In this thread you will find all the reviewed mangas from the MROTM Contest.
Because the entries are anonymous during poll vote, we will retain that, but if you would like to check the winners of each monthly contest, please check the Hall of fame
The most important thing is: We hope it helps you on deciding what manga to read!
Click on "Show" bar to see each review!
We give a big thank you to @nyankoto; for the suggestion and effort to help on the list):
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INDEX
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Teo and Camilo have known each other since childhood and pretty much grew up together, their families owning shops one across the other, and when the time came, they inherited them. While Camilo has no problem managing the cigarette shop and is a confident bisexual, Teo is straight and struggling continuously to hide the fact that he can’t hold his liquor, even though he owns a liquor shop.
But Teo’s biggest problem appears when he stubbornly accepts the challenge of participating in the wine-tasting contest of the annual grape harvest festival…or… is it when Camilo accepts being his drinking partner and confesses his feelings proposing a lover’s trial? Which only ends up in kissing, touching and…a little more…touching.
This might appear like a cliché love story between two childhood friends, but is full of humour, teasing, sexiness and emotional baggage, AND the cherry on the top is the amazing artwork of Zariya. Actually, one of the main reasons I’m always enjoying Zariya’s works is because of the finesse of emotions expressed through the artwork, it just manages to transfer more than words ever could and adds quality to the story.
So if you haven’t picked it up yet, do it! You’ll happily drool over and scream in delight at the end.
09-02-2019, 02:17 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of the Month (MRotM) - July - August 2019
Review #1
Manga title: BJ Alex
Manga artist and author: Ming Gwa Manga cover picture:
BJ Alex is the name of the camboy that introverted Dong Gyun does two “F”-ing things – Fanboying and Fapping. 83 chapters of webtoon comic art that contains plot (and porn!) that is worth rereading multiple times as it describes the events after Dong Gyun meets someone in real life that surprisingly looks the culprit of his wet dreams, BJ Alex. Could his senior, the student council president, really be the masked man he watches in his dark room with one hand down his pants?
There is one main pairing and one side couple in this story. Which also means extra smut scenes. And when you consider camboying as the ‘hobby’ in question, you can imagine the level of kinkiness that would be involved, which may or may not include sex toys, bondage, SM play, watersports, and the art is as drool worthy as the sex is graphic.
The story itself depicts realistic back stories that touch on homophobia, the feelings around what gave birth to BJ Alex, having feelings for a sex friend and some aggressive denial. But it is ultimately a love story with a happy ending. So read it for a fun R18 ride!
This manhwa actually presents the story of two couples: Bae Sungjoon with Lee Hyo-in and Lee Yeonsoo with Joo Bin.
Bae Sungjoon is a first year college student and is working hard to support himself. One night, after his shift, he returns to his place to find it burning up and so, he ends up on the streets in a foreign city with no one to help him. While looking for a solution he actually remembers there is someone in the city that he “kind of” knows… Lee Hyo-in, his silver spoon-super rich high school colleague with whom he actually had no contact. But as fate has its mysterious ways, Lee Hyo-in is more than happy to give him a place to stay in exchange for Sungjoon becoming his..dog.
Lee Yeonsoo is older than Joo Bin and in his high school years he actually had a crush on Joo Bin’s older brother. Joo Bin is a college classmate of Sungjoon and is actually in love with Lee Yeonsoo, which he used to blackmail with exposing his secret to his brother if Lee wouldn’t hang out with him.
As the story progresses, we get to witness intense sex scenes and amazing artwork; the emotions and expressions are beautifully presented through the graphic. This having only 30 chapters and some epilogues, is quite the fast read, but don’t expect some great character development/plot, because the focus is totally somewhere else.
11-01-2019, 12:35 PM
ellymate
Manga Review of the Month (MRotM) - September - October 2019
A one night stand turns out to be more complicated when you realize your partner was the father of one of the kids you teach to…add the unforgettable first-time-with-a-man and amazing attraction mixed with the fact that when you’ve already been rejected just add more to the complication.
This is the story of Oda’kun, an University student and a teacher for young kids. After he comes to terms that he’s gay he decides to try it out with someone and so he meets his “Casanova” – Kazushi’san who’s none other than the father of the most serious/wise kid in class – Yuuto. One day after class he takes Yuuto home to make sure he gets there safe and meets his father, who’s totally unrecognizable without his suit and fresh look.
One of the best aspects of this story is the character of Yuuto, who despite his age seems to be way more mature than most adults. He’s the one that pushes Oda’kun in the path of his father by making him coming to their house to cook or help in any way he can.
