This month I read over 50 volumes of BL manga, manhwa and novels so that you don’t have to! I mostly went for covers that looked interesting and generally expanded my foray into various ‘verses’ including cakeverse, Dom/Subverse, nameverse, beastverse and, of course, omegaverse. I have read everything from pure fluff to the most tragic, rip your heart out manga and I want to share with you my thoughts on all of them. Whilst I have ranked these manga in order from worst to best, I have not rated them as I usually do as I struggled a little bit with some of them. I have listed major trigger warnings in my thoughts, but just know, the list goes from WORST to best, so the first one on the list is trigger warning heavy. Please read with caution.
Many manga on this list contain a single volume, but I have grouped relevant manga series together. Thanks to my absolute insanity this month I have found new works by authors I’ve previously loved as well as discovered new authors I am happy to get to know! I hope you can find something new to read from this list too!
Some key words to consider throughout this list;
ML - Male Lead
MC - Main Character
DNF - Did not finish.
With that out of the way, let’s jump in with the manga I did not finish before getting into it!
Manga I Dropped/Did Not Finish This Month
1. Arima Wants to be An Omega
Nijo Arima is an Alpha who works at a first-class company. At night, he pretends to be an omega and his service specializes in serving customers at night. He wants to be an omega at least for a moment; then, when he meets a young famous student entrepreneur, who is arrogant, and throws words that pierced Arima's heart, Arima is in shock and has a one-night-stand with him without knowing that his fate was sealed.
I went into this manga with the hopes of Alpha x Alpha bitching, and I left with disappointment, DNFing after only two chapters. There wasn’t anything necessarily bad, the ML is a super green flag and the MC is an alpha who wants to be an omega, but if I’m being totally honest, it was not hitting right. Perhaps the translation was a bit off, but the writing felt weirdly paced and slightly lazy. The day I read it my tolerance for this kinda of bad writing was not particularly high either.
2. Rooming With My Two Lovers
Atsushi's earnest and indecisive nature has gotten him into awkward situations before, but this one really takes the cake! Moving out of a bad situation and into a new living space, he somehow ends up rooming with his hot but perverted ex, Enraku, and the handsome and flirty barber, Shiki, two childhood friends and rivals who always end up falling for the same person. As the two take turns seducing him, Atsushi finds himself getting carried away with deep feelings for both men. But is it really possible for him to love Shiki and Enraku enough to keep them both?
The overall story of this one felt like it was going in a bad way. Two guys competing for the chance to date the third, but the third is too indecisive so ends up dating them both? It’s not my cup of tea. The indecisiveness of it all left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and there was a little too much aggressiveness when it came to the pursuit of the third guy to force him into making a decision.
3. I Wanna Die Before I’m 30
"Wh-why are you putting your fingers in me while I'm inside Aya!?" Ai was recently dumped by his girlfriend, is on the verge of dropping out of college, and lives in a rundown, soon-to-be-demolished apartment building. He's apathetic with no hopes or dreams for the future, wanting to just kick the bucket when he's 30. On top of that, his apartment walls are thin, making the noises of passion coming from the neighbours difficult to ignore...!!! Though shocked to learn the husky voice begging for it on a nightly basis belongs to a man, it isn't long before Aya (the beauty) and Ryo (the man's man) make him the meat in their love sandwich...!! Welcome to a world of immorality! Author Anji Seina's at their best with this dynamic and tantalising sausage fest!
For this one, I lasted a chapter and a half before I came across the words ‘sausage fest’ (No I did not take the blurb seriously) and I instantly dropped it. The art was not good enough for me to keep reading a very cringy manga and a few of the angles and facial expressions reminded me of a horror manga. Which, honestly, were my feelings in illustrative form when trying to read this.
Ranking Manga/Manhwa/Novels From Worst To Best
45. The Song of Yoru and Asa
Will the hot-blooded Asaichi open his heart to his hot new bandmate? When Asaichi decides to start up a band to pick up chicks, he soon realizes his band's in trouble. He's a bad singer. Thankfully his bassist Yoru is there to help but Asa isn't interested in his help or his advances. Will the stubborn Asa open up to Yoru or will their relationship be nothing but screaming and violence?!
This review has a lot of triggering topics mentioned. Please proceed with caution!
I have so much to say about this manga and I’m not sure how to say it. This manga was a colossal disappointment. The art style is so good and the premise is so good, chasing your childhood crush into his band? Yes let me eat that up! Except the childhood crush was the most despicable human being I’ve literally ever had the displeasure of reading about. This isn’t a morally grey hottie that’s sweet to his love, oh no. We can forgive murder, what we can’t forgive is fishing for orgy participants in your fan’s questionnaire sheets, feeding said fans date rape drugs and then proceeding to have an orgy with your entire band, including your new member who expressed discomfort at the intentions. Not only this, but then getting mad when said bandmate went to sleep in the bed instead of participating and then ended up getting sexually assaulted by the band’s leader who, when he found out it was not the girl he thought, proceeded to be a homophobic ass about it. Whilst Yoru was not totally innocent in this act, as he is in love with said band member after all, the absolute disgust I felt the entire way through this whole chapter was second to none.
But, it sadly gets worse. Whilst Yoru is the most self sacrificing idiot I’ve ever seen, Asaichi continues to exploit that fact to get sexual gratification whilst at the same time telling him he’s disgusting and generally just being super homophobic. You can’t have it both ways. His comeuppance is to be so brutally sexually assaulted that he then begins to cling to Yoru because he was the only person who was there after the fact. I’m sorry, did you not hate him before that? The character building just made no sense, and the author’s brutal fantasies were extremely obvious throughout the story.
To say I hated it would be an understatement. I persevered, but I was genuinely so close to DNF this one. I would not recommend this to anyone and I’m so disappointed in it because the premise could have been so good had it not been for Asaichi’s entire personality. I am genuinely shocked this ever got an official translation and a sequel.
