BL with manly couples

☆ 4.5/5

[18+, rom-com, drama, secret identity]

TW: yakuza, violence

+ strangers to lovers
+ manly couple
+ good humor
+ interesting plot
+ straightforward and adult-like relationship

A tender story about two members of opposing yakuza groups who fell in love without knowing each other's identity. It's so refreshing to read about two manly, badass men being hopeless romantics. Both of them suit each other perfectly, the drama is there but it's serving great feels, overall a great read.

☆ 5/5

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

TW for side story: underage sex with adult & teacher × student

+ manly couple
+ good writing
+ fun dynamic between MCs

WAAAAY too underrated. I love these two so much. They're cynical towards life in general, like any grown adult worn by life is, yet they still found something worth pursuing in each other. I love their dialogue, their banter, their anxiety and reassurance in becoming lovers, everything!

☆ 5/5

[PG, supernatural, slice of life, drama]

TW: non-sexual non-con, manipulation, child abuse, cult, ghost, murder

+ bromance
+ AMAZING writing and characters
+ interesting plot and good world building

"Not a horror movie, but a profound study of human relationship". That's how one of the MCs described the movie "exorcist", and that's also how i'd describe this manga. The more you read the story, the more you'd realize there's nothing like it in the BL manga scene. It's just Super Good.

4.5/5

[18+, drama, hurt/comfort, romance, psychological]

TW: internal homophobia, trauma, self-destructive behavior, promiscuous behavior, fwb

+ manly couple
+ good depiction of the aftermath of a traumatic incident
+ good writing

This is a tender and touching manga about healing and moving on. The MC, Shouta, is actually the best boy ever graced BL world. Will hurt and heal your heart so good.

☆ 4.5/5

[18+, romance]

TW: racism

How can this have such low rating... I'm always cautious when a manga features an indigenous character because more often than not it comes off as fetishizing and racist. But in here, the author addressed such fetishizing and racist behavior towards the character, and how it changed him irrevocably as a person. I love how fulfilling the story is and how strong the characters (even the side ones) are considering the length of the book. What a good read.

4.5/5

[18+, historical, supernatural, anthology]

TW: tragedy (no MC death), rape, violence, sexual favor

+ fwb
+ beautiful writing and art
+ mature and manly couple
+ episodic

About an unlikely pair who wandered around the continent and all the humanity problems they encountered. One is a burly ronin, and another is a delicate looking man who would grant wishes in exchange of souls. This is a beautiful story. Heads up: some of the cases these two encountered was very rough to read.

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+, supernatural, slice of life]

TW: ghost, past toxic workplace, mentions of suicide and power abuse, depression, suicide attempt

+ intriguing plot and good writing
+ gender non-conformity

What can I say? It's Nishida Higashi, and i've always been a sucker for her works. The writing is so good in this one idek what to feel while reading this. It's depressing, uplifting, relatable, absurd, etc etc. I still love it so much, despite the abrupt ending.

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.

☆ 4.5/5

[18+, rom-com]

TW: boss-subordinate relationship

+ manly badass switch couple
+ funny as hell
+ good dynamic between MCs

Oh gosh i love them so much! Their chemistry is off the charts-- Idek how many times i've reread this, yet it's still crazy fun to read. Really wish we could see this type of rom-com on screen.