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flowinmyboat's Lists
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| Series | Comment |
|---|---|
| 08:05 no Hengao-san | --- |
| 1122 | I thought this was a good manga. There were points were it went off the rail and I wish it stuck to that simple, slice of life tone rather than opting for drama at several points (not classic drama, but some stuff where I am like...is this what normal people would ACTUALLY do? And do we need this, even if it is?) However, I think the themes that are explored here are interesting and well-done -- particularly people thinking they're more mature than base human emotions. The low score is because...... |
| A Happy Child | It's a short story about a vampire who looks much younger than they are and a former dancer that takes him in and lets him drink her blood every once in a while. Deals with normal vampire themes: living too long and fear of attachment, not aging, the burden of thirsting after human blood, loneliness. I liked the mood, and the sense that the girl and the vampire both understand each other because they've lost something important to them and their sadness can be quelled by understanding and com...... |
| A Love Song for All | Loved the girls-supporting-girls friendship between the MC and her friend. SO refreshing and drama-free. The main conflict here is kind of funny and everyone is really likable. Super quick read and worth it! |
| Ai ga Areba Ii no Da | Good pieces of dialogue in this one, but ultimately I echo bahram. The main female MC was too much for me although I will say I think I understand what the author was going for with her. I just flat out didn't like her -- maybe that is a testament to how good the author is. I usually like this author's work and she had all the stuff that makes her work so great here. It was simply the characters that didn't land with me. |
| Akai Mi Hajiketa | Story 1: Cute. It's not really clear she in love, tbh, but she's definitely got a proxy crush (she's a huge fan of her uncle's novels and the MC of them) and hero infatuation. The reason why I don't think she's in love with her uncle is because there's clearly a boy her own age that makes her blush like crazy. This was a sweet story. Longer story (29pgs). Story 2**: I loved this one! Both the male and female MC were funny and I love their dynamic. Longest story (55pgs) Story 3: It's okay. Didn'...... |
| Akiyama-kun | --- |
| Anata Janai to | --- |
| Angel Densetsu | First off, Kitano is so adorable. The poor guy. xD It's really funny, with the bulk of the humor coming from Kitano being misunderstood. It can get repetitive but I thought the series pulled it off really well. It's a gag manga so if you want a story, this probably isn't for you. |
| Ashita no Ousama | --- |
| Benkyou no Jikan | --- |
| Boku ga Otto ni Deau made | Really touching, wholesome, and heartfelt. This is such a palette cleanser and reminds you what realism is - autobiographical manga should be more and more common. It's a wonderful medium (however I'd like to read the essay as well!!) |
| Boku no Kirai na Kimi no Koto | Good story-telling, nice art, and the story was very good at capturing youthful feeling, love, and growth. (The "revenge" he got on her, which he didn't really deserve to get at all, did make me nervous but this is a light-hearted manga so it was just a gag at the end of the day.) |
| Boku wa Shitteiru | --- |
| Bokura no Mitsudomoe Sensou | --- |
| Cappuccino | --- |
| Cat Street | This is one of those shoujos that I read when I was younger and have periodically revisted. I really like it each time and I think it's worth a shot. Strangely, it's a series that resonates with me, even though I had a very conventional upbringing. Everyone is likeable, even when they are being dummies. It's shoujo cliches done right and for me, that's everything I look for in a series. Plus it's a story that knows when to end (35 chapters) rather than drag out like other series. 2022 reread: ...... |
| Cousin | Oh, wow. I haven't left a review for Cousin, have I? I just re-read it for maybe the 12th time. I love this series so much. It's heartfelt and there are so many lines that really resonate. ETA: I see some comments on the ending. It's a classic Ikuemi Ryou ending -- if you know what that means, then you know it's gonna be kind of vague and to me, in a way that leaves you feeling restless. At first I thought it was something she did because she didn't know how to end her stories despite a gorgeo...... |
| Dame BL | --- |
| Devil Ecstasy | Oddly compelling. Should be so dumb (seriously, the premise ALONE once it’s revealed and you see it on the page, lmaoooo) and sometimes it leans heavily on gags, but it’s SUCH a delightful mix of campy absurdity and horror. The character design, the ‘Learn Anime Drawing In 3 Months’ art (even tho this author can do much better and does in later works), the personalities, the shockingly innocent romance between the ML/FL in the middle of it all, the succubuses, and then way it manages ...... |
