Gori-Sen (A Manga About a Stereotypical PE Teacher Who Dies at the Start of a School Horror Movie) - Manga Review
[Summary from Mangadex] This is a manga about the kind of PE teacher who dies at the start of a school horror film.
[Full review under cut]
Basic Premise: A somewhat episodic gag comedy about a stereotypical "gorilla" thick-headed and brutish PE teacher who gets caught up in all sorts of horror scenarios. Despite his appearance, Gori-Sensei manages to both guide his students with warmth and straightforwardness as well as neatly avoid or nullify the increasingly terrifying horror scenarios that occur daily at his school.
My Review: I'm always a sucker for a good horror comedy, and this hit all the marks. Gori-Sensei is an amazing contrast to the terrifying horror situations that occur at his school, with his students becoming increasingly incredulous "straight men" to his nonchalant way of problem-solving. Through the power of his fists, straightforwardness, and various cosmic coincidences, the kind of character who definitely would've died first in a horror movie continues to survive and give his students important life lessons all the while.
Another bonus: for the most part, the students aren't sexualized or put into strange uncomfortable situations. The focus is on the comedy and the contrast between horror and Gori-Sensei, and it stays that way.
Overall: If you're looking for a horror-comedy without any plot or severe stakes, give it a try! An enjoyable read for anyone with familiarity of common horror tropes.
[Summary from Mangadex] The cute and cheerful girl working at a Japanese style maid cafe, Hana. The black haired cold beauty, Mei. Though the two are in love with each other, they have not realized it. However, they have a secret that should not be discovered…
[Full review under cut]
Basic Premise: A punk bullies an otaku. Very simple, right? Nope--the otaku is a secret crossdresser who enjoys dressing up as the bright, refreshing, and sweet Hana who works at a maid cafe. The punk falls in love with this kind girl, but due to random circumstances, ends up crossdressing one day and saving Hana from some creeps. Hana proceeds to fall in love with the cool and slightly boyish (LOL) "Mei," who is really the punk that he insults daily. It's a classic case of mistaken identity, with plenty of shenanigans to match in this comedy-romance manga.
My Review: While it's not the most original plot, this manga is nice in that it both treats crossdressing seriously and manages to land most of its comedic beats while acknowledging the outlandish situation. Crossdressing is treated as a form of cosplay in this manga, with the accompanying level of difficulty and tools needed to "transform" oneself; while the whole "gloomy boy is magically an adorable girl when crossdressing" trope is still somewhat present, they delve into makeup tips, vocal training, clothing choices, etc. which shows that they've done some real research into how "crossdressing" works. I thought this was interesting and a refreshing depiction of crossdressing, especially as someone who does something similar for cosplay.
The two main characters are also quite fun. While they do come off a little one-note at first, both of them begin to branch out and show genuine growth as they grow more comfortable in their crossdressing personas--their "personas" aren't just out of nowhere, the otaku has a genuine passion and enjoyment of life that bleeds through as "Hana" and the punk is extremely loyal and enjoys feeling useful as both himself and "Mei". Their romance isn't terribly deep as "Hana" and "Mei," but they've been growing increasingly close as their ordinary selves too in a way that makes me have genuine hope for their eventual friendship.
Last note: Despite both of them enjoying crossdressing and putting hard work into their feminine appearances, there are not many transgender themes for the two MCs. Both of them are fairly explicit in that this is a hobby, and the author doesn't seem interested in exploring their gender identity beyond their nonchalance at being a "boy" or a "girl". However, one of the side characters has a backstory that could be read as transfem.
Overall: I don't know whether I'd classify this as BL, GL, or both, but it's definitely an entertaining read. The romance is nice and light-hearted, and the characters interact with their friends and their hobbies in ways that felt true-to-life. As a bonus, the mangaka has very obviously gotten much better at art since the beginning of this manga. I always enjoy when you can tell an artist's growth just through reading their manga, and that's definitely evident here.
