Many yaoi manga I have read are stale, repetitive, and forgettable. Many have crybaby, girly ukes and manipulative, personality-void semes. This is not like that at all.

One thing that I love about this manga is that Souichi and Morinaga are friends. The relationship between them isn't weak or shallow, but the two have known one another for years and have formed a genuine bond between them. I don't think I've ever seen this kind of relationship yaoi before. They aren't only lusting after each other, but can sit down and talk to one another. You may not even notice this, but that's only because it feels so natural and so right. At the same time, though, it's clear that they're not just friends either; there is a tension, one that is first one-sided, but develops gradually into something mutual.

For another thing, Souichi and Morinaga are two characters that readers can care about individually and as a pair. At the start of Tyrant, the two have known each other for five years, and have a pretty strong friendship. Their romantic relationship, however, starts out rocky. At first, Morinaga's feelings appear entirely one-sided, and Souichi denies his love with all his might. It becomes clear soon enough, though, that his feelings towards Morinaga aren't merely that of friend or of sempai-kouhei (upper and underclassman). When Souichi faces the threat of losing Morinaga, he makes a choice that a mere 'friend' would never do. From this point onwards, their relationship grows, and so do they.
The two of them are flawed; Morinaga is a nice guy, but he's still a guy. Meaning, he's horny. ALOT. Souichi is a really sweet person deep down, but he is also incredible stubborn and has the tendency to express his anger with his fists (and and his feet and his knees and....) Although the reader may disagree with them on occasions, this is what makes them real, memorable, and lovable. As the story progresses, Morinaga tries learning restraint, realizing that Souichi's feelings on matters like sex must be considered to maintain a trusting relationship with him. At the same time, Souichi must come to terms with his own romantic feelings and desires, even though they are towards another man.

Something else I really like about this manga is that each sex scene isn't the same as the last, and each has it's own importance in furthering the plot. Every time they do it, something changes in their relationship, some times more so than others. Also, every time has tension building up to it, to the point that you want it to happen. There's also something romantic every time they do it; a feeling that these two people love each other, not just lust for each other. It's never just thrown in or shallow sex.

I also wanted to address something I've seen some people complain about for this manga; when Morinaga forcefully had sex with Souichi for their first time. This is something I had trouble getting past at first, as it is a plot tool that is overused (and inappropriately so) in many yaoi manga. However, the next-morning reaction, as well as the turmoil about it for the rest of the first volume I believe dealt with the situation accordingly. I absolutely hate when the uke, immediately after the act, accepts it because they 'actually loved the seme all along' or something. Souichi's reaction is... more appropriate - for the situation, his character, and the mood of the story as a whole.

I could go on, but I'll stop myself. You really can''t understand jsut how good this manga is until you read it. And don't stop early on, because what's so great about this manga is how the relationship between Souichi and Morinaga develops over time, until the point where you can't get enough of them.


On a side note, the prequel, "Challengers," can be read before or after reading Tyrant. It focuses on Souichi's brother and his lover, and in my opinion, isn't as good. Still, you get some backstory for Souichi and Morinaga here and there, so it's definitely worth checking out - it shows how they met and some things that happened before this story's start.

Tyrant was the second Yaoi I ever really paid attention to. I used to pick up yaoi books and flip through them for the pretty pictures, but one day I was surfing a website called tvtropes.org, and came across their article on Tyrant. After reading their explanation of the manga, I was already hooked. The idea of role-reversal and the fact that Tatsumi was the biggest homophobe in existence just seemed so appealing. So, I found a download, and began to read.

Even though I had never read Challengers at the time, I've read it now, it wasn't hard to follow. She did a good job of making it a separate story, and anything that needed and could get an explanation got one.

I've noticed people here mentioned a lack of character and plot development. Throughout the volumes I have been able to get scanlations or page summaries for, I'd like to say that they're wrong in my opinion. Taking in mind the characters themselves, no, this plot would not move into a 'perfect relationship' in three books. Tatsumi is the kind of person who would purposefully drag out an awkward relationship with Morinaga because he can't stand the thought that he might be a homosexual. He has a very immature and close-minded view about the whole situation. So, while their relationship and plot development may be slower than normal yaoi manga's, there are little things along that way that show things are either improving or failing in one way or another along the way. The author doesn't shove them in your face or put large, blinking signs at them. You have to look into their dialouges and such in order to find them. I find this more realistic than most yaoi, because in real life most people never just out and say things.

