The entire tone of the manga is incredibly emotional, it's like a spoonful of pure heartache. That said, I have to admit, it was pretty and the plot had substance, and the ending, although painful, is, in all accounts, realistic. The very fact that the lovers didn't pull a Romeo and Juliet (or rather, Romeo and Romeo in this case) gives it a few points on realism in my book. Not that I have anything against dying together and all that, just that the idea has been over romanticized by far too many novels and/or manga.

On another note, the third story also happens to be downright depressing, if you're planning on getting work done, try doing your work before picking this up. In my case, there I was minding my own business and finishing up my Chemistry homework, when this thing hit me in the face, and I was all, 'Oooh... Pretty...' Evidently, the temptation got the better of me, so I ended up crying and basically lolling in depression for the rest of the day. (And I was really praying that my mom wouldn't check up on me, because what on Earth could I say? 'Oh, I'm merely weeping over the fact that I can't figure out this exceedingly difficult Thermodynamics question'? Pass.)

Honestly, it's a good manga, it deserves a 10, or maybe a 9.5, but since I'm nice, I'll just round that up and give it a 10. Of course, expect to be emotionally attacked throughout the three chapters. My heart still pains at the mere thought of this manga. And frankly, I won't be reading this again any time soon. Not because it's less than perfect (For goodness sake, I'm giving it a perfect score) but because it's going to take me at least half a year to recover from this heartbreak.

Before I got into the BL genre (which was around the 6th grade), I didn't know, or really understand it. I cannot for the love of me remember what link I clicked on, but fortunately, it took me to mochi mochi's scanlation site. I browsed the website, thinking, "What the heck is this? Where's the pretty heroine and her hot love interest?" I remember clicking on the projects link and browsing through the titles. Hybrid Child caught my attention since I recalled learning something in class about hybrids and whatnot. I clicked the link and checked the information.

And then I was like, "What the heck is shounen-ai/yaoi?" So, upon using google, I found it exactly what it was and was like o___0 ? I hadn't even known such a thing existed! I only thought stories about heterosexual couples were written, being the naive girl I was.

I then thought to myself, "This is weird, but I'm really bored. Should I just try it? No harm in trying it, and if I don't like it, I don't even have to finish it."

So, after downloading the link, I opened up the files and patiently began to read, thinking I'd be bored within the first three pages or so.

Oh dear lord, to think how wrong I'd been.

The first story was lovely and touching. It drew me in right away. And while reading, at some point, the characters genders suddenly became irrelevant to me. Rather than thinking about the fact that both were male, it was their bond, love, and importance to one another that really had me drawn in. It suddenly didn't matter whether or not one or the other was a girl.

It ended on a touching note, which left me crying with tears of joy.

The second story was sweet as well, though not quite on the same level as the first one. It was here where the homosexual content became more noticeable to my new eyes, considering the fact that one of them was a much younger HC. This was one sad, but definitely ends happily as well.

And now for the third one.

By this point, I was already hyperventilating, and thinking to myself, "Will this one be just as good as the first two? Or not as good?

I read it for a good thirty minutes, trying to absorb every word, facial expression, and movements. And once I finished it, I could not stop bawling like a baby. That afterstory bit made it even worse! T____T

I am proud to say that this fine piece of work was my first taste of the BL Genre, and never have I forgotten it. I even purchased a copy from June the second I found out they had decided to pick it up!

I would love to thank Nakamura-sensei personally for writing such a beautiful BL story, but that's impossible since we're on different sides of the world.

This manga is probably the best way to introduce a friend to BL. No joke, seriously.

... Last updated on June 22nd, 2011, 5:39pm

But then again, maybe it was just the right time. I mean, then maybe they wouldn't have met if it wasn't that moment.

The third story. Wow. Just, wow. Cried my eyes out. I kept flipping back the pages so I could read the words over and over again, so that the words might sink in. Nakamura-sensei really did it this time. I love heart-breaking stories, especially the ending of the third story. Especially. I can't express how much it touched me. I would really like more stories like this from her. I mean, Junjou is great and I love their characters, but stories like these are really sweet. Really, really sweet. The first story was, now that I've read the entire volume, a taste of more that was to come. The second story was great too.
I know I'll go back and read these stories from time to time, and will still probably cry.
Just read them.

... Last updated on August 1st, 2011, 9:33pm

This manga is quite good, especially for a Nakamura Shungiku one. I usually don't rate her mangas very highly because yes, they are indeed dreamy, but that's because she always uses the technique to make them as cliché as it gets and never a bit original. Very same reason Junjou Romantica is the top anime at the moment, it's all a big compilation of things that people like in yaoi.
I'm only talking about the two first stories here, but they were overrated. Generally, the idea of the "dolls" it's pretty new in the way she puts it, growing with affection and everything. I especially liked how she didn't focus it the story in the relationships themselves as male x male ones, but in the way the HCs and the masters were connected, regardlessly.

