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Recs for GOOD BL sorely needed... (I'm picky...)

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11:25 am, Feb 3 2019
Posts: 5


If you're as big a BL junkie as I am, PLEASE help me...

Sorry about the quite long post, but it makes it easier to actually get recs that are useful. I'll be happy to give recs back as well.

Generally, I don't really have the energy to roam forums but I seriously need reading recs. I'm starting to wonder if I've read everything out there that's worth reading... -__-
(That's what happens after 10-15 years of abusing BL... lol...)
I'm not kidding. I've read thousands of titles and very seldom find things I really like, nowadays.

Usually, I look around lists and ratings myself, but I've also asked here and there every now and then, sometimes I've found good BL that way, so I thought I'd check here too see



I read all types of BL(which is why my fav lists are so diverse) but have my preferences. I don't really bother with the pop-stuff all that often nowadays, even if I do have a soft spot for some titles, that I don't quite consider GOOD, per se.

What I'm looking for is manga/manhwa/manhua on a more serious note. Not necessarily angsty, but not silly either. I can read empty, pointless crap if the art or smut is good--but I prefer a good story.
I can't list all my favs, there are too many, but if I mention a few, it might give some kind of idea of what I like.


I DON'T like; Fantasy and Shota (or even stuff where characters look like kids art-wise). Other than that, I'm open to most, as long as it's not stuff so filled with BL tropes/stereotypes that it makes me puke.

I LOVE; Good art, versatile couples, characters that break stereotypes, complex and psychological stories, heavy and serious themes, realism, unique concepts/themes/plots. I also love really ordinary every-day stories, because you so seldom see them. I've got a serious weakness for bad boys--i.e. gangster types--and scruffy settings... I find "mismatched" or dysfunctional couples interesting. Big age gap, "inappropriate" relationships like teacher-student, toxic relationships, anything that's out of the "ordinary"...
But they need to be thoroughly fleshed out in story, otherwise, it just feels like kink-catering.


A couple of my favourite mangakas from different types of "sub-genres" or what to call it (too many titles so it's easier to just name the artists/authors even if they might have released only one or few titles);

Yoneda Kou, Yamashita Tomoko, Ichikawa Kei, Hidaka Shoko, ZAKK, Tagura Tohru, itz, Nakamura Asumiko, D-Jun, Scarlet Beriko, Takarai Rihito. And a gazillion more.


Favourites--more or less dark ones; I love a really heavy plot and can stomach just about anything if the story fascinates me. Some of these titles are definitely not for everyone but there is considerable substance in the disturbing ones I mention, which is why I like them.

"Killing Stalking" (although I really refuse to call it BL), "CANIS; The Speaker" (the "Hatter" part is good but the "Speaker" part is one of the best comics I've ever read), "Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai", "Warehouse", "At the End of the Road", "Let Dai", "Ha Kyung-Soo's Gentle Touch" and others. I liked "Acid Town" but I think I kind of forgot to check up on further updates.


Some favs--more "slice of life" type of stories--cute or angsty. Or funny; These are veeeery diverse in style, but it kinda shows how broad my taste is. Some are greater favs than others and they're all favs for different reasons, not necessarily just because of a great story. Some of these are quite stupid, but I still love them.

"Koimonogatari", "Yuuutsu na Asa" (which I love even though I generally don't like historical BL), "Complex", "Ten Dance", "Fake", "Hidamari ga Kikoeru", "Yasashii Anata", "New York, New York", "19 Days", "Out of Control", "Guang Xiang", "Seven Days", "For Your Love" (a webtoon manhwa that I, for some reason, am obsessed with. Something about it just kills me with sweetness), "Haru o daiteita", everything by Yamashita Tomoko, Yoneda Kou and Nakamura Asumiko. A couple of Sakuragi Yaya's titles. I like Hayakawa Nojiko's stuff even though it's mostly for the art. I adore Scarlet Beriko. I think they're quite ridiculous, but so funny...
And a ton of other stuff...


Basically; A good story beats everything. But innocent and cute things can be great if on a bit more serious note--or if they're hilarious enough to make me laugh instead. Dark stuff always hits home with me but I have trouble finding titles I really like. Most just put me off by being violence-porn without substance. Ugly art I can only stomach if the story is awesome. (Like "Complex" or "New York, New York".) I don't hate on all pop stuff, but if I can choose, I'm likely to pick a more serious story.

I hope someone actually had the patience to read my rant and might be able to tip me off about new stuff to devour...



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2:22 pm, Feb 10 2019
Posts: 113


Ok,this is hard cause you've already mentioned a lot of my favorite mangaka!

I'd check out: Otouto no Otto and Shimanami Tasogare for something different.

Okadaya Tetuzoh's works, particularly the Man of Tango: https://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=6745

Udagawachou de Mattete yo and other works by the author.

And my personal favorite mangaka, Est Em: https://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=2364

Otherwise, I usually follow scanlation groups and see whenever they pick up something new; I love Stiletto Heels: http://www.stilettoheelsteam.net/


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9:29 am, Feb 22 2019
Posts: 61


Well, since you prefer more serious, realistic titles I recommend:

- "Last Portrait" by Honma Akira
https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=3314

- "Intense" by Kyungha Yi
https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=129759

- "Negai Kanae Tamae" by Nishida Higashi
https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=5677

- "Kaoru-kun" by Chayamachi Suguro
https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=7096
Note: This one is not a personally favorite, but I think you might enjoy this author.

I'm also a fan of the Yakuza, but I generally prefer the more upbeat ones.

Member

5:47 pm, May 12 2019
Posts: 16


I feel like you'll definitely like "Itou-san"!! It's pretty dark and there's some troupes but really interesting and the extra is really good.

This is cute not dark "Haikei, Niisan-sama" it's between brothers, although BL-wise it's very tame (shounen ai) it's pretty emotional and I really like the art

You said no empty smut but this is a pretty strange relationship "Satou-kun ni wa Kanawanai", 5th story in Kanraku BL by Sachimo. It's a smut-heavy oneshot but I haven't quite seen this physical relationship dynamic before (when you get to the last page).



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