44-37. Kedamono Arashi Series
"In this world, there are humans without beast ears and humans with beast ears, called Bestia. Dr. Akira Miyaji specializes in treating Bestian patients and is a Bestia himself. Born to non-eared parents, he has been raised thinking he must suppress his instincts. So when he sees Sougo Kijima, a Bestia who lets his instincts run him wild, there's something that makes the doctor snarl. Sougo Kijima is one of the directors of the hospital where Dr. Miyaji works. And to make matters worse, Kijima has designated Dr. Miyaji specifically to be his practitioner! What is it about him that Miyaji reacts to so much?!"
Okay, I’m going to review these 8 all together because quite honestly, I can’t determine what happened from volume to volume. I wouldn’t necessarily say this was a BAD series. It was just 8 volumes of… nothingness? Or maybe 8 volumes of fluff. The approach to omegaverse was interesting, but I’d rather call this ‘beastverse’ as whilst it takes some things from omegaverse, pheromones and pregnancy, for example, that’s kind of where the similarities stop. The beasts are a different race to humans and face discrimination because of it, they’re also more attuned to basal instincts compared to humans. It seems like humans in this world are not a part of the omegaverse, but they can give birth to beasts so that’s a big plot hole/question mark. Honestly, the story itself isn’t bad. It reminds of a typical manhwa romance with a super rich CEO alpha and an omega that smells irresistible. This omega happens to be a doctor, so that’s refreshing, there’s not a huge monetary imbalance. Not like typical manhwa anyway.
Perhaps the reason I didn’t enjoy it was because it was what I read directly after my number 2 pick on this list and it just didn’t hit right, but it’s certainly a ‘turn your brain off and consume’ type of read and for 8 volumes it was just a bit too vapid for my personal tastes.
The Series in Order;
Kedamono Arashi - Kiss Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Hug Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Hold Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Touch Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Love Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Bind Me Baby
Kedamono Arashi - Count On Me Baby
36. Song of Yoru and Asa - Encore-
After a very rocky start, Asaichi and Yoru begin their passion-filled dating life! Although the band's popularity has remained steady, Asaichi was no longer content with being a small-time band. He wants fame! He wants success! And so, he begins to dream of the band's future. Trouble arises when Yoru reveals that he has some fans stalking him. Asaichi offers Yoru a spare key to his place and they begin officially living together. How will their relationship fare? Where will their band go? As they worry, struggle and fall in love, what does the future hold as their group's plans begin to grow?
Against my better judgement, I did read the sequel to Yoru and Asa and, I have to give it to the author, this one was much better. Ironically it was like day and night. However, I still rated it low because I can’t get over Asaichi’s personality in the first volume of this manga and he doesn’t really deserve a redemption in my eyes. However, if I were to review it impartially, it was a cute story about a pair of lovers who got their own stalker because their band was gaining more attention. The stalker threatens to out them and finds out where they live, but it’s handled pretty quickly because they don’t really care about whether or not people find out they’re dating. Good premise, well executed. If you’re going to read Yoru and Asa, skip the first volume and just read Encore.
35. The Garnet That Sparkles In Junk
Kanae, a hitman, encounters a half vampire named Sara at a dump site and is attacked. With nothing to lose, Kanae is completely indifferent to having his blood sucked or his home invaded. Sara, a bloodthirsty defective vampire abandoned by his parents, offers Kanae a deal: “In return for taking care of your decrepit lifestyle, become my food...” What begins as a physical relationship fuelled by the arousal of bloodsucking, brings a warmth they’ve never known, melting away the loneliness they’ve both carried — A love story where two lost souls find each other amidst a cruel and unforgiving world.
I honestly have never been more disappointed by a manga than I was of this one. Okay small lie, since writing this list I've been disappointed multiple times by manga, but that's for next month's review list. Chapter one was so good and the whole concept of vampire/assassin is such a good premise for a super interesting story… Except this one really dropped the ball. I feel like the biggest problem was its lack of room to breathe. Being a single volume manga, it certainly suffered pacing issues and a lack of world building that initially drew me in. I genuinely wish it had been given another volume to allow the story and the world to breathe and not rely on goofy humour to tell the actually serious story.
34. Twinkling Secret Told Us Tonight is the Night
Serious and formal Mikado x Alloy adored by everyone. Alloy uses magic to support the nation's lifeline and is the active leader of the operational department. With his beauty and friendly personality, that does not take advantage of his noble lineage, he is adored by everyone around him. On the other hand, Mikado, a blank-faced workaholic does not communicate well with Alloy like everyone else. They are on opposite wavelengths. But the two are actually in a secret relationship?
Yet another story that drew me in with the promise of magical worlds and interesting world building and then ended up as a meh romance. I wish there had been more about the fascinating world of alchemists and the magical organisation of the castle they lived in as it was very brief, but intriguing. Again, it suffers from being a one volume manga, when it could have been two. Maybe it’s just me, but if you’re going to make the world a magical setting, commit to it! Show it off, make it interesting! I will admit that the story itself was interesting and the characters were cute. The forbidden love aspect and sneaking around was fun to a point, especially when combined with the reason in the childhood history we got. The art style is also stunning, reminding me of Shikke’s style of face drawing. However, I was expecting more magic and I did not get it, making me disappointed. If you're like me and like to get into the magical setting more, better manga exist in the genre like Lullaby of the Dawn and World’s End Blue Bird.
33.Let's Stop Being Childhood Friends Already
Since he was a child, Madoka has been in love with Tamaki. However, high school student Madoka is always regarded by college student Tamaki as a “cute younger childhood friend” and not as an object of romantic interest. As time goes by, Madoka graduates from high school and goes to the same university as Tamaki without telling him, and succeeds in renting an apartment next to his. Then, Madoka begins to make a fierce appeal to Tamaki.
A cute story about childhood friends with a small age gap becoming more than friends. I will say, props to this manga for having the MC firmly state that he will not date the ML because he’s still a minor and the ML not only backs off until he is no longer a minor but actually respects the wishes of the MC. A rare find in BL. Although it may be overkill because the ML is only 2 years younger and in his last year of high school. Also as soon as the ML leaves school he becomes quite aggressive in his perusal of the MC, though not in a disrespectful way.
