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Posted by Kazegami on 07.04.2017, 02:45 AM:

 

Hnn, I've never read any Korean BL. Perhaps I'll give it a go sometime.

These same issues with bisexuality seem to persist wherever you go. I don't know why people need to be so hostile toward things they don't understand. Like, just because they can't imagine feeling attraction to more than one gender, doesn't mean it's any kind of problem for other people to. Although, as you say, it's more erasure than hostility that's usually the problem...


On topic, I just started reading Shimanami Tasogare, so thanks for that recommendation, FFF! I'm only at chapter 3 but liking it so far.


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Posted by foreignfilmfreak on 07.04.2017, 06:04 PM:

 

quote:
Originally posted by Kazegami
Hnn, I've never read any Korean BL. Perhaps I'll give it a go sometime.

These same issues with bisexuality seem to persist wherever you go. I don't know why people need to be so hostile toward things they don't understand. Like, just because they can't imagine feeling attraction to more than one gender, doesn't mean it's any kind of problem for other people to. Although, as you say, it's more erasure than hostility that's usually the problem...


On topic, I just started reading Shimanami Tasogare, so thanks for that recommendation, FFF! I'm only at chapter 3 but liking it so far.


You should try it! It's kind of a different perspective. There's also some really good series out there, but there's a lot that might be more aggravating than the mainstream Japanese ones. They have some different cliches and areas that are problematic. However, they usually do address sexuality and homophobia whereas Japanese BL tends to skip over both or make it too vague.

Except, like, every other guy in Korean BL is a raging homophobe who doesn't want to admit he likes dudes. Depends on the series though. It's different from the passiveness in Japanese BL.

Yay good! It's a lovely series.


Posted by Kazegami on 07.04.2017, 11:34 PM:

 

Ah, the internalised homophobia is strong with these ones too, huh... It doesn't annoy me so much as it's just boring now, so overused and overdone. Although, thinking about it, I guess that actually it's just that it's not usually executed well. Tasuku in Shimanami is grappling with some but the way it's shown feels much more realistic.

I'm really liking Shimanami's art style, it's so nice.


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Posted by foreignfilmfreak on 07.05.2017, 06:00 PM:

 

quote:
Originally posted by Kazegami
Ah, the internalised homophobia is strong with these ones too, huh... It doesn't annoy me so much as it's just boring now, so overused and overdone. Although, thinking about it, I guess that actually it's just that it's not usually executed well. Tasuku in Shimanami is grappling with some but the way it's shown feels much more realistic.

I'm really liking Shimanami's art style, it's so nice.


Yeah, I like when it's executed well. I've only really started reading BL since I did that project for school last year. So while I've read a lot of it, it's still pretty fresh for me. Usually the only authors who know how to write internalized homophobia well are those who appear critical of society. Kamatani is definitely one of those authors.

Kamatani's artwork has improved so much since the early days of Nabari no Ou. haha Although they've had roughly the same style since. It's such a unique style too, very distinct. I've been waiting forever for them to create a series like this and I remember crying when I discovered it was finally real. Their strong point is characterization, which is pretty obvious from Nabari no Ou alone. Apparently Shounen Note also explores gender identity but haven't read it yet.

Kamatani has been openly x-gender (non-binary) for years as well as openly asexual.

EDIT: Actually, not sure if you've read Nabari no Ou. I've been slowly rereading the series from a different perspective from almost ten years ago (holy jeez) and Yoite is breaking my heart just as much now as back then.

This series holds the strongest emotional attachment for me. It's also the series that taught me what intersex meant. I think not just so much for adults, but Kamatani's work is really good for youth. I learnt so much just from reading that series when I was 14. So definitely want to have all of their work on hand for my own children. haha


Posted by Kazegami on 07.06.2017, 11:07 AM:

 

That's really interesting about the author, I had no idea. They seem like a rare breed of person... Didn't realise they were behind Nabari no Ou, either! It does explain where I've seen that lovely art style, though, I was thinking it looked familiar. I never did read it but watched the anime years ago. I remember how you used to talk about it here.

Up to chapter 7 of Shimanami Tasogare now. These last two chapters have been especially good. Tsubaki seems like a kind person... I can hope that Tasuku's heart won't be hurt too much if things don't work out. And poor Misora... I hope they and Tasuku can become closer and support each other.


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Posted by foreignfilmfreak on 07.06.2017, 05:12 PM:

 

quote:
Originally posted by Kazegami
That's really interesting about the author, I had no idea. They seem like a rare breed of person... Didn't realise they were behind Nabari no Ou, either! It does explain where I've seen that lovely art style, though, I was thinking it looked familiar. I never did read it but watched the anime years ago. I remember how you used to talk about it here.