The first story was very cute and touching. I really loved how she developed it and how it ended. BUT it lacks some explanations. For instance: what is Hazuki's past? Why did his previous owners throw him away? How did Kuroda fix him after all? What the heck is the moon droplet? Oh, and I'm really fond of Hazuki being so tall, since it comes from receiving Kotarou's love~!

The second one is pretty good. Seya's amazing, I can't even begin to describe him. Even being a short story, he had such a captivating personality! There's much more deepness to him than only the kindness he shows towards Yuzu. The age gap in the beginning did bother me a little, but in the end, where they used the always immortal Nakamura-sensei's catching phrase, it was beautiful and emotional. It's really pure and lovely! Pretty predictable why he didn't grow, but even though I knew it since the beginning, I didn't care, and I think that means the plot is good enough to get my attention.

The first two left me with this doubt, though: did all of the couples actually become lovers or remained as they were before? I know it's shounen-ai, but it's sooo light =/

The third one is an exception to everything I've written, because it's indeed as amazing as everybody else said, if not more.
It's beautiful, touching, heart-wrenching. What makes it special is, not only the plot development and the story itself, but the way Tsukishima and Kuroda's relationship develops. But most importantly, the ending. You know, every time a characters dies, everybody gets so pissed off, but that's what makes it unique. It's so painfully sad that I almost regretted reading it, but because of that, it's a story that I will never forget.
I love it.

... Last updated on December 3rd, 2016, 7:57pm

Dang. I don't even like yaoi and shounen ai but the artwork and the story is just... awesome!!! The story is just great. Everything was just perfect! Except... why did it have to end like that!? Gah, I hate sad endings!!!

I'm so glad I've read this.

I'm so tired of reading the cliche school life stories, I know some of them are good- Seven Days, but reading the same plot over and over again gets boring. The good thing about this story is unlike the others, it really has a plot, and you could see the connection in every story.

I recommend you to read this story if you're searching for something different. I'm not the kind to bawl out and cry but somehow this story just tugged my heartstrings.

God, this one hurt me. Hormonal? Don't read this unless you *want* people to see you weeping like your pet's just died. I have a huuuge weakness for regret-themed BL, and this is like a total sucker-punch. Nakamura Shungiku's artwork is still as great as always, with wonderful expressions and liveliness. (Steer clear if you're looking to gaze at bishounen, though - it's an ongoing experience rather than a series of pin-ups.)

The only weakness, if you can call it that, is the first chapter, which I imagine anyone with even a passing interest in BL has read before in one form or another. It's very sweet, however, and stands up much better once the rest of the volume has been read.

... Last updated on August 23rd, 2008, 12:52pm

judging by the art of the manga, it seems that this was a really old work of the sensei (the proportions in some panels were a bit off, there were certain things she draws in a different way now, etc), however, her talent in story-writing is as good as now.
i've always thought that nakamura-sensei always picks some really cliche scenes in her manga, it's just that we don't seem to notice cause she adds a quote or two in a really meaningful monologue and the whole setting changes immediately. there were many heart-breaking moments in this manga, especially the last story was really sad to the point i had a hard time sleeping when i finished reading, but i definitely don't regret giving this manga a chance. (just my opinion here, but i really wanted for the 3rd story to have a happy ending. for some reason, asian people enjoy reading tear-jerking stories, so i was let down once again, but well, if i were to choose the ending, i wouldn't add any drama in it.)

I was really surprised how good this was. I don't usually enjoy Nakamura-sensei's stories that much. The art isn't for my taste and the characters usually don't get so much depth during the story.

But this one was totally different. Yes, it's still the same art, but I was so into the storytelling that it didn't bother me. The stories were short but still I get to know the characters and their world way better than in sensei's other works. These ones had the depth I was talking about. And what I loved the most was the feeling. Each story could really touch your heart and the last one seriously made me cry.

Have to say this one changed a bit my point of view about Nakamuta-sensei. So sensei IS able to pull off something other than easy-going and cliché comedy-romance.

I seriously think that this manga is waay better than the overrated Junjou series...this is not a kind of comedy and light-hearted story, but it's really beautiful and touches emotionals..I really loved the 3rd story about the creator of Hybrid Child and how he came to create those dolls...it's really heart-wrenching and Nakamura-sensei did an amazing job in dwelling into human's feelings through every scene and the choice of wordings..it's just beautiful..I wish sensei would create more stories like this..excellent!