32. Touch Up
After being abandoned as a baby and losing the one person he could call family, Sawol finds himself all alone in the world. He spends his lonely days at his tattoo shop, where he illegally has been taking on name removal jobs, a “name” being a mark on a person’s body that indicates their soulmate. Despite claiming he is now done working on names, a gangster called Seong Wonjae insists he be his last client. But unbeknownst to Sawol, Wonjae’s true intention is to find out why his name throbbed intensely the moment he laid eyes on the tattoo artist...
The first officially published nameverse I’ve ever read, however, my expectations of this manhwa vs the reality of this manhwa are very different. This had everything that I should have LOVED. Morally grey Mafia Boss, tattoo artist tropes, soulmates. This is literally my bread and butter! Maybe that’s why it was disappointing? I went into it with too much of a fanfiction mindset and therefore it didn’t hit as much as I would have expected compared to other stories with similar tropes that I’ve read over and over again. Now, I will admit, it did make me cry, which does give it a big thumbs up for me, but there was just something not quite satisfying for me and I can’t put my finger on why.
31. Kawaisou na Kimi wa Boku dake no Amayaka na Kizuz
A world of humans with two special traits: "Fork" and "Cake". One day, Aoi is lured into the school's Home Ec Room by a sweet scent, which seems to come from a senpai of his, Mitsuri: a "Cake". While Aoi tries his best to restrain himself, Mitsuri ends up inviting him to join his Cooking Appreciation Club!? A nipping cakeverse story about a kind Fork and a lonely Cake.
This is the first cakeverse to show up on this list, and believe me, there are many. This particular one, I disliked the cake character for reasons I can’t put my finger on, he felt very fake and it rubbed me the wrong way in the first couple of chapters. This is sort of addressed, but I’d already made up my mind about him and he annoyed me throughout the story.
This does have a very interesting premise, though. The world building was done very well where Forks are seen as extremely dangerous and therefore have to identify themselves to a government official and when they are alone with Cakes they must wear a muzzle, the key of which is given to the Cake for protection. Of course, there are holes in this approach and they are brought up by the MC who points out that many Forks don’t identify themselves, so many Cakes end up being eaten alive by unregistered Forks.
Which brings me to my second issue with the story. It leans into the dark nature of cakeverse, but it doesn’t commit all the way to it. I wish it would have either leaned fully into the darkness or not mentioned it at all. It’s used as a convenient plot device for the two boys finally getting together, but it doesn’t quite give me the satisfaction of a truly dark manga.
30. Hands Off My Sub
Enter the Dom/Sub Universe! Popular host Haruki has been hiding his "sub" nature with suppressants while working at a host club, but the lack of tending to his needs is leaving him drained. He downloads a Dom/Sub matching app to find a partner for a one-night stand. The dom that appears is handsome and gentle, and when he commands Haruki to "Kneel," his body moves involuntarily and he can't stop himself from getting excited. After their night of "play", Haruki leaves feeling satisfied and recovered. But when he arrives at work the next week, the dom from that night, Suguri, shows up to work alongside him as a new host! The man he thought he would never meet again turns to him and says, "I want you to be my partner"...?!
My third foray into the Dom/Subverse genre and I have to say, I throughly enjoying the darker side to this manga and how it shows off the more difficult aspects of living in this sort of society. The MC is a host and a very popular one at that, but due to neglecting his Sub nature he gets sick and decides to rectify it by seeking out a Dom… who them ends up also working at his club. We learn in this universe that any Dom who uses a command can influence any Sub around them, meaning that commands can be used very insidiously if the Dom so wishes, which is what I mean by the darker undertones of the world. As far as I remember this manga is consensual, but the threat of it not being really causes the MC a whole lot of trouble and mental anguish. It certainly doesn’t help that the MC also represses his Sub nature and can’t seem to come to terms with it easily. This is also the first time I’ve seen the use of safe words implemented in this universe and the effect it has on the participants is an interesting spin on the overall story. I liked the world building here a lot!
29. I'll definitely make you fall in love!
Outa Hiro, a university student, is currently in a one-sided love with his childhood friend who lives next door, Sakiyama Shun. Hiro believes he's been slowly closing the distance between him and Shun, who was like a brother figure to him. When the time comes, he confesses, but then…?!
This is a cute and fluffy manga about two friends who lived next door for years. Slightly unrequited love from the younger of the two, but he makes the effort to confess and convince the older one to date him. It’s a slightly comical manga about their dates going wrong and finding love whilst challenging your own beliefs. This story does have some mild homophobic elements to it, but they’re mostly from outside sources from jealous girls rather than internalised. It’s a very cute turn your brain off and read manga, though I will admit, recalling the story from memory for writing this post was difficult as it wasn’t particularly memorable in the sea of manga on this list.
28. Anything More Than Licking is Out of the Contract
In the cakeverse world, secondary traits are managed just like family registers. There are "Forks" who latently lose their sense of taste, and "Cakes" who are innately delicious-tasting humans. "Cakes" and "Forks" are bound by contract as partners who provide bodily fluids. Andou, a "Cake" who works at the city hall, meets Sabitsugu, a "Fork", through his job. Andou suddenly feels his heart beat faster at a piercing gaze that seems to devour him, while Sabitsugu locks onto his delicious cake constitution and waits for him after work, day after day, as if courting him. Being pressed, and despite his refusals, Andou could no longer resist this persistent and earnest junior...?!
Age gap, teenager and adult cakeverse. Slightly coercive, but not really? I’m not sure how far on the scale this one would sit. Because the adult is very much against the idea of getting involved with a teenager, but the teenager is so obsessed with getting involved with him. In the world building of this manga cakes are very much protected as both cakes and forks are implanted with chips. In cakes, the chip detects fear and unwanted advances, whereas the chip inside forks administers electric shocks when detected by a cake’s chip as being unwanted. This is something other cakeverse have failed to address, the fact that forks can be extremely dangerous and that there must be protections put in place that actually help the cakes. The previously mentioned Kawaisou na Kimi wa Boku dake no Amayaka na Kizu addresses this slightly. They say that forks are supposed to register and that muzzles should be worn when cakes and forks are alone together, but it does require the cake and fork to be amicable enough with one another and the fork to not be ill intended in the first place. I feel like this cakeverse is much more effective for protecting cakes.
