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Nov 14, 2023
Beauty in simplicity.
This was a short and sweet series, about two men getting together at a high school reunion. There are only six episodes clocking in at three minutes, so not one that takes forever to deliver. And unlike “Mignon”, the other boy love series by the same studio, director, and writer (I think…), this one does not take to the last episode to deliver the goods… if you know what I mean ? (it is rated "R" / "adult", after all).
It also has less going on, which is not always a bad thing. You want boy love romance? Well, here you go! No gimmicks,
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no myths, no taboos, no third-party rude romance-crashers; just some minor drama to give the story life and a little depth, and then off they go!
The story is presented non-linearly. We start with their high school reunion, and viewers follow as the men drift towards each other and hook up. After that, we are treated to a series of flashbacks to when they were in high school. It’s nice that we do see thoughts from both; where they came from to contrast where they are now.
Neither thinks the same, and I like that. It hints that one man was not ready, as a teen, to accept that he is gay. While he struggled with thoughts of loving a man, he still did not act like a total douche; we see a few instances where he helps the other. The other teen, on the flip, had thoughts of “impossible”, and had a lack of self-worth, especially with a medical condition that makes him a social pariah at times. None of these flashbacks takes very long, and a lot is up to viewers reading between the lines and body language, so take my words with a grain of salt! I might be wrong; I was distracted by the sexy times too. ?
I think the two weakest aspects of the story are developing the relationship and the soundtrack. While we can see the attraction the two have for the other, it could use the benefit of a longer runtime to show or tell viewers what it is they see in each other, other than superficial looks. Though I could argue that this is merely the beginning, initial stages of their romance, that only later will it deepen and grow roots. That that particular story is for another time, or our imagination. I could buy that, if only I didn't want more!
As far as the soundtrack goes, it is very sparse. I do not recall hearing any original soundtrack; the only music was of Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune". It was still well used for mood and contemplation, and I guess my only complaint is in comparison to "Mignon", where effort was made to have an original soundtrack. So not a real big complaint.
And in the end, all told it takes up about 20 minutes, and is a sweet touching story, with some sexy spice to mix it up and satisfy a fujoshi like me. I recommend to fellow fujoshi, and if you want to try and get your feet wet in a simpler BL story, this might be a good entry.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 3, 2023
I recently finished this South Korean manhwa, and it has stuck with me these past few days. So I’mma write about it and maybe see if anyone else will find it memorable to them as well. It’s currently on both Lezhin and it’s only 35 chapters!
First off, no one ends up happy, I don’t think. Some things are left up to interpretation, and a side character probably ends up happy but may follow the same route as his father. I usually gravitate away from those sad and open ended stories, but I liked this one to some degree. Why? Well I got sucked into the
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artwork, the historical accuracy, and some things it had to say about being assigned gender roles.
The artwork is certain unique in the world of manhwa (from the little I read, to be honest… so maybe I missed some but to me it is different), but at the same time it feels like a typical Victorian era style of art. Very fitting and immersive since the story takes place in the early Victorian era. I shared photos to give examples.
Speaking of Victorian Era, it takes place in America, with a sprinkling of traveling to France. Besides the main story of the half Asian child with a widower drunk father, readers can learn a few things from back then. Not sure everything in the story was entirely accurate, but there are a few chapters with author’s notes that are interesting. I learned something about, while more sexually repressed as a whole, men were at the same time more open about their male friendships and physical affection. She, the author, admitted some of her friends thought two of the male leads were gay for each other, but that wasn’t her original intention (but she found she wasn’t against it either XD). But men in the Victorian era could be found linking elbows and hugging and such, just out of friendship. That it is a more modern sensibility to be closed off. That’s just one historical aspect that popped up.
And finally being a woman in that time. Especially a non white girl from a broken family. What is “Pandora’s Choice”? I guess it’s how can she move forward and be happy with limited resources and avenues. Again, not a very happy story, and I think part of why I like it is because it does show a very bleak Victorian setting, when mostly we, or I, have a very romanticized view of it nowadays. I wouldn’t say it was eye opening, but maybe appreciated, even if a downer.
I think my favorite character was the doctor guy, as he seemed the only one impressed, and in a positive way, with Pandora’s smarts.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jun 24, 2022
Read “Don’t Call Me Daddy” as both a sequel/prequel to another work (“Don’t Call Me Dirty”), and for Pride Month. Was as good as “Dirty”, I think, after considering some differences that balance out. I think “Daddy” has more emotional weight and satisfaction, while “Dirty” is able to impart its message and themes better.
In this entry, we follow an older pairing that were supporting characters in Dirty. These two men were / are the guardians of Shouji, the main protag of Dirty, and there’s an angst of unrequited love and waiting decades for resolution. I think since we already knew who they were from the
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first story and have more context, it made it easier as a reader to connect emotionally; I was already invested by this time.
While the themes were not as heavily explored as in Dirty with not judging people so shallowly, here a message could be made that it is never too late. Never too late to reconnect, to understand or make a change, or to find love. And with the older gentlemen, not only is it unique and refreshing not witnessing yet another romance during the springtime of youth, it also lands some solid hits to the feels.
Another solid 8/10. I’d recommend, and go so far to say that readers would not have to read “Don’t Call Me Dirty” first, if not inclined. I feel both stand alone pretty well.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jun 22, 2022
Read “Don’t Call Me Dirty” for Pride Month: a manga about two men who each have very little self worth, yet who can see goodness in the other once they meet.
Made note of it a year or two ago when a friend mentioned it in a series of notable boy love manga for entry level yaoi readers, or for those looking for a, more-or-less, safe for work BL read. I never had the push to read it until another friend's Pride Month Manga Reading challenge(?) gave me the inspiration / push to finally read some of the short length BL manga I have.
At only 6
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chapters in one volume, “Don’t Call Me Dirty” still manages to be a very engaging read. Emotional too. Not an easy going boy love romance, there’s some real hurt explored here as both men are ousted from society for being perceived as "dirty", either physically or in the abstract. Yet the hurt is balanced by lighthearted moments sprinkled throughout, including little kids who tell it like it is, and a dad addicted to social media XD
Overall an 8/10 for me; I think the point was made, and was definitely a good read, but I wanted more exploration of the characters, both the main and the side characters (though there is a sequel dealing with two of the others seen here…). Not as emotionally gripping as it could be, I don’t think. Still, I do recommend!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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