mushimanga

Mangaka: Naono Bohra
Genre: Yaoi, Historical, Supernatural
Length: 1 volume
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

Chief Hakuto is experiencing a very frustrating problem, ED. An avid older seme, Hakuto always goes for the young, cute, slender type but when a subordinate who's completely not his type whispers "I’ll do anything for you" it's too hard to resist even if Hakuto has to.

Chapters 5-6 are an unrelated story. A young man in historical Japan lives in a haunted house, with a mysterious one-eyed manservant, who unbeknownst to him may have something to do with his family's curse…

This is listed as an ongoing project on Dangerous Pleasure's site, but what has been scanlated so far seems complete. There must be another volume in the tubes.

Sample Pages
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This can be downloaded through Dangerous Pleasure's website.

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Mangaka: CJ Michalski
Genre: Yaoi, comedy
Length: Oneshot + extra
Scanlated by: Biblo Eros

This is a pretty short, simple piece. Tetsuya works at an electronics shop. One day, a cute young man comes in to ask for help fixing a light, and it's love at first sight. Tetsuya begins helping the young man out around the house, and...

I usually am not a fan of CJ Michalski's work. The art is good, but it's also unsexy. It just has never seemed well-suited to porn, to me, and most of her work is pornographic. I'm also just not nearly as fond of the uber uke type as she seems to be.

This story only contains a very brief sex scene; most of it is focused on the awkward, cute longings of Tetsuya. For once, the story and the art match. If only Ryoji was more interesting, it would be perfect. (You've never seen porn, young man? You are a modern person, living in a modern world, YOU HAVE SEEN PORN. Then again, maybe he's lying and the innocent stuff is just an act. That would be refreshing.)

Sample Pages
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This story can be downloaded at Biblo Eros/Liquid Passion.

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Mangaka: Kuju Siam
Genre: Yaoi, Fantasy, Horror
Length: 1 volume (so far)
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

Ono Takimura is human, but works in Hell as an assistant to Enma, one of the ten gods of hell. Enma, who was once human himself, is a notorious lech and has his eye on Takimura.

This is an unusual title. The characters dance around each other, Enma's detachment suffers, and the horrors of hell are always in the background--or the foreground, as when Takimura runs into a former lover who has recently died.

It's hard to describe this one, but I really like it so far. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next chapters.

Sample Pages
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This title can be downloaded at Dangerous Pleasure's website.

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Edit: Corsair is now complete. There is a sequel, also being scanlated by Bliss, that is now being scanlated.

Mangaka: Misono Erii
Genre: Yaoi, Historical, Fantasy
Length: ~~13 chapters so far~~ 3 volumes
Scanlated by: Bliss

I'm such a sucker for yaoi manga with plot, no matter how melodramatic that plot may be. I'm also a sucker for pirates, so I'm sold.

The pirate clan of Preveza roams a fictional Mediterranean sea. Traveling with them is Canale, a blind strategist with a mysterious past, and Ayace Malik, their most deadly fighter. As Canale's past begins to catch up with him, Ayace decides to further complicate matters by taking Canale to his bed--he says, to control him, but what's really going on?

This is a series that would easily win yaoi bingo, so it won't be to everyone's taste, but if you don't mind that and are looking for a long series, give it a try.

Warnings:
This story contains graphic depictions of rape, a dubiously consenting relationship, and one brief scene of attempted child rape.

Sample Pages
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You can download this series on Bliss's website.

kutsuwamushi

Mangaka: Kodaka Kazuma
Genre: Yaoi
Length: 7 chapters
Scanlated by: Hochuuami

Do you have sexual frustration?

Is your sexual frustration due to unfulfilled lust for a particular person?

Does the idea of having sex with a shapeshifting ex-priest with dramatic fashion sense and a unibang who sells his services from behind a counter in an underground bar appeal to you?

YES?

THEN WELCOME TO THE SEX SHOP OF HORRORS.*

I'm not sure how to summarize this. So, there is this priest, right, and he like, violated some taboo or something, and now he's a prostitute. But not just any prostitute--a high class, magical prostitute who will help you find true love. By having you fuck him. While he pretends to be the person you actually want.

