistic. Everything from the relationship between the MCs, the mystery, to the conclusion of the story is pretty satisfying to me. I wish it was longer!

4/5 for main story

[18+, romance, drama, smut]

TW: S/M dynamic, violent sex (consensual), past rape and sexual abuse, trauma, dubcon, public sex

+ senior-junior relationship
+ manly couple
+ safe sane and consensual

Main story is one of the very few S/M relationship in BL manga that's consensual and has a proper BDSM etiquette. One of the MC isn't quite into S/M, but both of them are respectful to what the other is comfortable doing.

4.5/5 for first story

[18+, anthology, rom-com, office life]

TW: dub-con & homophobia & blackmail (2nd story)

+ co-workers
+ so fuNNY
+ good dynamics between MCs
- toxic relationship in 2nd story

Main story is about hilarious misunderstanding between two co-workers that resulted in them realizing their love for each other. I read it like 100 times, it's funny, sweet and super entertaining to read.

4.5/5

[18+, rom-com]

+ childhood friends to lovers
+ funny and really sweet
+ good communication and healthy relationship

This manga takes bros before hoes to another level lmao. The premise is ridiculous but somehow it works and is even sweet. So entertaining to read.

4/5

[18+, drama, comedy]

TW: yakuza, cheating, violence

+ friends to lovers
+ manly badass couple (with a badass grandma on the side)
+ interesting plot

As always, nishida higashi never fails to make me love her story and characters no matter how imperfect they are. This would've been a kickass action drama, sadly it was criminally short.

☆ 4.5/5

[18+, rom-com, slice of life ]

CW: internalized homophobia, cheating (not between MCs)

+ mature, reversible couple
+ good side characters

About two oblivious middle aged men who are too in love with each other that their wives and daughter and the entirety of their office staff have no other choice than to accept the fact while rolling their eyes in exasperation. A fun light read with unexpected heartbreaking and beautiful, touching moments in between. Way too underrated for sure!

4/5

[18+, slice of life, romance]

+ childhood friends/rivals to lovers
+ fun dynamic between MCs

Two budding tailors who were once childhood friends but then grew apart. I really love the atmosphere of this manga.

4.5/5

[18+, university life, slice of life, romance]

+ 2 couples: both friends to lovers
+ gender non-conformity

This is a wholesome slice of life about a club where you are accepted no matter who you are. Also, there's a hot guy wearing skirts.

4.5/5

[18+, office life, romance]

TW: promiscuous behavior, sexual favors, boss-subordinate relationship

+ manly, capable couple
+ straightforward and honest relationship

A pair of capable and work oriented men, trying their best at romance. I've always adored Nishida Higashi's ability to write such compelling characters in an ordinary setting. Her stories always manage to draw me in, no matter how imperfect or flawed -- and this manga's one of my favorite of hers.