[Fav] Yuusuke X Atsushi (Toshishita no Ryuugi)
Lately I have been rooting for this pair and the manga has been in my favorite list to read ever since the first scanlated chapter was released. Yep, the manga scanlation is not yet finished. But what can I do about putting them up in favorite list? Hahaha. For the cute one and a bit angsty story and with delicious art, this is in my top favorite BL manga read right now.
The manga is entitled Toshishita no Ryuugi, a work of art by Maruya Kae sensei who is also one of my favorite BL mangaka. I am horrible in making summary but if you can bear with me, please read on. You been warned. ;)
The story started with Yuusuke who works as a model and a part-time waiter in a French café in Tokyo. His younger step-brother, Atsushi, will be moving in with him to study in a uni there. That aside, they will do a commercial together to endorse the sports brand Adix. Atsushi was a high school’s basketball star player. He was scouted to model for the brand but he will only model if his brother Yuusuke will be in it. Fast forward, Atsushi arrived in Tokyo the next day (as the story was first told in manga) when Yuusuke while still at work. Thus, begun their life living together in the apartment, some floor above the French café Yuusuke works in, and in working together for the commercial Adix.
Yuusuke is quite timid though he is a model. He has inferiority complex with his younger step brother Atsushi in basketball. It was actually Yuusuke who taught Atsushi playing the sports but Atsushi became so good in the area that made Yuusuke quit playing it. On the other hand, Atsushi was inspired by Yuusuke in playing basketball. He excels in it. He actually wanted Yuusuke to recognize him for it. Yes, they are both idiot brothers. :) Yuusuke later learned and realized about this, but what he can do? He wants Yuusuke to see him, to love him. The fact that he’s younger and they are brother…but errr, the brother thing is not a concern for Yuusuke. Just probably being younger that he has complex on and that’s why he sported a goatee in the first chapters to make him look older. He even acts older and don’t call Yuusuke as “big brother” anymore, which shocked Yuusuke at their first meeting after 3 years!
Sensei’s storytelling is always engaging, and even more in this work. The credit also goes to the scanlation groups (Nakama & Dangerous Pleasure) for the quality translation in bringing each dialogue/monologue fluidly. (Although I don’t know Japanese/Chinese, I just feel it. ;)) Bring in some more ‘taboo’ in yaoi, is another factor that this story is thrilling and at the same time a sweet thing to read. There is the complexity and the feeling of angst in overstepping the bounds of the existing brother relationship. Though, this is in step-sibling scenario and not blood related brother. TBH, I am glad they’re just step-brothers.
Each panel or page is filled with gorgeous bishies you can drool upon. The strokes (I think in IMHO) are well balanced with combination use of thin, thick, soft, and strong strokes. What I like about sensei’s chara design in uke is that even he is an uke, you will notice a little bit of shape or formation of muscles e.g. , in upper arm; unlike with other mangaka works that their uke looks every inch like a female that it feels like you’re reading a gender bender genre instead of a BL one. Here are some images which I hope you’ll also catch yourself drool in eyeing them :)
Almost every element or genre I like in BL are thrown in here. So far there’s no reason for me not to love this manga and this pairing! Younger seme x older uke, brother x brother, cute combination of angsty couple, modeling, sports (basketball), and not to forget the lovely and gorgeous art.
Disclaimer: The images are not mine.
Credits to Maruya Kae sensei for the work. The very high quality clean scans and translation to Nakama & Dangerous Pleasure . If it is not permitted use the images for samples here, please let me know. I’ll take them down as soon as I receive any notice.
The manga is entitled Toshishita no Ryuugi, a work of art by Maruya Kae sensei who is also one of my favorite BL mangaka. I am horrible in making summary but if you can bear with me, please read on. You been warned. ;)
The story started with Yuusuke who works as a model and a part-time waiter in a French café in Tokyo. His younger step-brother, Atsushi, will be moving in with him to study in a uni there. That aside, they will do a commercial together to endorse the sports brand Adix. Atsushi was a high school’s basketball star player. He was scouted to model for the brand but he will only model if his brother Yuusuke will be in it. Fast forward, Atsushi arrived in Tokyo the next day (as the story was first told in manga) when Yuusuke while still at work. Thus, begun their life living together in the apartment, some floor above the French café Yuusuke works in, and in working together for the commercial Adix.
Yuusuke is quite timid though he is a model. He has inferiority complex with his younger step brother Atsushi in basketball. It was actually Yuusuke who taught Atsushi playing the sports but Atsushi became so good in the area that made Yuusuke quit playing it. On the other hand, Atsushi was inspired by Yuusuke in playing basketball. He excels in it. He actually wanted Yuusuke to recognize him for it. Yes, they are both idiot brothers. :) Yuusuke later learned and realized about this, but what he can do? He wants Yuusuke to see him, to love him. The fact that he’s younger and they are brother…but errr, the brother thing is not a concern for Yuusuke. Just probably being younger that he has complex on and that’s why he sported a goatee in the first chapters to make him look older. He even acts older and don’t call Yuusuke as “big brother” anymore, which shocked Yuusuke at their first meeting after 3 years!
Sensei’s storytelling is always engaging, and even more in this work. The credit also goes to the scanlation groups (Nakama & Dangerous Pleasure) for the quality translation in bringing each dialogue/monologue fluidly. (Although I don’t know Japanese/Chinese, I just feel it. ;)) Bring in some more ‘taboo’ in yaoi, is another factor that this story is thrilling and at the same time a sweet thing to read. There is the complexity and the feeling of angst in overstepping the bounds of the existing brother relationship. Though, this is in step-sibling scenario and not blood related brother. TBH, I am glad they’re just step-brothers.
Each panel or page is filled with gorgeous bishies you can drool upon. The strokes (I think in IMHO) are well balanced with combination use of thin, thick, soft, and strong strokes. What I like about sensei’s chara design in uke is that even he is an uke, you will notice a little bit of shape or formation of muscles e.g. , in upper arm; unlike with other mangaka works that their uke looks every inch like a female that it feels like you’re reading a gender bender genre instead of a BL one. Here are some images which I hope you’ll also catch yourself drool in eyeing them :)
Almost every element or genre I like in BL are thrown in here. So far there’s no reason for me not to love this manga and this pairing! Younger seme x older uke, brother x brother, cute combination of angsty couple, modeling, sports (basketball), and not to forget the lovely and gorgeous art.
Disclaimer: The images are not mine.
Credits to Maruya Kae sensei for the work. The very high quality clean scans and translation to Nakama & Dangerous Pleasure . If it is not permitted use the images for samples here, please let me know. I’ll take them down as soon as I receive any notice.