Up to chapter 7 of Shimanami Tasogare now. These last two chapters have been especially good. Tsubaki seems like a kind person... I can hope that Tasuku's heart won't be hurt too much if things don't work out. And poor Misora... I hope they and Tasuku can become closer and support each other.


One of my friends pointed it out to me! They were so excited there was a Japanese mangaka who was openly non-binary. Kamatani included their identity in their twitter bio. Wasn't sure if you'd read Nabari but I figured it's well known enough to recognize the name at least. haha You should read it sometime though, it's a bit heartbreaking but I think it was one of Kamatani's earlier attempts at writing about gender.

I can't wait for you to catch up. Sadly, there won't be another two chapters until August when the new volume is out? I think? This manga isn't published monthly since I think Kamatani is focusing on several smaller projects at the same time.

I really want to know your feelings about Tsubaki because I have such a different opinion/understanding of him from other readers. He's my favourite character to pick apart, there's so much interesting symbolism around him, like the goldfish.


Posted by foreignfilmfreak on 08.21.2017, 09:38 PM:

 

19 Days though.. I'm so happy it's (hopefully) no longer queer baiting.. I mean it wasn't really but it was at the same time? Old Xian has developed great characterization skills and her art has improved so much in a short time. She's so good at the small moments and development. I mean the plot could've been improved but honestly could just live for the characters.

I also really, really badly need to get reading Dark Heaven. Holy crap, the DIALOGUE. There's a lot of focus on racism and homophobia, extremist groups. Was surprised to find a Korean manhwa that focuses on these themes? At least in the way the author writes about it. Also a unique style. I like the way there's pretty blatant jabs at the WBC.

Fools is showing supportive boyfriends (I'm not sure, but I feel like this series was named after Troye Sivan's Fools). I don't think Fools has ever disappointed. It's adorable and if there ever was any drama it resolved quickly and realistically.

Not sure how I feel about the second season of All About Lust but it has some really good points. I like this series for a few reasons (safe practices, great communication, positive portrayal of female characters in a BL, realistic issues). JJ better be the star of the third season.


Posted by husky51 on 09.08.2017, 10:40 PM:

 

"Mist" a Tokyopop Clamp series...

Finished the four volumes of "Wish"...

Art by Mick Nekoi
Story by Nanase Ohkawa

Not one of my favorites, but a nice mixed up little romance... The biggest thing that bothered me was the small balloons of very, very small type, necessitating a magnifier , but other than that, enjoyable...


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Posted by husky51 on 09.09.2017, 06:30 PM:

 

Starting with a new series.. "Train man" by Hidenori Hara...

based on "Densha Otoko" by Hitori Nakano...

Finished the first series and now started on the second series, "Densha Otoko" on which the first one was based.

From what I've read, the original story was based on a RL happening on 2channel, a kind of online forum for single men.


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Posted by husky51 on 10.22.2017, 02:14 AM:

 

Just finished the "Chobits" manga, all 8 volumes... Going to watch the complete anime in the near future...


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Posted by husky51 on 11.23.2017, 03:55 AM:

 

Not manga, per se, but got my latest copy of "Otaku USA" in the mail today...

It has portions of "Tokyo Ghoul: re" and "Hatsune Miku: Future Delivery Vol 1...

Not my usual sort of reading, but the magazine has numerous other articles on anime, manga, video games and cosplay...


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Posted by Saddletank on 11.27.2017, 06:08 PM:

 

I've been re-reading Aku no Hana and thoroughly enjoying it, so very intense and well drawn and well written. I can only take it in short sessions though as I think soaking it all up in a long session will probably make you as crazy as the main characters. I especially like the second half - the story with Tokiwa more than the story with that insane Nakamura!

After this I'm going to try some of Oshimi Shuzo's other work such as Shino-chan wa Jibun no Namae ga Ienai and Hyouryuu Net Cafe as I've heard good things about them as well.

I recently had a bit of a yuri fling as well with Bloom into You and Blue Drop.


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Posted by arren18 on 01.13.2018, 09:51 AM:

 

I just got the first volumes of two manga in the mail yesterday. One is Houseki no Kuni, as I want to read it after having finished the anime (which is very good! I recommend it highly!). The other is Seishun Kishinden! 240 Gakuen. It's a comedy crossover of various Nishio Ishin (Monogatari, Katanagatari, Zaregoto, etc) characters, and although I haven't read any of it yet or even know much about it, I expect it'll be pretty funny.


