Ordinary salaryman Kei has ended up at rock bottom after falling in love with a call girl and spending his life savings trying to pay off her debts. Now living out of his car while hiding from loan sharks, he contemplates ending it all...
But when he comes to, Kei finds himself saved by the men of Circus, a brothel that caters only to male clientele. Despite his despair, he clings to the lifeline they offer him, and it becomes more than just an opportunity to pay off his debts, but a strange and unexpected respite. Living and working alongside the other men, each trying to survive in their own way, Kei faces his new chance at life head-on, learning both the sweetness and ugliness of desire and love - for a night and for a lifetime.
This book contains explicit content and mature themes, including blackmail, attempted suicide, violence, sex work, and non-consensual sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.
Hira has always dreaded the first day of new classes. Ever since he was little, he's had a stutter that only worsens when he's anxious, causing Hira to always sink to the bottom of the social pyramid. This year of his high school career might not have been any different if it weren't for him: Kiyoi, the most beautiful and kingly man Hira has ever seen. Normally, their lives would never intersect, but Hira suddenly gets a chance to grow closer with Kiyoi when he's made the popular group's gofer and gets Kiyoi's phone number! Hira treasures every order Kiyoi gives him and every bit of change he's handed to run errands... Is this what they call love?
"A story about dealing with one's differences and what it means to grow in a tough and at times cruel world, the manga "My Beautiful Man" is one that will capture the hearts of those that have ever felt misunderstood or as an outsider. A story about what it could mean to also find a glimmer of hope that could change one's life yet be as confusing as it is a lesson in understanding oneself. [...] The manga's tale is a deep study on what it means to find one's true self-worth and of trying to distance oneself from inner and outer negative thoughts. And, how that is easier said than done. [...] Enhanced by gorgeous illustrations that you can feel as you see them, this is a beautiful addition to anyone's shelf and one that brings joy and a bright light into issues that at times can be hard to navigate and teach." - Aurora Dominguez, Out SFL
"The angles of bullying and loneliness [...] give My Beautiful Man an empathetic, reflective feel to it. The artwork matches well with the story; its shading and spacing add to the pensive mood, and the attractiveness of the characters is suitable for, well, a manga titled [My] Beautiful Man. My Beautiful Man started out as a light novel series, and TOKYOPOP is releasing the light novels as well as this manga adaptation. In other words, if people enjoy one, they'll probably enjoy the other. Whether you read one version or both, My Beautiful Man is a sweet, melancholic title for fans of BL books." - Danica Davidson, Otaku USA
Riichi is a man everyone describes as being ice cold. He's a talented agent who manages bodyguards for the heir to a major financial conglomerate. One day, he's ordered to be a buddy for a bold but capable newbie who shows great promise, Tachibana. Tachibana uses up his salary right off the bat and says he doesn't even have an apartment to live in. Riichi allows Tachibana to stay with him and orders him around both in his work and private lives, but every day, he has his hands full with Tachibana's nonsense. And on top of all of that, Tachibana fell in love with him at first sight and tries to seduce him day and night!
The bold newbie and the calm and collected hottie - a BL story about an oddball buddy agent duo!
This book contains sexual content and is intended for an audience aged 18 years and up.
It's love at first sight for Haruto Ogi when he befriends Tago, a vision-impaired high school student who navigates the world with a cane and and a carefree, forthright attitude. But when Tago proposes that they go out for the summer, Ogi is torn between excitement and a deep-seated certainty that the connection between them isn't meant to last.
Behind Ogi's flinching uncertainty is a deeper fear of rejection, and Tago's casual approach toward their relationship only makes him more self conscious. For the first time, Ogi feels like he can be himself, because Tago can't see his appearance and judge him by his 'eccentricities.' But does Tago really care for Ogi as his boyfriend, or does he just want to keep Ogi's friendly presence by his side?
A quirky and gentle story about overcoming one's fears and loving yourself and others for who they truly are.
Super serious Asahi Suzumura and laidback, easygoing Mitsuki Sayama might seem like an odd couple, but they made a deal; they'll vacation around the world and when they get back to Japan, they'll get married.As they travel from country to country, the different people, cultures and cuisine they encounter begin to bring them closer together. After all they're not just learning about the world, but about themselves too.