[Summary from Mangadex] When he was little, Ryuuta was attacked by a youkai. An older boy came to his rescue, he was a wandering youkai exorcist called Izumo. Soon after the incident Izumo departed on his travels again, leaving Ryuuta behind, but promising to come back one day and start their own journey together. Years later they meet again, but Izumo seems to have no recollection of their promise. Nevertheless, Ryuuta is determined to stay with him, and they end up travelling together.
[Full review under cut]
Basic Premise: A sweet romance story about a youkai and a human who meet again and grow closer.
My Review: I was mainly drawn to this by the art style, but the mangaka depicts the way they dance around each other and grow closer in such a sweet way that I was hooked. It's not a terribly long manga, at only five chapters, but there's a few bonding moments which really make you feel like you got a glimpse into a slightly awkward pair's courtship.
The plot is also nothing too serious, but there's a happy ending and a decent explanation for the question of "why is the youkai pretending like he doesn't remember the human?".
What really hooked me in the end was that it felt like a lovely story of two people growing closer and starting a casually happy life together.
Overall: A short but sweet romance story between an airheaded youkai and a determined human. Read it if you want to be soothed for a little while.
The Story of My Experience with a Doppelganger on the way Home from the SuperMart - Manga Review
[Review from official desc.] I'd gone to the SuperMart like usual with my mother and brother and got in the car to go home… but I realised I was left behind? There were no cars or people around, and there was no sign of anything. I was going back home like usual …but what happened? I know I had sat down in our car for sure but what's the meaning of this? -------- A mysterious experience that suddenly happened in your daily life.
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A one-shot horror manga that explores an eerie concept: What if you were replaced by a doppleganger? Originally a winning submission in the "Horror Essay Awards" hosted by V Komi, which became serialized into this one-shot.
My Review: While this one-shot is fairly short (four quick chapters), it's extremely effective at conveying its tension-filled atmosphere. The main character, Lily, goes to a supermarket with her family but just as she gets in the car, she's suddenly in a world without any people or cars. As she makes her way through this world and frantically tries to reach her family, increasingly odd and eerie situations keep cropping up for both her and her family: Why is there a bus of people who look horrified at her very sight? Why is her family insisting that they didn't even go to that supermarket in the first place? Why are they asking her if it truly is "Lily" calling them?
These questions remain unanswered by the end of this manga. The manga doesn't look to craft a universe with concrete laws; instead, it asks questions that will leave you paranoid and looking over your shoulder. The atmosphere is impeccably built -- despite the rather simplistic style and short length, you truly feel the tension and uncomfortable horror of a "close call" once Lily's world is set "right".
I also enjoyed the way that there was no concrete resolution to this doppleganger situation. There isn't a guarantee that this will never happen again, nor is there any sort of explanation for what happened to her. Instead, there's a vague unease that both Lily and the reader feel. The horror and the awkwardly terrifying situation linger in the reader's mind.
Overall: I really enjoyed this one-shot, both as a work of horror and artistically. The art style is sketchy and casual in a way that lends to the late-night atmosphere, and suitably conveys the visceral unease felt at this scenario. Give it a read! It's short enough that I think it's worth it if you enjoy this kind of tense and uneasy horror.
[Summary from Mangadex] As a so-called "half-noblewoman," Shurya Littenheim was shunned by all in high society except her husband, Grand Duke Kardi Esperand. So when the powers Kardi inherited from his family start to slowly kill him, Shurya gladly makes a deal to sacrifice her own life instead. Upon her death, she's reborn as her younger, single self, and this time... she's doing it all over again! Shurya's on a mission to make Kardi her hubby once more, but is there any hope of avoiding yet another tragic ending?
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A "do-over" style reincarnation manhwa where she dies once, then mysteriously returns to life at a prior point in her timeline. Heavily romance-centric, as it largely focuses on how she bonds with her husband (from whom she was largely distant in her first life) and how said bond can be utilized to try to save them both from a doomed fate.