One thing I find VERY appealing about this manga is that it's NOT every other yaoi out there. I have read my fair share of yaoi, and I have never found one as different or great as this. Tatsumi is not just suddenly in love with Morinaga after being, essentially, raped by him, but he also doesn't wish his horrible bloody death for the rest of his life. Sure, he wishes it at SOME point, but that just adds to the reason why this book is so great. Whenever I get tired of the conventional 'girly', 'easily influenced' and 'fragile' Uke (which is a lot. it's like reading bad shojo stereotypes), I turn back to this series. It's not everyday you find a series where the Uke is a violent tyrant!

It's very easy to feel for Morinaga, which I find great because it emotionally connects you to a character. You can watch how Morinaga slowly encourages Tatsumi to more or less stop running from his emotions, and in the meantime gets beaten up or yelled at for doing just that. It's a harsh thing to be involved in, and I believe it's pulled off beautifully. Tatsumi is sometimes violent towards Morinaga, true, but it's not to the point where he just beats on him because of who he is. He has to be provoked (usually with the truth...), and even then it's usually just a punch or a death threat.

This story is also riddled with hott sex scenes, and very hilarious moments. (Either at the hands of Tatsumi, or some stupid misunderstandings) The art and anatomy is PERFECT; I could stare at it all day.Some of the sex may seem a little random, but each time it happens something changes a little in their relationship. It's not usually very easy to see, but sometimes it's more prominent that others.

I HIGHLY recommend this manga to ANY fan of yaoi. The plot keeps you hooked to make you want to see when everything might change a little for the better, and the characters are easy to read and understand. At Vol.5, I do not believe Tatsumi is anywhere near directly telling Morinaga he loves him, and the frustration to finally hear it keeps it completely enticing.

If you only enjoy very fast mangas that include the love-confessions in like, the 3rd chapter, I would NOT recommend this manga.

I just made an account to comment on this, because I think some people missed the point. This manga is…okay, actually, context first. I started reading this at 14, and for a young Asexual with hormonal issues and sexual confusion I thought this manga was phenomenal. It was horny and I loved it. Growing up? The shit I found as sexy back then is some of the creepiest bits of this manga now. But I think that might be a good thing.

People keep making Morinaga out to be the only bad person in this relationship. He’s not. They’re both terrible in the beginning. Shouichi knew Morinaga was gay long before the rape scene. If you remember, he was actively beating him up regularly because he was mad his little brother eloped with his boyfriend to California. He was taking his aggression out on Morinaga, but Morinaga put up with it because he thought Shouichi was amazing and loved him too much to resent him for it. Then Shouichi accidentally takes that drug when they were drinking, and yes, Morinaga rapes him. That is 100 percent fucked up and very much puts him in the wrong, but it doesn’t retroactively put Shouichi in the right for the stuff he pulled before. Also, Morinaga regrets it. He packs his belongings and leaves, intended to let Shouichi move on without him. Shouichi is the one that demanded he stayed, and yes, Morinaga uses that for emotional blackmail to get sex out of him, for which Shouichi regularly beats him up over. They are both TERRIBLE in the beginning. Shouichi is abusive and Morinaga is a rapist. And the first nine or so volumes of this manga are literally all about them learning boundaries.

