This is a real gem. The story is simple: two boys become friends as one introduces the other to the world of BL manga. However, every interaction feels so honest and real, and so much care is taken to develop the characters and their relationships to one another. The supporting cast really add a liveliness to the world, while the main characters are so relatable and compelling. Plus a lot of genuine humor.

You rarely get a manga about two guys longer than six chapters (unless it's all subtext and lasts 100+ chapters), and that's where this story really stands out. At eighteen chapters (so far), we've gotten to see their characters interact and change as time passes, without the rush necessitated by short chapter limits.

It is absolutely possible to enjoy this story if you are not specifically into BL. A lot about BL culture factors into the story, but the story itself is easily accessible as a school comedy/romance. There's (so far) nothing graphic or even suggestive, it's a lot like any other romance manga out there.

Also, the art is absolutely lovely and the English translation is really well done; it's definitely an easy manga to read. Give it a shot!

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There is a lot that can be said about Sasaki to Miyano and while all of it I would write glowing, purple prose over, a lot of it would be spoiler-y. So I'll do my best to sing my praise for this wonderful series without spoiling much.

Sasaki to Miyano's greatest charm, and something that I think isn't talked about enough, is that it technically isn't BL. (As it runs in a traditionally non-BL magazine and isn't necessarily labelled BL on the raws.) We as a reader are left in the dark over the developing feelings between the two titular leads - are these feelings romantic in nature or are they purely platonic? Therefore, Sasaki to Miyano is a slowburn (and a slow one at that) but that is what makes Sasakit to Miyano so good. It gives the manga plenty of room and time to develop not only the budding romance (?) between the leads, but the leads themselves.

Story: 8/10. I won't be the first to admit that the story itself isn't very original. A fudanshi and curious ex-bad boy forming an unlikely friendship that might evolve into something more? It's a pretty common set up. However, where Sasaki to Miyano lacks in originality, it plenty makes up for it in trope-aversions. Typical BL-ish setups are circumvented and inverted so that it never really feels like you're reading a by-the-numbers BL. You're just reading a really sweet story between two people that may or may not blossom into romance. And even if it doesn't, it's clear through the trope-aversions and the characters that they still care about each other. While I am admittedly reading with the hopes that it will turn into a romance, I wouldn't even be mad if it didn't because that's how good the characters are.

Characters: 10/10. The characters in Sasaki to Miyano are wonderfully developed. Sasaki is the sweetest, most caring, most considerate and most gentle lead in a BL(-not-BL) I've ever read. He begins every little bit the typical seme in a BL (with a modest curiosity and outright bluntness) but as he learns more about Miyano and who he is, grows more thoughtful of Miyano's feelings. He is patient; he never tries to push Miyano into anything he isn't comfortable with and always makes sure to reaffirm with Miyano if he *is* okay with anything. And while Sasaki isn't perfect, he damn well near is. I love him to bits.

Miyano is just as sweet as Sasaki, but in a different way. I can't go too much into detail over how sweet and kind Miyano is (because that would dip too far into spoiler territory), but he is just as thoughtful and considerate of Sasaki's feelings as Sasaki is for him. Miyano is earnest, passionate, however, he doesn't rush headlong into decisions and feelings. I don't know, I just really love how earnest and sweet Miyano is.

As for the other characters, they are supportive friends to our main pair and invert tropes all on their own too. For instance, Miyano's one friend completely supports his fujoshi girlfriend and loves her all the same. He even indulges her fujo-fantasies lol.

Art: 10/10. It's gorgeous, seriously. Stunning. They do occasionally suffer from too-long-leg syndrome but nevertheless, the character designs are absolutely beautiful. The art was what initially hooked me and convinced me to read Sasaki to Miyano.

Enjoyment: 10/10. I can't remember how many times I've read Sasaki to Miyano. It's a slowburn with an uncertain ending and I can't stop reading it. I even read the raws, own the volumes and one of the two drama CDs. I absolutely adore this series, its humour, its charm and how endearing it is.

Overall: 10/10. Sasaki to Miyano is an adorable story of a fudanshi developing feelings (platonic or romantic) for his ex-bad boy Senpai. It's wonderful, addictive and an absolute delight. I definitely encourage people to read it and it is always my go-to recommendation when someone asks me about BL. While Sasaki to Miyano won't be everyone's cup of tea, I certainly hope you give it a shot and at least appreciate the stunning art and trope inversions.

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