If the storyline or the characters are great the art style doesn’t really matter, to me at least. However I do admit it’s easier to read a story just for the handsome characters. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
Story but I still going to mind a lot about the characters body movements. Sometimes they're drawn too much like a wooden model doll it gonna make me distracted. Most of the time IDC if the artstyle is ugly as long as their lips ain't too thick like you got stung by a bee. That one is overly on my uncanny valley I just can't look at it. ╥﹏╥
Good art style is just a bonus. I think for most people it depends on when they started reading BL and what they started with. If someone is newer to BL and starts with well done full color webtoons then regular manga doesn't always appeal. If it's someone that started with manga that is older they tend to care less. I've been reading BL for longer than some people on this site have been alive (you 10 year olds need to go touch some grass). Good art is very much appreciated but I can enjoy a story even with weird art. Look up "yaoi hands" and you'll see the nonsense us older BL fans have had to deal with for years before art improved overall.
I simply don't care about art i want better story
TBH I look at the art simply bc I choose to read manga for the visual appeal, if I was in the mood for a good story I'd just read a novel instead. Not to say I wouldn't read something bc it wasn't particularly eye-catching, but wonky art definitely turns me away. That particularly runs true for romance bc most of them have the same plot with a few adjustments.
So, I been seeing a loot of bl reader say that they focus on the art style then the story, and couple of them even said " if the art style is ugly, I'm not reading it," And I be confused because i dont really care about the artstyle just along the story is good. Sooo I have a genuine question. Do you focus on the art style or the story?? ( sorry if you see any errors in my typing, and can understand. T-T )