My Review: I did actually quite enjoy this manhwa. I can't say that the plot was amazing or intricately constructed, but that's not really the focus and the author seems to know it. The focus is, instead, on the relationship between go-getter Shurya and her husband, who she is determined to properly romance in her second chance at life. Shurya herself is not a character that I felt particularly on one way or another; she didn't fall into many of the lazy genre tropes that drive plot forward in what feel like cheap and contrived bursts of inspiration or stupidity, which I liked. She's naive, bright, dedicated, and absolutely interested in her husband, which are not particularly uncommon traits but which overall constructed a character that I felt fondly towards.
Her husband, Kardi, is both consistently respectful of her and similarly shows genuine interest. I actually did enjoy how the author portrayed him as hesitant, but not overly disinterested or frustratingly incompetent when it came to showing his interest in his wife. I like when love interests can be pathetic, but there's a line I draw...I was also surprised by how they allude to sexual interest alongside romantic interest multiple times. It's logical, as they are married nobles, but that topic is often "taboo" in these manhwas and it was honestly refreshing to see it discussed.
Their relationship is one which, overall, felt believable to me as "husband and wife," both in terms of mutual romantic interest and as a partnership.
Overall: If you crave romance, and want to see two people slowly falling in love without contrivances, give this a read. The plot regarding reincarnation is honestly not very strong or interesting, but the character interactions felt heartfelt and real in a way that made up for it. A romance manhwa I genuinely enjoyed much more than I expected to.
[Summary from Mangadex] Tanaka Manabu is a geeky student, on the way to school he meets a girl carrying a bloody bat. That girl is Ryuuzaki Reina, leader of the school's female delinquents. It's love at first sight. A gag manga (with a combination of 4koma and normal page) about having a yankee dere-dere girlfriend.
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A simple 4-koma style gag manga about a "yankee" "dere-dere" girl and her nerdy boyfriend. (For clarification, "dere-dere" refers to a character that is overly loving and profusely expresses their love.)
My Review: This is not a gripping or an interesting manga. There's nothing particularly offensive about it, but there is absolutely zero characterization beyond the most basic character tropes and their interactions are so flat that I genuinely could not keep reading. I don't want to deem it as completely awful, but I frankly could not ever find any sort of interest in the plotlines.
As a 4-koma gag manga, much of its appeal lies in its ability to make quick and snappy jokes that can resonate with its audience. I admit that I'm not the best with 4-koma style of pacing or humor, but the lack of punchlines and coherency in character felt particularly egregious in this.
Overall: This is one of the least interesting gag comics I have ever read. There's nothing wrong with it, but the total and honest best thing I can say about it is that the characters are at least mildly cute sometimes. Otherwise, I cannot in good conscience recommend this to anyone who values their time.
[Summary from Mangadex] Yotsuba is a strange little girl with a big personality! Even in the most trivial, unremarkable encounters, Yotsuba's curiosity and enthusiasm quickly turns the everyday into the extraordinary!
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: The exciting daily life of Yotsuba, a creative and energetic child, and her community. A feel-good slice of life story with a rotating cast, particularly featuring her adoptive guardian, where a young girl learns more about herself and the world.
My Review: Yotsuba to! is a classic for a reason. This award-winning manga manages to straddle the line between heartwarming and genuine as easily as it depicts a naive child's enthusiasm for the world, crafting a rich universe with plenty of side characters that feel like their own unique individuals. I particularly loved Yotsuba's depiction--she's a five-year-old child who acts exactly her age. Having taught this exact age range in the past, I find that authors generally tend to make young children either far too childish or mature, but Yotsuba strikes a good balance between the two in a way that feels very realistic. She's a little overly naive, but the way her moods change and the way she views the world endears the reader to her very quickly.
I also liked how it didn't shy away from tackling aspects of daily life that aren't romanticized as often. There were many moments that were frustrating, but the way the mangaka depicted these with the same care as her carefree playtime lent it a lot of emotional weight.