| DoLL (OKADO Tatsuya) | --- |
| Fukuyadou Honpo | I loved it. Story, art (which is actually pretty endearing), characters. I was holding off reading this series for a while because I thought it'd be boring but was I wrong. This manga is completely unique, in terms of characters and plot. The choices and situations the characters face are real and there is never a miracle or a knight in shining armor to save anyone. It's also a beautiful glimpse into the ancient culture in Kyoto and wagashi/Japanese sweets (the scanlators include a different s...... |
| Furenai Koibito | --- |
| Haipoji HIGH POSITION | This isn't usually the art I go for but it's actually very, very charming. The art has got a sense of realism and it makes everything way more visceral. The story is also very touching. The message is clear without hitting you over the head and you really grow to care for the MC. I like the ending, although I wanted to see more. It ends on enough of an uptick that I believe in this guy's second chance. I think he's learned some valuable lessons that will lend to his future happiness. Nice tidb...... |
| Hana o Meshimase | --- |
| Hanabatake no Iberico | Cute & short story with nice art. I like that the fat character isn't a joke (actually quite well-liked and didn't have low self-esteem or anything. They lost weight for reasons a middle school girl in a shoujo manga would.) |
| Haruka na Machi e | This was on my "Finished Stories I Liked" list, but for the life of me I could not remember reading it, even after I opened it up and read the first few chapters. Either way, I still would put it on the list -- this is a solid, solid story with a simple, meaningful lesson. Spoiler (mouse over to view) We can't change the past, but we can get clarity and come to terms with it. But more importantly, we can use the past to inform our future. The protagonist in this story toys with the idea chang... ... |
| Hatarake, Kentauros! | --- |
| Heart o Uchinomese! | --- |
| Heaven's Door (HONGOU Ranko) | --- |
| Himitsu x Himitsu | Dayment Scans knows how to pick good manga to scanlate or pick-up. If you have a short attention span, this one is perfect. The author does a great job of delivering a good amount of smut with a relationship narrative and humor (each chapter usually ends of a punchline) in a concise manner that doesn't feel rushed or abrupt. I really liked this style of art -- simple and clean with a very josei feel. All the character designs are distinct as well! I could see a few of these being expanded on ...... |
| Hina-chan no Koi | She's...relatable. I could feel the I'm-a-hater-because-I'm-insecure energy off of her without it being beat over my head. It's easy to have a knee-jerk "ugh" reaction to her. Then she gets her crush...and you kind of melt a little because you realize she wants to be soft. And the author did this in so few pages...I love the narrative of growing and the message at the end (things will probably be okay). This was shockingly realistic. |
| Honey Bunny! | The review below doesn't really give the story much credit. The alien was going to KILL Tsubaki. Regardless of how in love she and Shin-sama were, it's not fair someone should die because they're having fun. It's Tsubaki's body. I personally think Chiyo did the right thing saving Tsubaki...but I recall her saving Shin-sama when they were on the rooftop (when they saw the lights, which was one of the more confusing scenes). Chiyo actually did like Shin-sama; she prayed he could have materialized...... |
| Hoppe ni Himawari | --- |
| Hot Gimmick | Hot Gimmick is every cliche in the shoujo world to the power of 10. You have your doormat female lead, jealous boyfriend, love triangle, almost raped situation, super-mean bully, rich kid, school-idol, childhood friends: the works. However, unlike typical shoujo, the plot with Hatsumi's dad was actually well-thought out and interesting. That's why I read it all in one sitting. It doesn't stall in one place too long and it's dramatic. Yeah, Hatsumi is a major doormat and I wanted to freaking...... |
| Iguana no Musume | This was engaging at every turn and wow, do you go from thinking the mom is a massive [expletive] to...okay, for me, I still think she is but the closure you get and the way the MC navigates life. I love the shows of resilience, the fear, the way the author contrasts perception & reality, and how the MC lives a better life not because of the way she was treated, but in spite of it. You just wanna hug her and tell her everything is okay, but you get to watch her grow into someone who's happy a...... |