The other part is the sweetness of the whole story with the cute artwork and the continuous "teasing" of Oda by both father and son.
The story also has a good extra story and a side story about a 25-year-old guy and a high schooler which get together in the most funny way.
Review #2
Manga title: Blood Link
Manga artist and author: Oneurman Saneun Hyeongje Manga cover picture:
Supernatural fans of vampire and werewolf sort (fully equipped with Alpha Beta Omega a.k.a. ABO fanfiction type material) have to give this one a read. Hwa Gok is your typical university student, until a fateful encounter. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (But for us
BL
lovers, totally the right place at the right time!) Anyway, one bite of fate from the handsome protagonist, Lee Bin, results in a slow revealing plot with lots of pretty and sexy (and pretty sexy) characters, scenes and drama. Most of it is not too angsty, and there’s the hint of very soul-mate-y feels in the developing relationship. Fair warning, if you tend to stay away from mpreg (male pregnancy) tags, you may want to skip this. But otherwise, we have colored and gorgeous art and a unique pairing, add this to your reading list!
01-01-2020, 09:29 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of the Month (MRotM) - November/Decemeber 2019
Review #1
Manga title: A Sweet Beast
Manga artist and author: Suji
A SUPER SEXY story! That’s what you get when one of the protagonists is known as sex-demon that preys on straight, inexperienced younger men. This doesn’t start as ‘feelings’ type story, as you can imagine with this power bottom that hunts for one night stands, and if you don’t like stories where there are sex scenes (albeit not very detailed) of the main lead with another person besides the other protagonist, this might not be for you. But there is definitely a main couple and it is HOT.
The story itself really starts with Masato Saeki (straight-virgin wrecker by night, with a day job at the Ministry of Education) is assigned to investigate and profile a prodigy, and thus begins his temporary role as an honored teacher in a famous all-boys. And of course, Masato is drooling at the thought of fresh meat, easy for the picking!
But there’s more! After drooling and boasting about the assignment to his friends, he ends up having a STEAMY session with a handsome playboy. Then he diligently starts his job at the school where his investigation target is the student council president Kei Honjo. And the plot thickens as said student council president is not quite what all he seems…… Let’s just say that the style of changing from sweet and respectable student out of the sheets to sexy beast in the sheets is quite up my alley.
The sex is explicit and is of moderate kinkiness levels. And the ‘feelings’ part of the story is definitely there and well plotted. So give this one volume manga a shot!
Review #2
Manga title:Yagi to Ookami no Hatsujou Jijou Manga artist:Tokishiba
Once upon a time there was a twin planet of Earth called Serian where human beasts were living. Ookami Kyoga and Yagi Akira are both students and enrolled in a program to go to Earth and learn more about the inhabitants and their past descendants. Kyoga is a wolf and Akira a goat and they've been best friend in the past until one day that changed everything, and now, they are spending their time hating each other. But due to certain situations, they find themselves living together on Earth and so all the fun and trouble begins...
From the first moments the manga begins we're are completely captivated by the gorgeous artwork. The story is beautifully crafted adding a certain dose of twist, adrenaline and sexiness to it with each chapter. The characters are well balanced, with a strong seme - which is totally surprising - and a spirited uke, not going down easily. But aside all this there's plenty of emotional charge which just adds to the beauty of the story. And the cherry on top, are the adorable ears and tails. Definitely a favorite.
03-01-2020, 10:08 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of The Month (MROTM) - January/February 2020
Review #1
Manga title: Best Actors Life: Take Two
Manga artist and author: Bing Mao, Xin Yeyu, Yuanyang Manga cover picture:
Alternatively titled “Film Emperor’s Reincarnation Script”, this several volume long manhua brings together some popular Chinese novel genres – namely, Transmigration/Rebirth and Entertainment Industry, to colored gorgeousness!
Yuan Mu had reached the peak of his acting career having won the “Best Actor” award at his young age… before his life is unfortunately shortened. But he ends up waking up in a young and handsome body…. naked. And in the bed of his enemy/rival actor, Huo Yi.
The story and plot take Yuan Mu and his new identity to have to re-climb that ladder of showbiz, while slowly unraveling the mysteries to his death. Along the way, feelings are shaken and he also learns about the newly reigned “Best Actor” and his secrets.
The art is great, and I wanted more after finished reading this manhua, as the characters and plot were interesting and well put together. It had the content and flow like a full-on Danmei (ChineseBL) novel so for you fans who don’t like to read long walls of text, this is for you. The smut was … left to the readers’ imaginations only ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but the prettiness helps make up for a lot of that. I am especially a fan of the ‘face-slapping’ and ‘retribution’ that these kinds of rebirth stories tend to have. Will definitely be reading this again.