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Posted by Saddletank on 01.13.2018, 10:28 AM:

 

quote:
Originally posted by arren18
Seishun Kishinden! 240 Gakuen. It's a comedy crossover of various Nishio Ishin (Monogatari, Katanagatari, Zaregoto, etc) characters,
Whoa. That sounds interesting.

I finished Oshimi Shuzo's "Shino-chan wa Jibun no Namae ga Ienai" but can't really recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of his... or you are an angsty teen because its just lots of extreme teen angst really.

Hyouryuu Net Cafe was... pretty weird, though I dropped it after a while. It just didn't turn out to be what I was expecting AT ALL and apart from some dark angsty themes among the characters isn't really like his other work at all.

I'm now reading "Solanin" by Inio Asano and I am enjoying it very much. Its a slow-paced young working adults slice of life story and has musical/band themes too so it has a bit of a feel of Beck meets Honey and Clover. Recommended.


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Posted by husky51 on 02.12.2018, 04:29 AM:

 

Went out to get something to eat and I like reading a book when I'm by myself (which is most of the time when I'm out). On the way out, I grabbed a manga book and it happened to be "Love Hina", volume 1, of course. I'm now on vol. 4 and will go through the whole series. I laugh out loud at times at the situations that poor Keitaro finds himself in... Usually with him ending up getting clobbered... mostly through no fault of his own lol

poor guy...


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Posted by husky51 on 02.12.2018, 04:52 AM:

 

When I was going out to eat a few days ago and, since I like to read while eating out, I grabbed a manga off the shelf. Volume 1 of "Love Hina"... I get a laugh out of the different situations that poor Keitaro finds himself in when he goes to his Grandmothers hotel and finds out that he has been made the owner and landlord and the hotel has been turned into a girls dormitory. The poor guy, mostly through no fault of his own, finds himself in embarrassing situations that usually end up with him getting clobbered...

I'm now on volume 4 and will finish the series.

This will be the third time that I've read it.


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Posted by husky51 on 03.03.2018, 10:13 PM:

 

Finished "Love hina" and tried to re-read "Kiss Me, Kill Me" but after 2 volumes, just couldn't get into the storyline... I had trouble telling one character from another and was just getting confused... I don't recall it being this bad when I first read it a few years ago...

I'm trying "Kare Kano, his and her circumstances" and see where I go.. I've got all 21 volumes.


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Posted by Saddletank on 03.04.2018, 06:58 AM:

 

Have you read Kare Kano before? It was among the first non-Ghibli anime I watched and went out to buy the full set of manga on the basis of the failed/early ending of the anime.

I'd like to know what you think of it.


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Posted by husky51 on 03.04.2018, 11:58 AM:

 

Yes, I have read it before, but have forgotten most of it at this point. Yukino and Soichiro are off to a good, if bumpy, start in Vol 1...

When I'm done reading, I'll give a short (?) report, lol...


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Posted by husky51 on 03.19.2018, 12:43 AM:

 

Hi Saddles...

What I thnk of the manga, "Kare Kano; His and Hers Circumstances".

First of all, I enjoyed the tales that were in the story by author Masami Tsuda.

There were numerous tales about other high school students and pairs besides Yukino and Soichiro, the two main characters, particularly in Volumes 10-12. As per Tsuda's information, this was done purposely by the author to give each pair its own storyline and how they all fit in with the main pair.

One problem that I had throughout the 21 Volumes was telling the characters apart when seeing them on the page. Sometimes the same person was shown with dark hair and sometimes with light hair and while some were distinctly different, others were not. Each person had their own characteristics and lifestyles, but all were connected through their school. They dealt with the different , how do I say it, methods or manners by which each couple met and got along with each other and others in their school. Also, how they were sometimes helped by others in their group.

How they grew and learned about life and dealing with the different problems that beset them and how they handled it. And it wasn't all easy fixes to their problems, they had some very serious problems to overcome at times. Including shunning by their classmates, love, parents, sex and even teenage pregnancy and how changes were made in their individual plans for their futures as their lives went along. One couple apparently never got along, even married, but still went off together in their future.

And that was nice in these volumes. You learned what they all became in their futures, becoming Doctors; Artists; Writers, Archeologists, etc. and a bit of the trial and tribulations that they incountered. I think that gave a lot to the story as a whole.

As the different chapters went along, the author kept a personal diary, telling things that were happening in her life over the years. Giving glimpses into the lives of her characters and other writings about different things. I read them all until about the last 5 or 6 volumes, having just gotten tired of all the extra writings which to me, had nothing to do with the storyline...

That is about it, I like the way Tsuda wove togerher the different story lines into a tapestry that was made into, overall, an enjoyable read...

I hope that this answers your questions about the story, Saddles.


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