BL Recommendations

On the surface, it's nothing special; just another story about one falling for the other. I think what caught my attention were the characters. Both of them move at a different pace. Kippei is young, he falls hard and fast. While Houjo is stagnant, unyielding yet lingering in his past. It was satisfying to see them finally connect. Even so, I don't think I would've recommended this if it didn't have an after story. It tied things together and gave me proper closure.

A very light-hearted, domestic story that focuses more on family than romance. Yutaka is a benign individual with barely any presence. He finds a home in the arms of two brothers who he met in the park one day. With Minoru having lost his mother a year ago and Yutaka left estranged from his own family, they find the feeling of home in each other. I just wish Yutaka got the closure he needed because his older brother's an ass.

Not for everyone. If you don't like age gaps (this one has 20 years), this is not for you. I personally enjoyed this. It's one of those younger semes x older ukes but different. Kimura's an ex-playboy back in the day so he's not easily swayed. It doesn't stop him from being adorable though. He stays at home with his cat and pjs! Nishiguchi does the usual shoujo/BL manga kabedon, wolf-like advances but he is actually smitten.

The Henai series by Harada are about a sweet couple who test out their kinks. Things such as rape play, teacher/student, etc-- and they're ALL consensual! We need more mangas like these with loving couples trying out all their dirty fantasies but never forgetting aftercare! This is not for people who only like vanilla sex.

A bunch of fetishes rolled into one: Inverted nipples, nipple play, muscular bottoms. If you're a fan of those AND like wholesome content with minimal to no drama, this is a good read. The cover is misleading. I honestly thought his partner would be the manipulative or sadistic type but it turns out he's a dumbass who just loves muscles. Think Gou from Free but a man who thinks sucking bara tiddies is a solution for inverted nipples. Not too plot heavy, gave me a good laugh.

It's a story about two straight guys who found themselves in a fix. One has to take mandatory prostate massages for 'medical reasons' while the other has to be the one to massage them. Despite Kento's initial hesitance, they were able to move past the awkwardness for the sake of Issei's sports career. From friends to lovers, the way they fell for each other was moderately-paced. It's both comedic and refreshing!

It tells a story of a young Amish man who traveled far from home for his late Rumspringa. During his travels, he meets a struggling waiter who aspires to become a Broadway performer but is stuck trying to earn a living in a dingy bar. Oz and Theo have great chemistry. They compliment each other's weakness and strengths. It's like watching an old American film. It's cheesy, it's melodramatic, it romanticizes the eighties and the Amish community, but I love it!

Have you ever felt a sense of kinship over a person you've barely met? I have a feeling they were initially attracted to each other because they've both felt the pain of unrequited love. This might've been the reason why Oushirou held onto Inamura's sleeve that night. The main focus of this story is not romance but a way to move on. What comes after is an open door, one they're willing to walk through together.

Reading this feels like watching someone's life flash before my eyes. From start to finish, it's a constant barrage of memories; a lovely analogy on how time waits for no one. In this particular story, we follow the lives of Nishi and Itou throughout their years.

Plot-wise, it's nothing new but the concept was executed brilliantly. Short but touching. It's a painful reminder of how fleeting life can be, and how our decisions not only affect our lives but those around us.

Quite light for a manga about sex friends. The ones that I've seen tend to have a lot of angst. This one went smoothly. Just like their sex life, the tone feels casual. However, there are moments where it gets deep. We see glimpses of their personal problems such as Fuji's fears of his past and Taichi's recurring exhaustion from balancing work and torrid affairs. It's nice to see them slowly care for the other; a stark contrast to how their relationship started.