Overall: This is an absolute classic, highly lauded and awarded for a reason. If you have even the slightest interest in slice-of-life, give it a read!
Suterare Seijo no Isekai Gohantabi - Kakure Sukiru de Camping Car wo Shoukan Shimashita -- Manga Review
[Summary from Mangadex] Rin Takanashi, a caregiver in her thirties, was unceremoniously discarded as "trash" despite being summoned as a saint. However, as a lover of the great outdoors and all things camping, she was blessed with a special skill, [Survival], as well as another unique skill! Thus, a riveting tale begins: one of sweat, tears, and insatiable hunger as Rin, together with companions she picked up along the way, leisurely explores this parallel world and savours gourmet cuisine to her heart's content… Or so the story should have gone, but it looks like their road is going in an unexpected direction…?
Basic Premise: Another isekai-cooking combo, with a focus on living out of a camper van.
My Review: This manga offers an interesting look at the rising popularity of camper vans and the concept of "glamping," but the plot is paper-thin. The main character doesn't demonstrate any unique character traits or any sort of individuality that distinguishes her from the thousands of other isekai protagonists in the market, and the side characters aren't much better than paper cutouts of tropes. The only part I can really say I enjoyed was how unique the recipes and cooking styles were, with the added comfort of the camper van and the expanded range of cooking techniques and options because of it.
Overall: It's nothing noteworthy, but it might be useful if you're looking to go on a trip with a camper van soon.
[Summary from Mangadex] Meet Koizumi, the new speechless transfer student. She loves ramen. A LOT. She will go to all lengths to eat some ramen and there is no such thing as too much. Oosawa Yuu follows closely behind, trying to get close to Koizumi at every opportunity, despite her disapproval.
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A series based around love for ramen, which showcases different styles of said ramen and the friendship between two girls.
My Review: I wasn't a huge fan of how the main character follows around the ramen-loving girl and interacts with her. While the ramen descriptions were good and the artistic depictions pleasing in a simple and down-to-earth manner, their interactions felt strange and had a distinct hollowness that left me uncomfortable. It mainly felt like the two main characters were being faintly hinted at a yuri pairing but the author refused to write them with any significant chemistry, making their dialogue stilted and awkward. For someone who enjoys character-driven narrative like me, this was not a point in its favor.
There isn't really any plot to speak of. This is a series centered around ramen, and it sure does that job, but even for slice of life it felt unbearably slow-paced a few times.
Overall: If you like ramen, or if you're really hungry, maybe give it a try. Otherwise, I would not recommend this.
[Summary from Mangadex] Accepting the post of Royal Tutor at the court of the king of Grannzreich, Heine Wittgenstein is a little professor with a big job ahead! Each of the kingdom's four princes has a rather distinct personality. Does their diminutive new instructor have what it takes to lay down some learning? It's a comedy of educational proportions!
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A short but diligent tutor comes to work in a royal family with four princes, aiming to prepare all four of them to compete for the title of heir to the throne. As he gets to know each of them and their individual personalities, he helps them discover their true passions and sets them on the correct paths for their future.
My Review: While it mostly relies on comedic elements to enhance its slice of life plot, the moments of genuine drama that emerge as the tutor gets to know each of the princes elevates the story significantly. Each of the princes begin with the aim of becoming heir to the throne, but the tutor's no-nonsense attitude and his genuine care for their futures soon result in them taking steps towards paths that truly make them happy. The strong unique personalities of the princes provide good contrast to each other, and the tutor isn't without his own secrets that explain both his attitude and his dedication towards helping the students improve in every way.
I particularly enjoyed watching the growth of the princes as characters throughout the chapters, as it became obvious that they were internalizing the lessons they'd learned from a tutor they'd come to increasingly respect. One of my few complaints is that occasionally, it felt like the author would backslide on genuine character growth for the sake of cheap humor. The ending answer to the question of "Which prince will become the heir", while controversial to some, actually did not feel cheap to me--I enjoyed that it wasn't as cut-and-dry as it could have been, and it showed significant growth on many of the princes' parts to choose the paths they did.
