Metamorphose no Engawa
BL Metamorphosis

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BL Metamorphosis is a refreshingly unique story that manages to accomplish a lot, but ultimately leaves a bit to be desired in terms of plot towards the end. The concept is a genuinely interesting one, and some themes that you don't normally see in manga (like the daily life of an elderly widowed woman, what it would be like to get into BL at an old age, etc.) are explored in a realistic and relatable way. The characters in the story are excellently written and very believable throughout, this is aided by some simple but stellar artwork that fits the character of the story perfectly. ... The way that small sections of fictional BL books that the characters read are included in the story was engaging and added another layer of depth to the work. Ultimately, the last two volumes feel like a rushed ending for a story that should've been twice as long. The ending isn't by any means horrible, but there was just so much more that could've been explored that would've added to the overall quality of the series.

Even if you're not a BL fan, I still think there's a lot of enjoyment to be had here, and with only a 5 volume run, it's not a big commitment for such a unique and interesting story. Not a masterpiece, but well worth the read!

"Saying <<I like it>> when I like something... envying someone because they are beautiful...thinking about what I would like to do when I grow up... all these things embarrass me."

(WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS"

"Metamorphose No Engawa" is a pretty recent slice of life manga (2017) written and illustrated by Kaori Tsurutani, with 5 volumes and 52 chapters.

The story is pretty simple but still very peculiar: A 75 years old lady after discovering that her favourite coffee shop has been closed, decides to go the library and she sees a manga sector, when she'll notice a yaoi manga. She will initially think it was a sweet ... love story between two men, without knowing of its sexual content, and in fact the 17 years old cashier, also a fujoshi, will be pretty surprised and offers her a non- seethrough plastic bag. Our clueless old lady will not understand and will tell her she doesn't need it, and she will be pretty surprised when she will see the smutty content at first, however despite her age, she will be very open minded and will eventually ship the main couple,without thinking of them as abnormal or disgusting and will see the sex scenes just like other movies/mangas/anime scenes about two people making love.

She will in fact return to the library to order the next volume of the same yaoi manga and from that moment on, her and the lonely teenager cashier will become best friends and will go out often together and talk about the yaoi manga.

This is honestly the most heart-warming manga I've ever read (along with Fushigi Neko No Kyuu-chan) and a lot of parts made me cry.

I also have a really old lady as one of my best friends, and we often talk and see each other either on the phone or at her home. I never had my grandparents near me, so for me her husband and especially her are just like second grandparents for me. She knows me since I was a kid, and she always was patient with me, making me laugh when I was sad, cooking me cookies or giving me ice cream, we also painted and did manual works together. Now that I have grown and I have much more things to do, I usually don't have much time, but I always make sure to go at her house sometimes, and we would talk for hours about books, movies or our concerns, while her cats climbed into my legs.
I always felt really calm whenever I was with her, even though she is very perky and mischievous despite her age. She is also very open about LGBT community (even though I never telled her about yaoi) and she would always love my talks about animes or my girl crushes.
She never judged me, and when I was depressed she always tried her best to make me feel better and tell me that the abuse I suffered was never my fault. She also said "If I was there I would kill that bastard" making me laugh everytime.She also telled me everyday about how much days lasted 'till summer vacation will start, and she would never forget my birthday.

She is now really old, maybe she is now something like 76-77 years old, and unfortunately, she almost died of diabetes. She couldn't eat anything and she became really skinny, and one day I heard her scream at night and we had to call the ambulance. She is now recovered fortunately, however neither the doctors could believe that she had survived.

This manga hitted me so much not only because I also have a very old lady as a friend I meet pretty regularly, but also because it made me think that maturity and being open minded doesn't depend only because of the age, and friendship is something that can happen (along with love) in all ages, sexuality, everything. Love is such a mysterious feeling, that can happen to you in any shape, changing your life forever.

The teenager of the story is in fact a very aphatetic and lonely girl with no friends, however she will become happier after meeting the old lady, and the old lady will also feel less alone despite being and old lady. She will feel young again.

This is a different manga that despite being very unusual, it doesn't scare you, but it changes and enrich you, both metally and emotionally.

It's such a heart-warming and relaxing manga that will show you both points of view and insecurities/sufferings of the two main characters. Because people of all ages have their problems.

I think this is my favourite manga after Kaze To Ki No Uta, because it really changed me and touched me in the dephts of my soul.

I hope I'll be an open minded lady like the one of this story when I'll get old, and I'll always make sure to not judge anybody and improve myself.

Thank you so much for making me reflect this much.

This is the end, thank you so much for reading my review and have a great time on mal! <3