I think that’s the point though. This relationship started from one of the (more realistic) worst possible starting points. One of them is an abusive homophobe, and the other is a rapist. Over the course of 14 volumes we watch Morinaga learn boundaries, learn to listen to his partner, learn to accept a fucking no in regards to sex sometimes. He learns why and when his senpai does or doesn’t want sex and he starts listening to it. He learns what Shouichi cares about and starts putting proper effort into seeing his desires become reality, while still wedging out the place he wants in his life. He’s grown a fuck ton. The same goes for Shouichi. In the beginning he couldn’t even stand the thought of gays. He kicked Morinaga around for being one despite considering him one of his only friends. He wouldn’t listen to anything Morinaga had to say about his life, and once they were in an (unhealthy) early relationship, refused to acknowledge any of Morinaga’s feelings. Over the course of the manga he has learned about the discrimination that lgbt+ have faced and become more open minded, learned to listen to his partner in regards to his experiences, and has actively started looking for what upsets him. They have both learned to express themselves better, but Shouichi has come leaps and bounds further in that department than Morinaga. And yes, I agree with a lot of people in the fact I think Shouichi is ace. I also think he’s a non sex-repulsed ace though, and the main reason he freaked out about the sex in the beginning is that it was RAPE. I’d freak out about that too.

The point is though, they’re not perfect. They weren’t portrayed to be perfect. This manga is the story of two jackasses learning to overcome their biases and listen to each other because they want the other in their lives more than they want to stay who they used to be. They grew and adapted because they cared about each other, and stopped doing the things that were unhealthy. As of volume 14, the rape has stopped. As has most of the physical abuse. They openly talk about their feelings and desires, and look out for each other. I think this manga is a really interesting look at two broken people figuring out how to make their lives work together, and it doesn’t get enough credit for that. Real relationships aren’t perfect, most people don’t fit together like a puzzle. These two definitely don’t. But they figured out how to make a nasty mess of a relationship into something supportive, and I think the journey there was fascinating.

Also, another fun bit to this manga is nothing is stagnate. In the beginning they’re both in the middle of their masters and doctorate respectively, but over the course of the manga Morinaga graduates with his Masters and decides to go into pharmaceuticals, while Shouichi finishes up his doctorate and starts teaching at the university they graduate from. Shouichi’s house burns down early in the manga at the same time Morinaga needed a new apartment, which results in them living together. Morinaga reconnects with his estranged brother while Shouichi gets over his tiff about his little brother eloping. There’s more to their lives and this manga then just their fucked up relationship becoming something stable. They have lives and families and real world concerns that affect each chapter. Morinaga went through a mental spiral about graduating because if he wanted to get a proper job that would result in a long distance relationship for them. And it does. And they work through that until he manages to get a transfer closer to home. Things that in reality would affect a relationship as someone ages actually happen to them, and they steadily figure out how to handle them. It’s honestly a interesting read.

Now, for anyone reading this who hasn’t actually read the manga, this really isn’t for everyone. There’s a shit ton of rape and unhealthy behavior in the first nine volumes. It’s portrayed semi-sexily, but Shouichi is very much displeased and takes in out on Morinaga afterwards. A sane person would stop hanging out with their rapist, but he is very fond of him for reasons the manga explains. If you can deal with the early unhealthy relationship though, I promise, it gets better. It takes (counts in head) three years or so of developing their relationship and learning healthly communication, but at the point I’m at the manga is downright wholesome. It’s a long journey to get there, but in this instance, I honestly think the journey was worth it.

... Last updated on January 25th, 2023, 12:09am

Well I love this! For me the only thing that annoyed me was Souichi's constant denial, it dragged out a bit too long. But there was quite a bit of humour and a lot of cute moments too which kept me interested XD Though after reading everyone else's reviews I can see it's quite controversial, so it all depends on your own personal tastes really.

I do understand why some people have issues with this because of the non-con and blackmail, though I think it handles the rape much better than a lot of BL. Both people involved react the right way afterwards (Morinaga is deeply regretful and Souichi is furious). As for the blackmail... well it seemed clear to me a few chapters in that it was just an excuse on Souichi's part. Morinaga even said he didn't want him to feel as though he was being emotionally blackmailed, but Souichi still wanted to use "blackmail" as an excuse as he was having trouble coming to terms with his feelings. After all, a homophobe falling in love with someone of the same sex is obviously going to be hard to accept! Besides if you're raped by your closest friend you don't beg them to stay and agree to sleep with them regularly just to keep them in your life. For someone as strong and violent as Souichi, if he didn't want it then he wouldn't have accepted him all those times, no matter how "special" Morinaga was to him. So the way I see it Souichi just needed to rely on using "blackmail" as his escape route really, as he was so deep in denial. Also after the initial rape Morinaga does do the right thing by attempting to cut himself out of Souichi's life as requested, but it was Souichi who stopped him. So as he willingly did that, and willingly offered his body I don't see that as blackmail or rape as he chose to do it (Admittedly their first time definitely was rape, then it moves on to consensual - with some denial mixed in. In my opinion.)