| Internet Love! | The art is a little "rough," if you wanna put it that way, but it works very well with the style of the story. The fashion and character styling are definite pluses for me. It's short and sweet - really good depiction of an online/Insta crush, but the reason why I thought the romance was forced was because it was leading toward the reality for most of the short plot - an online crush is just an online and its all a para-social connection (which he even acknowledges, lol) but then suddenly thi...... |
| Issho ni Neyou yo | It started off well enough but as the story progressed it got more and more convoluted. The manga-ka starts sub-plots and hints at things that don't properly get addressed or clarified (the half-siblings, the divorcee's ex-wife, and Ichiko's grandma, especially). Most chapters are vague, to say the least. Also, because of this vagueness, the quasi-nonlinear story line ended up becoming a hinderance. It's not the scanlators fault that this manga was hard to understand. That being said, I actual...... |
| Kamisama ga Uso o Tsuku. | It's a really calm manga with just the right amount of mystery and coming-of-age aspects. The two main characters are very likable. It's a page-turner. The art is great and the pages aren't flooded in dialogue. Highly recommended. |
| Kanojo no Namida ga Yuki da Toshitara | --- |
| Kanojo to Camera to Kanojo no Kisetsu | This is a very compelling manga with a well done triangle. I like that we’re in Akari (main FL lead)’s head most of the time — Yuki is a mystery and Rintarou is an open book to her, but in reality, she’s only seeing their surfaces. Akari is someone who self-describes as living in “black and white,” but she’s never liked things other people liked. She tried hard to be normal and fit in, but it’s all an act that’s exhausting to keep up. She has no plans for the future, and wha...... |
| Kanojo wa Sore o Gaman Dekinai | What can I say? I was looking for fetish manga and this one delivered. Checked all the boxes -- no gratuitous nudity, but the situations and female MC were top-notch. Recommended. |
| Kayou Gogo 9-ji | Love the way this author deals with fetish and kink. It's not about abnormal sexuality, it's about people who've balanced their need to express their sexuality with their inhibitions. None of the people in Okado's work are sleazy -- they're a fascinating mix of open and ashamed about their needs and would rather it just be something that's in the background than emphasized (of course the co-MCs and side characters can't really just let it be, but they tend to be more curious than condemning)....... |
| Kimi ga Boku o Mite Ita kara | --- |
| Kimi ga Tonari ni Iru Dake de: Aisubeki Doubutsu-tachi | --- |
| Kimi ga Uso o Tsuita | I actually didn't expect much from this manga but it was surprisingly enjoyable. It's not too long and the characters were pretty likable. The pacing and the secrets made it a better read. Overall, this is worth your time if you're looking for something to read. The plot is interesting, the art is decent and the female lead is as realistic as it gets for a shoujo manga. It's the epitome of a light-read. The only thing I didn't like was the end, which was pretty out of place and ruined the paci...... |
| Kingyo no Osushi | --- |
| Kiyomizu Iroha wa Koi o Shiranai | --- |
| Koguresou Monogatari | I rank this as one of my favorite stories and it could have been longer/more fleshed out, but still one I re-read eagerly. There are two interconnected stories in this manga with very nice themes in both. |
| Konbini-kun. | --- |
| Kuu Neru Futari Sumu Futari | Really, really enjoy this. A realistic look at a long-term relationship, taking in the whole individual and what makes them who they are by exploring their thoughts, families, and insecurities. I think people 25+, entering that stage in life where their friends are settling or thinking of settling down and planning for the future, but are still young at heart and in mind, would really enjoy this one! |
| Liar x Liar | Title is the review basically - overall, I would say to read it. It’s funny and unique, I do think it’s as real as it’s gonna get for it’s premise so not terribly ridiculous (but not exactly ‘this totally happens,’ ya know). It’s fun for the first, I dunno at this point anymore, 40 to 50-ish chapters? That’s a lot of fun though, considering this series has a total of 70 chapters. The problem was all the dumb barriers and contrived reasons why they couldn’t just suck it up an...... |
| Liquor & Cigarette | --- |
| Love Com | --- |
| Love Mania Sock | --- |
| Magnet na Watashitachi | --- |
| Manatsu no Delta | --- |
| Megamitachi no Nijuusou | How the *hell* does this go on for 10 volumes (105 chapters)? Volume 1 (ch. 1-9) was roller coaster by itself. 😂 This is peak sex-based soap opera madness. Really lovely art and it does entertain -- I'm hooked and I want to see what happens next. They got me. 😂😂😂 |
| Metamorphose no Engawa | You ever cry because something is just so touching and real and sweet? It's this manga. A real balm for the soul and proof you don't need over the top drama or cheap gimmick to hook people. I love it!! So happy it got recommended to me. 10/10. |