It's Kodaka Kazuma, with all that implies: the art is clean and usually well-done, but sometimes someone suddenly gets an abnormally large head. The story makes no sense but somehow that makes it better. And the porn... it's pretty detailed.

Sample Pages
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Hochuuami has disbanded and their website is down. You can download this title here.

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Edit: Geshuku Biyori is now complete.

Mangaka: Mamahara Ellie
Genre: Soft Yaoi
Length: ~~2 chapters so far~~ 1 volume
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

When the old landlord of Wisteria Manor dies, her grandson tells the new tenants that they have six months to move out. But until then, he is going to be living with them...

I used to avoid all of Mamahara Ellie's works because I didn't like the art style. But then I gave one a chance, and realized that I like how she tells stories, and furthermore... that her art isn't that bad, after all. It takes some getting used to, but her later works are actually quite nice.

This story looks like it's going to revolve around the grandson and one of the tenants, but there are several endearing supporting characters. The romantic momentum is supplied by the classic "knowing you're gay makes me doubt my own heterosexuality" trope, but because it's Mamahara Ellie, it gets slightly more nuanced development than it might otherwise.

Highlight for potentially spoiler-y warnings:

In the earlier chapters, one of the characters gets drunk, then can't remember what happened in the morning. He doesn't know if he had sex or not.

Sample Pages
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This title is available for download from Dangerous Pleasure's website.

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Mangaka: Abe Akane
Genre: Yaoi, Comedy
Length: 6 chapters
Scanlated by: Attractive Fascinante

Yoshinaga is madly in love with Takao. However, Takao is in love with big tits. Facing such a frivolous lover, Yoshinaga needs to use all ways to tame Takao. But will Takao really listen and give up big tits?

... I ... well, that is probably a very good summary.

I've said this before, but Abe Akane reminds me a lot of Watanabe Asia, and since Watanabe Asia's stories are notorious for being batshit insane, that comparison should give you some idea. Abe Akane isn't quite as out there, though; while wacky, it still makes some bit of sense.

Chapters 4-5 are a separate story about a pair of cousins.

Chapter 6 returns to Yoshinaga and Takao for a non-smoking announcement.

Sample Pages
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You can download this title on Attractive Fascinante's community on LiveJournal.

kutsuwamushi

Mangaka: Tsurugi Kai
Genre: Yaoi, Military
Length: 1 volume
Scanlated by: Fantasy Shrine

Scientist Eric Stuart has been kidnapped! To rescue him, Steve McDaniel, an elite soldier, must infiltrate the enemy's fortress, find the kidnapped scientist, and bring him home.

Based on the cover art, I didn't expect to like this. The scientist is drawn as waif-like, feminine, and dependent on the soldier; usually that's a clue that there's no personality there. However, even though the characters fall neatly into the seme and uke roles, they both have personalities, and their relationship is rather sweet and tender.

There is a lot of plot, for a yaoi manga. After rescuing Eric, Steve goes after the terrorist group responsible for Eric's kidnapping and for dark events in his own past. It doesn't always make sense, but then, yaoi rarely does.

There's one major WTF moment: after dozens of pages of a caring relationship, Steve suddenly rapes Eric after they have a fight. It's so out of place with the rest of the characterization that it feels like the artist realized she didn't have a rape scene, went "oh no," and penciled one in. It's only one page out of 200, at least.

Warnings:
This story contains one scene of non-consensual sex within a relationship, one scene of attempted rape by a baddie, and some implications of past rape. While these aren't typical of the story as a whole, if you're triggered by such things, you should avoid it.

Sample Pages
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You can download this title here.

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Edit: This story has been put on hiatus and it seems doubtful that it will be continued, which is a damn shame.

Mangaka: Sakurai Shushushu
Genre: Yaoi, historical, comedy
Length: 2 chapters (ongoing)
Scanlated by: Blissful Sin

One night, after being accosted by a fortune-teller who's adamant that Tanaka will meet with great misfortune, he is shockingly confessed to by a work colleague. The two men struggle and following an abrupt fall, Tanaka mysteriously finds himself tossed back in time to the year 1581. Suddenly thrust into the violent world of the Warring States Era, our reluctant time-traveler is in for the adventure of a lifetime.

So, it's no secret that I love the incredible hilarity of most of Sakurai Shushushu's work. It often feels like a fond spoof of popular romance tropes; she makes fun of them while simultaneously using them in her own plots, resulting in something that pokes fun but doesn't mock.