Overall: A slice-of-life story with minor political intrigue about a unique and funny cast of characters. While I can't say I took away any critical life lessons or was particularly moved, I was consistently entertained.
[Summary from Mangadex] Even if my age and position have changed, my feelings for you will never change! A romantic comedy featuring four couples who've been reincarnated, having been given a second chance at love after being driven apart the first time around.
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: Four couples, who have all been reincarnated into different individuals, try to find their way back to each other. Even through barriers like age, position, and even species, they manage to become "special" to each other again.
My Review: It's a sweet story about reincarnation and love that transcends barriers. I was initially worried about one of the pairings, which was a young boy and an older woman, as well as one with a teacher/student, but they handle it decently sensitively enough. If you're alright with a bit of discomfort, it can be fairly easily overlooked. The key point is that only one of each "pairing" recognizes that they've been reincarnated - a lot of the drama and tension comes from this struggle of not recognizing each other immediately. I didn't feel much chemistry between some of the couples, but the contrast between their past lives and current ones were interesting and the art style is simple yet appealing.
Overall: A lighthearted and emotional human drama manga centered on reincarnated couples. Good if you want something with a happy ending, and enjoy fluffy romances with tension that gets resolved in a gentle manner.
[Summary from Mangadex] By all appearances, Western Restaurant Nekoya is a normal restaurant serving normal people-but unbeknownst to the regulars, it also attracts an alternative clientele. Every Saturday, all manner of fantastical beings come to dine, and what is familiar fare to humans can be downright exotic for visitors from beyond. To these customers, Nekoya is known by a different name: Restaurant to Another World.
[Full Review under Read More]
Basic Premise: A monster-girl with nowhere to go is taken in by the owner of a magical western-Japanese style restaurant, whose restaurant welcomes all kinds of fantasy characters through its "magic doors". An anthology-style manga which uses food as its connections between many different kinds of individuals.
My Review: I've read quite a lot of these "magical restaurant door opens up to a fantasy world" mangas, and this remains one of my favorites. While the characters aren't especially unique and the dishes aren't anything special, they're described and illustrated with a care and affection that draws the reader in. The descriptions of the meals and the food served were particularly interesting to me--they don't over-rely on the trope of "wow what is this mysterious new food?". Instead, they offer simple dishes like those that might be present in a real-life western Japanese restaurants, adding a touch of nostalgia and familiarity that makes it feel like a real beloved eatery.
The rotating cast of characters ascribe to fairly common tropes for the genre, but I recall especially enjoying the bittersweet story of a half-elf adventurer who outlived his companions. It was handled with a grace that felt very mature, and managed to toe the line between heartwarming and heartbreaking with equal measure. The "focal character," the monster-girl in question, is gentle and sweet but not especially memorable. Still, she represents a fairly decent lens through which the mystical talents of the restaurant and its chef-owner shine.
Overall: Still one of the best of its genre. Read if you love food and want a simple, enjoyable story.
[Summary from Mangadex] Rachel, the Duke's Daughter, was accused of crimes that she had never even heard of by the Crown Prince Elliot and imprisoned in the palace dungeon. Was this a plot hatched by one of her rivals or a conspiracy formed by political foes of her family…!?
Rachel, however, only had one thing on her mind…
"Hooray for prison! An endless lazy slow life! No more of that wretched royal education or those suffocating servants for me, it's time for a vacation!"
Rachel, who was ready and rearing to go, will enjoy her leisure filled days harassing the Prince from her prison cell! Her liberating and pleasant (slow) life in prison is about to begin.
[Full Review under Read More]
Basic Premise: A short but hilarious manga (one of the originals!) about a dismissed princess who decides to take it easy in prison after being outcast from her ex-fiance's kingdom.