| Miho to Yuko | --- |
| Mikkigan demo Genki desu 38-sai | It doesn't tell you in the manga, but the author died in December 2022 (announced by her husband via Twitter). The news hits way harder after you read this manga. The author has a great spirit despite how painful all of this seemed - it would be so easy to feel, especially after everything they've been through already and everything they had to give up, anger and depression and that life was being particularly unfair to them. However, their humor, optimism, and no nonsense attitude really cam...... |
| Mint de Kiss Me | The first, third and fourth stories were really cute, down-to-earth (albeit with a supernatural factor) romances. I liked all the leads; they weren't just the same carbon-copy girl in each story: they were strong leads with distinct personalities. If you like high-drama stories and love triangles, this isn't the right series of one shots. The art is a plus, though! The second story was really out of place and kinda confusing. A little bit horror. Not my cup of tea. |
| Mofu Danshi | --- |
| Moratte Kudasai | --- |
| Musume no Iede | I came here from the author's other works and I have to say, they're shaping up to be a favorite. They have a good slice of life tone, really getting to the heart of what makes that genre so good: the people. It's serious topics presenting in a heartfelt and realistic way. There's bitterness and anger, but it's laced with love and vulnerability and being able to acknowledge that the situation doesn't anger you as much as a fear of change/the disruption of the status quo does. Growing and adap...... |
| Nakanmon! | --- |
| Natsujikan | --- |
| Nikoniko Nikki | --- |
| Nostalgia (ITOU Ito) | --- |
| Ohimesama no Yurikago | --- |
| Okite Saisho ni Suru Koto wa | I like all of this author's work so don't mind me, lol. I think Shimura has an amazing way of making what would normally be a repulsive character sympathetic and likable. You kind of want them to get their act together rather than hurl them out a window. 😂 |
| Old Friends | Really liked this one. Drips with that certain unspoken shoujo-ai vibe that I love, but it's not a shoujo-ai story. Short, sweet, and a little sad but with a HEA. |
| Ore no Kanojo ga Stalker na Ken | --- |
| Ore Ride!! | --- |
| Otona ni Natte mo (SHIMURA Takako) | Really interesting. I love Akari**, even though she doesn't seem to have any compunction about being an affair partner, lol. I guess she's not the one that made any vows -- she does feel guilty, I guess, and gets the crap end of the stick at the end of the day. She's funny and relatable; the type of person you want as a friend and drinking buddy. I love a pathetically in love male lead a lot, but a pathetically in love female lead? I'm a goner -- I'd excuse a lot, lol (I'm kidding, but barely!...... |
| Paradise Kiss | --- |
| Present (IKUEMI Ryou) | The male MC from the second story was a fun one. My favorite of the bunch. Story 1 was also nice although I don't know if I like the female MC -- I think I like her in that she's real in all her feelings. She definitely grows up. Bonus: her bf in the second part of the story looks like an adult manga-version of Kenny from South Park at one point, lol. I echo the confusion about the last story. There were about three ways I expected it to go...and it went confusingly down one of the expected p...... |
| Sabishisugite Lesbian Fuzoku ni Ikimashita Report | Really relatable for anyone who's been depressed and feeling aimless, but it's told with humor and self-awareness. I hope the author's thriving. They seem very fun! The art is minimal, but very cute. The cover is a good idea of the level of detail overall. |
| Saiyuki | --- |
| Saiyuki Gaiden | --- |
| Saiyuki Reload | Story is top, art is gorgeous, exciting three-dimensional characters, great pacing and keeps you hooked. Best manga, hands down. |
| Sakamichi no Apollon | --- |
| Samehada-Otoko to Momojiri-Onna | Interesting story with quirky art. Reminds me of a cross between Lupin the Third and a Western comic book in terms of the vibe and tone. |
| Seigi no Mikata | Okay, let's clear this up...the whole point of this manga, told primarily through the little sister's eyes, is that the older sister is rude, insensitive, spoiled, two-faced, and lazy. That's established early on and it's the through line of the manga...to the point where the little sister is going out of her way to make sure the older sister's fiance doesn't figure out her sister's true character until after the older sister has moved out of the house (the little sister's plan was to get her...... |
| Shinjuu Muri | Lol, absolutely loved this one. Idk how to review it without spoiling it but it's an dysfunctional couple that deserves each other and will probably be okay. Until the next time they aren't. Lol. |