This series is no different. Tanaka finds that he's the key to peace, but parts of the prophecy don't match up to reality... for example, he's no maiden.

Unfortunately, it hasn't really gotten underway yet, and releases are slow. I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapters.

Sample Pages

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kutsuwamushi

Mangaka: Kamuro Akira
Genre:: Yaoi, Comedy
Length: ~~3 chapters (ongoing)~~ 1 volume (complete)
Scanlated by: Blissful Sin

Ryou was dumped because of his lousy sex techniques and in order to improve his skills, he turned to JS Pro, a company full of handsome men. His debut as a seme was a complete failure! He decided to challenge the uke role by teaming up with Tatsuya, a man he admired, however… (BS)

I've hesitated to recommend anything by this mangaka, because I really dislike how the default expression of most of the characters is "pouty smirk, with huge chin." It just isn't attractive at all. But that's really nitpicky, because otherwise the art is nice, and the men are actually masculine - to varying degrees, of course, because it's yaoi, but no one looks like a beanpole.

I ended up liking the art by the end of the three available chapters.

It's a cute story, as well, about a guy who has a problem with premature ejaculation ending up in a crew of gay porn actors.

One side note: This one hit my embarrassment squick, hard. The premise is basically that this guy sucks at sex, and he goes through more than one mortifying experience - including on video.

Sample Pages
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kutsuwamushi

This is an updated version of my previous post about this series, since so much has been added since then.

Mangaka: Miyamoto Kano
Genre: Yaoi
Length: 3 volumes (complete)
Translated by: Liquid Passion

Konoe, a high school student, is confused about his sexuality. He meets Hikaru in the sleazy gay district, and sleeps with him. They begin to play at being lovers, but Konoe's heart belongs to Atori, his friend and classmate. Can Konoe come to terms with his sexuality and reveal his feelings to Atori, and where do Hikaru's true feelings lie? (LP)

Miyamoto Kano's works--well, at least what I've read so far, which is quite a lot because I really really like them--are especially character- driven for yaoi manga. She creates characters that I want to read about, so it's not just porn with interchangeable archetypes. This aspect of her work reminds me a lot of one of my other favorite boys' love mangaka, Yoshinaga Fumi.

Their approaches are different, though. Rules aims to be something closer to the real world. There's a quiet normalcy about it that stands out, that really makes it appealing.

Unfortunately, Miyamoto Kano's work, while deservedly popular, is confusing as hell. "Rules" is related to at least a dozen other stories that take place in the same universe. They weren't written in chronological order and there are a ton of characters to remember. In fact, for a while, I gave up on reading the new releases because I just didn't have the mental energy to keep it all straight.

Thankfully, Liquid Passion, who scanlated most of them, has put together a chronological listing, here. Although it's not first, I think "Rules" is a good place to start, because it doesn't require any previous knowledge of the characters or stories that are set before.

The non-con tag is for a brief scene involving two of the supporting characters; it's not kink and not part of any of the relationships in the series. The same with the prostitution -- one of the supporting characters is a male prostitute, but that's not really part of his eventual relationship.

Sample pages
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This title is available for direct download through Liquid Passion's website.

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Edit: Loveless's website is down, which makes me suspect they are gone and this is neither available through their IRC channel nor going to be updated. Get hooked at your own risk.

Mangaka: Toribito Hiromi
Genre: Yaoi, historical
Length: 3 chapters (ongoing)
Scanlated by: Loveless

Amidst the crowds in Asakusa district, Tokyo, a young man is assaulted by a group of bandits. When a red-haired stranger comes to his rescue, Suoh falls in love at first sight, but all is fair in love and war. (Loveless)

That makes Suoh sound like a total wuss--but what I like about this series is that he isn't. For sure, he's a gay man who designs flamboyant kimono, but he has a huge temper and isn't afraid to use it. The characterization is unusually multi-faceted for yaoi manga.

And so is the story. It's nothing sensationally complicated, but there are several things going on: Suoh's conflict with his younger brother over the direction of their kimono shop, the dangerous gangster trying to seduce both of them, Suoh's unrequited love for Shinobu (the stranger who saved him), and Shinobu's problems with being a Christian an obviously foreign in historical Japan.