My Review: While it's nothing special in the sea of modern-day revenge-relaxation manga, I read this quite a while ago and it still remains a refreshingly good short manga. It was one of the first of its kind to truly take advantage of the humor of this trope, so I do think it's worth reading just to get a grasp on the beginnings of the genre tropes.
The main character, Rachel, is strictly principled and absolutely dedicated to her relaxation. She doesn't get herself caught up in palace intrigue or fall in love, she doesn't leverage her power for anything besides her relaxation, and she remains consistent in her values in a way that felt refreshing to read. The humor with her pursuits and with the side characters still manages to shine; one of my favorite segments was when she grew bored of her own books and began to write BL novels about her ex-fiance and one of his knights as a form of slander.
Overall: While it's only 3 chapters long and there's no worldbuilding or significant character development to speak of, it's one of the first forays of mangakas into this "relaxation second-chance life" genre that still holds up to this day. An amusing and quick read.
I Became the Male Lead's Adoptive Daughter - Manhwa Review
[Summary from Mangadex] "I'm going to adopt a child."
Duke Phileo Boleoti's impulsive decision shocked everyone in the mansion. Not only did he make her his daughter, but he also gave her the name of a 'beast' that only direct members of the bloodline could receive.
[Full review under read more]
Basic Premise: A child reincarnates and follows a power fantasy, except she's in the position of the powerful male lead's daughter.
My Review: While the angle of the isekai'd MC being a "spoiled daughter" instead of the typical noblewoman is mildly interesting, it's sadly not enough to save itself from an unappealing personality and a plot that just barely limps along. The gimmick of the male lead being an overprotective and doting father gets old fast, and the daughter's personality honestly isn't much better. She's spoiled and willful in a way that initially reads as a satisfying revenge fantasy in all the typical isekai ways; however, this momentum quickly stagnates in political drama that it's clear the author doesn't want to invest very much into. Her narrative wins are not the result of intelligence or displays of unique character traits. Instead, they're just a result of overwhelming power from her adoptive father and her own "might makes right" mindset.
Overall: Read this for the first few chapters if you want mild amusement, but don't expect anything better than that. This is honestly some of the worst of the isekai genre I've read in a while. (Actually, it might be better off if it weren't an isekai. That might actually add some plot-relevant tension.)
[Summary from Mangadex] When civil engineering student Suho Kim falls asleep reading a fantasy novel, he wakes up as a character in the book.
Suho is now in the body of Lloyd Frontera, a lazy noble who loves to drink, and whose family is in a mountain of debt. Using his engineering knowledge, Suho designs inventions to avert the terrible future that lies in wait for him.
With the help of a giant hamster, a knight, and the world’s magic, can Suho dig his new family out of debt and build a better future?
Basic Premise: Kim Suho gets isekai'd into the body of a lazy good-for-nothing lord who's in a massive amount of debt. He uses his civil engineering knowledge, along with skills and allies he accumulates as per isekai standards, to improve his life (and honestly low-key take over the world).
My Review: I read a lot of isekai manga/manhwa, but this was one I particularly enjoyed because of how dramatic everything is. Kim Suho is extremely volatile, self-serving, and prone to taking drastic measures, and the manhwa constantly swings between humor and drama-comedy as a result of this personality. It's a truly high-stakes, fast-paced isekai that doesn't hesitate to create bold scenarios to stimulate the reader.
Kim Suho, as a protagonist, is supremely entertaining no matter what. He's got the same progression of powering up and gaining allies as most isekai protagonists, but there's a devil-may-care attitude and a burning focus on his goals (money!!!) that constantly drives him forward. This also helps him not fall into the prime trap I see for these kinds of power fantasy isekai, which is getting over-powered and stagnating in the narrative as a result. His foil is his overly serious (but still also insane??) knight/manager/friend, who tries to keep him in check but is also oftentimes as crazy as he is. It's a fun duo dynamic that feels like a truly strong friendship and bond.
