You know those yaoi/shounen-ai manga where the romance is so incredibly slow that the main couple doesn't even touch each other until the last volume? Yeah, I'm looking for that.

Basically, I'm looking for a yaoi/shounen-ai manga with an slowly developing romance. One of the main characters (either uke or seme, I don't care) realizes they have feelings for the other but doesn't make a move until quite some time later. Another scenario is that the manga shows the relationship progressing over time: the couple gets together at an early moment in the series and progress until the relationship has matured at the end. Something really sweet and slow moving.

An example manga of scenario one would be the manga Bokutachi Otokonoko. One of the main characters (in this case, the uke) realizes he loves the other in volume one and the entirety of the series is one whole slow romance where the two finally kiss at the end of the last chapter in the sixth volume. Incredibly slow and boring? Yes, but the single kiss at the end is one of the most romantic moments I've ever read in a BL because of the slow build up.

For scenario two I would like to point to the manga Complex. In it, the main couple gets together in volume two (if I remember correctly) and the manga shows their relationship progressing as they grow older. Something like this is fine as well if the relationship didn't start off with sex/accidental sex/rape/intercourse in general. I'd like it if they started off with generally innocent gestures (hand holding, hugging, etc) and progressed towards sex. I'm a little tired of rushed sex scenes in BL so I'd like a slow build up.

And one more thing. I do not want a manga with an incredibly girly uke. If the uke is slightly feminine it's fine but I'd like them to look like a plausible guy. Also, preferably no one shots unless the entire volume is dedicated to one couple. I would rather multi-volume series but if you've got a great one shot please suggest it!

And if you took the time to read this topic and want to give suggestions than thank you very much!

Edit: huh, I didn't realize there was a topic already like this. Derp on my part, but I see that thread doesn't have many suggestions and it doesn't cover scenario two of my request so. . . please suggest away?

Fake shounen ai for the first 6 volumes and then yaoi in the 7th, it's a good read aswell

Girl friends, thats kind of slow

Komatta has a slow romance (16 volumes, I think I am on the 11th and they didn't realise they love each other yet), the art starts pretty creepy but improve.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm not really looking for shoujo-ai, though. However, I did check out Fake in the library (but, darn it, I forgot to check it out) and it looked like fun. Komatta seems interesting as well, it's going on the list.

Does anyone have any more suggestions?

Definitely Kusatta Kyoushi no Houteishiki by Kodaka Kazuma. It has 10 volumes in total and it takes all of the guy's high school years to make his school sensei give in - so I guess this manga meets scenario two too, since we see their relationship's progress from high school year 1 to college year 1 or 2, I'm not sure. Kusatta also has some doujinshis after the events of the main story.

Kodaka's Mezase Hero! also fits, though it's just two volumes. And then again there's a yummy yaoi doujinshi to the mainly shounen-ai story.^^

Then Dear Green: Hitomi no Ounowa by Fujiyama Hyouta. The third volume ends with a rather slice of life feeling but the first two volumes has really slow and touching development. One of my favourite manga from the great Fujiyama-sensei.

Hmmm... I don't think you haven't read this before since it's just so perfect and popular but in case you haven't: Totally Captivated by Yoo Ha-Jin. (a manhwa) I think they started to share bed somewhere around the 4th vol but the uke never really realized his love toward the seme till the final (6th) volume. This one also has two very yummy/funny djs, and the third and final 2-volume doujinshi "The Last Episode" came out last year. The scanlation of the first volume of that is now available. ^-^

Speaking of manhwas, I'd also recommend Roureville by Lee Hae. Slow romance - check, but it's more than that. The whole manhwa has a very unique feeling to it, I spent two days with wondering about the story and about the characters after I finished it. Really, just read it. (3 volumes)

Oh! I just remembered The Summit by Lee Young-Hee. The first time they slept together was in vol 8 I think, but the attraction between them is present from the first volume. It's a very good manhwa title but unfortunately on hiatus for some time now.

La Esperanca is a 7-volume shounen-ai manga. The couple never really progress beyond "I like you - I like you too", but it's a nice story. (though the art is a bit too shoujoish for me

And how could I not mention Gerard and Jacques by Yoshinaga Fumi?! True, they slept together in the first chapter because the uke was sold to a brothel but then the seme freed him, the uke started to work at the seme's mansion, and then the rest of this volume and the other are all about the growth of their relationship. So great, I just love it. ^__^

Brothers by Yamamoto Kotetsuko. Step-brother love, be warned. The first thing I loved in that title was the slow pacing so I can strongly recommend it to you now. It hardly has any romance in the first volume, just a brief kiss at the end. Then the second volume... Hehe.

Seven Days by Tachibana Venio and Takarai Rihito. Two volumes, and one of the top-3 shounen-ai stories I've read.^^

Yamada Yugi's Yume wo Miru Hima mo Nai is only one volume but I think it fits. The main charas met in first semester in high school and became close friends but due to various reasons they did not see each other for eight years. They're both working men when they meet again it still takes some time to become a couple. A very good read.

Tenzen Momoko usually does slow-paced romance. Oka No Ue No Rakuen and Aozora no Sunda Iro wa both fit.

Oh, and Tateno Makoto's Yellow. It's quite similar to FAKE, both in setting and characters. A bit shorter, though. (4 volumes)

Yume Musubi Koi Musubi by Sakuragi Yaya. I'm not a big fan of her works but I totally love this title. The uke realizes his love for the seme in chapter 1 and he wants to do H-things with him from then on but they don't do it till volume 4. And it's a funny manga. (though the uke is quite girly in appearance and you stated you don't want that )

Meguriauyo Baby by Kinoshita Keiko. I remember the romance developped slowly though it's one volume only. Kiss Blue from the same author also fits, and that title is a two-volume story.

Hmm, Sakende Yaruze! (5 vol) and Yume no Kodomo (7 vol) also fit I think. Both have very slow romance development.

Ooooh, man, I was swept away with my thoughts. X'D Sorry for the long post but you know, I also really like this type of stories.^^"" I'm not sure all of these are like what you're looking for but if I was any help I'm glad. =3

Edit:

Still some more! Kimi wa Boku wo Suki ni Naru by Abe Miyuki and A Night of a Thousand Dreams (manhwa, can't remember the author+artist) In the latter they have physical relationship from quite early on but the romance develops slowly.

Last edited by AislinCeivun at 6:24 pm, Jan 21 2011

I think those suggestions will do just fine, thank you *adds them all to wish list* Thank you for the insane ton of reccomendations

Haha, you're very welcome. Actually it was my pleasure since I could finally get myself to write a list like this. Also I've just downloaded Bokutachi Otokonoko a few days ago. I haven't started it yet but I'm looking forward to that romantic kiss moment you mentioned. ;3

Well, have a good read!^^

Be prepared to be sucked into the series and read all six volumes in one night. It's worth it though.

Hatsuai!!!
Also, it's just 1 volume