all time highs (gl/bl)

one of the only manga i’ve read that tackled the idea of a drag queen *well*- not just “pretending to be a girl because gay”, but rather using drag as an expression of artistic confidence. i love the way that MC didn’t give up drag in order to love him/herself, but rather learned how to love and be loved as both a gay man and a drag queen. similarly, i love how the ML developed as a character in his attempts to understand Whip and the queer community.

probably my second favorite manhwa ever! simple and straightforward with beautiful art. the MC and FL are both so beautiful and kind, and the fantasy twist is taken totally seriously, which adds to the storybook feel.

a man, about to give into apathy after a breakup, finds hope in a high-school boy he meets on the train. an introspective masterpiece on existence, life and love, complete with literary references and metaphors. the non-moe art also really adds to the piece feeling like a short story rather than a manga, and there is thankfully no romance between the MC (working adult) and the high-schooler- more like a platonic idealization.

a romance between two older women! discusses misogyny, fear of aging, internalized homophobia, and other struggles older (queer) women face. i scream with joy every time this updates and you should too.

i said it already, but i’ll say it again: i’m a sucker for the amnesia trope, although this manga has a VERY different take on it than the other one on this list. weirdly poetic and hard-hitting despite the fact that in every chapter they are fucking, and they are fucking NASTY style- this one is definitely not for those unwilling to read smut. it takes a certain level of skill to make someone emotional over home-video pornography, but somehow it’s been done.

a introspective exploration of comphet that never fails to tug at my heartstrings… really realistic and serious, with flawed and nuanced characters, but full of earnest emotion. from the works on this list can you maybe tell that i have some kind of internalized homophobia issue

a horror manga with a slowburn GL subplot. probably the most plot-heavy manga on this list, and really thrilling, with insanely good art and a twisted story.

cozy and thoughtful with beautiful art and an interesting take on the many forms of “love”. hoping someday they’ll translate volume 3.

IMMEDIATE favorite. adorable romance, perfect pacing, great jokes, insane gay-on-gay violence, a hot, morally grey middle aged neglectful mother. what more could i ask for

i wept. i screeched. i lost my mind. this is one of those stories that gets your heart pounding and your vision blurring.