If there is one thing we can all resonate with it's the concern that the thing we love most will one day just disappear into thin air. This is what happened to Sojun. He had everything, a band, a lover and he was considered one of Japan's top guitarists. Except, his hearing was starting to leave him. Sojun, who was super passionate about music, suddenly found himself lost and unable to enjoy what he had left of his life without music. So he left. Leaving his long term boyfriend, Arata, and his band, chasing something he believed to be lost. He fled to England to find himself again. Now he's back and he want's to rekindle things with Arata. Arata, used to his whims and flightiness, accepts him back with open arms, letting Sojun come back at his own pace.
Synopsis
Sojun Shiina's as fickle as a cat. He only comes to Arata when he wants to. Arata knows that, yet can't help but reach out his hand...
After three months away, Sojun, a famed guitarist, returns to Arata, editor of a well-regarded music magazine. Despite his talent, Sojun has cut himself off from the Japanese music scene. Unable to settle down, he bounces back and forth between countries, often leaving his longtime lover Arata behind. Arata knows that about Sojun, but can't help wishing he'd come back for good, to stay by his side, hold him and make love with him...
The adult love between these two men flickers between Arata's admiration for Sojun's immense talent, his sense of inferiority, and the freedom and possessiveness that comes from affection.
The following review contains mild spoilers for the manga! Please proceed with caution!
Review
Kimagure na Jaguar is a heartfelt manga, revolving around music and passion and reconnecting with a life you thought you had lost. It's an underrated musical BL with a healthy relationship full of love, trust and freedom. Fans of Given will especially enjoy this manga. Though a little on the spicier side as this manga falls firmly into the 'yaoi' category with explicit scenes, compared to Given. It also gives a more refined feeling to the reading experience as this is neither a coming out story or a first love story. Kimagure na Jaguar is an adult love story with mundane adult problems and solutions. It falls into a category I like to call 'spicy slice of life'. It's mundane in its own way depicting the daily lives of the main characters, but it's adding a little bit of interest with them being famous musicians with uncommon problems.
What I love about Kimagure na Jaguar is that despite the uncommon problems, it doesn't feel out of place and I can heavily resonate with the theme of the story as I constantly worry about what would happen if I couldn't draw or write anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only person with that fear either. I see a lot of myself in the main character, Sojun, as my initial reaction is to also find a way to keep going and find an alternative route, even at the expense of the rest of my life.
It's also really nice to see a character like Arata who, despite probably feeling lonely when Sojun isn't around, accepts the fact that Sojun is who he is. He trusts Sojun to not be doing things he shouldn't and he trusts him to eventually return to his side, even though he rarely stays for long. It's heartwarming to see a character who is willing to put his own selfishness aside for the good of his partner and have that level of trust built in.
Many people may think Arata is stupid and that Sojun is only stringing him along, but I think the point of this relationship is that it's built on mutual trust and a deep understanding of each other, which helps drive the plot of Kimagure na Jaguar forward in a way that makes the relationship feel healthy and natural for these characters.
Rating
Here's the scorecard for Kimagure na Jaguar!
Overall Rating;
I squarely put Kimagure na Jaguar in the 4* category. I personally loved it and I have re-read it at least three times already. However, the 5 rating for me is reserved for god tier manga which, despite how much I love it, didn't have any truly stand out moments or characters that I latched onto compared to something like Given.
Spiciness;
Despite being a +18 yaoi manga, Kimagure na Jaguar isn't super spicy. The explicit scenes are fairly tame and very loving. Which is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not something to read if you're looking for spice. It is a typical slice of life with no major incidents that would up that spiciness rating.
Fluffiness;
Again, this manga is just a typical slice of life. Kimagure na Jaguar is fluffy, it is feel good, but it takes a while to get there. Therefore 3/5 on the fluffiness rating is what I feel is deserved.
Red Flags;
This might be where some of you argue with me and say that Sojun is a red flag because he can't settle down and often leaves his partner for long periods of time. But, as always, I will fight my corner to say that Sojun is/was going through trauma and this was a pretty typical response. He is also understood by his partner who trusts him to return. So, personally, this is not a red flag. Arata is about as green as they come too, at least in his adult life.
Final Thoughts
Overall I found Kimagure na Jaguar to be a heartwarming and inspirational story full of love and healing. It's absolutely one I recommend if you want something inspirational and feel good and finding your way back to yourself.