The romance in this is cute, the fork is slightly obsessive, though he is young, his pursuance of the cake is aggressive, waiting by his work every day to try and get him to agree to date him or at least be his ‘fluids donation partner’. Which, is not a sentence I ever thought I’d read or write. All in all, not bad, very much how I expect a cakeverse to go, but an interesting execution of world building.
27. Lick Me Bite Me Kiss Me
A young, arrogant rich guy meets a poor, average-Joe office worker in this cakeverse series! In this world, there are people who are "cakes" and people who are "forks." Forks are usually blessed with beauty and talent, but lose their sense of taste at one point in their life. After that point, the only thing these forks can taste are the bodily fluids produced by cakes... One day, Hiroto Ochi is invited to a networking party, where he hopes to rebuild his family business that's going under. There, he meets the standoffish but attractive wealthy young man, Izuru Taishaku. When Izuru accidentally takes a swig of Hiroto's wine, he suddenly starts making out with Hiroto. As Izuru "devours" Hiroto, Hiroto can't help but notice how good it feels...!
This is the only fully adult cakeverse I managed to find this month and I can honestly say it’s one of the more interesting stories. It felt more mature to read despite the ridiculous concept of cakes and forks. I personally found the world building in this one interesting from the standpoint that you don’t ‘present’ as a cake or a fork and no one knows they are a fork until they encounter a cake. Other stories on this list have the population either tested or they know from a young age. This one shows a semi recent development of finding out you’re a fork after encountering a cake for the first time. This story is slightly dubcon in places and shows off a darker side of obsession through the cakeverse as the fork in this story is obsessive and posessive and unhinged, reminding me a lot of colourverse I have encountered previously in Korean literature. I don’t personally love the obsessive nature of this cakeverse compared to other cakeverse on this list. I prefer the concept of the forks being utterly protective of their cakes rather than possessive.
26. Desire
Sheng Shaoyou encountered his ideal type—a delicate and alluring little white orchid named Hua Yong—at his arch-enemy’s place. He wanted to pluck this fragile flower, place it in a vase, and keep it hidden at home. But little did he know, this seemingly ‘delicate white orchid’ was no ordinary flower—it was a rare and noble Ghost Orchid, dark and enigmatic.
Whilst I’ve made it no secret over on instagram that I’ve been watching this drama, I will admit that after the first three episodes dropped I became OBSESSED and immediately felt the need to go and read the translated novel. The story and the drama of this series is amazing, taking the concept of omegaverse and applying it to blood types and originating from an infections disease. It kind of felt like a classic zombie movie with the way that the omegaverse is introduced. But it’s also fascinating because it also means that the concept of omegaverse is still relatively new within this story and therefore the world is still discovering things they didn’t know.
This particular story includes the concept of Enigmas which, I’m noticing, is becoming more and more common in non Japanese and non Korean stories. Given this is a Chinese novel there is a surprising amount of spice, which, even more surprisingly, the drama is not shying away from. The reason this is so low down as the novel, is because honestly it was a bit of a slog to get through. The writing style’s pacing feels a little like nothing happens for 20ish chapters and then it’s suddenly everything everywhere all at once. This is the one time that I would recommend watching the show over reading the novel as, so far, the show has followed the novel faithfully and I have high hopes for the rest of the series.
25. Day Off
Sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, and always relaxing, this is a fluffy office romance about a powerful yet gentle superior (who’s occasionally a picky eater) and his cute and earnest subordinate (who’s a silly young Gemini).
This is a tiny shorts Manhua that has a very cute art style and is a very cute slice of life. Day to day office romance and two men just existing in a secret office romance relationship. The author represents them as a cockatiel and a hedgehog which is adorable. Really not much to say other than, it’s cute, it’s fluffy, it’s worth reading.
24. Fake Fact Lips Break
A Sequal to "Fake Fact Lips" Since high school, Ryo and Zen have been rivals in all sorts of things. Now competing with each other in the sales department. The two started drinking and had a rather arrogant game of "whoever cums first, loses" and they ended up becoming lovers. However, the two of them still can't be honest with each other and continue their "game" of competition. Although they're now lovers, they are too busy with work and struggle to find time to spend together and begin to drift apart. "I get jealous over small things." While battling these emotions, Ryo and Zen face a new challenge when an old colleague, Futami, transfers to their office from the Osaka branch and proclaims "I want to join in your competition"?!?!? Can the two keep their relationship private and learn to communicate their feelings truthfully? Will they deepen their love or falter to uncool heads, jealousy, and spite?
A slight rehash of Fake Fact Lips, there is a competition, but not abut falling in love this time as the MC and ML are still together and happily so. However, now we have added a third person who is a work rival to the MC. This causes feelings of jealousy and insecurity in the ML which is a pretty normal reaction when you rarely see your boyfriend due to overtime and schedule clashes. Whilst I do adore Fake Fact Lips, this sequel took a bit of a more serious turn and the ridiculousness of the first volume was sadly lost.
23. Fake Fact Lips
Zen and Ryo have been rivals since high school. By chance, they get jobs in the same company and start competing against each other. Both are sore losers. And one day, when they are having drinks after work, the topic turns to love and romance and the argument gets heated as usual, only to find out that they have a silly competition to see who will cum first is the loser. That naturally leads to the intercourse but still disputing on the bed, they come up with the next new competition...whoever makes the other fall first is the winner! Both are good at business but too bad at love, what will become of Zen and Ryo's love competition !?
This story line is so straight up ridiculous that it’s good? Two rivals who make everything into a contest end up in a ‘whoever falls in love first loses’ contest and ridiculousness ensues whilst they show each other exactly how they would treat a girlfriend they were dating. This is a genuinely comedic story that made me laugh out loud multiple times throughout reading it and gave me wholesome fluffy feelings by the end. If you want something more ridiculous and light hearted, this is your manga.
22. White Night Bitter Porn
"Please let me take responsibility!!" Rui, a pharmacist, is a sexual pleasure seeker. One day, he brings a completely drunk virgin, Takanashi, back to his place. Although they were extremely compatible sexually, Rui leaves the hotel, thinking it was his usual one-night stand. However, to his surprise, Takanashi says, "It looks like I fell in love with you, Rui-san.", and begins his aggressive pursuit. Despite being a bit put off by Takanashi's almost-stalker-like affection, which includes getting a part-time job at Rui's workplace while constantly checking up on him, Rui's heart begins to waver as he sees Takanashi's sincere devotion to him...