Inukai works at a company where he's exploited and unappreciated, but one day he stops at a pet shop and meets a gentle clerk named Hoshi. Playing with cute dogs and the soothing conversation with Hoshi makes Inukai decide to quit his job and change his life situation so he can have a dog of his own.
A memory comes to Hoshi suddenly, and he blurts out, "I'm the reincarnation of a dog you helped when you were a boy!"
A fluffy love story between a mysterious pet shop clerk and a mistreated corporate drone!
Yuta and Ritsu have been playing baseball together since they were children, but after being defeated in a local tournament over the summer, they must retire from the high school team to study for university entrance exams. Still, Yuta finds himself unable to give up his lingering attachment to baseball. The one person who can truly understand him is Ritsu, who has been acting worryingly distant since they quit the team.
But there's something Yuta himself doesn't understand... Does he think of Ritsu as his partner in the way that a teammate would, or is the affection between them something stronger?
Haru Kurosaki once heard a stranger's song in high school that made him decide to finally follow his passions. Now, he's a graphic designer who's recently been put in charge of designing a CD jacket for the prodigy musical artist Eddie Astley.
On the outside, Eddie is intimidating and aloof - but when Haru spots him at a rock concert, he realizes how wrong that assumption is. As he sees beyond Eddie's surly exterior and catches a glimpse of the man beneath the affectation, Haru begins to think about the message and emotions that Eddie tries to convey through his music. And in trying to get to know more about Eddie for his design project, he discovers that music always has a way of transporting you to a vital moment from the past.
For four years, Naruse was swept up in his love for his novelist boyfriend, Toui. But tiring of his flightiness and lack of commitment, Naruse finally walks away from his relationship.
Or at least, he tries to. Every time he runs into Toui, they seem to get tangled in one another's emotions and end up sleeping together. They argue and fight, then afterwards comes the pang of regret. Maybe their relationship is doomed to fail. Or maybe, it just needs a new angle...
This book contains sexual content and is intended for an audience aged 18 years and up.
Christian has always admired handsome, talented composer Daniel. Their shared appreciation for music marked the beginning of a friendship between a willful boy and a sophisticated young man... But when tragedy strikes and circumstances twist around to put Daniel in the service of Christian's wealthy family, their bond is tried in unexpected ways.
Years ago, the universal language of music drew them toward one another. Now, Christian has to hope it's still enough to bridge the gap between their vastly different lives.
When famous wildlife photographer Narumi comes to Hokkaido to take photos of the elusive "snow fairies," he ends up stranded in a snow storm. After being rescued, he takes up residence in local farmer Haruki's house for the winter. As polar opposites, sophisticated and outgoing city slicker Narumi and country boy Haruki have a lot to learn from one another.
After Haruki shows an interest, Narumi teaches him about photography... and before he realizes it, he finds himself the sole subject of Haruki's new hobby. After a winter spent so close together, what will the spring thaw bring?
Outgoing college student Ikumi heads home for the summer, where he meets Harukiyo, a shy gardener with a soft spot for house plants. Despite seeming totally resistant to Ikumis charms, Harukiyo eventually admits his attraction to Ikumi, and Ikumi is surprised to discover he feels the same way about Harukyo! At summers end, the pair embark on their first long-distance relationship... Once reunited, Ikumi and Harukiyo stumble together through the early stages of their newfound romance, tripping over the stark differences in their personalities. Can a blossoming love between a shining star and a prickly hedgehog go the distance?
Fynn's favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he's told it's time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
Gloomy office worker Ichigi has totally given up on marriage. After all, marriage isn't the key to happiness! Ichigi is perfectly happy to be on his own! Besides, it's not like his long-unrequited crush on his colleague, Odajima, is going anywhere...
That is, until Ichigi braves a blind date only to find himself face-to-face with Mr. Perfect! Weirder still, Odajima seems enthusiastic about partnering up with Ichigi, and makes a shocking proposition: "Why don't we try living together for just one year?"
How is Ichigi supposed to keep his feelings for Odajima hidden for a whole year?! Plus, there's no way Odajima could be serious about marrying someone like him... is there?
Venice, 1549 - the height of the Renaissance in Italy, a time of incredible advancement in the arts, technology and science. Giorgio is an anatomist, passionate about studying the human body and advancing the field of medicine. For this, he's willing to take steps as drastic as necessary, and doesn't hesitate to experiment even on living people. In the name of science, he makes the beautiful Belfore his guinea pig, keeping him around as a subject and a lover. But having studied Belfore for years, Giorgio's ability to gain new knowledge from him plateaus.
