Aozora no Sunda Iro wa
Sugiura Sakae returns as a teacher to the elementary school where, years before, Fukada Ryuuji, his own teacher, saved him from grave personal danger, but age and despair have taken their toll on Fukada-sensei, and Suguira has a difficult time reconciling the memory of the man who protected and inspired him, with the scruffy man whose laisser-faire attitude offends his sense of effort and accomplishment. Can anything be done to mend Fukada's crushed soul? This inspirational story is one of my favourites and cemented Tenzen Mamoko as one of the greatest yaoi mangakas ever! Just a beautiful realistic story.
En wa Ki na Mono Aji na Mono
Miyashiro Miyagi, whose job at the traditional Japanese restaurant, Tachibana, and entire fortunes exist solely because of Kazuki-Taichou's recognition of his ability and hard work, is threatened in his position by the heir to Tachibana, and must endure both scrutiny and suspicion due to his unknown family connections. Meanwhile, he is being sexually harassed by Haruhi, the assistant chef from Tachibana's affiliate restaurant. Miyagi's heart is filled with gratitude to Kazuki for all his support, but are his affections returned? Or are Kazuki and Haruhi hiding something from him?—Something crucial to his livelihood? This story is rich with well-developed characters and driven by a strong, interesting plot filled with intrigue. The sex scenes are ample, well-balanced in terms of power distribution and very, very satisfying. It is one of my old-time favourites!
Jigoku Meguri
Salaryman Takamura is given a job under the EnMa Daiou, the ruler of hell, who relentlessly coaxes him for sex. Takamura discovers that his position includes frequent temptations to break the laws of hell in order to interfere in the destinies of people he longs to save. One of these individuals is a professor he once loved. Who will win over his heart? The professor? Or the King of Hell? There is so much dramatic and sexual tension in this beautifully illustrated story by Kuju Siam. I hungrily devoured each chapter!
Sorenari ni Shinken nandesu
A father is stressed beyond his capacity to cope while trying to raise his preschool-aged daughter while working in a Japanese restaurant. He is saved by a hopeless flirt and serially unfaithful gay customer who is attracted to him, but he is straight and very suspicious of such a flighty man. The relationship takes time to develop and is full of realistic emotional responses. The daughter is adorable and the ending is full of cheer!
Koi to wa Yobenai
A man is dumped by his gay lover on Christmas Eve and, suffering from loneliness and heartbreak, spontaneously rescues a vagrant and kitten who have fallen asleep in the front garden of his apartment complex. The vagrant is suffering from his own tragic loss, and the two of them slowly come to understand and love each other, but not before denying their true feelings.
Sentimental Garden Lover
A stray cat who lives in the garden of a gay man who is being abused by a brutal partner, asks the moon to change it into a man so it may protect the one he loves. Another sweet kitty begs for the ability to convey feelings of love from the man he loves to the man's former lover. Stories that are so sweet and pure, they cuddle up and purr.
Tsumasaki Ni Kourozu
A young man works for a mycologist in the forests of Japan, studying fungi and mushrooms. Slowly, as the scientist opens his eyes to this new world and its astonishing beauty, the young man comes to love him. A schoolboy has an astonishing gift of inner sight which reveals a secret side of life when people go to sleep. A young man strikes up a friendship with a fox spirit. Aoi Aki's artwork is superb. The stories move at a gentle and realistic pace. The relationships are natural and unforced. I love this manga! It is one of my absolute favourites.
Cafe Latte Rhapsody