Three chapters and no sex yet, just one hot hot hot masturbation scene. Unfortunately, there have been no updates recently, so it may be languishing.

Sample Pages
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kutsuwamushi

Mangaka: Takanaga Hinako
Genre: Yaoi, comedy
Length: 4 chapters (complete)
Scanlated by: Hochuuami

Kouta wanted to attend the same university as Akira but he was the only who passed. This year, will he be able to make Akira pass the exam? (Manganews.net)

Takanaga Hinako is one of my favorites. Most of her work is lighthearted, with endearing characters. Her artwork is great, too -- she has a lot of talent for drawing comics. I don't just mean the way she draws faces or backgrounds, but her page layouts and pacing as well. It's energetic without being chaotic.

"Study Hard" is very softcore. It's damn cute, though. Akira is vain, spoiled, and oblivious, but he's so happy at the same time. Kouta's crush is completely understandable, even though Akira takes shameless advantage of him.

Sample Pages
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Hochuuami is gone, so you can download this here.

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Mangaka: Yamada Sakurako
Genre: Yaoi
Length: 7 chapters (complete)
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

This is a cute story by a mangaka whose work I don't remember reading before. I've read so much mediocre yaoi manga lately--stuff that just didn't grab me in any particular way even if I couldn't point to a particular problem with it, so this was a pleasant surprise.

"Whee!" I said. "A story with decent art and a fun storyline! And the characters have a reasonable amount of forehead!"

After breaking up with his boyfriend, Hino heads to his favorite gay bar. He tries to pick up Kishida, but it turns out that Kishida is only there because his nephew is gay and he's worried about what that means. Obvs., Kishida has never heard of Google and needs an Actual Gay Man(tm) for help.

Sample Pages
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Omoi Sugoshi mo Koi no Ochi can be downloaded from Dangerous Pleasure's website.

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( This story contains a doctor sexually molesting a patient. Don't click if you don't want to read about it. )

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Mangaka: Hiiro Reiichi
Genre: Yaoi, fantasy
Length: 1 volume (complete)
Scanlated: Fushichou

Ayase kai almost drowns in the ocean but is saved by a merman. He thought it is all a bizare dream, until the merman shows up again at his company, this time with legs. He claims to be a rich prince and Ayase's new boss but thats not all, his true goal is to make Ayase his mate! (Fushichou)

Hiiro Reiichi's art isn't that much to look at, but the stories usually make up for it. They have the same appeal as a ridiculously cheesy, yet plotty, piece of fanfiction. They're just the sort of escapist reading that I'm often in the mood for. That's why Hiiro Reiichi is one of my favorites despite the difficulty of keeping the "i"s in her name straight.

This story takes the cheese to the next level. The merman searching for his mate trope is quite funny to start with, but my favorite part is the merman's brother, who shows up looking for him. He's an anal retentive neatfreak who falls in love with a slob.

Be warned, this series is so cheesy that we have mermen going into heat.

Sample Pages
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Fushichou's website lists this series as licensed, but as far as I can tell that's only in German. They've pulled the downloads nonetheless, since they're German. PM me or comment if you want a copy.

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Mangaka Sakurai Shushushu
Genre: Yaoi, comedy
Length: 5 chapters (complete)
Scanlated by: Attractive Fascinante

The little rich boy, Hiroshigu, went on board a fishing boat out of curiosity as well as for the fun of it. However, he was swept off by waves and ends up on a deserted island with the bodyguard he hates most—Miyakawa! (AF)

I have a friend who likes to send me the weird, horrifying, and yet hilarious things that she finds on the internet. Once, she sent me Vibrator Company by Sakurai Shushushu. I would love to tell you what it was about, but I don't think that the words "vibrating trade secrets" and "splintery wooden dildo" properly convey the spirit of the story.

Vibrator Company has been licensed, but Mujintou Lovers hasn't. And More importantly, I actually like Mujintou Lovers better. The funniest thing about Vibrator Company is your initial reaction to the crazy things that happen in it--so it's not as funny on the reread. The humor in Mujintou Lovers is more about the characters.

Still not convinced? Then look at this. That's so sexy.

The first two chapters are about the desert island romance of Hiroshigu and Miyakawa, and the last three are unconnected oneshots.

