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Every now and then we come across mangas that are simply breathtaking. May it be because of its scenic art or of its impressive storyline or maybe it just captured your curiosity. Many of the shounen ai mangas I have stumbled upon gave me a fresh impression due to its cover. Unfortunately, some failed to captive my interest and leaving me disappointed. There are also titles that were roses beneath the thorns. Making the most out of its small spaces and justifies that a good manga doesn’t have to show an impressive cover and bishounens.

Loving Doushitemo Furetakunai’s style and plot, I searched more about its ... author and expected to see a lot of works from her, and yes, I saw a few. There were a handful of one shots and series. Randomly picked on what to read first and was in awe after seeing them. Though a lot were good, but only one stood out.

Kanjou Spectrum.

Usually, for a common yaoi fan, a hot sensual scene is something to be anticipated. Which of course, can be one of its forte. But Yoneda Kou doesn’t use this as her work’s strongest points. She focuses more on the depths of her characters and encourages its readers to enjoy a shounen ai read even without a smutty scene.

I didn’t expect less of the storyline, again, it was clean and contemplative regardless of the cliché plot. For a one shot, the content was overflowing. It ended smoothly, leaving it up to the readers what happens next.

Yoneda once again, used her same style of art in this one. Though it may seem to be some sort of uniqueness, the characters weren’t too distinguishable. The delivery of the characters and their emotions were too dull and unstimulating. Which I think needs more improvement. However, she uses more dialogues to ease this up.

Now, for the final remark. This one shot will certainly appease Yoneda Kou fans and those who want more masculine ukes and pensive plots. I’m bringing my hopes up to see more Yoneda style works or something that maybe even better.

In this world, people judge according to one’s appearance. Neglecting them if they’re disappointed after peeling off the skin. Harsh? Yes. This is the reality of what this story takes place to. It takes your mindset into something captivating.

The main storyline focuses on two characters namely: Yuzuru, a person who may seem unblemished, ethical and perfect. He gives off a stoic vibe to many people who sees him. Most of his classmates adore him. There’s only one thing, he isn’t like what you’re imagining. A prince?No, definitely no. He’s quite the opposite. He’s moody, grumpy and frank. And most of the times ends up getting ... dumped by the girl who confessed to him, it’s contradictory.

On the other side of the picture, Seryou, a year younger and is the ‘I-go-out-with-girls-with-no-feelings-attached’ kind of guy. Looking up from different angles, he seems to be a bad guy. But peeking through the needle hole, he is someone who is surprisingly unfathomable. He’s mysterious, bizarre and apathetic.

For the plot, it starts off when Yuzuru gets a chance to go out with one of the most popular guys in school, Seryou. But wait–there’s something more. All we know is both of them are straight, right? Seryou goes out with random people for a week, and dumps them afterwards saying that he can’t feel anything for them. Yuzuru on the other hand, hears this gossip and piques his interest. A while after, he asks Seryou if he could go out with him. Yuzuru takes this as a joke while Seryou, after hearing this took it seriously and started to act like as a perfect boyfriend.

We have two of the most common characters in a plot just like this. There’s only something between them, a relationship. Then what?Love?Misunderstandings?Trials?

And this is how the story starts to get more enticing.

In a typical shounen ai read, the strongest element that can be made is its art. Seven Days’ design was really alluring. Fully detailed and the background really gets the readers to notice them. It creates more depth and sets the characters on the perfect flow and atmosphere. It feels like the characters were from a picture book and it just keeps you staring at it. There are many words to describe it actually. But uniqueness is something more suitable.

The characters has a chronic impact. It intercepts most of the minor flaws and gets back again in a good progress. It provides the readers captivity through its detailed scheme. It strips down one of the most pleasant elements in a story and directs satisfaction with no constraint. It simply makes you want to love them.

Some supporting characters are merely for support. In the beginning half of the story, they were a big help with the comical part and the progress of the main cast. But on the latter part, they seem to achromatize. Which I think needs improvement, nevertheless it did not affect too much on the flow of the story. Some outweighs the others which makes the readers focus more on them. Just like the other Shiyo, while she made half of the story interesting, the others were used for back up but is also reflexive.

Monday to Thursday has the majority of Yuzuru’s thoughts. He primarily thinks of things complicatedly and often leads to misunderstandings. He’s too self conscious due to his past relationships. Passing over these facts, we may also find him adorably childish. He sticks to his friends oftentimes and acts like a spoiled child when with Seryou.

On the contrary, Friday to Sunday premiers Seryou’s intricate mindset. He loves Yuzuru more than anyone else. He loves Yuzuru as a whole; as a child, a student, an upperclassman, a friend, a person, a man and as a lover. Still, he doesn’t comprehend with Seryou’s thinking. In many instances, Seryou is seen surprised by Yuzuru’s actions. He wants to knock on the door of Yuzuru’s life. He wants to be with him, even after seven days.

This is another recommended shounen ai read for those who are hooked up with platonic relationships. It focuses more on the character’s development and the relationship between them gives off more of pure love rather than sensual feeling. Though I say that it’s pure love, you won’t find a girly uke here. It’s all masculine, in a different kind of way.

