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BL Recommendation

Number Call

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Numbers can be found in the most unusual places, but the number 8 has always been a sore spot for Tachibana. Ever since he was younger, he’s been stuck with the nickname “Eighto” despite his protests (since ‘Eito’ sounds like Eight-o), and has grown resentful of his name. By chance he meets a fellow classmate, Hatta Tomoya, who goes by the nickname “Hachi”. Since he also has the number 8 in his name, Hachi was delighted to come across ‘Eighto’, even if it was by coincidence. Hearing Hachi call him by that accursed nickname, for some reason, made Tachibana think it wasn’t so bad after all.

What a wonderfully wholesome read this one was. I genuinely enjoyed the story and the characters are delightfully charming. I think my only complaint is that there are a few moments where the dialogue sort of repeats itself, but other than that the writing is pretty good. I especially found the twist to be both shocking and extremely endearing.

If you just want some sweet and simple, then I would absolutely recommend this one.

#yaoi bl #recommendation #manga #Number Call

NUMBER CALL

#manga(visual)monday #NUMBER CALL #nagisa furuya #romance #queer #manga #mangacap

Number 36!

Endearing is the word that kept coming to mind. It was sweet and heart-felt, focusing on learning to love aspects of yourself through another's eyes, etc.

I'm glad it stayed as a one-shot, because it wouldn't be sustainable as a series with such a premise, but it worked as a standalone.

Three and a half/four stars for me. Simple and cute, just not what I'm usually into.

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#2024 readings #Number Call #bl manga

Number Call by Nagisa Furuya, reviewed by Jay Sapinski

Nagisa Furuya’s newest manga volume, Number Call (Kodansha Comics, 2024) is a sweet high school meet-cute romance. The story centers around Eito Tachibana who despises how his name is associated with the number eight meeting Tomoya Hatta whose nickname is Hachi, the Japanese word for the number eight. Initially drawn together by their names having a connection, they eventually find themselves chasing after each other. The story is certainly cute and heartwarming, but the plot delivers the elements of a romance in a way that is almost too straightforward. Although there is romantic tension between Eito and Hachi, it never really felt like there was a threat to their bond. Even in a wholesome story, there should still be stakes for the choices that the characters make. Nevertheless, I found myself turning to the next page to discover how they would grow closer.

Additionally, unlike many other BL manga, this one features a story that stays far from depicting toxic relationships and the fetishization of gay people that plague the genre. Eito and Hachi meet when Eito’s test papers are knocked out of his hand and float out the window where Hachi picks them up. After Eito runs down to get them, they have a short exchange:

Hachi: You got an 88 in Japanese history. Eito Tachibana. Eito (thinking): Why’d he read that out loud? Hachi: Haha. You got an 88 and you’re [sic] name’s Eito? It’s like a pun. Eito: I guess… Eito (thinking): Uh, did he stick around to just say that? Is he making fun of me? Hachi: I thought it might blow away again if I put it down. Eito: Okay… Hachi: Plus, I can kind of relate.

From chapter 1: Call 1

The interaction between the two sounds completely natural for two high schoolers who don’t really know each other. There is no stalker behavior, coercion, or bizarre pairings for the sake of reader fetishes. It’s all very cute, wholesome, and heartwarming. It’s great to see more BL manga representing gay love as being completely normal.

That being said, the story would have been taken to the next level had there been more build towards their relationship. It’s difficult to tell why Eito or Hachi hold affection for each other or how their shared experiences contribute to them liking each other. Show us a date, a stolen moment in a classroom—anything that would solidify the reasons why they like each other beyond their names relate to the number eight. The times when they are alone together don’t give readers enough information about what makes Eito or Hachi interesting and attractive in the eyes of the other.

Number Call is an excellent addition to BL manga as a whole. Steering away from the problems of the BL genre, it highlights how cute and sweet romance can be. Hopefully, this isn’t the last wholesome BL meet-cute to grace our shelves.

An advance copy of this volume was provided in return for an honest review.

Number Call becomes available on March 12th, 2024. Pre-order Number Call here.

Jay Sapinski (they/them) is a college student studying English. They are an editor of their college's literary magazine as well as a fiction editor of miniskirt magazine. Jay loves Japanese culture and Japanese style media and consumes it whenever possible.