| Shounen Shoujo | --- |
| Sora wo Kakeru Yodaka | I loved this. Umine was so fucking annoying, even after she got what she wanted. Ayumi's spirit was so sweet -- it's a little idealistic in saying that a good attitude and kindness will make everyone love you but hell, it's 99% right. Umine's problem wasn't that she was ugly or fat or anything -- it was that she was bitter and angry and didn't try to make the best of it. Like when she says: "They don't understand the pain I've had to suffer since they have good looks by nature." -- like oh, b...... |
| Soredemo Kamawanai | --- |
| Taiyou no Uta | I really teared up. I felt so bad for her and her parents, especially the father. A really heart-warming and heart-breaking story. It's simple and a little cheesy but in a wonderful way. |
| The Girl on the Other Side of the Glass | --- |
| The Other Side of the Mirror | --- |
| Tokyo Alien Brothers | Love bizarre little mangas like this. Hard to describe but let me just tell you a scene to sum up the feel (this happens in chapter 1, btw): "Alien blob walks in on man getting a golden shower from a girl he picked at a BBQ." And from Chapter 3: "Alien posts his detailed critique of alien invasion cinema online; gets mercilessly bullied by 2chan anons and told to touch grass by his 'brother'." Lmao. 😭 (PS: can some PLEASE tell me who the light-haired character resembles? Is it just Harry Potter...... |
| Tonari no Metaller-san | --- |
| Try Me Boy! | --- |
| Udon no Onna | I can't believe I put off reading this series for so long! It's such a refreshing manga after reading cliche-ridden shoujos. Both the leads are funny and the other characters are so likeable (especially the ex-husband)! The udon theme was hilarious. Who knew udon could be so entertaining? /sobalover |
| Unubore Heart's Cry | A pretty, popular girl who is vain because of a past rejection, who actually questions if her outer beauty matches her her inner beauty. I liked that she had to work for the love interest and that he was not mean to her at all (actually, quite the opposite -- he saves her AND protects her reputation, all within the first three chapters) but really wanted to be sure about it. Other thing I loved is that they nipped the past rejection right in the bud early on and she runs into her old crush, w...... |
| Waltz (OSHIMI Shuzo) | Many of this author's works have amazing premises. The art is always compelling and nice. However, the stories start solid then become vaguer and vaguer in terms of the character motivation and why they do things. Maybe I am a bit slow and don't really get it, but they act almost randomly. They're always stories about normal people with seemingly nothing to complain about, but still their lives feel hollow and unfulfilling lives -- mainly because they're ignoring their own problems in favor o...... |
| Wanitokagegisu | Great manga. This author excels at suspense and getting at the gritty underbelly of personality while staying humorous. You root like hell for the MC -- who is equally kind and honest when he doesn't want to be either, very human -- and the oddball cast, even the annoyingly misguided one. Great commentary on loneliness and the power of authenticity and vulnerability. Highly recommended. |
| Warui Ko no Mikata | --- |
| Watashi ga Itemo Inakutemo | Ikuemi Ryou is my favorite manga author, hands-down, because of her characters and story-telling. Her stories are filled with a sort of melancholy, but there are always bright moments, moments you laugh, moments you smile along with struggle, moments you feel like it's all incredibly relatable. I've read everything I can get my hands on from her back catalog and it's all amazing. This one is one of my favorites, full disclosure. I have read this multiple times and I always enjoy it. Everyone...... |
| Watashi wa Kabe ni Naritai | The premise of an asexual woman and a gay men in a lavender marriage to get their families off their back is great. Characters are fun and so far it's not too slow. However, the ML has a crush on a guy who is seemingly straight (and if I know anything about BLs...he's probably not totally straight). There's nothing wrong with this, but it makes me question how this story is gonna develop since this alone is already a trope. I might be jaded though. Right now, the first 5 chapters have a very s...... |
| Yagate, Ao ni Naru | --- |
| Yogoreteru Hima Nanka Nai | --- |
| You to Bakemono ni naru Chichi ga tsurai | This is short and packs a gut-punch you aren't expecting every chapter. She expressed such complex emotions, so straightforwardly and beautifully. The tears came out of nowhere. It's just after reading and this keeps wrenching me back into my emotions. Really well done and if I don't read it again, it's because my heart can't take it again. |
| You've Gotta Love Song | --- |
| Yumi to kurumi | Adorable. Very refreshing. |
| Zig Zag Don | --- |