The side story of Long Night Sweet Porno, this story follows a hyper sexual pharmacist, the friend of the MC in LNBP, who has sex with a new man at least every week, who meets a virgin that falls in love with him after they spent the night together. Classic tale of first love gets intense. Despite our MC claiming he is not one for relationships, he soon changes his mind when he starts to fall in love with the ML. Cute, wholesome and all around fluffy.
21. Long Night Sweet Porno
Working in a general store, Asami doesn’t have any luck with men. Disadvantaged by his nature of taking care of people and responding to people telling him “I like you,” lunatics, sugar babies, and abusive men lined up for him, one after the other. The next one will be a normal partner… As Asami thought this, a beautician named Shitara appeared before him. He is dumbfounded when Shitara approaches him with a flirtatious “Do you like me?” He firmly rejects him, but Shitara isn’t discouraged in the slightest. Despite Asami thinking that he can’t have a straight man as a partner, one day, he learns of Shitara’s lonely past…
The MC in this one is so cute! I genuinely love how firm he is on wanting to find real lasting love but still having so little luck in the love department. His insecurities are actually very real and I resonated well with them. His annoyance at the aggressive pursuit of the ML is comedic and very realistic but the slow burn of how his feelings change is also refreshing. This left me with very fuzzy feelings after reading it and I would highly recommend it!
20. Black-shain no Tensei-saki wa Dom/Sub Universe no Sekai Deshita
One day, Mikito collapses from overwork at his exploitative company. When he awakens, he finds himself unexpectedly close to Yanagawa, an elite coworker he barely knew before. He discovers a parallel world where Doms, who thrive on domination, and Subs, who find comfort in being dominated, exist…?! A story of office life and an unexpected connection between a nurturing Dom and a Sub who’s still finding his way!
I saw Dom/Sub-verse and I saw isekai and I RAN faster than the wind straight towards this one. I was not disappointed either! This is only my second ever D/S-verse and I genuinely wish it was my first. It’s such a good beginner story to get into this verse as we experience the rules and laws of the world through the MC who dies at work and is reborn into the D/S world and experiencing it for the first time. Of course, he has many questions, which our ML ends up answering in a way that’s explaining but not condescending. In fact, ML is surprisingly chill with the whole idea of being reborn into another world. He is probably an anime fan. But, looking through the lens of the MC, experiencing D/S world for the first time is so interesting and his thoughts, actions and major mistakes all feel so natural because he is new to the entire concept. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to get into D/S in a nice, CONSENSUAL and COMMUNICATIVE love story.
19. Love Song For The Defective
A dramatic rock-band story about a younger, assertive guitarist and a stubborn, beautiful singer! Kazari's the popular singer in a band, but he has a secret he can't tell a single soul. After a concert, Kei, the bassist and Kazari's step-brother, introduces a new member, Kotaro, who's a guitarist. From the moment Kotaro sees Kazari, he tries everything he can to close the gap between them. Kazari, though annoyed, decides to somewhat go along with it. One day, Kotaro sees a wistful expression on the usually aloof singer's face and encourages him to open up. The gap slowly closes, as Kazari pours his heart out...
Musical romance my beloved. This one has a small twist to it. The MC is the leader of the band and in love with the bassist, his step brother. Yes, Yes I know I hear you but, let me make it better. Their parents met whilst they were in high school. They did not grow up together, they are not blood related and they do not end up together. The love is very once sided and the bassist is actually about to get married to his girlfriend in the story, which also results in him quitting the band. The actual ML is a new addition to the band whose personality is a tad questionable, but he is there for the MC and aware of the one-sided love. His goal is to transfer the love for the step-brother to him so that the MC can find solace and happiness. It’s genuinely a cute story about healing through music and learning to live after being brokenhearted. The only thing knocking this down in my ratings is honestly the slightly unnecessary sex at the beginning of the story that was a tad dubcon.
18. Shitasaki Kara Koi
"Don't you want me? Sure... eat me." A cakeverse BL story between an admired senior and an honor student library committee member! In this world, there are beings called "forks" and "cakes." "Forks" are predators, and "cakes" are prey. Both look and live like normal humans, but the only difference is that forks have no sense of taste. However, they can only taste the bodily fluids of cakes, and the taste is so sweet that some forks cannot resist their desire and commit crimes. Forks are often said to be potential criminals, and Tatsunari, who is popular at school, lives his life hiding the fact that he is a fork. One day, when he saves a junior library committee member who is the honor student from an accident, he feels that his sweat in his mouth is "sweet"... It's delicious, it feels good... he can't stop loving him--
The second I found out that Momose An had written a cakeverse I knew I had to RUN as fast as possible to animate and buy a copy because oh my god. This right here is the reason I fell in love with cakeverse. It may only be the second one I read, but, as per usual, Momose An and I were on the exact same page regarding the erotic nature of the world. The characters were cute, the ML is kind of a masochist with a kink for being consumed and also a little obsessive about our MC. As with almost all verse stories, we do start with a little bit of coercion and an agreement to allow the fork to consume fluids of the cake, in this case it’s saliva, and then the characters start to get a tad too into it.
Despite breaking off the agreement when the ML realises that the MC is getting turned on by the agreement, the ML goes as far as to follow the MC to university a few years later with the desire to, once again, be consumed. ML thinks the MC is crazy but, once a fork gets a taste it’s hard to go back. What I do love about this story is that all parties involved are very aware of the situation. The ML feels guilty about the coercion and therefore wants to call it off. The MC actually doesn’t care and goes along with the ML because he WANTS to be consumed and by the time they’re adults, they are much better at communicating with each other and they are sure the other agrees before they do anything. As a two part manga, this is honestly fantastic. My number 2 cakeverse for sure!