So this really depends on how you view it. Though I do think you should read the entire manga before forming an opinion either way, as both the issues are properly addressed later. (Vol 3 ch 4 is a particularly vital chapter.)

Ultimately it's your choice if you like this or not :]

... Last updated on November 17th, 2012, 10:00am

I'll say it in a few words. If Yamane Ayano's serie Finder is such a beloved one and it's all about rape (without funny stuff or an actual plot) how can peolpe say things like this one is horrible? This manga is simple, funny, cute and sexy. Do Morinaga rapes Souichi? Well, if you're raping someone you don't prepare them and try them to feel good. But if you want to consider it as raping and Morinaga a serial rapist (WHAT THE BLOODY F*CK?), ok go ahead, but you'll have to admit that it was only one time. Blackmail? HECK NO. How can you blackmail ANYBODY with "I'll go away if you don't do it with me" If it were me I would just laughed at him and kicked him 'till dead...
But well. YOU that you're interested in reading this beautiful manga, do it, it's great. I'm a comedy lover, I know what I say. If you're looking for some really realistic or melodramatic stuff this isn't for you, but if you're on the search of a good, funny, sexy and with-a-good-plot manga this is a MUST.

PS: The comment below mine... I have read the mangas she recommends...they're average, if you want quality manga don't read them, they're good for just...spending time reading a not-bad-manga but nothing memorable. Do you want good comedy? Read Natsume Isaku, Naono Bohra (hehehe, some of her works are kind of bizarre...but they're fun) Tomoe Fumi, Nekota Yonezou, Abe Akane, Madarame Hiro, even Nakamura Shungiku, Honto Yajuu etc, they are all great mangakas and mangas. Do you want drama? Yoneda Kou, Hidaka Shoko, Yugi Yamada, Sakuraga Mei, UnderGround Hotel, Totally Captivated,Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume o Miru, Haru wo Daite Ita blablabla.

... Last updated on June 23rd, 2012, 9:45am

I enjoy this series so long ago and now to find out that?s it?s still ongoing excites me. I love hinako works and this one is my favorite. The comedy is great. The story is fun and charming. The characters are fun and full of live. If you get understand and get past vol 1 then the rest you?ll enjoy.

To tell the truth, I didn't have much interest in the mangaka's works, so I didnot have any expectation when I picked up the manga. The first chapter annoyed me, I thought it's gonna be a 'love at first rape' type of manga, so I dropped it. Some time later, out of boredom, I started reading it again, cuz it was at volume 5 and I thought it would keep me busy for quite some time. And this time when I got past chapter 1, the whole relationship development really amazed me, the story was cute, the couple was unique, their characteristics and interaction just made me lol. More than that, their story just took me on an emotion-rollercoaster, I laughed and cried with them. In short, a must-read in my opinion. You don't even need to like the other works of the mangaka to like this one, I think this one is the best one by her so far ^^

The premise and execution of this manga are very off-putting to me now compared to years ago when I read it as a teen (back then I thought it was good even!): what looks like an asexual guy being raped and bullied — nay, outright blackmailed! — into a relationship by a needy, self-centered, mopey gay who can't control himself (which is a very bad look). From Souichi's perspective, he's being pursued by a guy who can't take his "no" for an answer and constantly tries to tell him how he feels. Because a gay guy assaulting a homophobe who's not interested in sex is passed off as romantic. Yikes.

Ironically, Morinaga's lack of self control and empathy justifies Souichi's stereotyping of gays as predatory and dangerous. Morinaga doesn't really care about Souichi's well-being or wishes, only about getting what he wants; if only Souichi could see how much of a nice guy Morinaga is!
I've read so much BL to know that consent is a gray area a lot of the time, but here...it's really not. At all.