That's when he meets the angelic, strikingly gorgeous Harlow during Carnival. Harlow's unique physiology as an intersex individual sparks new interest for Giorgio's research. However, he did not expect the delicate feelings that Harlow seems to be developing for Belfore...
This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, outdated biological and medical terminology, gore, and non-consensual sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.
"It's raw, sad, daring and... very beautiful." - literary.fujoshi, Instagram
Matoi Souta is an overworked office worker tired of his life. Then, on his way home from a long day of work one day, he decides to watch a traditional Japanese play. But something strange happens. He could have sworn he saw one of the actors has cat ears.
It turns out that the man is actually a bakeneko - a shapeshifting cat from Japanese folklore. And then, the cat speaks: "From now on, you will be my mate."
"No one can know about these feelings. But at least I can think of you while I dance."
It's the 16th year of the Showa era (1941), and Soutarou Kuramoto, the son of a distinguished family, is returning from his studies abroad with something on his mind. As a child, he told his best friend, Haroumi Asuma, "I hate the way you dance."
Determined to apologize, he visits Haroumi, but the young man - now a renowned dancer - deftly avoids him. Or perhaps there's another reason why he won't meet with Shoutarou...?
Set in an era where connecting with the person you love wasn't easy, a reunion with a childhood friend allows a long hidden love to bloom.
When itinerant traveler Orbit, also known as "Ollie," gets stranded without permit or paperwork in the authoritarian city-state of Belote, the only place that will hire him is as a caretaker, or "gardener," at the male brothel Le Jouet Queue. He quickly discovers that all of the companions working there are furless, half animal and half human beings who are treated as pets, property, and sometimes even as livestock for slaughter. For many of the furless there, life at the brothel is a marked improvement from all they've suffered earlier in their lives. They are fed, sheltered, pampered, and looked after by Ollie and the other gardeners- and even a gilded cage is better than the cruelties of the outside world.
But when Ollie's considerate, gentle nature and pure heart catch the eye of the tempestuous Aconit, the most prized and coveted furless in Le Jouet Queue, what begins as idle seduction soon blooms into something deeper. Aconit's haughty facade of careless allure masks his own old wounds and deep distrust of humans, but Ollie sees through his surface beauty to the lonely, resentful creature beneath. In turn, Aconit finds his cold heart stirred by Ollie's tender affection and innocent intentions. But can the love between the two of them last as tensions mount and the mistreatment of furless weighs heavier and heavier upon Ollie's heart...?
A messenger's duty is to care for and protect the god they've been assigned to. In order to complete these tasks, such messengers require wings.
Shin, however, can't fly. His tiny, useless wings make him the target of ridicule and scorn among the other messengers and have kept him from being able to serve a god... until now. Determined to prove himself as a capable messenger despite his flightlessness, Shin accepts his assignment to a mysterious being on one of the nearby mountains. At first, it seems an easy task to keep his charge safe and happy - especially when the deity in question is just a cute, fluffy ball of fur. But things aren't always what they seem.
Recently, messengers flying over the strange god's mountain have been disappearing. Even as suspicion mounts against his deity, Shin just can't bring himself to think that such a gentle god could have a dark side. It's strange, but for some reason... the mysterious, fluffy being feels so familiar to him.
This heartfelt, emotional boys love oneshot explores themes of healing from trauma, grief, and family both by blood and by choice. A beautiful tearjerker with immersive, atmospheric art by prolific BL creator Yuu Minaduki.
Left devastated after the tragic death of his parents and sister, Yuuichi Tachibana adopts his seven-year-old nephew, Ayumu. Seeking a new beginning, he chooses to move them to a new house with a view of the ocean, hoping for a peaceful setting where they can concentrate on their healing.
There they meet Ryou Kurebayashi, who owns a neighborhood deli, and become regular customers. As Ryou and Yuuichi grow closer, learning about each other's unfortunately similarly tragic pasts, they begin to support one another - and Ayumu - day by day, building a little family of their own by the sea.
"If there's one thing queer narratives do particularly well, it's found family stories, at least in my experience. Yuu Minaduki's The Little Bird Sleeps By The Sea is an excellent example of the type." - Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network