17. Smyrna and Capri
What if your sworn enemy holds the key to your future? Theo Peserus: an alpha of the mighty Peserus clan, called forth to provide the clan with a child. For a tree to bear fruit, a worthy Capri must be chosen to inseminate him. Seram Marita: a revolutionary army soldier hailing from the Langeres clan. Having escaped from his imprisonment, he now weaves through the maze-like halls of the Peserus castle, looking for a way out. But a tempting odor permeates the air and leads Seram straight to the enemy. Intoxicated on pheromones, the two adversaries are now engaged, not in a battle for their lives, but in a war of lust... What fruit will come to bear when these foes, this Smyrna and this Capri, become entangled in a decadence that they both cannot resist…?
Smyrna and Capri took the omegaverse genre and slightly turned it on its head. Whilst it is technically mpreg, it’s also… interestingly done? We have an alpha/alpha romance between a military man and a vigilante who are sworn enemies. The Smyrna takes a potion that temporarily gives him a womb to carry an egg. Yes, these babies are born from eggs, not from actually giving birth.The Capri, however, becomes someone unexpected. Slated to be killed, the vigilante escapes and somehow ends up in a hormone induced rut like state, impregnating the other alpha. Despite multiple previous tries by said alpha to conceive all ending up failures, this one took immediately. Because the egg needs both the Smyrna and the Capri pheromones to be healthy, the vigilante is kept alive and thus we have a forced proximity complicated romance that ensures. What I will say about this author is that everything is good and fluffy for like 40-50 chapters and then very suddenly everything goes to shit. So, be aware that the pain WILL come. In all their stories.
16. Taming The Tiger
Ahn Geum-hoo needs a butcher to provide fresh animal blood for his sickly brother’s medicine. While most of the butchers seem reluctant to provide him with what he needs, Nobody is willing to do Geum-hoo’s bidding. With striking features and a strong build, Nobody has quite a reputation amongst the village folk. Yet, Geum-hoo finds a way to tame this wild tiger. First, he gives him a name—Beom. Then, he invites him to a world that this nobody’s never experienced...
Ahh Brothers Without Tomorrow, how I mourn not finding this writer earlier. Whilst I tend to avoid historical fiction in manhwa form, due it’s questionable ethics and story lines, I did rather enjoy this one. Whilst the MC is a mercenary group head, and therefore has some rather morally grey and questionable decisions, especially in the beginning of the story, we have that perfect dark romance book boyfriend where he is crazy for the ML and makes it everyone else’s problem. It also helps that the ML is OBSESSED with the MC but in a golden retriever puppy dog way. I personally adore this dynamic and this story really hit just right, even though there was a slightly tragic end before the epilogue story.
15. I Didn’t Mean To Fall In Love - Double -
Rou and Yoshino have spent their days blissfully in love and by each other's side at every moment. But now that Rou has graduated university, it's time to become a proper working adult! Which means his time with Yoshino is decreasing and making Rou frustrated. Between this and learning to work with his new colleagues, Rou may not be up for the task of the working world—especially if it puts his relationship at risk!
The sequel to Suzumu Minita’s I didn’t mean to fall in love, Double brings us a slightly unnecessary but still interesting sequel to the story. I personally adore this story for multiple reasons; 1) it gives us an interesting insight into the transition between university and working life, and the hardships and mistakes that come with it when you struggle with that transition. Which I love, but 2) it shows us that the ML is actually just really stupid and not nearly as cool and all knowing as the original story showed us. Whilst I do not agree with his actions, I also understand his actions as someone who wants to take care of other people and make sure they’re not going to spiral after a rough time. I admire the MC for being understanding but also communicating effectively that he was not okay with the actions of the ML. Great communication and healthy relationship goals. I really hope the side characters do eventually get a story of their own because I ship them so hard!
14. Give Me a Hug Mr. Frog
With an attractive face and figure and a keen mind, the student council president admired by the entire student body, Takashi. At the Milk Tea Shop he recently started visiting, one cup gets you one hug from the costumed frog mascot. A hug that provides relief from daily pressures. Before he knew it, he gained an interest in the person inside the costume… A classmate who at first glance seems uncouth but is the devoted type x a student council president who seems inhumanly perfect but is really too adorable.
This is honestly just a super silly and cute high school romance between a repressed perfect student council president and a guy who works part time dressing up as a frog mascot for a cafe to hand out hugs to kids and adults. They happen to be classmates. The president is a bit of a pervert, but honestly, valid. He just wants a hug from a frog to release some stress. The fact that said frog has muscles… can you blame him? This was probably one of the most adorable manga I read this month and I highly recommend it if you’re a fluff lover.
13. Hug Me, Kiss Me
Third year Kumai wants to enjoy his final days of youth. He wants a girlfriend, but was never able to take the step forward due to past trauma. After hearing that a girl he was close with broke up with her boyfriend recently, he decides to contact her and they soon got together! Overjoyed to finally have a girlfriend, he goes to see her the next day...only to be met by Sasahara, the most handsome guy in his grade! This is a coming-of-age romance that begins over a misunderstanding between a super popular hottie and a pure late bloomer!
Miscommunication trope to the max! I usually kinda hate this trope but here it works SO WELL. The MC is technically a straight guy who tries to ask out his classmate, only to get the name wrong due to the kanji being read the same, and instead ends up asking out his male classmate, who he didn’t know was gay. Instead of setting the record straight, however, he just goes along with it and ends up falling in love anyway, showing that gender has no bounds when it comes to love and earnestness.
12. Punk’s Triangle
Fashion student Chiaki dreams of seeing his designs on the runway, worn by none other than Ai—the charismatic male model who changed his life. When a prestigious competition promises to make that dream come true, Chiaki is fired up to win. But his hopes are dashed when he's paired with the clumsy and unfashionable Enaga for the project. One fateful night, after a run-in with some delinquents, Chiaki is unexpectedly saved by his idol Ai. Even more shocking, Ai seductively offers to teach him how to have fun at night... Caught between the alluring, mysterious model he worships and a clumsy, rough-around-the-edges classmate who can't seem to stay out of trouble (but may be hiding a surprising secret), Chiaki faces a heart-pounding, pure boy's love dilemma that will turn his world upside down!