Whatever you're doing..stop. Pick up this manhwa and start reading! The artwork is amazing, the plot is twisted and we get a fair share of smut scenes.
The manhwa starts with Gyeong Joon, a police officer, chasing some criminal and having quite a weird experience with a ... demon. Everything seems like a fantasy dream, until that said demon shows up at his place and demands to "hurry up and let him inside"... And that, is how we meet Cain, a demon, who was injured on a one-on-one fight with Satan, so in order to regain part of his magic, he needs to return to Hell. The point is that the trip to Hell is not an easy one, he needs to have a "door" which actually is through a human, once the human dies, he needs to find another door. His current door in none other than Gyeong Joon and in order to open it, he needs to say a spell or get super intimate with it, method that he prefers and likes to abuse.
As the story progresses we meet other characters close to both parties who only add to the spiciness of the plot.
The manhwa really has a good stash of humor expressed through both art and lines, a captivating story and also comes with an ongoing status, but don't let this stop you, because it is worth it.
05-01-2020, 04:46 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of The Month (MROTM) - March/April 2020
Review #1
Manga title: I’m Awkward but I Love You
Manga artist and author: Yamada Papiko
Manga cover picture:
Short and typical story about two high school youths; Torigoe, the serious, taciturn type, and Iida. By chance, they are part of the committee for their class’ school festival event and they start to spend more time with each other. Some misunderstandings, some pushing-away, and an unexpected confession leads to them dating.
Their interactions are passionate yet hesitant, uneasy yet daring. And through more misunderstandings and jealousy, continue to culminate into a loving relationship. There is explicit smut, and it’s not a slow build. But it’s still fluffy and sexy.
There is also a short side story of some side characters, involving Torigoe’s childhood friend, for more light school life romance. And to be honest, I liked the interaction and story of the side pairing more.
For readers looking for something light hearted and not at all heavy - Give it a read!
Title: Nights Before Night Author/Artist:Natsume Kazuki
Review:
It’s been a while since I read a really nice yakuza story and I’m really glad I came across this one.
This is a story about wounds of the past that never healed, of suppressed emotions, of guilt. Ever since his lover Shigure has died, Haru has been struggling with years of insomnia and has been living his life as an empty shell, he has even forgotten how it is to feel love… his only interest is to finally be able to cut all ties with the yakuza. An opportunity arises when he literally gets stuck to babysit Yukitaka, none other than the younger brother of Shigure.
Now, like all old-young couple yaoi stories, there is this typical “brat” behavior present, but for once I was glad that this was not the focus of the story, but rather the main focus was the slow progress of the characters of getting to know themselves and in the progress, for the readers to get some glimpses of the past and different perspectives of Shigure as a brother and lover.
As the story progresses, there are a lot of emotions presented, nothing is rushed and even thus the manga has only 8 chapters, I believe there was a nice development and growth in the characters.
All this are a big plus from my part, alongside the beautiful artwork which deserves all the praise. This is definitely a must read.
07-05-2020, 07:40 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of The Month (MROTM) - May/June 2020
Review #1
Manga title: There’s No Way a Charismatic AV Actor Like Me Would Come From a Sex Toy!!!
Manga artist and author: Komiyama Komachi Manga cover picture:
From the mouthful of a title, it can be foretold that this is one EXPLICIT and SMUTTY story. The main lead is Kotobuki Ryou, an AV Actor a.k.a porn star. As an up and coming (pun intended) porn celebrity, he boasts about how he could never come from a sex toy. Subsequently, he accepts the casting into a sex toy company’s demonstration – with a little bit of coercion from Koga Takayuki, the sex toy company representative.
A small misunderstanding turns into a HUGE load (pun intended again), and Ryou can’t forget about the experience and is affected more than he’d like to admit. And from this, some plot develops about both characters, and we get some humor and more sexy times, though it is surprisingly not as kinky as the title may have some wishing for.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for some HOT scenes, look no further. There’s even a small side story that is innocent, yet DEFINITELY NOT INNOCENT. Definitely one to come (pun intended yet again) read!
After his sister, who got raped by a secret club society, commits suicide, Lee Kirin is out for revenge when the system fails to bring the perpetrators to justice. He finds out the identity of one of the club members - Kang Moo - and can persuade him into a fake relationship, so he'll be allowed to attend club meetings as his 'boyfriend. However the other members demand a special initiation rite, where both of them have to have sex in front of the whole audience, in order to grant Lee Kirin access to their meetings. When he finally agrees to the conditions, he starts his own private investigation of the club and it's members to find out, whom of these guys were involved in his sister's defilement...