Everything goes round in circles: Souichi distances himself from Morinaga for some reason, Morinaga pines after him and finally cracks, leading to the very dubcon sex scene at the end of the volume, with Souichi looking like he accepts Morinaga a tiny bit more. Rinse and repeat for literally every volume after the first. The plot of every volume hinges on Souichi rejecting Morinaga and Morinaga forcing himself on Souichi to convince Souichi that he's actually gay and in love with Morinaga.

The art is mediocre to decent. I'd compare it to Naoko Takeuchi's sketchy, outlines-not-connecting style.
Dunno if I'll ever continue it, the point I left off (volume 8) seems like an acceptable (if open) ending.

ETA: weizhan's comment misses the point of the criticism people have of this story. No, Koisuru Boukun is not a deep, biting commentary on how women are treated in Japanese society (having Souichi be a stand-in for the woman, in this case). In the first sex scene, Souichi is drunk, drugged, can barely move, and explicitly voices that he does not consent to sex; Morinaga, as the more sober party, sees this as an opportunity to have sex with Souichi. They are the main couple and Morinaga is the protagonist, and the story is written in a way that encourages the reader to root for Morinaga and want him to keep pushing Souichi to "wake up" and realize that he's actually gay and in love with him!

There are plenty of BL works that pass rape off as no big deal, inadvertently painting gay men as predatory because they relentlessly pursue their uninterested love interests despite rejection, and Koisuru Boukun is one of them, as much as the people who like it don't want to admit it.

... Last updated on August 5th, 2021, 3:17am

A must read!!! Trust me, lol.

One of the best EVER series - hotness in combination with humour. Tatsumi, the more hottie of the two main characters was so bang-able. He was beauty reincarnated that seriously no other manga babes can compare. What does he have going for him? Um,… only the best face and body that’s ever existed in yaoi manga. There is no better face or slender body. Sorry, there’s not. And those hot damn glasses….Ugh. THUD! I so have a kink for guys who are half blind. Tatsumi was so fragile, so vulnerable, but yet so fierce. Takanaga did wonder with this character - making him so three dimensional.

I liked that there were layers and depth to Tatsumi's emotions from confusion, anger, fear, anxiety, and finally love. Morinaga was wrong by forcing sex on Tatsumi, but then Tatsumi forgave him. That spoke volume that deep down he loved Mori. Tatsumi then went on to let Morinaga "black-mailed" him which led Tatsumi coming to term with his sexuality.

I also loved that Tatsumi was no damsel in distress even though his beauty made him seemed so fragile. Tatsumi struggled, was confused, but he did it all on his own term and his own pace so bravo Takanaga Hinako for making him so alive. I'm keeping toes and fingers crossed for more of this fantastic series. MUST READ!

I can understand why someone would have an issue with this manga but if you pay attention to the characters and situations you'll realize that Souichi's later feelings weren't a product of Stockholm syndrome or anything of the like. I think we can all agree that the first sexual encounter IS rape and can only be classified as rape but Souichi was the one who sought after Morinaga after the initial encounter. It's unfair to say this manga is "the worst thing that ever happened to BL", or is "garbage" solely because you can't look past the premise. I'm an avid BL reader, and a manga reader in general and this is hands down one of my favourites. Though Souichi's denial can get rather tiresome at time it's only because I just wanted to see them be fat and merry (so to speak) asap. The characters are well developed and the story line is both humorous and refreshing. The characters and their antics grow on you and you can't help but root for their well being as the story progresses. I feel that the best part of this manga is that it takes on a side of rape that isn't really portrayed by various forms of literature. While you may think it's absurd for someone to be taken advantage of and continue to be around the perpetrator, let alone continue to maintain a sexual relationship with them, it happens. There are always two parts to a scenario so it's rather silly to chastise the story solely because it doesn't follow the standard reaction. I don't cosign for sexual abuse, nor do I deem it appropriate it any way seeing as how I've been through it several times yet I feel like I'm the least offended compared to a lot of other reviewers.

... Last updated on January 1st, 2013, 7:35pm