Sample Pages
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You can download this from the completed projects post on Attractive Fascinante's LJ comm.

(PS I just lost the game.)

kutsuwamushi

Mangaka Nagato Saichi
Genre: Yaoi
Length: ~~4 chapters (ongoing)~~ 6 chapters (complete)
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

The copy says that this is about a magical barber who brings happiness, but sadly, it's more mundane than that. It's still very cute, though.

Nachi runs a neighborhood barbershop. Tsukasa is a shy young man with bad 1990s grunge hair. They meet when Tsukasa visits Nachi's shop and Nachi gives him a makeover, revealing that Tsukasa is actually quite handsome and giving Tsukasa new confidence! Even after Tsukasa becomes a successful actor, he continues to visit Nachi.

There's a very brief attempted rape scene--you know, the kind that gives the seme the opportunity to charge to the rescue. There's also surprise bukkake! Yay?

Sample Pages
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You can download this one through Dangerous Pleasure's website.

kutsuwamushi

Edit: Keep Out is now complete.

Mangaka: Kisaragi Hirotaka
Genre: Yaoi
Length: ~~3 chapters (ongoing)~~ 1 volume
Scanlated by: Dangerous Pleasure

My first introduction to Kisaragi Hirotaka's work was the occasionally baffling, but very very pretty Na mo Naki no Tobu Yoake: Innocent Bird, which stood out at the time for both its unusual artwork and its abundance of plot. That series has since been licensed by BLU; I'll get around to recommending it later. Free stuff first!

Keep Out is quite different. I was expecting a supernatural plotline, because that what this mangaka seems to like, but this is instead the common yaoi trope of the bodyguard and his charge. Here's the twist, though: The deadly bodyguard is the one that gets stuck with the role of uke. He doesn't like this, and throws lots of fits about it.

I recommend this one if porn power struggles don't bother you too much (this is a situation that in the real world would clearly be sexual harassment).

Sample Pages
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This title can be download from Dangerous Pleasure's website.

... I think I need a "bodyguards" tag. Done.

kutsuwamushi

Mangaka: Fujiyama Hyouta
Genre: Yaoi
Length: 1 volume (complete)
Published by: Digital Manga Publishing

Natori is begged to go to a party by his friend, and reluctantly agrees. There he meets Kisugi; they hit it off immediately, and become good friends even though Natori is surprised to find out that Kisugi likes guys. But Natori's feelings towards Kisugi grow complicated, as he becomes jealous of Kisugi's boyfriend...

Fujiyama Hyouta has just been added to my list of mangaka whose work I try to follow. I just got around to reading Spell, which has been sitting on my drive for forever, and I really like it.

The artwork didn't immediately catch my eye, and it's a little rough around the edges, but once I gave it a chance I ended up liking it. Both of the characters are adults--I should totally make a tag for that, because in BL manga that's practically a kink. Sexuality is addressed rather than conveniently glossed over. I like the single female suporting character.

The tone, though, is what caught my attention. It reminds me a bit of what I like about Rules, even though they're pretty different: These are normal people, even if their relationship is idealized to fit into the yaoi genre.

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About

This is my journal for BL manga recs. Please see the profile page for more information. You can browse past recs by the tags.

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Style: Plain for Tabula Rasa

BL Manga Recommendations

Entries tagged with yaoi

[REC] REN'AI NENREI

[REC] OUR TOWN'S ELECTRICIAN

[REC] JIGOKU MEGURI

[REC] CORSAIR

[REC] A SEX THERAPIST

[REC] GESHUKU BIYORI

[REC] UBAWARERU KOTO MARUGOTO ZENBU

[REC] MY LIFE WITH YOU

[REC] SENGOKU PARADISE

[REC] IKENAI OTOKO

[REC] RULES

[REC] IRO OTOKO

[REC] BENKYOU SHINASAI (STUDY HARD)

[REC] OMOISUGOSHI MO KOI NO UCHI

[REC] PARAPHRASE

[REC] WILD FISH

[REC] MUJINTOU LOVERS (LOVERS ON A DESERT ISLAND)

[REC] KOU'UN NO RIHATSUSHI (GOOD LUCK BARBER)

[REC] KEEP OUT

[REC] SPELL

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