The pacing of the world's expansion isn't too bad, but it could be improved. The introduction of certain foreign groups feels a bit rushed, and Kim Suho's knowledge of civil engineering often extends further than it should (why does he know political maneuvers now?) which makes his victories feel cheaper than they should.
Overall: An isekai power fantasy which features a consistently unique and entertainingly dramatic protagonist. Also interesting if you're into civil engineering or land development! It's a fun read, and if you're into strong platonic male friendships he has a great one with his knight that had me laughing out loud multiple times.
[Summary from Mangadex] Sighing, leaning on his elbows, sleepy eyes. Tanaka-kun is a boy that basically doesn't try but isn't disliked. This is a laid-back youth comedy about Tanaka-kun and the quiet Oota who can't leave him alone.
Basic Premise: The everyday life of a listless and average high schooler, along with his best friend Oota who manages him somewhat like a pet plant. An episodic slow-paced daily high school manga, where these two and their classmates make their way through the trials and tribulations of a daily life (as Tanaka attempts to maintain his listless lifestyle).
My Review: Tanaka constantly rides the line between overly passive and just "human" enough to be a likable character, but the mangaka balances these two traits with enough skill to make this manga readable. Oota is a great contrast to Tanaka, too; he's a straightforward and somewhat motherly teenager whose friendship with Tanaka comes off as very realistically close. Their friendship is one of the core points of this manga, and the author puts significant effort into conveying the precious mundanity of their high school days together.
It's mostly episodic, slice-of-life, without any huge stakes. The most dramatic thing that might happen is an argument that's resolved within a few chapters. The other characters beyond the two main characters aren't particularly memorable, but I didn't take much issue with this since the focus isn't on an ensemble cast anyways.
I didn't find this manga amazing overall, but I couldn't really call it "bad" since it does what it intends to do well.
Overall: This manga isn't something that's meant to stick with you for a long time or tackle any groundbreaking emotions. Instead, it focuses on a slow and steady pace, much like Tanaka himself, and aims to convey a relaxed and soothing atmosphere of a daily high school friendship. If you just want something mild to read without too much plot, try this out.
Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai vs. Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko - Manga Review
[Summary from Mangadex] One day, the protagonist realizes that he lives inside a BL (Boys' Love) world. As he likes girls, he fights back against any hot guys that might draw near, but this is a BL world... he's still assailed with the sight of people in lovey-dovey situations one after another!
Basic Premise: Zettai BL (shortened, because the title is way too long) is an episodic comedy that follows the life of the singular straight man, both sexually and comedically, in an absurdist world where everything falls into BL (boy's love) tropes. He fights hard to prevent BL tropes from sticking to him, all to secure a girlfriend.
My Review: Zettai BL has a snappy sense of comedy, a clean art style, and commits to its bit hard, all things I like in an episodic comedy. The author is clearly experienced with BL manga and its tropes, riffing on them in ways that manage to expose the absurdity and hilarity behind them without demeaning them.
The protagonist is absolutely determined to avoid the BL tropes which keep coming his way, and it's due to this determination that he's become hyper vigilant of any sort of BL development in his vicinity. His dry commentary and everyman personality really bring out the best in this manga, keeping it consistently entertaining. I like that the author develops him as his own character beyond gags, showing his love for his pet cat and his part-time job shenanigans.
It's a low bar, but Zettai BL is also not homophobic. The protagonist is supportive of his younger brother being gay and generally accepts the unusually high incidence of gay men in his world without issue; he's only focused on avoiding these BL tropes himself due to his own sexuality. The tropes are contrasted against his more grounded personality to provide humor, but they're generally not mean-spirited and avoid most homophobic rhetoric.
Overall: A humorous "what-if" episodic manga that highlights the sheer insanity and absurdity of some of the BL tropes that are so popular in said genre. It got some real laughs out of me and I'd recommend it if you're both a regular BL reader and looking for something light and funny. A warning (?): the protagonist is indeed as described completely heterosexual, so don't hold out for him to discover his own "love".
