Amelia's Reviews

Yakuza stories have their own little world of mishap and mystery drama going for it, and this one doesn't stray from that very much! The plot really starts to kick off around chapter 8/9 after a lot of setup. It turns into something way more than just drama and yakuza stuff!

Do you ever just stare at your ceiling in the darkness of the night at around three in the morning and contemplate the fact that anyone trying to make something in the isekai genre could do more than just make someone die and place them in another world and that the connection to "another world" or "another life" has almost infinite potential? I'm definitely not the only one... right?! This breath of fresh air of a manga has reassured me in believing that I'm not alone. Not only is it void of any "die and wake up in another world" kind of tropes that you'd expect to find in an isekai, but the nature of this transfer to another world becomes a huge mystery in the story! If you thought you were just gonna get fantasy and a little bit of romance, wake up and smell the mystery buddy cause you're in for something infinitely more interesting! The author is really good as keeping to aspects that any reader can love like cute moments where characters start to have feelings for one another, fish-out-of-water moments you tend to find in isekai, but deviates from the major tropes in the best ways possible! Definitely give it a look and get yourself invested in the mysteries!

"Our Precarious Triangle" deals with the death of a middle school friend and how that stipulates into the characters' lives going into high school and figuring out their feelings, dreams, passions, and interests in romance. It has been so long since I've unironically teared up reading something and holy frick this one just did it and more. What an itch to be scratched, as the saying goes. The character vibe brings me back to other emotional animes with how characters learn to deal with regret and try to fix things even if they're not sure they can. If you're looking to flex your tear ducts and read a good character story, I can't recommend this enough.

These moms don't take things lying down! The stories show a very real reality that some women face, but the determination these women show to be taken advantage of and make their lives better is really compelling. The arcs are just the right size to enjoy a quick read then come back for more!

Shino is the CEO's daughter. She has been engaged to Mr. Perfect, Hajime, for 3 years, but they've done nothing more intimate than a goodbye kiss. She longs for more, but she can't bring herself to say so. Why? Shino knows that Hajime is just playing the part of a good fiance in a strategic marriage. Or so she thought... Go along with Shino and Hajime on their journey to happiness!

I want to be buried with this manga. It's amazing to see such a positive portrayal of a genuinely plus-size FL, and Yumeko truly is the "shining sun" she always proclaims herself to be. But while she's definitely the star of this manga, she's far from the only great thing about it. I've never seen another manga that combined fluffy slowburn romcom vibes and tense murder mystery so seamlessly. Each and every side character is full of personality. The subplots about Yumeko's work and friendships are so fun and relatable. It really is so perfect. I'm torn between excitement to see how it ends and hope that it will just go on forever.

Come for the gorgeous art and fancy kimonos, stay for the poignant story of overcoming adversity and exploitation. This manga indulges in the glamour on the surface, but it doesn't shy away from the darker side of life in a red-light district either. It also really lets its protagonist and all the other women in the story shine, centering their stories and complexities. The plot is so deep, too; every new chapter peels back another layer and adds another twist. Whatever happens, I'm rooting for these ladies to get their own happy endings!

Orientations and stances on relationships collide in this emotional drama centered on the titular three. At first, it seems simple enough, but as Misaki, Yuki, and Shuhei all try to make sense of the various feelings that they have towards each other, you'll be left guessing how things'll end up. To reiterate, this is for those seeking drama and emotional pangs, not explicit content!

Oh. My. God. This Manga is packed with the quadruple threat: Charming characters, confronting nuanced subjects, steamy moments, and an absolutely heartwarming story. Double Step Father is a must read for any BL fan. The character design has this chiseled-chin, broad shoulder vibe about it that certainly comes down to reader taste, but the interactions and subjects explored in the story are so real and sincere. My heart melted almost every chapter reading through the charcaters' exploration of family dynamics, romantic relationships founded on friendship, comfort and discomfort in sexuality, and childcare. I cannot emphasize enough... PICK THIS ONE UP NOW!!!

If you love romcoms where the suave heartthrob is secretly an awkward, nervous wreck around his love interest, you will adore this comic. Our FL is shy and innocent but has a surprisingly dirty mind and can't stop fantasizing about the ML, who is just desperately trying not to ruin everything by accident. The romance is sweet and flowery and follows classic arranged-marriage-to-lovers story beats but throws in silly hijinks, comedic miscommunication, and some slapstick moments to lighten things up. Plus, the art style really makes the spicy scenes pop!

A dramatic exploration of reincarnation, grief, and second chances at love. The art reminds me of the elegant, delicate style popular in 90s and 2000s shojo and the storytelling lives up to that with its melancholy vibes and slow, emotive pace. I really feel for the two leads and hope they find their way to a happy ending despite the odds being stacked against them.

"Seal My Lips With a Kiss" is what every romance novel in the world wishes it was. The art? Hot A.F. (When I say some of these full-page panels had me wishing I wasn't on the clock... Whew.) The romance? Tender, wholesome, adorable. The rest of the plot (and yes, there IS a whole plot)? Gives "work drama" a whole new meaning. Trust me: you want to read this.

If you're a fan of horror stories in any capacity, you might have seen that video essay or a couple written essays insisting that the modification of time is one of the most horror-inducing vehicles for story-telling, and I couldn't possibly agree more. The way in which this story handles repetition of time makes for probably the best approach to character development I've ever seen: the characters aren't developing through growth, but rather developing through what slowly becomes revealed or more apparent in the repetition of time... and those developments are only more and more horrific as the plot thickens. You need to read this now before I hunt each and every one of you down and force your eyes onto this manga (I mean it).

Tsubaki likes to kick butt! However, it's not quite the image she wants to give off to capture the heart of her upperclassman. She secretly comes to his rescue when it looks like he's about to get into a fight and she takes on a new persona! She keeps up the charade and the situations just get even funnier and more absurd. It wouldn't be a high school romance without a few misunderstandings, but the way the author conveys them is done well and had me rooting for Tsubaki the whole way through!

The perfect mix of mutual pining and hilariously bizarre hijinks. Both parties are so completely in love and soooo completely oblivious, and I am living for it. It definitely doesn't hurt that Io and Haruhisa are super extra, which leads to some slightly unhinged twists, but if you're down for a wild ride then you will love this manga. And the (many!) sex scenes are truly *chef's kiss*
Later arcs and spin-offs bring even more wonderfully unhinged storylines, and Nakagawa Kaneko's other works (like Brotherhood Failed Successfully) are just as hot and just as wild as this one. Don't miss out!

How exactly do successful romance novel/sexy comic authors do it? Well, for some, by actually doing it! They do say writers write what they know after all! Great balance of sexy and funny with a charming cast of characters supporting the adorable duo.

Yes, this title has a little bit of everything, including spicy scenes and sweet interactions. If you're looking for something tantalizing with a hint of anxious heart palpitations, this is the title for you.

This was a first for me. There was so much history between the two leads that we've missed leading up to their divorce. Kanade is an interesting mix of a strong-willed woman and someone who's still in love. It's nice to see that even though she loves her ex-husband, she's not giving it up easily. She's making him work for it, which I love. There's still a lot to explore in their relationship so I hope it doesn't get rushed!

Iris always finds herself in hot water! It's refreshing to see how she takes charge and strives to be more proactive in this life. Even with her knowledge of this 'game world,' she still faces real struggles. I love that she's not constantly being saved, but she's also not a Mary Sue who can instantly solve every problem that arises.