Awesome!!! It was giggly, fluffy, cutesy, lovely all over. Gawsh gave me the butterflies man!!! Gosh this manga was just too cute. I couldn't stop smiling. It was like eating a sweet ice cream sundae with cherries and candies on top, with chocolate and caramel toppings, engulfs with syrup!!! My sweet feels man!

... Last updated on January 9th, 2014, 7:36pm

This is a very sweet little entry about two boys who share a commute. Nothing out of the ordinary as far as the story itself goes, but it feels very genuine and caring. I wish it could be a little longer, but as it is, it is a very nice little bite of goodness!

Oh, man, I've read SO many disappointing or unsatisfying mangas, lately, and this story is just. A HUGE breath of fresh air. It's super cute and sweet, and has a NON-AMBIGUOUS happy ending (thank freaking god; so tired of ambiguity) and it's completely drama free. Every single character is likable, too, which is nice.

I just want MOAR.

Excuse me while I read it all over again!

... Last updated on October 27th, 2015, 7:27pm

This is a very sweet (and short) story about two boys that fall in love. Its absolutely adorable, the art complements the tone really well, and the confession scene might be one of the cutest I've read.

Edited: I haven't read such an adorable shonen-ai in years. And every time I read it it gets better, seriously. There's always something new to disclose, a certain expression, a certain detail in a response. And it's always, always so funny. Kiyo is just too awesome in his awkwardness and Ino is lovely.

As for the story as a whole, it has a wonderful feeling to it, and like some of the reviewers pointed out, it made me smile almost from beginning to end. It reminded me of my high school years... the first love, the first confession, the innocent anxiety of what will happen tomorrow, the goosebumps every time the phone rings with a message... of course it's basically hell on earth - not to mention, many of us don't get to be so lucky as either of these guys... still, it was a great read. Genuine, funny, fresh, sweet. Made my night.

On a side note: the last chapter, the extra, was really promising. I wish there was more, even if it didn't show anything. Ah~~ fell in love with the couple.

Edited II: It seems like there really will be another extra to the extra, other than Start Line, of course. I mean, I think there's a follow-up to the part when they are all-grown up, ahah. Look forward to it, I know I am :3

... Last updated on January 27th, 2014, 12:15pm

I haven't enjoyed a manga this much in ages! It was one of those ones that are so cute that you end up smiling. It made me almost tear to be honest which is pretty rare. Basically the story is very slow paced but this definitely aided the story in feeling more realistic. This is how first love turns out to be....red faces, unexplained jealousy...but this story isn't hardcore angst or anything, in fact it has a very relaxed vibe. Art work is pretty average, everything is in proportion. The facial expressions convey emotions well. The manga is quite an interesting insight in to school life , we get to see a culture festival and the whole thing just has a lovely feel to it. Basically, you should read this !

This was one of the best shounen ai I've read. I especially love the main story. I really like how slow their love grew and how although it was slow, it wasn't to the point of it being annoying. Their insecurities were also fleshed out really well. Especially Ino's towards the end of the story.

The other stories in the second volume were also nice. I have nothing to complain about any of them. The story about the senior and his junior was probably one of the most memorable one for me.

By hard I mean it will leave you aww-ing so hard.
If you like dynamic plot, fast paced, high character manga, this is not for you. This manga stays true to the title, Slow Start. The plot moves really slow, but slow plot and subtle emotion change is definitely Ichikawa Kei's forte. No unnecessary drama, just your usual pure and a little bit naughty teenage crush developing into love in such a sweetest way. Reminds you a lot when you are still young and pure (haha) and crushing into a stanger on your morning commute. It's just, sigh, so pure and sweet.
This has become my comfort read, along with another Ichikawa Kei's manga (Kocchimuitte Waratte, Blue Sky Complex) I always read when I feel down. Definitely will left you feel a little bit lonely but satisfied.

Ahh I cried while reading this ;w; Not because it's sad, just cause it's SO GODDAMN CUTE.
Probably the best Shounen-ai I have ever read tbh.

It's the usual drama between two guys confused about their feelings for another guy, but portrayed in a very pure and sweet way xD
BL these days are just full of unnecessary angst, dark or just about the guys doing it, so this manga was very fresh, since it portrayed more about their feelings instead of their sexual desires (lol) Well that's Shounen ai for you I guess.
Anyway, TOTALLY RECOMMENDED.

I truly appreciate the mangaka showing the progression of their relationship. It was so natural and so it was awesome. The art could've been better, but I like this style of art anyway.