Seven Days is not merely just a title. This is where the whole storyline revolves,starts and ends. It actually doesn’t end. It’s a cycle of events where people are not only to be loved because of appearance, but because he is the being himself.

Speaking of seven days, how many days does it actually need to fall inlove with someone?

Have you ever felt what is like to be alone,hurt and dumped by the person who you think loves you? How about the feeling of pressure whenever someone expects something great from you? If this piqued your interest, read along.

Ano Kado Wo Magatta Tokoro shows you how two people feels like being thrown out and finding each other as a refuge and comfort. Tending each others wounds even without the feeling of love.

This takes you to another heartfelt story of love, or was it lust? In the perspective of someone who didn’t make it through the story he may think the latter since it begins ... with two men considering themselves as sexual buddies. Which of course, is not all that. The thing is, if you are someone who finds yaoi only as an arousing read, I prefer you not to continue. But otherwise, suit yourselves. This will surely be your cup of tea.

The basic concept is your common ‘falling-for-you-in-the-end’ storyline, with a twist. There were unexpected turning points in which you’ll be definitely find this surreal. It makes you want to read it in one sitting.

The art used was simple for the plot and is so like Kawai Tokou. Pile up a bunch of manga and you can easily point out Tokou’s way of art, making the readers feel what they need to feel in a scene. The emotions weren’t stiff and is definitely flawless. No tracks of those girly ukes and sturdy semes which are common in a yaoi read. This also makes it unique.

For the character development, there isn’t too much of it. Kishimoto gives a feel of someone who wants to strive hard yet doesn’t want to stand out while Kiriya, being a lot more older than Kishimoto, fits his role as an adult well. He doesn’t let his emotions overwhelm him. On the other hand, the minor characters helped a lot in the progress. This makes it intriguing and suits the story. For only one volume, it’s amazing how the story develops in such a pace. It ends satisfying its readers without any cliffhangers and unfinished parts.

In the end, if you’re looking for a lighthearted story, there’s always a manga that suits perfectly which you can find just around the corner.

Can't believe no one has made a review about this manga yet. Let me give this a shot.

Koizora - Setsunai Koimonogatari may be one of your common sad love stories you can read at your nearest bookstore. The fact that there are heartbreaks and cheesy parts you see in some typical shoujo manga aren't surprising to find in this manga. For those who prefer heavy drama, this may suit you.

The art style is very absorbing and the quotes are giving me the chills. There were pages I wanted to miss just to get to the drama scenes fast. It has a touch of light ... humor but no more than that.

Betrayal, trust, jealousy, forgiveness, friendship, love and hope are clearly emphasized in every chapter moreover every character gave different impressions on how they value friendship and love. Though there were points that are still in blur, the author manages to fill it up unwaveringly.

I've read countless of shoujo mangas, I hated those cliché plots to the point that it makes me puke. Koizora makes me think of what happens to who, who gets on with who and the like. The story also focuses on the psychological problems present today with the younger generation. On how they should come up with a solution rather than giving up, rather than sulking over spilt milk.

Finding new love to forget the old one.
Trusting true friends over the fake ones.
The feel of loving someone unconditionally and that someone loves you back.
Making new friends and keeping the old ones intact.
Changing for the better, not for the worst.
Accepting faults and differences.
Enjoying life.

Flip a page,enjoy Koizora- Setsunai Koimonogatari.

Honestly the first time I read the first few pages of the manga, it didn't amuse me. I was thinking that it would end up in a cliché way anyway and guessing it'll be boring. But the second time I tried to go over it, I found myself engulfed by the simple yet heartwarming storyline.

If you're the type of a BL reader who seeks for 'you-know-what' scenes, this ain't your cup of tea. On second thought you might as well get up and read it!

Let me start up with the story:

Serizawa Hajime is a man, who works at a bookstore. One day while checking ... some books, encounters a tall,fierce-looking university student who goes by the name of Tsuda MacLeod Keito. Serizawa had a bad impression of Keito because of the incident but as Seri observes Keito more deeply whenever he goes to the bookstore, he finds out that this wolf in reality was like a gentle and innocent kitten. As days pass by they learn more about each other and became fond and comfortable with one another.

Art: Not too intense. It was really drawn well. The expressions and atmosphere were nicely delivered to the readers.

Character: The character development though was slow did not fail to amuse me. It did not bore the hell out of me. Everyone was likeable. They did their part really well. Keito's character inspite of his looks was like of a child's: Innocent, caring, doting and clingy. The childlike attitude might annoy you. So adorable that it was annoying. While Seri was more mature than Keito. He feared some men he had relationship with of his past but due to Keito's attitude, he tried opening his heart once more and let the feelings flow the way it has to be.

Enjoyment: Every chapter makes you want to read for more. It wasn't really that cheesy like those shoujo mangas but it makes you feel loved and special.

Overall: A great read. Café Latte Rhapsody's doesn't really have this one of a kind storyline, the characters may be your typical 'shy' type, but you might as well give it a try. You'll never know what's inside the cover right?