Those who decide to start reading "The Beast Must Die" will sign up for one wild ride, that'll take the reader through drama, mystery, psychological horror, murder investigation and of course sex. This full color manhwa features a dangerous psychopath, several murderers, a cat-and-mouse game, people who go on manhunts at night, a bit of blood and gore and some really nice smut scenes.
New english chapters get published by Lezhin every week. The korean version has 60 chapters for the main story, plus another side story, consisting of 13 chapters, currently being published.
Those, who enjoyed manhwas like "Killing Stalking" but could do with less gore and more society, will love this story! Plus the art style is really pretty.
09-01-2020, 11:05 AM
ellymate
Manga Review of The Month (MROTM) - July/August 2020
As time goes on, people tend to mature. Interests tend to change, and sometimes your own taste tends to shift from one flavor to another. From the basic fluff to more mature content as I grew older, I discovered a lot about Boys Love. I saw different types of personalities, various shapes of relationships and assorted colors of love. But this peculiar manhwa broke through from the cliché and the more I went deeper into the story, the more I got engulfed into the world of the broken. This is Killing Stalking.
The two main characters, Yoon Bum and Oh Sangwoo, suffer from mental disorders, and this makes their characters and relationship unusual from the rest. Readers should have an open mind when reading this because to some, they will only view this as “abusive,” “graphic” or “violent” and nothing else. The characters were beautifully written; the plot twists were genius. Once set the violence aside, anyone will understand why Killing Stalking, despite its gore content, took home the ₩100,000,000 Grand Prize Award at the Second Lezhin World Comics Contest.
Koogi, the artist herself, once said, “This is not
BL
.” Definitely, it’s not Boys Love. It’s not a fluffy, pink romance that has a happy ending. It’s not something a senior fujoshi would recommend to a yaoi newbie. But, it’s never wrong to try something odd once in a while, just like tasting a fatal yet savory delicacy.
Final Verdict:
9.5/10 (for fellow mature readers); 5/10 (not recommended to newbies)
Review #02
Manga title: Again Tomorrow
Manga artist and author: Nabako Kamo Manga cover picture:
Shunya is an office worker who encounters a man out in the streets that apparently has amnesia! The man turns out to be familiar to him, the Vice President of the company he works for, Yuusei Saotome, who is also the heir to the company and rumors of how the Vice President is ‘missing’ as he tries to evade an arranged marriage go around. Feelings grow as they live together and despite knowing his identity, Shunya says nothing. The Vice President that is known to be a cold but handsome character is different from the easy going Yuu he gets to know, the Yuu he ends up falling for.
The story is simple and has appropriate plot twists to keep things interesting. There are some sexy scenes and a bit of angst, but happy endings are ensured. There’s also 2 other unrelated short stories in this manga that touch on other slice-of-life type scenes. A short read with well-drawn art if you’re looking for something sweet and simple.
01-05-2021, 12:33 PM
ellymate
Manga Review of the Month - November/December 2020
Review:
The MC (Heejae) is your typical rich young master who has money, popularity, is spoilt, and also pretty sheltered. He used to be a genius but lost all of his memories and IQ due to an accident.
One day, his assistant convinced him to embezzle money from his family company to get back at his older brother who he doesn't have a good relationship with (his brother is the current CEO).
Unfortunately, being the careless person he is, he lost the embezzlement documents and it was found by none other than the ML (Taekyung). In order to shut Taekyung's mouth, Heejae seduces him so he doesn't reveal his crime. Unfortunately that backfired on Heejae because they are suddenly involved in a sexual relationship. However, Taekyung is a really nice guy so Heejae starts falling for him for real. Unbeknownst to Heejae, Taekyung is actually someone he knows before he lost his memories.
At the start, Taekyung may come off as a yandere BUT he has a good reason for it. And Heejae is kinda innocent so it looks like he's being taken advantage of but at the end of it (after the plot-twist reveal), they are fated to be together.
I absolutely love this story! The angst, the fluff, the comedy, the smut, all so well balanced. And the artwork is pretty too!
Review:
It's an ongoing manga and the storyline is simple to read. There is romantic, fantasy, supernatural and of course smut/yaoi. Also the art is quite nice. I really like it.
One night, Sasaki a secretary of a big company got caught by the police. But he got free again and has to spend a night at the rooftop of the company. He meets there a white snake while drinking sake.
The snake surprisingly talks to Sasaki back and reveals his identity after biting him. The President Kusanagi! Now, the story begins to develop in a way that Sasaki never imagines. Because Kusanagi is the kind of man that always gets what he wants.