I present to you a punk aesthetic, an artsy backdrop, an innocent MC who is in love with his fashion model idol… who he doesn’t know is also at his school? What more could I want? This is so cheesy and so cute and feel good. The ML is exactly the type of aesthetic I love in a man. i.e alt emo punk aesthetics, and that alone made me keep reading the manga. But the cute MC who is starry eyed for his idol is also adorable. The double life story line where both lives become entwined with the MC is a fun but also slightly heartbreaking read when you learn the MC’s story. Very cute, highly recommend.
11. Meteoric Milky Night
The zoo's most popular star wished upon a shooting star and transformed into a human!!!? Subaru, a handsome and popular emperor penguin, wished to meet his partner for life. On the night of a shooting star, he turned into a naked and handsome man!!! Kai, a quiet and easygoing former polar bear, was rescued along with him. While being confused by Kai's sense of personal space, they start living together with the zoo director's support. Kai is a teenager in human years, so he goes to college, while Subaru works at a host club. "I'm going to show you my skills as the N.1 seller of zoo goods!" After working hard and coming home drunk, Kai helps him to bed. When Subaru teases him about being a virgin, Kai pushes him down and says, "You can teach me." When a shooting star shines, he turns into a naked human (handsome man)!!! North Pole vs South Pole!!!? A spectacular transformation on a starry night ★ A new kind of interracial love between a possessive polar bear and a lonely emperor penguin.
Okay, okay bare with me. Animals. Make a wish. They become human. They are forced to live together. They are also forced to learn about and navigate the human world through the lens of being popular attractions at the zoo they used to be a part of. Do you see the utter chaotic genius that this manga is? I genuinely have never been so overjoyed and also so emotionally attacked in the same manga about ANIMALS AS HUMANS. It’s so ridiculous it’s amazing. It NARROWLY missed out on a top 10 purely because I re-read so many of my favourites this month. In terms of new manga, it’s absolutely top 10.
10. Melting Strawberry Kiss
Ageha is a regular boy who, after losing his sense of taste, is diagnosed as a “fork.” Forks are type of person deemed dangerous due to unprovoked attacks on those who are “cakes.” Due to the negative stereotypes, Ageha vows to keep his distance from people at his new high school so he won't have anyone awaken his innate fork senses. But when his classmate Kaede approaches him in the nurse's office, Ageha quickly realises he has regained his sense of taste for the first time in a long while. . .
Cakeverse but make it… fluffy? This is absolutely my favourite cakeverse manga that I have read. Whilst the others are scattered across this list this one is just… adorable? Or at least, as adorable as cakeverse can get given it’s dark themes. However, we have a bottom fork and a cake top, which already shifts the traditional cakeverse dynamics significantly, but not only that, there’s a heavy emphasis on coming to terms with yourself and your secondary gender, which I can see heavily as a metaphor for homosexuality or gender dysphoria. I genuinely loved the messages in this manga which all play out in a high school romance with a freaky world build.
9. I Didn’t Mean To Fall In Love
Yoshino is gay, thirty, and definitely not flirty - he's never even dated anyone. He seems to have accepted the fact that he'll die alone, until one night, in a gay bar for the first time in his life, he meets young, charming silver-haired Rou and grabs some drinks with him. Yoshino is drawn to Rou's mysterious charm and they spend the night together talking...one thing leads to another and suddenly that's not the only thing they're doing tonight...? A sloppy, happy love story between a handsome college student playing the game of love the easy way, and a working adult who has yet to know what love is.
Suzumaru Minita, I love you so much. This is such a heartwarming story of a 30 year old virgin and a 20 year old college student who was certainly more used to the gay bar scene. Admittedly, I did re-read this manga because I wanted to read the sequel (Double) and I kinda forgot how the characters were. But, upon my reread I remembered how much I loved this and this author… which is why three of their works are on this list ^_^
8. Takara’s Viidro
Taishin has moved away from his hometown, Fukuoka, to a university in Tokyo to chase after Takara, a boy who had consoled him during the summer of his third year in high school as he cried. Though they were able to reunite with no issues, Takara pushes Taishin away, coldly asking him, "What do you plan on doing after meeting me?"
Another reread but purely because I needed some fluffiness after reading some stuff on this list that made me cry. This is a very wholesome story of one person who fell in love at first sight and the other who needed time to get there. However, despite the shortness of this manga, the pacing felt good the whole time, and shows just how people on two different pages can actually grow to be on the same page where relationships are concerned. It’s a cute college romance that I would recommend to anyone as an ease you into BL story. Also, I’m in love with this mangaka’s stories so… there’s also that.
7. Barefoot Angel
One day, shoemaker Turner meets a mysterious young man, Benny, who calls himself an “ex-angel”. Worried about Benny going barefoot, Turner decided to make shoes for him. Moreover, because the production will take several months, Benny decides to live in Turner’s house. [ The first love of a pure angel, set in modern day England. ]
I FINALLY finished this series, after buying the Japanese version very recently. This is actually one of my favourite series ever. Not only does it have an adorable and kind ML, the MC is a very cute angel who knows nothing about earth and human life. He’s basically learning everything there is to know after meeting the ML. However, this story also gives us hot daddy Lucifer and Gabriel which… let’s face it, we would not say no to. There are also hints scattered throughout that Lucifer and Gabriel used to be a couple before Lucifer was banished to Hell. Which… yes. Did it make me cry? Yes. Would I reread it again? Well, actually this is my 4th reread of the first two chapters so… Yes.
6. How to Deal When Your Intimidating Neighbour is Actually an Omega
A college-aged Alpha lives next door to a scary-looking hottie whom he assumes is an Alpha, too, but a shocking encounter will correct that assumption! An irresistible, tattooed Omega, living next door… What's a virgin Alpha to do?
OH MY GOD THIS IS PERFECT. This is another green flag puppy top and grumpy cat bottom entwined with a ‘fated mates’ type story line. Admittedly, this shocked me a little as we have pretty full frontal sex within the first few pages and then it cools off significantly but… that’s just omegaverse for you? Admittedly, I do feel like my tolerence for this is way higher in omegaverse due to the nature of the verse’s rules. That being said, this is a genuinely green flag omegaverse.
The omega is actually really cute despite his appearance. His personality is far more fluffy than he lets on, often stealing the Alpha’s clothes just to get a whiff of his scent. The Alpha is so clingy and lovesick but also incredibly protective of the omega, even though the omega does not need his protection at all. He’s the very definition of actions speak louder than words, showing his character with acts of service and clear communication.
5. Love on the Horizon
Art university student Nagi Kitagawa is hopelessly in love with Yuu Yamasaki, his senpai in the folk song club who also happens to be his next door neighbor. Yuu seems to have it all—good looks, a great personality, and he's also super popular—so Nagi can't help but think he'd never fall for a shy, innocent country bumpkin like him. One night, after drinking too much at one of their club get-togethers, Nagi helps a drunk Yuu get home safe—but before he can go back to his own apartment, Yuu wraps Nagi in his arms and falls asleep, trapping Nagi in his embrace. Nagi sneaks out the next morning, careful to not wake Yuu up, and vows to keep the incident a secret. But when Nagi finds himself growing closer and closer to Yuu, his unrequited feelings only grow stronger... And could it be that his love isn't as one-sided as he thinks it is...?
This may be one of the most wholesome mangas I have ever read? Our MC moves to Tokyo from the big city only to meet his neighbour after getting caught in the rain. He then finds out said neighbour is his club’s senpai and is tasked with taking his senpai home every time he gets drunk. Cue these two cuties falling in love with each other. This is such a green flag, realistic romance that just left me feeling fluffy and happy inside.
4. After School Etude (Re-read)
In a certain School of Arts. The ordinary ballet student Chihiro Minobe meets Shun Ichinomiya, a senior student who is rumored to have a bad personality. He falls in love with this genius dancer at first sight. Through the school's unique "Pair Practice", Minobe manages to take "after-scool lessons" with Ichinomiya, but for some reason Ichinomiya presses him for a "physical relationship"...!? Full-fledged ballet BL about love and youth.
Admittedly, this is a bit of a biased recommendation as it was not only one of the first manga I bought in Japan but it’s also the one I started learning Japanese with. I’ve been re-reading this in Japanese to continue on my reading journey. However, to put into perspective why I ADORE this manga series; golden retriever puppy top, grumpy cat bottom with clear communication and a healthy high school relationship. Whilst there are some heavy topics in this manga (grooming for example) it is dealt with in a very tasteful manner and addresses the breakaway and healing that happens as a result of the two MCs relationship. Also, if you didn’t already notice… I’m a sucker for stories surrounding dance and ballet/the arts in general.
3. Kami no Fune de Nemuru
Kitahara Kei is a genius screenwriter whose models always end up dead. Although he was taking the world by storm, repeated misfortunes caused him to break his writing brush, and he fell into a life of drinking at black market bars. Then, when he was drunk and collapsed on the street, an amateur photographer, Youichi, helped him to his feet. His innocent smile, his occasional sexy face, and his ever-changing facial expressions irresistibly attracted him. "When I'm with Youichi, I'm overflowing with sentences, even though I know I'm making him unhappy..."
I genuinely think this author may be one of my new favourites that I will follow to the ends of the earth. Kami no Fune de Nemuru deals with trauma in a way I’ve not seen been done before. This is slight psychological horror and torture but in the BEST way. The art style is hauntingly beautiful and the depictions of the character’s inner trauma is something I’ve long strived to achieve in my own works and fallen flat. But this is so masterfully done that I welcomed the pain and suffering I felt alongside the characters.
2. A Home Far Away
In the winter of 1990, a young man name Alain finds himself lost and searching for direction. He currently cannot find it at home nor through the church. But when he meets Hayden, a free-spirited cook, he at least finds someone he can relate with. He may not know where his life is going but at least he has someone to lean on. But Alan's new life, filled with new feelings and many new challenging experiences, may force him to find his path on the road...
This is no less than a masterpiece. But it’s a Banana Fish level of tragedy kind of masterpiece. If you understand that reference then you understand how much it pains me to have read this but also why it HAS to be in the top 5 on this list. The art is beautiful and haunting and the way that trauma is depicted in this manga is just second to none. There are HEAVY topics discussed in this manga, including SA, religious trauma, murder, child neglect, drug use, homophobia, suicide and domestic violence. Please read with caution. It made me stare blankly at the wall for three hours after I read it. I then proceeded to read the entire Kedamono series (numbers 37-44) just to turn my brain off. It’s HEAVY but it’s a MASTERPIECE.
1. My Noisy Roommate
Osuke's excited about finally getting to live on his own, but on his first day in his new apartment, he finds himself kicked out onto the street! So, when a real estate agent appears out of nowhere offering him a beautiful, new place (with just a couple conditions), he jumps at the chance. But when he opens the door, a drop-dead gorgeous blond guy pops out! It turns out living with him is one of the conditions! His name is Nanami, and he tells Osuke that, not only are ghosts real, but Osuke himself is a magnet for all things supernatural...
A slow burn shounen ai centred around yokai and Japanese urban legends? Sign me the fuck up. This is genuinely the greatest and most fun manga I read the entire month. Because it’s 4 volumes long (in Japanese, 3 in English) and they’ve barely even realised their feelings, the romance and the bond has been given room to breathe all whilst being wrapped up in a fun interesting cultural bow. I honestly didn’t think that I would enjoy this silly little manga so much, but it’s quickly become one of my favourites of all time!
Final Thoughts
Whilst I had to cut myself off around the 25th of this month to actually sit down and write this blog post, I actually did end up reading way more than is listed out, around another 12 stories with 1-2 volumes of each. I honestly have not stopped reading this month and discussing the books over on my discord channel has been so much fun! It's also given me so much motivation and drive to draw my own manga which I've been working on slowly this past month. I'm not sure what it is about July specifically that always makes me go crazy with reading an insane amount of books, but given that august I've dubbed as 'drawing' month I certainly won't be reading nearly as much next month.
I certainly don't regret reading anything on this list, except maybe The Song of Yoru and Asa. In general every story has its place and I'm glad to have found so many gems this month amongst the vast sea of BL available to read! If you have any suggestions or recommendations for me I'd love to hear them down in the comments or hop over into my discord to discuss more BL with the community ^_^
